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Past Expo Event
Ethiopian
Yellow Pages 14th Year Anniversary
News
Saturday,
September 15, 2007, The Ethiopian Yellow Pages
celebrated its 14th Year
anniversary and the Ethiopian Millennium Year
2000 at the Capital Hilton in Washington DC.
The night was filled with breathtaking,
surprising and most of all-memorable moments.
With
well over 1000 people attending, the event
proved popular.
The
celebration started at 5pm with Hallway art
exhibition and business vendors’ display. At
7pm, a brief official welcoming speech made by
the president of the Ethiopian Yellow Pages
Mrs.Yeshimebet T Belay was followed by a
splendid Gala dinner. After dinner, a special
New Year welcoming musical performance by the
traditional music band ignited the night
with spectacular scenery by Artist Yehunie
Belay who came out singing from the backstage
escorted by children who then threw flowers to
guests as a gesture of welcoming the Ethiopian
New Year. The whole audience responded with
great applause.
Then, The
Ethiopian Yellow Pages awarded certificate of
Appreciation to its twelve long-standing
customers who have been pioneers in
advertising with the Ethiopian yellow Pages
starting 14 years ago, since its inception
with the first publication.
In the
following event, Artist of the Millennium
award that honors individuals with significant
contribution to musical art profession and
musical growth in Ethiopia was awarded, By
Artist Yehunie Belay who is also the Vice
president of the Ethiopian Yellow pages, to
Artist Tilahun Gessese, Artist Mahmoud Ahmed,
and Artist Tesfaye Lemma.
Artist Tilahun
Gessese’s telephone conversation from Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia, with Artist Yehunie
Belay was delivered. On the tape recorded that
was broadcasted on stage, Artist Tilahun
congratulated the Ethiopian Yellow Pages on
its 14th Year anniversary and
wished a happy prosperous new Millennium to
all Ethiopians.
Artist Yehunie Belay
accepting award on behalf of Artist Tilahun
Gessese
Artist Mahmoud
Ahmed, who was present on the event, humbly
accepted his award. Deeply touched after
listening Artist Tilahun’s voice, he started
crying out of love and respect. In his speech,
he expressed how happy he is to be selected by
the Ethiopian Yellow Pages as Artist of the
Millennium. That moment was a big lesson to
witness how these artists respect each other.
Artist Mahmoud Ahmed making speech
after accepting award
The third
person who got the Millennium Award was Artist
Tesfaye Lemma. Introduction about Artist
Tesfaye Lemma who is now in his old ages was
made on the stage by his long time friend
Ledena Schnapper mostly known by Ethiopians as
Serkalem.
Artist Tesfaye
Lemma was not only the founding member of
Orchestra Ethiopia, a
performing group formed in 1963 European
calendar but also its second director
(1966-1975), after the first director El-Dabh
left the group.
On
later years,he
was the artistic director of People-to-people music ensemble when
the troupe was on around the world tour.
Artist Tesfaye Lemma
accepting award from Mr.Belay and Mrs. Belay
The outstanding
achievement and community services award was
given to the Late Yohannes Haileyesus who
served at the voice of America, Amharic
service. It was a sad moment filled with
emotions to see his wife accept the Award.
Wife of the late Yohannes
Haileyesus receiving award from VOA
representative Ato Negussie
The certificate
of Excellence award which was anticipated
through out the night was given to a life time
friend of the Ethiopian community, Honorable
Councilmember Jim Graham. During this time, a
tip of the ice information about Jim Graham’s
contribution to the Ethiopian Community and
his success to that effect was read. Upon
receiving the award, Honorable Councilmember
Jim Graham thanked the Ethiopian Yellow Pages
and Ethiopians in General for the award, and
for their daily effort to make a difference in
the District of Columbia.
Honorable Councilmember
Jim Graham showing award
The Ethiopian
hospitality kept on to be witnessed throughout
the night with more cultural and traditional
performances representing different regions of
the country being displayed till 1:30 am in
the morning. It was a moment that once again
proved we have to be proud of our diversified
and colorful cultural heritage.
EYP’S RECOGNITION BY DC COUNCIL
Good News! We
are pleased and honored as we get recognized
by the DC council’s resolution declaring
September 15, 2007 to be the “Ethiopian Yellow
Pages Recognition Day” in the District of
Columbia. This recognition was officially
awarded to the president of the Ethiopian
Yellow Pages Mrs. Yeshimebet T Belay by
Honorable Councilmember Jim Graham. In his
address, the Councilmember congratulated the
Ethiopian Yellow Pages on its 14th
anniversary and admired the founder personally
for her dedication and hard work in changing
this one time simple 80 pages directory to its
present 1000 pages book not to mention its
online website.
This Ethiopian
Yellow Pages recognition day resolution by the
DC council is a victory for all Ethiopians as
it represents recognition and gives
acknowledgement for their hard work,
dedication, good ethics and their success.
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