Hager Fikir Theater Celebrates Completion of Restoration of the Theater: Project Partially Funded by U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation

The Hager Fikir Theater celebrated the completion of its renovation project with a folkloric dance presentation at the theater on September 4, 2007.  The project was funded under the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation with matching contributions from the Addis Ababa City Administration.   Ms. Menbere Taddesse, General Manager of Hager Fikir Theater; Ato Mesganaw Arga, Deputy Mayor of the Addis Ababa City Administration; and Patricia Johnson, Cultural Affairs Officer of the U.S. Embassy presented remarks on the importance of the restoration of the theater, recognition of its role in the development of Ethiopian theater, music and dance, and the role of cultural activities in building bridges between Ethiopians and Americans.  The dance troupe and traditional music group of Hager Fikir Theater presented six dances from the various regions of Ethiopia.

Built in 1934, the Hager Fikir Theater is the oldest indigenous playhouse in Sub-Saharan Africa.  It is a historical place not only to Ethiopians but also to all Africans, as the first theater house built by Africans for Africans south of the Sahara. Over 120 patrons of the arts and civic officials attended the celebration.  The building had been in danger of structural collapse. 

The Ambassador’s Fund Project with matching support of Addis Ababa City Administration will allow the theater to be used by future generations of Ethiopian musicians and performing artists.  Furthermore, it has helped citizens of Ethiopia realize the importance of preserving its cultural landscape.  The Addis Ababa City Administration plans further ventures into preserving the historic buildings, and with it, an appreciation of the past, in the central historical district of Addis Ababa.