Fikru Maru, Defying Power, Healing Broken Hearts, Dies at 74

When Fikru Maru (MD) returned to Addis Abeba in early May, he carried with him the resolve of a man who had spent decades building bridges between two worlds. Thin but upright, he greeted guests himself at the gate of the new eight-story hospital on Libya Street, a few blocks from Bisrate Gabriel Church. The project had been years in the making, evidence of his vision and persistence. On the eve of the opening, Fikru paused in the pediatric ward. He turned to the head nurse and said, “No child should ever be turned away for lack of money.” Then, reaching into his pocket, he pressed ...

Elizabeth Woldegiorgis, Who Brought Ethiopia's Forgotten Modernists Back to Light, Dies at 69

Yayehyirad Alamrew, the Shadow Lyricist Who Shaped Sound, Identity, Dies at 66

Ethiopia's music scene usually shines a spotlight on singers and bands, but one figure quietly shaped its soul for decades. Since the early 1980s, Yayehyirad Alamrew's lyrics graced cherished Amharic songs. Recognition never seemed to drive him; seeing people embrace his words was reward enough. He always felt more ideas were waiting to be written. For over 30 years, Yayehyirad influenced entertainment and media, writing lyrics that bridged generations while producing advertising campaigns that were embedded into the cultural fabric. Collaborations with icons such as Tilahun Gesesse, Aster...