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...

The Banker, The Apparatchik, The Maverick, Bulcha Demeksa Dies at 94

Bulcha Demeksa was a figure whose influence resonated across generations. Stepping into his home in the gated community of Ropak in the Legatafo area, it was clear that he, too, was shaped by the wisdom and support of others. Beyond the familiar smiles of his family members, three particular portraits stood out: Emperor Haile Selassie I, Yilma Deressa, and Robert McNamara, the former president of the World Bank, who once served as secretary of defence during America's war in Vietnam. These individuals shaped Bulcha's worldview, guided his principles, and supported his unfolding ambition. Wh...