A TRIBUTE TO GREAT ACHIEVEMENT BY AN ETHIOPIAN

"Getatchew Haile ye-Ityoppia meder be'igna tewledd ka'aferratchatchew merTinna wud lijotchwa qedamawiwu natchew". --Michael Imru, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

"I have known Getatchew for over forty years and have closely observed his ever growing stature as one of the greatest and most widely admired scholars over the entire area of Ethiopian studies".--Edward Ullendorff, Professor.

"If list-makers were to rehearse the names of the greatest contemporary Ethiopians of Greater Ethiopia, the name 'Getatchew Haile' would head the list. Scholar, linguist, philosopher, and patriot nonpareil, Professor Getatchew has left a mark on Ethiopian history". --Theodore M Vestal, Professor.

"Today individuals like Dr. Getatchew reminds me of the Ethiopian couplet which reads as follows: Sew mallet, sew malet Sew yemmihon new Sew yeTeffa elet". --Assefa Negash, MD.

"In his over twenty years of residence at HMML, [Getatchew] has knit the Library to an international scholarly community and made HMML a vital participant in the preservation and study of Ethiopian culture. His own research has contributed enormously to the reputation of HMML." --Father Eric Hollas.

"I have met and shook hands with [Professor Getatchew] himself and Weyzero Misrak in Gonder in the premise of Mehmir Belay Mersha. What impressed me at the time was what often impresses young people of my age: the dress, the physique and the way he came off. He was very polite to us but was very reserved -- in fact both of them...We thought they were beautiful and wonderful people and thought ourselves privileged to shake hands with them". --Dr Mammo Muchie.

The above, which were sent to the organizing committee to be read at the occasion, encapsulated the reasons why a committee of Ethiopians, chaired by Ato Assefa Gebre Mariam Tesema, decided to hold a day of tribute to an Ethiopian achiever, while that Ethiopian is alive. The occasion was intended to recognize and celebrate excellence by using an Ethiopian achiever, and to share love among all that would attend. As the Chairman of the organizing committee made clear, while there are other organization that provide recognition to achievers, this one differs in that the organizing committee is dissolved after performing this task, and ushers in an avenue for others to do likewise.

Recipient of the numerous awards and recognition, including membership in the British Academy in 1987, the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Award, in 1988, and named the Regents Professor of Medieval History by St. John's University in 1988, Getatchew Haile continues to excel in his area of expertise. In 1990, Professor Getatchew was nominated but declined to accept the Ethiopian National Medal of Honor. But he cherishes the awards which S.E.E.D. and the Christian community of the Debre Selam Medhane Alem Church of Houston, Texas bestowed upon him in 1995 and 1997, respectively. He had formal education in Ethiopia, Egypt, Germany, and the USA, and writes and reads in Amaharic, Ge'ez, Arabic, German, and English. In 1975, during the initial transition phase of the Derg, he was the Shewan Representative in the Ethiopian Shengo. His outspoken criticism of the Derg led to his attempted arrest, which he resisted, only to be shot in the back and to escape death narrowly. Despite the assault to his person, Professor Getatchew loves his country and works for its liberation from ethnic-based governance.

The multidimensional contribution, his fear of God and his work for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and his unconditional love for all Ethiopians were among the reasons that lead a group of Ethiopians to form a committee to honor him. He was approached initially to accept a call for him to autograph his latest book, Bahre Hassab. After securing his acceptance to that activity, then the other plans were told him in drips and drops to which he objected but had to be begged to accept the inclusion of those in the "book signing ceremony". Even then the totality of the occasion was opaque to him as different folks worked on different aspects of the program and wished that such not be told to the Professor for they wished to surprise him. Accordingly we had a memorable and quite surprising ceremony.

The tribute to honor Professor Getatchew Haile was held on Saturday, May 26, 2001, at the Debre Selam Saint Mary's Church in Washington DC. It was attended by His Grace Abune Yesehaq, Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the Western Hemisphere and Southern Africa, the family of Woizero Misrak Amare and Professor Getatchew, Dr Eric Hollas,OSB, representing St. John's University, many distinguished Ethiopian friends, and admirers. Some of the guests came from Germany and Great Britain, others from different parts of the United States and Canada.

There were four sections to the tribute. The first part was dedicated to speeches and sharing of memories from Professor Getatchew's family. The second part was presenting a symposium in honor of Professor Getatchew. The third part was the presentation of church songs and the reading by Ethiopian poets. And the fourth part was a speech given by Professor Getatchew. At the beginning of the session, at coffee break time, and the end, the professor signed autographs to his new book, Bahre Hassab. The various speakers were introduced to the audience by artist Ayalew Mesfin, who occasionally gave short songs.

The ceremony began with a blessing by His Grace Archbishop Yesehaq. After an introductory speech by the chairman of the organizing committee, Dr.Rebecca Getatchew, spoke about her father, and began a surprise 70th birthday ceremony, organized by the family. That was followed by even more emotionally gripping tribute by his sister W/o Yeshie Wondimu, who spoke of the great contributions of her brother, and lovingly shared some mischievous filial interaction that "WondimTila Getatchew" partook while he was young. His relative W/o Asselefetch Mekuria gave more personal testimony. The emotional attribute was quite thick during this section and many in the audience had to relieve it by openlyreleasing tears of joy.

The committee realized that time was getting short and that sequence of presentations will have to be shuffled. That also meant that not all the good wish letters were read to the audience. For example, several Ethiopians, ranging from the former Prime Minster of Ethiopia, His Excellency Michael Imru, through Professors from South Africa, Europe and America to relatives and acquaintances had sent messages written in verse and poetry, in Amharic and in English. Also, Ethiopianists and other distinguished scholars on Ethiopian studies have sent messages of appreciation for recognizing the right man for the tribute. The chairman gave the list of the individuals that wrote well wishes, and the committee selected a few articles to be read to the audience at the time of presentations in the symposium piece. Letters contributed for the occasion came from the following individuals. His excellency Lij Mikael Imiru, Engineer Assefa Tilahun, Ato Berhanue Tafesse, Dr. Mammo Muche, Dr. Girma Abebe, Ato Girma Bekele, Dr. Fikre Tolossa, Dr. Tadelle Gebre Hiwot, Dr. Ezra Gebre Medhin, Dr. Belachew Asrat, Ato Mulugeta Lule, Ato Mengistu Abegaz, Dr. Mulugeta Assefa, Professor Minga Negash, Ato

Wondemu Mekonnen, Dr Assefa Negash, Ato Yifru Hailu, Ato Andarge Belachew, Commander Assefa Seifu, Engineer Akililu Demissie (Chairman of S.E.E.D.), Prof. E. Ullendorff, Prof. John Spencer, Prof. Richard Pankhurst, Dr. K. Molvaer, Professor, Dr. Dr.Siegbert Uhlig (Director of Asian-Africa Institute, Hamburg, Germany), Prof. Theodore M. Vestal, Prof. Tubiana, and Mr. Charlie Sutton.

Brief pictorial presentation, by using a computer interfaced LCD projection devise, of some achievements of Professor Getatchew was shown by Ato Tsehay Demeke just before the symposium began. Woizero Sara Amesalu and Ato Tsehay's presentation included display of poems composed by Ato Assefa Gebre Mariam Tesema and Ato Amha Asfaw.

The symposium began with a contribution by the Symposium Chairman, His Excellency Dr. Aklilu Habte, who outlined a series of projects that should be studied and implemented to further the interests of the Ethiopian community. Dr. Amsalu Aklilu, a long time friend, shared the circumstances surrounding the wounding by the Derg of Professor Getatchew. Father Eric Hollas, Director the Hill Monastic Library of Saint John's University and St. John's Abbey, to which Professor Getatchew has been affiliated since 1976, told the audience,that Professor Getatchew's "patern of scholarly life suggests to us that he is driven by a mission - a mission to preserve his cultural heritage for future generations and a mission to help aspiring scholars know something of that culture." The presence of Father Hollas at the ceremony was quite a surprise to Professor Getatchew for the professor did not know that the Father would come. Father Hollas spoke in superlative terms, when describing how Professor Getatchew is devoted to his work. He then read a letter from the President of St. John's University, who wished the professor a Happy Birthday. Dr. Shumet Sishagne gave a concise outline of the historical background and achievement of the Ethiopian Church.

Then, we had a coffee break, and partook in a "mekses", which was tastefully organized by the church's Social Committee in particular by W/o Selamawit Wolde. Amanuel. A "difo dab' was blessed by the Archbishop, and cut by the Birthday Honoree. We then had "difo dabo and anebabero", which were prepared for the occasion during the coffee break.

After the coffee break, Liq Mezemmiran Mogus Seyoum was the leader in a church choir, where the "wereb " was accompanied by "TsenaTsil and shebesheba" and the drumbeats begun to work on our emotions again, and members of the audience were tearfully enjoying the songs. That was followed by Ge'ez and Amahric qinie , which were composed by Quegn Geta Ayele Woldehawriat. Abuene Yesehaq's adopter daughter of West Indees origin, also sang in Ge'ez for the occasion.

More poems were read by Ato Alemayehu Lakew, who wrote his own and also read that composed by Ato Wondimu Mekonnen. Ato Tewdros Abebe presented his contributions in Amharic prose and poetry. Ato Amha Asfaw gave a computer-aided presentation on how to use Bahare Hassab. Subsequently, Dr.Mesfin Genanaw provided an abridged version of his presentation on the usefulness of Bahre Hassab.

Lastly, Professor Habte Giorgis Churnet, Chairman of the Ethiopian National Congress, presented a speech entitled, "Tagayiw mehur wedadge Professor Getatchew Haile". He also presented a plaque, which reads as follows. "In recognition of Professor Getatchew, the respected, beloved, distinguished scholar, and founding Father of the Ethiopian National Congress: May 26, 2001 from the Executive Committee of the Ethiopian National Congress."

Just as Professor Getatchew's microphone was being readied, Commander Assefa came to the podium and expressed his understanding how shortage of time did not allow him to offer his prepared speech, but that he wanted to take a moment to impress upon all that, mother Ethiopia is calling all its children to rescue her from the current malaise in Ethiopia. Finally, Professor Getatchew gave his moving and memorable speech on how, like his dad, his current job and him found each other, and praised God for his will. He concluded his speech with these words: "Communism yawaredewin iwqetinna awaqinnet silakebberatchihu ijjig asmesegginatchihuallehu". (I thank you very much for honoring knowledge and knowledgeableness which communism had despised).

A blessing from His Grace Archbishop Yesehaq concluded the meeting.

After Professor Getatchew's speech, the children invited all guests who are visitors to Washington, DC to join them in a Dinner Party in honor of the birthday of their father. There too, poetry was read by Ato Hailu Yifru upon his insistence, because he did not have a chance to do so at the regular meeting.

Acknowledgment:

The committee expresses its great admiration to the Debre Selam Saint Mary's Church for permission to use the premises. Special thanks go to the elders of the church, particularly his Excellency Dr. Aklilu Habte, Qes Dr Amare Kassaye, and other individuals without whose work we would not have looked good.

We ask for forgiveness from those individuals, who had intended to present their work at the meeting, though we were unable to accommodate them in the given time. We express our thanks to all that attended the ceremony and to all who sent letters of appreciation to Professor Getatchew via this ceremony.

Presented by the Organizing Committee: Assefa Gebre Mariam Tesema

(Chairman), Shumet Sishagne, Amha Asfaw, Habte Giorgis Churnet, Tsehay

Demeke.