Tadias Magazine
Events News

Published: Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Los Angeles (TADIAS) – The Little Ethiopia Business Association in Los Angeles hosted its 10th outdoor festival this past Sunday. The diverse crowd celebrated the upcoming Ethiopian New Year with live music, cultural dances and a fashion show, interspersed with speeches and ceremonies.

Among the dignitaries present at the celebration were Congresswoman Karen Bass, Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel, former City Councilman Nate Holden, as well as LAPD Captain Eric T. Davis. “The city council and the state of California also presented certificates of recognition to the The Little Ethiopia Business Association and the Little Ethiopia Cultural Resource Center,” Mr. Berhanu Asfaw, President of the Business Association, told us.

Mr. Asfaw accepted the certificate on behalf of the association. “We were honored by the acknowledgment and especially grateful by the presence of Mr. Holden who was one of the earliest supporters of Little Ethiopia,” he said in an interview on Monday. “Overall we are happy. The day after, looking back, given the current economic situation, we are satisfied.” He added: “It was encouraging to hear the speech by Captain Davis. He applauded the community for revitalizing the neighborhood into a vibrant business district, and stating ‘you’re the new face of Los Angeles.’ His words were inspiring.”

Photographer Jennifer Gutierrez Morgan, who covered the event for Tadias Magazine, described the participants as “young people, older people, children, families, all ages.”

Here are few photos:

Attendees watch live stage performances at the 10th Annual Little Ethiopia Cultural Street Festival on Sunday, September 4th, 2011 in Los Angeles. (Photo: Jennifer Gutierrez Morgan for TADIAS)

Children dance to live music. (Photo: Jennifer Gutierrez Morgan for TADIAS)

Festival attendees. (Photo: Jennifer Gutierrez Morgan for TADIAS)

Jennifer Gutierrez Morgan for TADIAS

People gather outside of Little Ethiopia businesses to watch the on-stage entertainment. (Photo: Jennifer Gutierrez Morgan for TADIAS)

Booth highlighting Ethiopian Olympic boxer Seifu Mekonnen “Tibo. (Photo: Jennifer Gutierrez Morgan for TADIAS)

Cultural dance performers. (Jennifer Gutierrez Morgan for TADIAS)

Nate Holden addresses the crowd. (Photo: Jennifer Gutierrez Morgan for TADIAS)

Awards given to Little Ethiopia Business Association and Little Ethiopia Cultural & Resource Center by Los Angeles City Officials. (Photo: Jennifer Gutierrez Morgan for TADIAS)

Woizero Negest Legesse, director of the Little Ethiopian Cultural & Resource Center, after accepting the Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly. (Photo: Jennifer Gutierrez Morgan for TADIAS)

More photos will be posted on our Facebook page.
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Related:
Photos from Tadias Magazine archives: Slideshow from LA’s 2008 festival