Vol. 26 No. 76 Wednesday, November 20, 2019 Pages 8, Price...

Vol. 26 No. 76 Wednesday, November 20, 2019 Pages 8, Price 2.00 NFA

Foreign minister Osman Saleh conducted seminar to the participants of the Eritrean community festival in Jeddah and its environs on the objective situation in the homeland and regional developments as well as on the charted out national development program with a view to improving the livelihood of citizens.

Noting that the peace and friendship agreement signed between Eritrea and Ethiopia attests to the relentless diplomatic effort by the Government of Eritrea, Minister Osman said that the positive engagement and respect to each other will have

A five day training on communication and report writing organized by the Office of Auditor General in cooperation with the African Organization for Supreme Audit Institutions-English Speaking Countries (AFROSAI-E) at Asmara Palace Hotel concluded.

The training included

Commemoration event of the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the National Union of Eritrean Women was conducted in Jeddah and its environs in the presence of Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Tekea Tesfamichael, Presidents of the NUEW.

The event featured cultural performances and photo exhibition depicting activities by the union branch in Jeddah and its environs.

Explaining about the 40 years journey of the National Union of Eritrean Women, Ms. Tekea said

The residents of Golij sub-zone are carrying out harvest collection popular campaign at the Gerset agricultural development.

The participants of the popular campaign said that owing to this year’s generous rainfall the crops in the area are in good condition and are ready for harvest.

They also said that the objective of the popular campaign is to collect crops that are ready for harvest before they are exposed to unexpected rainfall.

Mr. Desie Zeremichael, Administrator of the sub-zone, explained that 94 thousand hectares of land have been cultivated in the area and commended the strong participation of the residents to collect the harvest on time.

In the same vein, harvest collection popular campaign is being carried out by the residents of 17 administrative areas of Emni-Haili sub-zone and members of the Eritrean Defense Forces since 23 October.

According to report from the Ministry of Agriculture branch in the sub-zone, so far harvest collection has been carried out on 6731 hectares of land.

Harvest collection popular campaign

training on communication and report writing concludesseminar to festival participants in JeddaH

commemoration of 40tH anniversary of founding of nuew

significant contribution to the peace and stability in the region.

Minister Osman reiterated that over the past 20 years the external conspiracies and hostilities have been foiled through the staunch resilience of the Eritrean people and Government.

Minister Osman went on to say that in this new era, big development programs are being initiated including transportation infrastructure, expansion of ports, water and energy supply, development of modern agriculture among others.

Minister Osman further gave

briefing on the investment opportunities that are being initiated in the sectors of agriculture and innovation giving priority to nationals and called on the participants to take advantage of the opportunity created.

that the Eritrean women have played significant role in realizing national independence and in the nation-building process and stressed the need for strengthened participation for full emancipation of women.

Ms. Tekea went on to say that the participation of Eritrean women in higher education has increased by 45% and that attests to the achievements registered.

Ms. Nura Haj, chairwoman of the union branch in Jeddah, also presented report on the

activities of the Union vis-à-vis the achievements registered and challenges encountered since 2002.

The head of Public and Community Affairs in Jeddah and its environs, Mr. Saleh Mahmud, also called for strengthened organizational capacity in congruent with the new era of peace in the region.

In related news, Ms. Tekea Tesfamichael conducted similar seminar to the Eritrean women residing in Kuwait.

introduction to effective report writing, reporting requirements, role of writing in audit process, principles of effective writing, audit planning and crafting messages among others.

Indicating that the objective of

continued on page 5

Published Every Saturday & Wednesday

Acting EditorAmanuel [email protected]

P.O.Box: 247Tel: 11-41-14Fax: 12-77-49

E-mail:profile@ zena.gov.er

Advertisement: 12-50-13

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Azmera BerhaneSara Alem


Acting Editor Amanuel [email protected]

P.O.Box: 247Tel: 11-41-14Fax: 12-77-49

E-mail:[email protected]


LayoutAzmera Berhane

Sara Alem


Acting Editor Amanuel [email protected]

P.O.Box: 247Tel: 11-41-14Fax: 12-77-49

E-mail:[email protected]



Sara Alem

Published Every Wednesday & Saturday

Acting Editor Amanuel Mesfun

P.O.Box: 247Tel: 11-41-14Fax: 12-77-49

E-mail:[email protected]: 12-50-13


Aida Johar

2 Vol. 26 No. 76Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Miriam Tekeste

Since Eritrea’s independence there has been significant improvement in the provision of health care. In an effort to improve health care further, the Ministry of Health has been working in partnership with organizations in order to provide medical assistance to people who have special cases, one of which is eye care.

The Himalayan cataract project (HCP) ophthalmologists’ team, which stayed in Eritrea from 10th to 15th November, conducted eye surgery to about one thousand people who had been in a waiting list. The team, consisting of 18 members, including Dr. Menghis Bairu, a representative from Eritrea, arrived with essential equipment for the mission. The members of the team include surgeons, medical volunteers, media professionals and HCP staff from Nepal, the USA and Ethiopia. During its short stay, the HCP team was able to perform

Restoring sight: Himalayan cataract project team in Eritrea

successful operations with the collaboration of Eritrean doctors and nurses.

The Himalayan cataract project was created in 1994 by Dr. Geoffrey Tabin and Dr. Sanduk Ruti with a view to establishing a sustainable eye care infrastructure in the Himalaya. At the beginning, HCP responded to a pressing need of eye care in the Himalayan region. With programs in Nepal, Tibet, China, Bhutan, India, Sikkim, and Pakistan the team has been able to restore sight to tens of thousands of blind people every year since 1994. As a non-profit organization its top priority is to reach the greatest number of unserved blind people, with the highest quality care, at the lowest possible cost.

Besides, as Mr. Brandan Brendan Callahan, program manager of HCP, explained, the HCP basically focuses on three things -- providing the right equipment to clinics and hospitals for proper eye care, providing training to medical p r o f e s s i o n a l s inside their country or abroad and performing cataract surgery. Parallel to the task of cataract

surgery, exchanging knowledge and experience is another advantage of working together in partnership.

In Eritrea, the HCP ophthalmologists’ team conducted surgery in Asmara at Birhan Aini Hospital. Around one thousand patients became beneficiaries of the program. According to Dr. Kahsai Fisehatsion, Medical Director of Birhan Aini Hospital, the patients are of different age, including children and elderly people of both genders. Some of the patients had been in the waiting list of the hospital and others came from Keren, Mendefera, Barentu, Massawa and other parts of Eritrea. Dr. Kahsai also said, “We first do medical examination on the patients and prepare them

for surgery when we find them qualified to do the surgery.” In this way, many Eritrean cataract patients were able to get cured from blindness.

Cataract is responsible for half of all avoidable blindness. Cataract is formed when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy as a result of eye tissues breaking down and proteins clumping together. It impairs vision and can only be rectified with cataract treatment. The surgery involves removing the patient’s eye’s natural, clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial one. Cataract blindness can be cured with a 10-15 minute procedure. However, to carry out this life changing surgery it is important to have the right equipment. As

Dr. Kahsai confirmed, beside the work done by the team, providing the right equipment for proper eye care was another important aid that led to the successful implementation of the program. In this connection, director of the HCP, Dr. Reeta Gurung, said, ‘Fred Hollows Intraocular Lens Laboratories’ that were set up in Eritrea and Nepal in the same period are supplying the market with lens at a fair price.

Through the HCP outreach program, many Eritrean patients were able to get their sight back. At the hospital people were expressing their joy thanking the doctors and nurses. Bruk Mulugeta, eight, is one of the youngest patients who underwent the surgery. Although cataract usually affects people in their 70s, it can occur at any age. Bruk is a 2nd grade student and has been facing difficulties while learning at school until his teachers pointed out his problem to his parents. But when examined he was diagnosed with cataract and went on for surgery. When asked after surgery, Bruk said with a smile, “I can see” nodding his head up and down.

Mrs. Letu Fseha, who was having difficulties taking care of her family due to the problem of cataract on her right eye, said she had undergone the same operation in 2010 on her left eye and was doing fine until her right eye got infected and added, “But now, I am able to see clearly through both my eyes.” Similarly, Mr. Alem Fseha gave his gratitude to the surgeons for helping him to get a clear vision. He said, “Thank you all, because of you, I’ll be able to do my job without any problem.”

Regarding the success of the program, Mr. Brendan Callahan, program manager of HCP, said that the efficient preparation in Eritrea has played great role in the success of the program. When Asked if there were any challenges in their work, Mr. Callahan said, “Everything has been really smooth. The hospital

continued on page 5

Simon Weldemichael

It has become a song of experts that the interplay of education, training and human capital would guarantee development. We can say that the formula of development has been known by developed and developing societies as well. The variance arises in the practical application of the formula and the courage to take the tough and correct path. Many developing countries that failed to choose the tough and correct path of development

are still living under hardships and their expectations of independence have remained a dream. This state of affairs can be summarized into lack of bravery to take initiative and inability to design policy that reflects the reality on the ground. Lack of confidence in internal capability and over reliance on external expertise closed all the gates of incentives and initiatives.

Eritrea, one of the youngest countries in the community of independent nations, has already prepared the ground and laid all the necessary foundation for development. The troubling and unanswered question of illiteracy and illness that limited Africa’s growth has long been solved in Eritrea. After independence the newly formed government revised the education system and introduced national educational policy based on the use of mother


Human Element: the alpha and omega of development

languages and planted public schools throughout the country. The importance of the human element was recognized early on during the liberation struggle. The government has been channeling as many resources as possible into human development. In Eritrea, education is a basic right for every citizen. The national charter of Eritrea states that education is the foundation of development and to provide equal educational opportunity means to provide equal opportunity for development. Now Eritreans of all

ages are able to acquire education and they become productive, effective and creative forces of development. The government has long recognized education as an eye opener, enabler and equalizer.

The ideals of Eritrea including national unity, active public participation, social justice and self-reliance are translated into reality and have become a common practice of the nation. Eritrea’s most valuable asset is its people. Education stands above other means of social empowerment in the human resource development strategy of Eritrea.

As in the past, the human resource of the country can have decisive role in developing and transforming the overall development of Eritrea. The hard found peace provides the population additional incentives

to facilitate the developmental aspirations of the country.

The human resource development provides the framework for helping employees develop their personal and organizational skills, knowledge and capabilities. Richard Swanson has defined it as “a process for developing and unleashing human expertise through training and development and organization development for the purpose of improving performance.” Thus, it is the process of value

addition to individuals, teams or organizations. Therefore, the impact of education and training on human resource development and in opening up new opportunities is beyond imagination.

Education has been identified by the government of Eritrea as a key strategy for the country’s development. Apart from building schools all over the country and make education accessible, efforts of considerable measure have been made to reform the education system. Besides the formal education, all ministries engage in giving in-house training to their staff. Military and civilian institutions are working hard to engage their members in the process of acquiring new knowledge and expertise.

Education and training hold a central place in human resource development. If human

resource development is the center of national development, then education must be made relevant to the national demand. There exists a balance between general education and skill-based vocational training but all work to provide competent work force. Toward that end, alongside the expansion of higher education, equal attention has been paid to the development of vocational education. Hitherto the government has opened vocational centers in Adi Halo, Asmara, Dekemhare, Hagaz, Mai Habar, Nakfa and Sawa.

The human element holds a central position in Eritrea’s development strategy. The decisive role of the human factor is one of the six basic principles outlined in the national charter of Eritrea that serves as guideline for the activities of the country. In the same document we find that “in building an economy the most decisive factor is human resources, not natural or capital resources, or foreign aid and investments.” To achieve the national development goals, Eritrea needs all kinds of resources, but none competes with the human resource. While optimizing the utilization of its resources, the government focuses on human resources and on empowering the people. Educational institutions and training centers of the country are working toward zero wastage and produce a ready and willing workforce. If human beings reach their highest potential, they can work miracles even with small resources.

In terms of human resource development, Eritrea can be considered a model and success

story in Africa. The higher investment in human capital saved the country from over reliance on foreign assistance for survival. The success of Eritrea depends heavily on the development of human resource and managerial excellence. To attain the desired economic growth, Eritrea should continue to invest heavily on upgrading its manpower skills.

Discipline is amongst the highest performance indicators of human development resource. Education should contribute to economic growth through imparting positive attitudes and discipline necessary for a variety of workplaces. No nation can exist and prosper without discipline. It is discipline that regulates the social, economic and political life of a society. Fortunately, the Eritrean society is honest and law-abiding, making the effort to instill discipline trough formal education less daunting.

Acquiring the competence necessary to meet current and future work requirements is not an easy task. For this reason, Eritrea has been investing a large portion of its budget on education and training. For Eritrea the alpha and omega of any development is the human element. The Government of Eritrea views education as a wheel for economic growth and poverty reduction. The delivery of education must be supported by strong institutional capacity to raise the efficiency and productivity of the working community. To contribute significantly to economic prosperity and development, education must be of high quality and meet the skill-demand of the economy.


Stella Amanuel

Customary laws set acceptable standards and norms in a given society, and the Eritrean people practice dispute resolution mechanism by using customary laws with a view to achieving reconciliation. It is common for the elderly to act as mediators, conciliators and arbitrators in all kinds of disputes.

Unlike the Western practice, which is retributive, Eritrean customary laws are attributed to restorative justice. The customary laws advocate restoring the wrong doer to society and harmonizing him or her with the community and attaining peaceful co-existence.

The Eritrean customary laws do not recognize the distinction between private and public wrongs, which is the case with the Penal Code. They consider all wrong doing as private in nature. In the old days self-help was the hall mark of customary law.

If a person is proven to have committed a homicide, the victim’s family are provided with the right to avenge the homicide with counter-action. To put it in

The value of Eritrean customary laws

another way, if someone murders a person then it is okay for the relatives of the deceased to murder anyone from the killer’s family. Accepting a redress (blood money) was also another pre-requisite for reconciliation.

Recently there was an instance

of some guy who was run over by a car. Unfortunately the victim lost blood and died. It was a painful reality to face for the parents of both the deceased and the driver. Then the parents of the driver went to the family of the deceased to offer money and

other presents. But the victim’s family refused to accept the offer claiming that the driver did not intend to run over their son. The two families reconciled.

This is the heart of Eritreans, securing peace through forgiveness and reconciliation. In some cases disputants solve their case themselves without involving third parties. In some other instances disputants submit their case to a third party called ‘shimagle’. ‘Shimglna’ is a dispute resolution institution that encompasses all types of arbitration, mediation and negotiation.

The ‘shimagle’ may be self-appointed or nominated by the disputants. Most of the time, the ‘shimagle’ is an elderly person, a religious leader, or a local or community administrator. He has to have wide acceptability by the community, be eloquent and fair. Settlements can be initiated without the knowledge of the disputant parties, upon the consent of relatives. There is often no resistance to the authority of the ‘shimagle’.

The ‘shimagle’ might hide some facts and offers made by one party,

if they find them to be offensive to the other party, and try to get the parties to compromise. The ‘shimagle’ are not paid and are not compensated for any expenses they may incur.

The proceedings by the ‘shimagle’ take place in an open air, under the shades of trees, in private houses or any other place agreed upon by the concerned parties. Working as part of the ‘shimagle’ is considered a public duty and people tend to take it wholeheartedly. The subject matters of arbitration tend to be family matters such as inheritance, divorce and property.

The elderly dealt with many disputes and helped bring about peace in our society for a long time. The customary laws contributed a lot in resolving disputes by upholding the principle of love and harmony.

The Eritrean people apply customary laws in many situations to attain love, peace and reconciliation through forgiveness. This they do not only among themselves but also in their dealings with others.


One of the few claims to art deco styling in Asmara can be found in the bar of Cinema Odeon. It remains one of the few original interiors left in the city. The large form of Cinema Odeon is, by contrast, tucked away in a side street off Sematat Avenue. Like Cinema Impero, the original design of Odeon was larger than that which was eventually built.

Cinema Roma, on Sematat Avenue, is one of the few large buildings in Asmara to have undergone recent extensive renovation. At the café inside the cinema there is a huge projector which was used during the colonial time.

Cinema Hamassien, built in the north-eastern most corner of the city in 1936, was designed for the Eritrean population in Asmara. Other cinemas planned for the local population were never built. The building now houses a printing press and is in need of restoration.

Cinema Dante is Asmara’s

oldest cinema and has recently been renovated. It stands as testament to the size and scale of the cinemas in Asmara before the boom in the late 1930s, when the larger cinemas were constructed.

Today, most of the cinema halls screen films and some of them screen football games such as the Premier League, the Champions League and the World Cup.

The urban design within the Historic Perimeter of Asmara

continued from page 8

CIN EMAS . . .has remained untouched since its original implementation and subsequent evolution throughout the 1930s, and the architectural elements exemplify a superlative example of Modernist architecture in a complete urban setting. These exceptional tangible components have nurtured a unique and distinct intangible social environment founded on Western Modernist design ideals realized in a highland African setting and have become the essence of beauty for Asmara.

local news

has been so welcoming and the doctors have been helpful. From the moment we arrived we got lots of support. The Eritrean team has been incredibly cooperative, working for long hours with us, helping us do lots of surgeries.” Mr. Callahan also appreciated the hospitality they have received during their stay in Eritrea.

In five days of intensive work the HCP team performed 1,333 surgeries in Asmara. The patients who underwent the successful operation have been given advice

on how to take their medicine. Currently, the patients are being followed up at their local health centers. Most of all, the outreach has brought together ophthalmic team from the U.S, Ethiopia, Nepal and Eritrea, all focused on curing blindness by delivering high-quality eye care.

Worldwide about 39 million people are half-blind from treatable cataracts while another 246 million people struggle with low vision. Hence, projects such as that of HCP are essential in changing the lives of many people.

Restoring sight . .

continued from page 2

The Grassroots festival in the Central region that was underway for the past three months with summer children’s sports competitions concluded on 16 November at Asmara Stadium.

The concluding ceremony was attended by General Flipos Woldeyohannes, Chief of Staff of the Eritrean Defense Forces, Maj. General Romodan Osman Aweliay, Governor of the Central region, as well as invited guests and a number of students.

Explaining that nurturing disciplined and productive youth is a priority task, Mr. Endrias Asmerom, Director General of Culture and Sports in the Central region, said that grassroots festival is being held for the 8th time organized by the Central region and other stakeholders.

Mr. Endirias went on to say that in this year’s festival 86 teams have participated in various sports competitions including cycling, athletics and football.

Prizes were also handed out to winners of the competitions.

grassroots festival in central region concludes

The Massawa Basic Vocational Training Center provided four months vocational training to 170 youth including 72 females.

The training included plumbing, electricity power installation, marine safety, fishing, construction and catering.

At the graduation ceremony conducted on 14 November, Mr. Suleiman Jabir, Director of the center, said that the center since its establishment three years ago has provided vocational training to a number of youth and has contributed in creating job opportunities to the youth.

Noting that vocational training makes significant contribution in the national development drive, Mr. Gebrezghi Dmam, Director General of Adult Education and Media at the Ministry of Education, said that effort is being made to expand vocational training programs to remote parts of the country.

The Massawa Basic Vocational Training Center that was established in 2017 has so far graduated about 500 youth including 250 females.

vocational training to 170 youtH

the training was to develop auditing activity, Mr. Amanuel Issak, Director of Audit Information Technology, said that similar training programs will be organized with the dynamic nature of auditing.

Ms. Annerie Pretorius, Communication Senior Manager at the African Organization for Supreme Audit Institutions-English Speaking Countries (AFROSAI-E), said that the training will have significant contribution in developing the skill of the staff members in auditing activity and similar training programs will be organized.

The trainees on their part commended the opportunity they were provided, and said that it will have significant contribution in their activities.

training on communication . . continued from page 1


rocurement of: Lot 1: Procurement Of Materials For Pilot Mobile Solar Fish Driers, Lot 2: Fish Product Development Equipment And Materials, Lot 3: Kitchen Materials and Balance, Lot 4: Fish Boxes

1. The Government of the State of Eritrea has received grant from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) toward the cost of Fisheries Resources Management Program , and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this credit to payments under the Contract for the procurement of; IFB No.: MMR/FReMP/G/NCB/0006/2019

2. MMR-FReMP now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the supply. Procurement Of Materials For Pilot Mobile Solar Fish Driers, Lot 2: Fish Product Development Equipment And Materials, Lot 3: Kitchen Materials and Balance, Lot 4: Fish Boxes.

3 .Interested bidders may obtain further information from the MMR-FReMP and inspect the Bidding documents at the address given below, from 7.00 – 3:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday.

4. A complete set of bidding documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written application to the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee of Eritrean Nacka (ERN)500.00(five hundred Eritrean Nakfa or equivalent in foreign currency starting from October 18, 2019.

5 .Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before Monday 23, December 2019 at 10:15 a.m.

6. Electronic Bidding will not be permitted. Late Bids will be rejected.

7.Bids will be opened in the presence of bidders or their representatives who choose to attend in person at the address below at 10:15 a.m. on Monday 23 December, 2019.All bids must be accompanied by a bid security mentioned in the bidding documents.

8.The address referred to above is:

The Ministry of Marine Resources-Fisheries Resource management programContact Person: Ms. Makda Mebrahtu

Street Address: Hiday Street 748-1 Block and Floor: Dembe Sembel, Block “A”,4th Floor, RH

City: AsmaraP.O.Box 923

ZIP code: 748-1Country: Eritrea

Telephone: 291-1-153960Facsimile numbeE-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Ministry of Marine Resources-Fisheries Resources Management Program

IFAD -- GRANT No. DSF-2000001700-EIFB No.: MMR/FReMP/G/NCB/0006/2019


Bisha Mining Share Company is inviting applicants for the following position for Bisha site project: -

Position: Dewatering MechanicDepartment: MiningNumber Required: 01 (one)Place of Work: Bisha Contract Type: Indefinite

PRIMARY PURPOSE

Responsible for mechanical activities to maintain and or repair equipment for the Dewatering Section.

MAIN FUNCTIONSPlanning •Implementation •Reporting•

TASK DESCRIPTION EXPANDED TO CORE PERFORMANCE AREAS

Planning Follows the daily work reports/job cards.•

Implementation of the Plan

Identify the highest priority for each day and focus on completing •relevant tasks and Ensures good housekeeping.Carries out actual maintenance and repairs of DEWATERING •in an efficient and effective way in order to minimise downtime; and Minimises downtime by ensuring the best techniques are being used to repair breakdowns.Performs regular inspections in order to detect potential problems •before they cause breakdowns..Ensure safety requirements are fulfilled at the work place, •including leading Field Level Risk Assessment (FLRA) and proper use of the appropriate PPE. Report any safety issues/incidents.Comply with mine’s cardinal rules and other safety, environmental •or other rules and standards as directed. Identifies any hazards in the work place.Conducts preventative maintenance on the DEWATERING •by checking engines; motors; pumps; pneumatics; hydraulic systems by following diagrams, sketches, operation manuals, manufacturer’s instructions and engineering specifications. Troubleshooting malfunctions.Removes defective parts by using hoists, hand and power tools. •Examines form and texture of parts to determine causes of failure; and Carries out “Fault finding” by using precision measuring and testing instruments.Determines changes in dimensional requirements of parts by using •rulers; callipers; micrometres; and other measuring instruments.Understands and is familiar with basic hydraulic systems; and •Attends technical and other training as required by supervisor.

VacancY annoUnceMenTReporting

Compile daily; progress reports as requested (completing Job •Cards).

UNQUE REQUIRMENTS/ OTHER INFORMATIONCandidate must be physically and medically fit; Candidate must be •Mechanically Qualified.Have some pump experience; Must be able to work outside exposed •to Heat ,wind and dusty environmentsEritrean Driver’s License minimum Code 2 will be an advantage; •Must be able to work at Heights

Qualifications: Grade 12 for locals ( Technical School); Technical Certificate •(Mechanical)

Knowledge and Experience: 3 - 5 years relevant experience •

Technical Skills Computer Literacy (MS Office – Basic); Attention to detail; •Analytical skill; Mechanical experience; Problem solving skill

Behavioural Skills Communication (English); Prioritizing skills & multi-skilling; •Ability to work towards strict deadlinesHigh level of accuracy; Self-motivation•

General Information and other requirements:

Place of Work: Bisha.Salary: As per Company salary scale.

Additional requirements for Nationals: Having fulfilled his/her National Service obligation and provide evidence of release paper from the Ministry of Defense. Present clearance paper from current/last employer.Testimonial documents to be attached (CV, work experience credentials, a copy of your National Identity Card etc.).Only shortlisted applicants will be considered as potential candidates for an interview.Application documents will not be returned to sender.All applications should be sent through the post office.Deadline for application: 10 days from the day of publication in the Newspaper.

Address: Please mail your applications to; Bisha Mining Share Company, P. O. Box 4276 Asmara, Eritrea

Note to Non - Eritrean applicants: Please send a copy of your application to Aliens Employment permits Affairs, P. O. Box 7940 Asmara, Eritrea.

Lwam Kahsay

Due to its majestic buildings, Asmara, which is inscribed on the UNESCO world heritage list, is known as an ‘‘exceptional example of early modernist urbanism”. Asmara is dotted with art deco villas that line its avenues and streets. Thousands of buildings were constructed during Italian colonialism.

Asmara was an ideal blank canvas on which Italian architects could practice and realize these modern ideals. From 1935 up to 1941, thousands of buildings were constructed in the city, most of which reflect various modernist styles and some of which represent inimitable architectural forms, such as petrol stations mimicking airplanes, commercial buildings designed as trains, cavernous cinemas with fine period plasterwork and Art Dem interiors, fine ultra-modern hotels and offices, and government buildings.

The rapid transformation of Asmara from a relatively minor town into one of Africa’s modern and sophisticated cities at that time overlapped with equally momentous events in the world of design and architecture, which involved the global proliferation of Modernism and its various forms, including Futurism, Rationalism, Novecento, and Art Deco. The spirit of this new age of travel and adventure was embodied in these new architectural forms. The Italians had a dream of making Asmara their small Rome. The Italian people are known for their hard


CIN EMAS - the beauty of Asmarawork and creativity. But they also loved to be entertained. So it was necessary for them to build places to entertain themselves. Cinemas were one of the kinds that were used as entertaining places. But also they were using it as a means to spread their culture and ideologies. They built five cinema halls for Italians and one for the local population.

If you walk around the main streets of Asmara you become enchanted by the exciting good looks of the cinema halls. They are one of the main attractions for tourists and add color to the beauty of Asmara. The cinema

halls in Asmara are used as landmarks in giving directions to people travelling in and around the city. They also serve as

rendezvous for people who want

to meet up in front of or inside them.

One of the cinema halls, Cinema Impero, was originally designed to be a colossal cinema complex with two galleries, a bowling alley, a bar and various other entertainment facilities. The building is a little more modest although it is still one of Asmara’s largest. It still houses a film theatre today, and it is considered by experts one of the world’s finest examples of Art Deco styles. It is located on the Harnet Avenue.

Cinema Impero is still structurally sound after so many decades, escaping damage

during the several conflicts

that have affected the Horn of Africa over the past century. The building’s structure has not

been substantially altered since its construction, as designed by architect Mario Messina. It is most distinguished by its striking façade and the stucco plasterwork in the main hall. Forty-five round lights decorate the front with ‘Cinema Impero’ in illuminated letters, mounted vertically on the façade. Several pairs of doors lead into the cinema. Each door has an impressive large semi-circular handle forming a full circle with its partner when both are closed.

The cinema hall with the largest capacity in Asmara is Cinema Capitol, which can seat 1800 people. Its cavernous interior supports a retractable roof for ventilation and the opportunity to watch movies under the evening sky. Both the distinctive exterior and the interior fixtures and fittings are in much need of renovation.

The first major venue offering entertainment to the population of Asmara, though limited to the European population, was Asmara Theatre, constructed in 1920 and designed by Oduardo Cavagnari. The eclectic exterior encases an elaborate interior with three galleries and a fine painted ceiling. Like many of Asmara’s oldest and finest buildings the theatre is in urgent need of restoration. This cinema is still working as house of theatre and other cultural activities.

continued on page 5

Vol. 26 No. 76 Wednesday, November 20, 2019 Pages 8, Price...

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