I am pleased to witness the inauguration of the Ashenafi Kebede Performing Arts Center at the Yared School of Music. Ashenafi Kebede was not only an artist but also the first director of the Yared Music School. The new center’s director, Girma Yifrashewa, serves as a bridge between the past and the future of music in Ethiopia. Such continuity and linkage are essential in all our institutions. Music is powerful, and we must use this power to enlighten our youth. The arts play a vital role in shaping future generations and enhancing our city’s capacity to attract tourism. We must fully utilize this potential.
