Books

Dinaw Mengestu Elected President of PEN America as Organization Faces Intensifying Free Speech Challenges

Ethiopian-American novelist Dinaw Mengestu has been elected president of PEN America, taking leadership of the influential literary and human rights organization at a moment marked by rising global threats to free expression and internal debate about the organization’s role in global crises. pasted Mengestu, 47, was born in Ethiopia and moved to the United States

December 23, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Books

Why the Global Academy Is Turning to Ge’ez

The Classical Turn to Africa: Ge’ez Studies in the Global Academy For more than a century, “the classics” largely meant Greece and Rome. Latin and Greek formed the twin pillars of the Western humanities, while other ancient traditions were relegated to the margins—important, perhaps, but not foundational. That definition is changing. A genuine classical turn

September 17, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Books

Poet and Tobiya Jazz Event Organizer Misraq Terefe Arrested Amid Unclear Circumstances

Poet and renowned literary event organizer Misraq Terefe was arrested on January 22, 2017, and taken to the Addis Ababa Police Commission for questioning. The arrest has sparked concern among Ethiopia’s literary and artistic community, as the reason for her detention remains undisclosed. Misraq Terefe appeared before the Federal First Instance Court, Arada Division, on

February 1, 2025 • By Addis Insight

Books

Jawar Mohammed’s Memoir: “I Will Not Regret” – A Bold Reflection on Ethiopia’s Political Struggles

Jawar Mohammed, one of Ethiopia’s most influential and polarizing political figures, is set to release his memoir titled “I Will Not Regret” next week in Nairobi, Kenya. Written in Amharic (“አልፅፅትም “), and Oromo (“Hin Gaabbu”), the book recounts Jawar’s journey through Ethiopia’s turbulent political landscape, chronicling his life, his role in the Oromo struggle,

December 14, 2024 • By Addis Insight

Books

Fikir Eske Mekabir to Air on Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation for the Ethiopian New Year

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The much-anticipated television adaptation of the iconic Ethiopian novel “Fikir Eske Mekabir” (Love to the Grave) is set to air on the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) starting this Ethiopian New Year. The CEO of EBC, Mr. Getnet Tadese, made the exciting announcement that the beloved characters Seblewongel and Bezabih, imprinted in

September 10, 2024 • By Addis Insight

Books

Exploring the Complexities of Identity and Belonging: Dinaw Mengestu’s Someone Like Us and His New Collection of Essays

Dinaw Mengestu’s latest novel, Someone Like Us, delves deep into the intertwined themes of identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience in contemporary America. Mengestu, known for his poignant explorations of the Ethiopian diaspora and the complexities of life in the United States, once again captures the intricacies of the immigrant experience with a narrative that

August 13, 2024 • By Addis Insight

Books

Nebiy Mekonnen Celebrating the Life of Ethiopia’s Literary Legend

Nebiy Mekonnen (1956 – 3 July 2024) Nebiy Mekonnen, an influential Ethiopian poet, journalist, playwright, and translator, passed away on 3 July 2024. He was 68 years old. Nebiy was born in 1956 and became a pivotal figure in Ethiopian literature and journalism. He co-founded and served as the editor-in-chief of the weekly newspaper Addis

July 5, 2024 • By Addis Insight

Books

EBC signs deal with Sew Mehon Productions to adapt Fikir “Esk Mekaber” book into TV series

EBC signs deal with Sew Mehon Productions to adapt Fikir “Esk Mekaber” book into TV series The Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) has signed an official contract today with ‘Sew Mehon” to turn the novel “Fikir Esk Mekaber” into a TV drama series. The contract was signed by EBC CEO Fisha Yitagesu and renowned film director

February 21, 2023 • By Addis Insight

Books

Ethiopia’s First Superhero Comic is Going Global

Etan Comics is launching a kids version of the kickstarter-backed title, which will be published in 11 languages. After the successful release of their graphic novel, Jember, Etan Comics is teaming up with the non-profit Open Hearts Big Dreams (OHBD) to launch a special collaboration. Etan is working with the Seattle-based organization, which has produced over

February 4, 2023 • By Addis Insight

Books

Sankofa Video Books & Cafe taken off from auction after a property tax relief

The Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) recently honored an arrangement that grants Sankofa Video Books & Cafe an exemption from paying property taxes for a decade but it would be an arduous, three-year-long process that included a slew of tax bills and the discovery of a certification process. In the fall of 2019, the Mypheduh

August 12, 2022 • By Addis Insight