Eritrea: Land of
Can-Do People!

ERI-NEWS

National Service: A toolfor EconomicDevelopment, National
Cohesion and theDefence of Sovereignty

Bi-Weekly Newsletter
Permanent Mission of the State of Eritrea to AU
and UNECA
Press Section
Eritreans at Home and in the Diaspora Hold Annual Summer
Festivals in Colorful Manner
The annual Eritrean Summer Festivals of 2015 are being held at home
and in the Diaspora in a manner thatreflects the strong unity and patriotism of Eritreans.
At the national level, Festival Eritrea
2015 was held in Asmara from 25
July to 2 August 2015. The themefor this year was ‘Festival: Hub ofHarmony’. The Festival saw the participation of hundreds of thousandsof Eritreans from all the corners of
the country. (Pictures from the Festival are available on page 3)

The Festivals which have their roots inthe pre-independence era have theobjectives of, to name a few, further
strengthening the unity and solidarityof Eritreans, ensuring the continuity of
the Eritrean people’s rich cultures andtraditions, providing fora for discussions on national issues as well as regional and international developments
affecting the country.
The festivals involve seminars on thesituation in Eritrea and the region bysenior officials, prominent Eritreans
and friends of Eritrea. The Festivals

Vol 2. Issue 38
05 August 2015
Inside this issue:
Trailblazer Cyclists
Accorded Heroes’ 2
Welcome
Flydubai to Launch 2
Flights to Asmara
Pictorial
Reportage ofEritrean Festivals

35

Children’s Grassroots Festival of 6
Central Region
held in Asmara

Contact Addresses:

Similarly, so far Eritrean communities in Italy, Germany, Holland, UK,
Scandinavian Countries and Canada
have held their Festivals. The annual
gatherings were attended by tens of
thousands of Eritreans and friends ofEritrea. (Pictures from the Festivalsare available on page 4 and 5)

also feature the vibrant music and cultural performances of all the ethnic
groups of Eritrea, children’s sportcompetitions, pictorial exhibitions,trade fairs etc…
The 2015 Summer Festival season willcontinue with the upcoming Festivals
in Washington DC and Oakland.

Vol 2. Issue 38, 05 August 2015

Tel: +251-116620052
Fax:+251-116620011
Email:eritreanaumission@
gmail.com
P.o.Box: 5527
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Eritrean Mission toAU& ECA@EritreaAU

Page 2Eri-News

Trailblazer Cyclists Accorded Heroes’ Welcome
Eritrean cyclists Daniel Teklehaimanot and Merhawi
Kudus were accorded heroes’ welcome upon theirarrival in Asmara on 1st of August following theirground breaking participation and outstanding performances at the Tour de France 2015.
Tens of thousands of residents of Asmara and its environs turned up to give rousing welcome to the cycling heroes. The ceremony which was broadcast liveon the national Television and Radio took place fromAsmara International Airport to Bahti Meskerem
Square.
Following the enthusiastic welcoming ceremony,President Isaias Afwerki received the two cyclists atState House and congratulated them on behalf of thepeople and Government of Eritrea.

Daniel presented to President Isaias the polka-dot jersey he don as the King of the Mountains for four consecutive days in the Tour de France 2015.

The President pointed out that the brilliant performance of the Eritrean cyclists at the Tour de France
attests to the existing potential for excellence in cycling and other fields in Eritrea.

Flydubai to Launch Flights to Asmara
Dubai-based flydubai announced the addition of Eritrea to its African network. Direct flights between
Dubai and Asmara will commence on 25 October
2015 with 4 flights a week - on Monday, Thursday,Friday and Sunday.
Commenting on the launch, Ghaith Al Ghaith, flydubai CEO said, “We are delighted to add a direct link
between the UAE and another emerging market withgreat potential for more growth”
Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President Commercial (GCC, Subcontinent, Africa) for flydubai, said:“flydubai will be the first UAE carrier to connect Dubai with Asmara as trade and tourism continue to rise
between the UAE, Africa and the rest of the world….Additionally flights to Asmara will provide theEritrean diaspora with greater opportunity to visit
their families and friends in their home country.”

The addition of flydubai will provide more options tothe Eritrean aviation market which is now being
served by Eritrean Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Qatar
Airways, Sudan Airways, EgyptAir, Nova Airways
and Yemenia.

Vol 2. Issue 38, 05 August 2015

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Festival Eritrea 2015 - Asmara, 25 July-2 August 2015

Vol 2. Issue 38, 05 August 2015

Page 4Eri-News

Festival Eritrea in Italy
Milan, 27-28 June 2015

19th Eritrean Festival in Germany
Giessen, 3-5 July 2015

14th Eritrean Festival in Holland
Rijswijk, 10-12 July 2015

Vol 2. Issue 38, 05 August 2015

Page 5Eri-News

15th Eritrean Festival in the United KingdomLondon, 25-26 July 2015

17th Eritrean Festival in Scandinavian Countries
Stockholm, 30 July- 2 August 2015

15th Festival Eritrea in Toronto
1-3 August 2015

Vol 2. Issue 38, 05 August 2015

Page 6Eri-News

Children’s Grassroots Festival of Central Region held in Asmara
The 7th Children’s Grassroots Festival of the Central
Region was held from 19-30 July 2015 at the Asmara
Stadium, under the theme “Sport - a forum throughwhich we can attain our objective and aspiration.” At
the Festival, 4000 children forming 108 teams partici

pated in various sports competitions. The Eritrean
people and government consider sport activities asimportant means of nurturing active and healthy
youth.

Vol 2. Issue 38, 05 August 2015