This year, the foundation commemorated February 14 by providing a one-day writers workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  The workshop was held at Semen Hotel and attended by 55 aspiring writers and journalists. Program detail is now available here

Poem

1st Place - “Burning Candle” by Asede Lenjisa, a high school English teacher from Jimma, Ethiopia

2nd Place - “Strength” by Naomi Samuel, a middle school student from Dallas, Texas

Honorable Mention: Bekelech Truye from Addis Ababa Ethiopia

The poems were judged by a panel of experts on general quality, form and contest

1st place poem won $300 and 2nd place, $200. 

To read winning poems click here

Short Story

While we have no winners in this category, our judges picked Fekadu Kifle from Addis Ababa for Honorable Mention.

Entries in this catagory were judged on plot, theme, character, point of view, conflict and setting.

It was  a privilege to read everyone’s  poem and short story. Congratulations to all the winners and special thanks to all our judges for their dedication and hard work.

Additionally, an interesting article is posted in the foundation’s commentary page. “Baalu Girma and Socialist Veracity” is written by Alemayehu Gelagaye and published on Addis Admass, an Amharic newspaper published in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. The article attempts to define the transformation of one Ethiopia’s prolific writer Baalu Girma from an intellectual who understood the historical inevitability of the collapse of the monarchy to a dismayed sympathizer of those who declared themselves agents of change but failed to understand the destruction they are about to unleash over the whole nation. The writer claims Baalu accomplished this amazing feat through the protagonists of the three books he wrote during the revolution. To read more, click here

We are happy to announce that the foundation has established the Baalu Girma Scholarship at Michigan State University, East Lansing - Michigan where Baalu received his master’s degree in Political Science and Journalism. Similar efforts are being pursued to establish scholarship programs in Ethiopia. The purpose of the scholarship program is to offer financial assistance to academically promising journalism and creative writing students in Ethiopia and those living abroad dedicated to making a difference in the country.

Supporting the next generation of creative writers and journalists is a great responsibility. These are the people who help us appreciate our humanity, ask tough questions on our behalf, and record our history for future generations.

Promoting academic opportunity is one of the objectives of this foundation – and we are confident you will join us in this effort by financially supporting the scholarship program. Your contribution is greatly appreciated and will help make a difference.  Here is how to donate:

• On-line:http://www.baalugirmafoundation.org/donate.html

• Mail: Baalu Girma Foundation, P.O. Box 530892, Livonia, MI 48153-0892

Also, a quick reminder that the closing date of the 2009 East African Talent Contest is fast approaching. The deadline is August 1, 2009. For competition guidelines and other details, please check foundation’s Creative Writing program page (http://baalugirmafoundation.org/writing.html).

Please take a moment to check the foundation’s Commentary page for an award winning research work prepared by Berhanu Gebeyehu. The research work was presented in January 1999, at an event organized by Addis Ababa University and Baalu’s family to honor the writer’s life and work.

Also, enjoy “Wofe Yared” a poem, recently received from a renowned poet and writer, Dr. Fikre Tolossa.