Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The turn-off is about 4km northeast of the town centre, just north of the French em-
bassy. Take a minibus from Arat Kilo heading to 'Francey' and get off at the Total petrol
station. It's a short walk from there.
AFEWERK TEKLE
Born in 1932, Afewerk Tekle was one of Ethiopia's most distinguished and colourful artistic figures. Educated at
the Slade School of Art in London, he later toured and studied in continental Europe before returning to work un-
der the patronage of Emperor Haile Selassie. A painter as well as a sculptor and designer, he was also a master
fencer, dancer and toastmaster.
Proud to have 'survived three regimes' (when friends and peers did not), his life was hardly without incident. In
almost cinematic style, a 'friendly' fencing match turned into an attempt on his life, and a tussle over a woman led
to his challenging his rival to a duel at dawn. In the royal court of the emperor, he once only just survived an as-
sassination attempt by poisoned cocktail.
The artist famously made his own terms and conditions: if he didn't like the purchaser he wouldn't sell, and his
best known paintings must be returned to Ethiopia within a lifetime. He even turned down over US$12 million for
the work considered his masterpiece, The Meskel Flower .
In April 2012 the artist died in Addis Ababa at the age of 80.
Afewerk Tekle's Home & Studio
Offline map
( www.maitreafewerktekle.com ) A member of several international academies and with a
drawer full of international decorations - about 100 at last count, including the British
Order of Merit - Afewerk Tekle is considered among Africa's greatest artists.
It used to be possible to organise a 90-minute tour of Villa Alpha, Afewerk's home and
studio, led by the artist himself. However, after his death in 2012 the house was closed to
the public. At the time of writing, renovations were taking place and plans are afoot to re-
open the house, though when, and in what form, is not yet known.
GALLERY
Lion of Judah Monument
Offline map Google map
(Gambia St) Long the symbol of Ethiopia's monarchy, the Lion of Judah is ubiquitous
throughout the country. Although images of the almighty animal abound in Addis Ababa,
it's the storied history of the Lion of Judah Monument that makes this statue significant.
MONUMENT
 
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