Abate Mekuria, one of the Founding Fellows of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) and the most famous and celebrated playwright and director of Ethiopian Theatre passed away on July 20, 2016 at the age of 72. His funeral and burial service was completed at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in the presence of his family, friends and colleagues on July 22, 2016.
Abate Mekuria joined Haile Silassie I University in 1965 and obtained his BA degree in English with minor drama. He also received various trainings in the area of film, media, theatre and music directing from German Public Broadcasting Institution, London Opera Center, Abbey Theatre in Ireland and from different American theatre studios.
Abate Mekuria directed many well-known plays among which ‘Ha Hu Besidet Wore’; ‘Mekdela Senebet’; ‘Abogida Keyeso’; ‘Esat Sined’; ‘Mekdem’; ‘Gammo’; ‘Othello’; Tewodros’; ‘Mele’ekte Wezader’ and ‘Be Hamle Chereka Guzo’ may be cited. He supported, promoted and nurtured young talents in theatre and worked tirelessly for the advancement of Ethiopian Theatre.
The Ethiopian Academy of Sciences recognizes that, in his passing, Ethiopia lost an outstanding and legendary artist, playwright and director. The Academy would like to extend its condolences to the family and friends of the late Artist Abate Mekuria.
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