Mahibere Kidusan Gives Statement on Orthodox Exhibition Ban

General Secretary of the association, Ato Tesfaye Bihonegn explained the steps went through and the activities carried out in organizing the exhibition. According to Ato Tesfaye, Mahiber Kidusan has reached agreement with the exhibition center to stage a one week exhibition a year before, August 2015. He also added that, they have fulfilled all the required criteria. First, a letter of endorsement giving the go-ahead and written by the general manager of the Patriarchate of Archbishop Abune Mathewos was submitted to the company followed by the signing of an agreement with the company and handing over of the initial payment.

In accordance with the agreement, we made the last payment on March 21, 2016. But in the morning of March 23, 2016, a day before the due opening date, when the exhibition committee requested the key to the exhibition hall to take-in materials for the event, in a rather shocking move the committee was told that they could not enter the exhibition hall. When they asked them the rationale for their unexpected refusal, they told them that they should bring permission letter from Addis Ababa city administration. This request was unusual requirement and such a question has never been raised before. As it turns out, the rationale behind the ban has not been openly and clearly expressed, and the company itself has found the measure puzzling. The exhibition center has taken the responsibility for the suspension of the exhibition.

Lastly, Ato Tesfaye indicated that the exhibition was banned by government bodies. He also elaborated on the problem, and expressed his hope that it will be solved through discussion with the concerned bodies. The management of Mahiber Kidusan will announce where and when the exhibition takes place in the future.