The last of 17 historic venues known as Azmari Bets, the Ethiopian cabaret club Fendika has been saved from demolition in Addis Ababa. Situated in the Kazanchis district of Ethiopia's capital, the Azmari Bet, or House of Azmari in Amharic, originally hosted performances by Ethiopia's Azmari musicians. A cultural centreThe cabaret club was bought by Melaku Belay, who took over its running in 2008. A new chapterIn June, when the local council announced demolition plans for the Azmari Bet and the construction of a luxury hotel in its place, musicians, artists and regulars were shocked. "It's an essential place" for Ethiopian artists, explained Eden Mulu, a 30-year-old painter and designer who has exhibited at Fendika.

Source: Ethiopian News July 17, 2023 14:11 UTC