Addis Ababa: Efforts are well underway to renovate and modernize historical sites in Addis Ababa and generate revenue, leveraging them for tourism, Addis Ababa City Mayor Adanech Abiebie stated. Mayor Adanech Abiebie has inaugurated the newly renovated Tayitu Cultural and Educational Center today. During the inauguration ceremony, she stated that the city is actively engaged in a comprehensive effort to renovate, modernize, and promote historical landmarks by transforming them into tourism assets and raise revenues.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, she emphasized that these endeavors are crucial for preserving historical treasures, integrating them with today’s contexts for future generations, ensuring that their authenticity is maintained and serving as vital educational resources. In addition, Adanech urged investors to participate in the renovation and promotion of heritages in support of the government initiative in this regard.
The mayor expressed her appreciation for the work of artist Alemtsehay Wedajo, ensuring that the revitalized center will be used for its intended purpose of tourist attraction. She further explained that Addis Ababa is connecting its historical past with the present to ensure a lasting legacy for the future, adding that this involves renovating and modernizing historical sites to transform them into appealing tourist destinations.
Hirut Kassaw, Head of the Addis Ababa Culture, Arts, and Tourism Bureau, stated that the Tayitu Cultural and Educational Center has been renovated with meticulous attention to details, ensuring that its historical integrity is preserved for future generations. She explained that the city administration is actively involved in the renovation of historical sites to pass on for posterity. She also highlighted that the ongoing corridor development projects in the city have significantly contributed to the rejuvenation of these historical landmarks.
Artist Alemtsehay Wedajo explained that the renovation project was completed within four years and that the center will showcase a collection of cultural and historical artifacts. It was revealed that the renovation of the Tayitu Cultural and Educational Center was a collaborative undertaking between the artist and the city administration. The building was formerly the residence of Bitweded Haile Giorgis Wolde Mikael and notably served as the first building of Addis Ababa municipality.