News & Articles
New Novel Launched
By Meron Abraha
Jun 18, 2008, 10:23am

“Books make the best gifts.” This was a catchphrase on a banner hung inside the hall at Embassoira Hotel, where by now has been accustomed to host book launching ceremonies as was the case yesterday June 17, 2008.

The event marked an occasion where Hidri Publishers added yet another book to bookshelves with the launching of a new work of fiction by ex-fighter Mehari Belay.

Entitled Buqli Mahtseney Neaki (My Womb’s Seed for You) and based on a true story, the 160-pages fiction revolves around the life of a woman ex-fighter, Meaza, and the hardships of having families during the liberation struggle.

Introducing his book to the invited guests, the author narrated on how he came to write the book.

“After independence, having been assigned to the section in charge of the affairs of martyrs’ children, I kept telling myself that I should try writing something about the hardships fighters faced while in the struggle…” he said.

Encouragements by fellow comrades enabled him to complete his book in almost ten years.

“With this small contribution, I have at least tried and put my conscience to rest,” he said.

During the launching ceremony, a fellow fighter, Mr. Fessehaie Tesfamichael, shared some of his observations with the audience. He noted that the book’s cornerstone was the fact that fighters had to undergo unusual processes in rearing children during the struggle.

For obvious reasons, children never received the proper and desired care, he pointed out.

Stating that “Eritrean fighters had a greater love than that for a child: the love for their nation,” he stressed that the author succeeded in portraying the reality of those harsh times. He also commended the author for building such strong characters that seemed real to the reader.

Also during the occasion, Lieutenant Colonel Khaled Abera presented a critique of the book, where he praised the author for presenting the central character of the novel as a normal human being, other than an idolized heroine as is the case in many other works of fiction.

In his remarks, Mr. Khaled pointed out that one of the book’s faults was that it was written in a first person narration, thus creating some confusions and delays in the reading flow. He also said that it lacked a glossary for some terms and jargons that could perplex the new generation or readers new to the Eritrean struggle.

Before the conclusion of the ceremony, the author presented two copies of his book to Mesgun Zeray (Wedi Feraday) and Yemane Gebresillasie for their outstanding support towards the publishing of the book.

The author then signed copies of the book for the guests during the occasion.

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