Contributed Articles
You Bear the Responsibility
By G.Teclebrhan
Jul 1, 2008, 12:07pm

The National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students will hold its third festival and 30th year anniversary from 18 to 20 July in Sawa. Many Eritreans from all over the world will meet to share experiences, strengthen their solidarity and express their close attachment to their motherland.

The chairman of the 3rd Eri-Youth festival organizing committee, Mr. Ismael Mussa, said that the basic objectives of the festival is to create an environment that enable the youth share their experiences, strengthen their creativity and embolden their identity and national values.

During the second Eri-Youth Festival Sawa in 2006, Eritrean singer, Helen Meles, sang that the youth is the dynamo of change and development and bears the responsibility of making a difference…

“You [the youth] bear the responsibility, who else?
You shoulder the change, no one else
You are the dynamo who can do this and that

Eritrean youths at odd and critical situations shouldered the responsibility that they owe to their land. Different generations of the Eritrean youth took a decisive initiative to the national liberation. The role the Eritrean youth played during the liberation struggle and during the various colonial powers period, for instance, was crucial. They sacrificed everything for national liberation; they paid everything possible to develop a strong nationalism that the colonizers denied them. Now, you can mention famed Eritrean names of those, at their young age, who strived to make a difference and those who struggled to liberate their people and country from the yolk of oppression and colonization.

Eritreans such as Bahta Hagos, Woldemichael Solomon, Ibrahim Sultan, Woldeab Woldemariam, Hamid Idris Awate and all the nationals who lead the armed struggle such as Isias Afewerki, Romodan Mohammednur, Alamin Mohammed Seid, Ali Seid Abdela and many more played considerable role at their early age in building Eritrean nationalism. They are the heroes who are in the hearts and minds of many of us.

Most of the Eritreans, who lead and fought during the armed struggle, one of the most successful liberation movements in the world, joined the struggle while they were young. Some of them sacrificed their higher education opportunities and joined the liberation struggle; some left families whom they looked after and joined the war… the youth from all walks of life made their contribution for freedom. Had these Eritreans nationals failed to responsibly respond the national call, Eritreans would have remained at the hands of colonizers.

It is now again, the Eritrean youth, who inherited the heroism and deep national feeling of the earlier generations, sacrificing all what they own in honor of their country and people. The post independence youth have shouldered dual national responsibilities—defending the national prestige and building a prosperous country.

The past generations were able to face the hardest of times because they were united and developed a strong sense of nationalism. And this young generation is making a real difference because it maintained that power of unity.

The youth festival is a ground where we witness the unity of Eritrean youth inside and out side the country. “It is not a matter of where you live; it is just a matter of who you are,” said an Eritrean youth from Sweden during the last festival speaking on the national attachment Eritreans have. “There are many people who live in different countries, but Eritreans always live inside their country no matter where they are,” she said.

The bi-annual Eri-Youth Festival Sawa was started in 2004. During the last two occasions different activities were presented by the Union and other organization and government institutions. Research papers, a conversation with national heroes and heroines, cultural shows, discussion forum, seminars by higher government and PFDJ officials…were some of the enlightening and touching programs. The participation of all zobas also added color to the national youth festival because Eritreans who came from the Diaspora were able to meet not only Asmarinos, but youths from the whole country.

According to the chairman of the organizing committee, the festival will include different activities such as Kushet Menseyat, Warsay Yikealo corner that hosts sample activities on the development efforts and the achievements of Warsay Yikealo and the contribution of the construction companies, ICT exhibition, seminars on national, regional and international affairs, presentation of research papers, traditional and modern cultural show, cultural fashion show, candle vigil, sports’ competition, general knowledge, debating and oration competition, Zagre and Sawa awards, etc.

Our history and nationalism always keep us close together. Our festivals enable us to share what we have together. Now we are about to celebrate the 3rd Eri-Youth Festival, bearing a bigger responsibility of defending our sovereignty and building a modern society. About 38 thousand youths, among whom 2000 from abroad, will participate in the festival. The festival will take place in a center that produces a versatile youth and develops national unity. Have a nice festival! And always remember Helen Meles singing, bear a responsibility: ‘it is upon you and no one else…

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