|
|||||||||||||
|
Circus Azezo is an amazing group of young people who rehearse in the grounds of the Azezo Secondary School on a daily basis and specialise in an ambitious form of gymnastic thrills and spills.
Physical circus in Ethiopia is a popular and accomplished art-form. Circus Ethiopia itself is an amalgamation of the most talented performers from the regional circuses in Ethiopia and has undertaken several international tours to unanimous acclaim. Some years ago, Circus Ethiopia was in the United Kingdom with showings in Brighton, at the Edinburgh Festival, and other locations. Its breathtaking stunts and inimitable physical contortions brought large audiences flocking to appreciate it. The trainer of Circus Azezo is a young man called Temesgen Fisseha and it has been his dedication and undoubted skill that has enabled this young team to make a real name for themselves in the local area. Temesgen used to work with Circus Gondar (another local group who also perform widely in the region with great skill) and then he broke off to form this 'rival group in the village of Azezo, just 10km away.
The members of the group range from children of 10 or 11 years old to young men and women in their 20s. They have worked hard themselves to produce a variety of performance costumes that are colourful and eye-catching. They also include some humorous sketches in their performances that provide variety for the large audiences that they inevitably attract. When the visiting group from Dr Challoner's to Gondar in 2000 were invited to see the show, they were so impressed by their skill and their creative and dedicated efforts that they decided on the spot that these young people should be given some help with their activities. Temesgen decided that the corporate image of the Circus would be strengthened if they could have their own 'team strip' for the group and so a colourful tracksuit was identified that would be available in a large range of sizes. Labels were made in England and sent to Azezo for sewing on. The resulting clothes are worn smilingly and proudly by these young people. On a recent visit to Gondar, Chris Grant took out some colourful juggling clubs and bouncing balls, and these were enthusiastically welcomed by the group who were using them with undoubted expertise within minutes.
The main resource that GondarLink have provided for these young people is a full set of good quality gymnastic mats. The routines they perform frequently involve daring and potentially dangerous jumps and falls, and these need proper well-designed matting to keep everyone safe and secure. More recently, GondarLink have provided some professional imported sound equipment to lift the quality of the Circus's live performances. When more funds are available next year, GondarLink hopes to complete this equipment also. In the same way as the Ethiopian long-distance runners inspire and maintain the pride and confidence of the people of Ethiopia, these circus groups are a wonderful boost for the ordinary people who live normal lives in the towns and villages of the country. GondarLink feels very sure that this unusual sponsorship has a wide-ranging effect within the Gondar area and that these dedicated young people are a very worthy focus for our financial help. With such role models of enthusiasm and application in their vision, the Gondar youth are undoubtedly shown what can be accomplished with persistence and group effort. Have you signed our Guestbook? Email | Top
|
||||||||||||
Challoner's, Fasiledes, Amersham, Buckinghamshire