Ethiopian, French institutional and scientific interlocutors discuss restoration, conservation of Lalibela

Addis Ababa, July 2, 2022 (FBC) – An Ethiopian delegation composed of Aba Tsigesselassie Mezgebu, Religious Leader of the Churches of Lalibela, Sileshi Girma, Secretary of State for Tourism and Professor Abebaw Ayalew, Director General of the Ethiopian Heritage Authority (ARCCH) met the French institutional and scientific interlocutors, involved in the implementation of projects for the restoration, conservation and historical and cultural enhancement of the Churches of Lalibela.

This Ethio-French project stems from the heritage cooperation agreement signed in 2019 between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Emmanuel Macron.

The project is implemented by several laboratories of the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research) and by the French Center for Ethiopian Studies.

The commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and France, sealed by the Treaty of Friendship of March 20, 1897, provides an opportunity to showcase the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in the field of archaeological research, bringing together their respective scientific communities working for the preservation of an invaluable heritage.

This visit is designed for substantial exchanges with the competent French authorities focused on the enhancement of classified heritage sites as well as more technical exchanges necessary for the preparation of the next stages of implementation of the “Sustainable Lalibela” project.