Pres. Taye says renovated palace a timeless repository of Ethiopia’s history

Addis Ababa, December 31, 2024 (FMC) – The FDRE President Taye Atske-Selassie stated that the newly renovated National Palace is a revelation of profound time capsule from a different era and repository of history.

Ambassadors and heads of missions and various international organizations stationed in Addis Ababa have visited the newly renovated National Palace in Addis Ababa. Upon completion of the diplomats’ visit to the restored National Palace, the President highlighted the whole history of the Palace since its inception during reign of Emperor Haile-Selassie to the present.

During his keynote remark, President Taye noted that the renovated National Palace isn’t just a palace, but it is a story book, a chronicle of the country’s triumph, struggles, as well as few of trials and tribulations.

He said many might think that the palace was built just because Emperor Haile Selassie I sought to build a grand and new edifice. This is indeed an undertone. History tells us that every leader possess their own vision and ambitions.

“We believe that the idea for building this palace deeply entrenched with the Emperor’s desire to herald a new era of modernization. It also came in the aftermath of Benito Mussolini’s fascist Italy. This is no doubt was a message to the world ‘we may have been subject to bitter years of brutal occupation, but we are back to the global politics stronger than ever.’ The other reason was to make this place part of a grand plan to make Addis Ababa the capital of Africa: a beacon of freedom shining bright for African countries which were being liberated from the yoke of colonialism and consequently becoming the leading international political hub.”

The Place was built through sum of global minds. With a strange coincidence and/or providence, the commencement of the project in 1948 coincided with the establishment of international union of architects. Under the aegis of that union, an international competition was held where hundreds of architects submitted their blueprints. Among them, Ethiopia-based Swiss architect Edward Pierre won the competition. Thereafter, Addis Ababa became magnet for notable talents.

The president recalled notable designers who designed major construction projects in Addis Ababa, including the National Theatre, the African Hall, Addis Ababa Stadium, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Hilton Addis. These contributions from local and global architects and engineers attest Addis Ababa’s status as a diplomatic capital and a hub for a global collaboration of gifted minds.

In these venerated halls, history reverberates from the grandeur of imperial assemblies to the sophisticated arts of diplomacy. The renovated National Palace has witnessed the flows of Ethiopian and African diplomacy. Over the ages, the Palace hosted various leaders and freedom fighters from across the continent and the world.

President Taye further recalled that the Palace has hosted the African heads of state and government who convened in Addis Ababa to establish the then Organization of the African Unity (OAU) in 1963.

President Taye offered a special mention to Brigadier General Fresenbet Amde for his great personality and efforts in ensuring the continuity of the Palace during the Derg regime, which he referred to as a difficult period for Ethiopia.

He also reminisced that the Derg regime once has attempted to destroy the throne within the Palace and it was preserved against all odds thanks to the lone courage of an Ethiopian engineer who defied the order of the then leader of the country Mengistu Haile-Mariam, whom he referred as a brutal dictator.

He also reminded that the Palace compound housed an animal sanctuary, most notable the Den of the Black Lion, which was a symbol of the Imperial power a spirit that deeply resonated to the Pan African ‘black lions’ movement’.

President Taye asserted that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s decision to open the Jubilee Palace to the public view demonstrates the premier’s profound understanding of the Palace’s true values. According to him, Abiy understood that “history is not something to be locked in the treasure box of a palace, but something to be celebrated and cherished to learn from and to build upon.”

“It is on this spirit of continuity and modernization that the construction of the Chaka project commenced which aims to amplify ongoing efforts to modernize Ethiopia’s infrastructure. A development that creates a future where we honor our past, embraces modernity and builds a truly prosperous Ethiopia,” he underscored.

The ongoing construction and redevelopment projects in Addis Ababa resonate with continuous development of the city, the President said.

The President extended his heartfelt appreciation to embassies, missions and international organizations that wholeheartedly the ongoing supported redevelopment projects in the Ethiopian capital.

The renovated palace serves as a living proof to the country’s history as well as the vibrant center of tourist attraction, diplomatic function, cultural exchange, a platform for dialogue and collaboration, President Taye said, adding that it will be a place where scholars and artists can delve into the depth of the country’s past and future generations to connect with the legacy of those who came in the past.

Moreover, the President extended gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for making the renovation project a reality. The President also praised the invaluable contribution of Ethiopian developers who participated in the renovation of the palace.

He also thanked French President for his partnership and support to the project. This project is testament to the enduring friendship and cooperation between Ethiopia and France.

The renovated Palace has served to forge relations between countries, to build unity, expand multilateralism, and pledge for the call of liberation. The spirit of diplomacy of forefathers is still alive and is “waiting for us to take it to its new height.”

With that spirit in mind, President Taye called for the building of the legacy of forefathers as evidenced in the palace and striving to build relations that are best cemented on understanding, unity, peace and prosperity.