In a significant development for Ethiopia’s cultural sector, the Ministry of Culture and Sports has signed a landmark memorandum of understanding with Ethio Circus Entertainment in Addis Ababa, on April 25, 2024. This collaboration, finalized at the Ministry’s office on April 25, 2024, sets the stage for a united effort to enhance and promote the field of circus arts.

The Honorable Ms. Nafisa Almahadi, Minister of State for the Creative Development Sector, emphasized the importance of modernizing and revitalizing circus arts, a sector rich in potential and ripe for innovation. She outlined the vision for this partnership, which will focus on nurturing the growth of circus arts and leveraging them as a medium for cultural expression and creative development.

Under the agreement, both parties will coordinate resources from various projects, aligning with the Ministry’s guidelines to ensure effective implementation and execution. The collaboration aims to bolster Ethiopia’s cultural presence on the international stage, with a particular emphasis on empowering marginalized groups such as women and children to participate in the arts.

Central to the initiative is the involvement of Sosina Wogayehu, the CEO of Ethio Circus Entertainment, whose mission is to empower the youth of Ethiopia through circus, education, and cultural pride. The organization is currently working on establishing a vocational training center dedicated to the arts and circus disciplines, a hub intended to be a cradle of talent and a beacon of cultural enrichment.

This agreement signals a new chapter for the Ethiopian circus arts, envisioning a future where public forums and programs will celebrate and disseminate the artistic achievements of the nation. Additionally, the partnership will actively seek funding sources to sustain these activities and ensure that the benefits of art and circus practices are widespread and impactful.

As Ethiopia’s circus arts take this leap forward, the world watches in anticipation of the vibrant cultural contributions that are sure to emerge from this synergistic alliance.

Main image, left to right : Sosina Wogayehu, the CEO of Ethio Circus Entertainment and Honorable Ms. Nafisa Almahadi, Minister of State for the Creative Development Sector.