Editor’s note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
By Nikolay Yotov
I’m a Bulgarian who loves Ethiopia, visiting it since the times of Meles Zenawi, witnessing the Oromo youth rebellion, CoVid, TPLF offensive up to Debre Sina and now Amhara civil war. I have friends from Addis, Amhara, Oromo, Ari, etc. I enjoyed hospitality in both Christian and Muslim communities. I even got married to an Ethiopian woman and now consider it my second home.
There are a lot of similarities between Ethiopia and Bulgaria. Both have rich ancient history, both had their Christian population sheltering in mountains from Muslim invasions. Both had socialism and now take the road of capitalism and democracy.
When Bulgarian opened to the world 30 years ago we felt naked, weak and unsecured. The natural reaction was to dress the clothes of nationalism, to dig in and show the world our glorious history, folklore and traditions.
But who cares who you were in the past? What matters is how strong and smart are you now, what can you give to the world!
Forgetting the past is not easy and needs systematic work. For example, at school we were taught about the suffering of Bulgarians during 500 years of Ottoman yoke. We even call it slavery and there are many folklore songs about girls taken for wives and boys for janissary soldiers by the Turks. In Bratsigovo, there is a church with blood on the walls. The blood of mothers and babies slaughtered by the Turks after the April 1876 uprising. It was outrageous when 10-15 years ago, the regional episcope ordered to put wallpapers and hide the bloody history. How anyone dares to erase the memory of martyrs, like nothing has happened?
But time heals, years passed and now we’re better neighbors with Turkey.
Now, Bulgaria is a member of EU and NATO, which don’t tolerate internal and external conflicts. Life is better, we can travel and feel free despite some stupid politics and lack of mobilizing ideologies.
Perhaps, Ethiopia can adopt a similar approach. The glorious past should be left to historians and tourists. Open to the world and embrace it. Exploit and be exploited. If Ethiopian people, history and culture are really special then it will be prosperous in the future. And please, stop dreaming about America or restricting yourself with empty reactive ideologies like BRICS. Find your own way. Almost every Ethiopian I meet is very proud of his/her country but at the same time wants to migrate to America a.s.a.p. So far, there is nothing better than freedom, democracy and market economy but you have to do your homework first. Great past won’t give you fast track.
…
Of course, history is important. It’s main role is to help us not making the same mistakes twice. If in a neighboring country they want to integrate a paramilitary group in the army and the result is a civil war then don’t do the same at home, especially when wounds from previous war are still fresh. Be suspicious to countries like Russia who hide their archives because we see the result of their own version of history. It doesn’t matter how powerful is China if it sensors it’s citizens. Lies never pass the test of time. Don’t be confused by the new waves of nationalism and conservatism in the US, Europe and elsewhere. It’s a primitive reaction to globalization and identity deficiency. Look at the overwhelming technological advances – globalization cannot be stopped. It’s better to be open to the new world coming.
…
Embrace English, or Chinese if you like, as a language of business and peace between different ethnic groups. Forget emperors, slavery and colonization. Travel more and see that we’re all the same. Human beings who can live in peace when past is well forgotten.
Happy new year!
Editor’s note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
__
To Publish an Article On borkena , please send submission to info@borkena.com for consideration.
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Add your business to Borkena Business Listing/Business Directory Jobs
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter ) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian news updates regularly. Ethiopia To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com
Brother-in-law Nikolay,
Good idea. Thanks. Happy New Year to you.