We support a municipal project between the cities of Nuremberg and Aksum

May 2nd, 2018, was a sad day for the people of Ethiopia and Nuremberg – the Ethiopian Cultural Association of Nuremberg is opposing a municipal project between the cities of Aksum and Nuremberg!

We are not sore losers and wish the municipalities in (likely) Togo every success in implementing their project. After all, it’s about further strengthening the ties between Africa and Nuremberg!

However, we find it very difficult to understand how a Nuremberg-based organization, which claims to be committed to helping the people of Ethiopia, would oppose a project in that very country. Despite the lengthy preparation period, they were unable to offer their own proposal…

Following this workshop, representatives of the Cultural Association reiterated that they would not speak with the “German chairman of Hawelti e.V. because he is unfamiliar with the specific circumstances of Ethiopia.”

We deeply regret this outcome. For approximately ten years, we attempted to collaborate with the Ethiopian Cultural Association. This request was denied even for events solely dedicated to helping people in need somewhere in Ethiopia. In our view, the decision of May 2, 2018, clearly signals a general lack of interest in cooperation. We deeply regret this, but will continue our projects unabated and are very pleased to have many Ethiopians on our side who do not share the Ethiopian Cultural Association’s views.

Here are excerpts from the documentation (which can be read in full here):
https://www.nuernberg.de/imperia/md/partnerstaedte/dokumente/ib/dokumentation_begegnungen_mit_afrika_3_workshop.pdf)

“…Aksum (Ethiopia):
The proposal for a craft village in the historic center of Aksum (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) came from the city’s mayor himself. The Hawelti e.V. association would provide on-site support for the collaboration.

Feedback: Cooperation with Aksum would send a positive signal to Germans due to the city’s historical significance and could help to correct the image of Africa.

However, the Ethiopian Cultural Association e.V. considers the choice of the city a politically unfortunate signal, as they believe the city represents the country’s elites, from whom many Oromo and Amhara fled. The association therefore opposes choosing Aksum as Nuremberg’s cooperation partner…”

“…Aksum received some points, and Hawelti is a strong advocate; nevertheless, the head of the Office for International Relations, Dr. Norbert Schürgers, is excluding the city – too many Ethiopians in Nuremberg are vehemently opposed.

The discussions at the Events have shown that Aksum’s election would drive a wedge into Nuremberg’s Ethiopian community.

That would not be good for the city’s society and ultimately not a good sign for the cohesion of the African community in Nuremberg in general…”

The original idea:

In 2014, the city of Nuremberg considered establishing a city partnership with a city in Africa. Based on our activities and discussions, we were and remain convinced that this partnership would be enriching for both Aksum and Nuremberg.

Why?

Because Nuremberg is committed to the vision of an “International House,” we see such a partnership as a wonderful “cultural enrichment.” Similar to Nuremberg, which developed into one of the most important cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, Aksum also looks back on a long tradition and history. It is fitting, then, that Aksum was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980 due to its historical ruins and outstanding history.

A sister city relationship already exists with Denver – and the city of Aksum and its citizens are working towards further partnerships. This was also the subject of several discussions with the mayor of Aksum during our recent trip. We received a letter from him for his Nuremberg counterpart, Mayor Dr. Ulrich Maly, in which he reaffirmed his interest in a sister city partnership.

On March 1, 2018, another workshop took place, in which prerequisites and potential content were discussed. To gauge public opinion, the city inquired which municipalities would be potential partners and what form a collaboration could take. In this context, we forwarded the idea to the city of Aksum.

General Information about Aksum:

Aksum (also spelled Axum and Akhsum) is located in the northern Tigray region, approximately 50 km from Eritrea and about 1,005 km from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. The city, situated at the mouth of the valley (approximately 1 km wide) between the two hills Beta Giyorgis and Mai Qoho, which rise to 2,200 m above sea level, covers an area of ​​about 1.5 km². It has a population of approximately 65,000. Politically, Aksum is a small district capital.

The name Aksum itself can likely be translated as “water/well of the prince.”

Aksum was the capital of the Axumite Empire; however, the exact date is unknown. Aksum is first mentioned in a Greek text from the first century AD (in the Periplus Maris Erythraei, a handbook for Red Sea sailors). The Axumite Empire began around 150 BC and lasted until around 900 AD.

Ethiopia is particularly proud of the fact that it was never colonized.

Today, Aksum is a city that has grown considerably in recent years. Alongside many traditional buildings, modern structures made of stone have replaced the rubble and mud-brick buildings. Despite the widespread poverty, hotel chains and souvenir shops have also arrived. Tourism provides income for the city and small businesses.

This is especially important because there is very little industry. Most people live off agriculture or as day laborers. Even factories often create only a few jobs. We at Hawelti e.V. were able to see for ourselves that some of these factories are run by a single individual.

Language, Safety, and Accessibility:

In addition to Amharic (the official language) and Tigrinya (a regional language), English is taught at the school.

There have been isolated incidents of unrest in Ethiopia in recent months; however, the Tigray region has not been affected. This is evidenced by the continued travel to the country. Due to our projects and the large number of members and other visitors, our association has been monitoring the situation very closely; however, there have been no incidents in northern Ethiopia.

Addis Ababa, with its airport, is considered the “hub of Africa” ​​and is therefore accessible from Germany (especially Frankfurt) via almost all airlines. Even Aksum, despite its considerable distance, can be reached within a good hour. There is an airport for domestic flights. Currently, there are three flights daily to and from Addis Ababa; some are direct, but other cities can also be reached directly from there. Other means of transport in the city include buses and the “Bajaj” (similar to the tuk-tuk taxis of Asia), which is a prominent feature of the cityscape.

What connects the cities of Nuremberg and Aksum?

As already mentioned, Aksum was the capital of the Axumite Empire and therefore a very influential city at that time. Besides its crafts, Aksum played a particularly important role in trade between the Mediterranean world and India; this trade primarily involved African luxury goods, metals/coins, and textiles.

Nuremberg also owes its economic rise in the Late Middle Ages, in part, to its crafts, which developed a high degree of innovation. By around 1500, Nuremberg craftsmen had achieved European prominence, especially in metalworking and textile production. Nuremberg also developed into a major trading hub and owed a large part of its wealth to this trade.

Thus, there are significant parallels in the areas of crafts and trade.

However, what truly connects both cities today is that both Aksum and Nuremberg are popular tourist destinations. And in both cities, this is underpinned by their rich history.

Both Aksum and Nuremberg have an “imperial” past. In Aksum, all kings and later all emperors were crowned from the Middle Ages onward (and perhaps even much earlier). Nuremberg, on the other hand, stands in contrast with its first recorded mention as an imperial stronghold and its Imperial Castle at the end of the “Golden Road” to Prague. Another similarity is a strong sense of tolerance: Nuremberg sees itself as a tolerant and cosmopolitan city. Aksum also demonstrated this as early as the seventh century, when it offered protection to Muslims and refused to hand them over. Since then, religions have coexisted peacefully in Ethiopia. In the Quran, the inhabitants of Aksum are called “Habasha” and are explicitly exempt from the holy war, “jihad.”

What does this municipal project bring to the people of Aksum?

The creation of jobs and livelihoods is particularly important. Since the work is predominantly carried out by women, this also strengthens their independence.

At the same time, many residents benefit from the additional tourist offerings, as more restaurants and cafes will open, and the craft center will require organizational support. This support begins right from the start, as the project can only be realized with the help of the tourism office and city staff. The future craft providers will also be involved in the implementation process from the very beginning.

In addition to this practical support, the expertise of the city of Nuremberg in effective city marketing is also very helpful.

Last but not least, the project will increase the city’s appeal to tourists, which, ideally, will attract even more visitors.

What does this community project offer the people of Nuremberg?

The largest African community living in Nuremberg comes from Ethiopia. Despite numerous events, there is still a lack of knowledge and/or uncertainty about this remarkable country and its people.

This community project can contribute to dialogue between the residents of both cities due to shared interests. For example, there could be targeted events focusing on crafts, trade, and tourism. Demonstrations and joint workshops on crafts and trade are also conceivable.

Ethiopia, and Aksum in particular, boasts a wealth of archaeological finds. Dr. Klaus Dornisch from Nuremberg has written about these in his highly readable book, “Legendary Ethiopia.” Since the first excavations, which Emperor Menelik granted Germany permission to conduct in 1905, the Germans have enjoyed a positive reputation – a fact that has been confirmed to Hawelti e.V. in many discussions. Enno Littmann, who enjoys great respect in Aksum, is largely responsible for this. Even today, some 100 years later, there is still a Littmann Square and a Littmann Street.

Furthermore, this presents opportunities for the city of Nuremberg to exchange ideas on marketing the city and its attractions, and to consider joint activities.