Deputy PM Temesgen inaugurates state-of-the-art theatre complex in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, September 28, 2025 (FMC) – Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh inaugurated the State-of-the-Art Theatre Complex for Children and Youth in Addis Ababa today, highlighting the government’s steadfast commitment to advancing arts and culture.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen emphasized that the arts serve as a vital instrument for cultivating values, accelerating civilization, and shaping societal narratives, stressing the importance of managing and supporting the sector with intentionality.

He further noted that Ethiopia’s reformist government regards the arts as a powerful expression of the country’s prosperity and aspirations.

“By placing significant emphasis on the arts, the government is implementing a range of key initiatives,” he stated.

“We are establishing conducive centers across Ethiopia to nurture children and youth in artistic creativity and cultural development,” he added.

The construction of the Children’s and Youth Theatre Complex embodies the government’s dedication to promoting art and culture nationwide.

“This center—where the next generation of Ethiopia’s artistic pioneers will emerge—reflects our unwavering commitment to harnessing the power of art for nation-building and intergenerational transformation,” Temesgen stressed.

He also underscored the irreplaceable role of art in fostering national unity by creating shared values and reinforcing societal cohesion.

Addis Ababa is increasingly emerging as a hub for the arts, with numerous modern amphitheaters and plazas constructed across the city, he noted.

“Through its rapid urban development, Addis Ababa continues to provide meaningful opportunities for artistic expression while supporting both established and emerging artists,” he said.

According to Temesgen, these artistic venues are crucial for reflecting the country’s collective cultural progress and intellectual advancement.

The newly inaugurated center will serve as a hub where creativity and culture intersect—a space where children’s dreams are nurtured and Ethiopia’s youth can excel in theatre and cinema, he remarked in a social media post.

He called on the public to unite in promoting and supporting the arts as a cornerstone of national development.

Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen also urged young people to elevate Ethiopia’s image, strengthen unity, and contribute to shaping future generations.

Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie noted that, alongside the renovation of historic theaters, nine new theater venues have been constructed in recent years of reform.

Highlighting the importance of expanding artistic access beyond traditional halls, Adanech revealed that 110 plazas and more than 50 amphitheater venues have also been built during this period.

The newly inaugurated theater complex features a main theater with a seating capacity of 1,200, housed within two 14-storey blocks, along with two cinema halls and various specialized service facilities.

Constructed to international standards, the Children’s and Youth Theatre Complex reflects the status of Addis Ababa as a leading cultural capital.