The Making of a Nation - SAWA Melting Pot of the Eritrean Youth

Arriving to the meeting point at 5:30am with heavy rain pouring down, you would expect the mood to be down and drowsy nevertheless the bus station was filled with people greeting each with warm hugs and smiles. Anyone that had any doubts of the journey ahead was erased when they meet a friend or a family member. More than a 150 buses set off one behind the other, all categorized by country of habitation. Some people slept, while others chatted away, but everyone cracked a smile of relief when the 14 hour journey came to an end.

That night everyone was greeted by a free meal, but many were too exhausted so they found a bed and went to sleep. The second day began with an early wakeup call in order to attend the opening ceremony. The ceremony consisted of a speech by President Isaias Afewerki, dramas being acted out, performances by artists such as Korchach, Helen Meles, the EriAm sisters, Winta Ephrem, Saba. There was even an all-star performance for the song Sawa specially written by Sophia Tesfamariam for the 2010 Sawa festival that inevitably became the summer anthem for 2010.

Following the opening ceremony the Expo festival was officially opened and the celebrations began. Expo was filled with restaurants, performers, and much more entertainment, there was something for everyone to enjoy young and old.

There were meetings, seminars and debates on all throughout the day about. Saturday continued on with people going to the seminars including a youth meeting hosted by President Isaias Afewerki. The President gave a speech, which was then followed by a question and answer session allowing the youth to ask President Isaias Afewerki any question they desired. Other seminars were also conducted by General Sebhat Ephrem (Ministry of Defence) Mr Semere Russom (Ministry of Education), Mrs Luul Ghebreab (President of national union of Eritrean women), Major General Teklia Habtesellasie (Commander of Eritrean Air force) including presentation papers by several scholars.

After the seminar with the president one of the youths that had travelled from Sweden explaining the experience “being in the same room as the President is probably one of the greatest moments in my life. He was very charismatic; he was dressed so casually that when he was talking there were moments when I forgot he was a President”.

The unique events of the youth festival was the panel discussions with different experts on what Eritrea is going to look like in the year 2020. What I observed in Sawa is a reflection of the whole Eritrea inside and outside, by participating in the youth festivals one can entertain the clear reflection of the leadership of Eritrea in the near future.

By Sunday morning the third official day, it seemed as if people had been there for at least a week as they were starting to getting into a routine and getting used to the way of life. There were many sporting events including netball and basketball, among other games. In the afternoon there was a graduation ceremony held for the youth in the Diasporas presented by President Isaias Afewerki.

The medal was held by yellow, green, red and blue ribbons representing the Eritrean flag. The evening ended with performances from a vast number of artists all through the night. Monday morning all the buses lined up like they were military soldiers waiting for orders.

The closing ceremony was another outstanding effort by the organisers with singers and actors taking to the stage. With an award ceremony for Sawa graduates. To conclude the eventful weekend everyone stood up with their right hand over their heart and an emotionally national anthem was sung. This was followed by people proceeding to get on their bus and the 14 hour journey began but very few were bothering by the length of the journey as many were excited to get back to tell their stories. Stories of how they met the President, all the new friends they made from different parts of Eritrea and around the world, the renewed respect they felt towards the youth in Sawa. In addition to the greater understand and knowledge they acquired through their experience and how they felt a new burst of patriotism and excitement for the Sawa festival 2012.

Sawa was filled with moments that I will always cherish.
Every graduate that I spoke to inspired me. They were young but courageous, hopeful and ambitious. 

The media slanders Eritrea on every aspect, and one major area is Sawa. So I thought when I got to Sawa I wouldn't be happy with what I saw. And when I got there, I wasn't happy...I was elated. The youth weren't pessimistic and down, they were stronger and wiser. They recognized the hardships but also acknowledged the things they gained- resiliance, friendships, knowledge, and more. One graduate told me that when first leaving for Sawa she was sad because she had to leave her family. And now upon her departure back home, she is sad because she is leaving her family. Strangers from thousands of miles away that have become friends. Friends, that she knows she wouldn't have met without Sawa. I feel honored that they shared their day with us...and that we were able to celebrate their accomplishment as one big family.