Nation bids Tilahun farewell

Tilahun Gessesse’s funeral procession has taken place in Addis in one of the most crowed funerals ever for an Ethiopian musician, or any other grand figure.

The state funeral services draw an unusual crowd of government officials, artists, prominent personalities and members of the public.

Tens of thousands of mourners packed Meskel Square at mid-day, where Tilhaun’s family and celebrities gathered and bid the entertainer a final farewell, before making a way to the Holy Trinity Church in Arat Kilo.

The announcement of Tilahun’s death on Monday plunged the country into mourning for a boy from small town Wolisso who has become one of the country’s influential singers. Many of those in attendance of the older generation felt his passing represented an end of an era and musical genre of the 60 and 70’s.

And millions hearing the ceremonies on national television and radio immediately recognized the words in the eulogy that “Tilahun is everlasting.”

Newspapers carried front pages displaying huge, black-bordered pictures of the deceased singer.On televisions, is videos are repeated as often as commercials.

The grandeur of the procession, which includes the military marsh and several other military corps, has taken many by the surprise.

 

Many younges stars like Abrahm Gebremedhein, Tibebe Workeye and Tamrat Desta were mingling with the crowd at Meskel Square.