| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Haile Selassie I |
| click Ethiopian Flag to return to Selected Speeches |
| Home | Haile Selassie I | The Church | Rastalogy | Organization | Church Store | Events | Related Links | Contact Us |
| Copyright © 2003-2004 The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. ~ All rights reserved. |
| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Chapter I - Part 2 |
| Special Education |
| School of Fine Arts Jul. 23, 1958 |
| Selected Speeches |
The ancient paintings that are still to be seen in the great monasteries and
churches of Ethiopia, and the carvings in wood and stone which have
come down to us in the ruins of the ancient palaces, bear witness to the
fact that the fine arts had attained a comparatively high degree of
development even in very early times. Although the major portion of these
works of art was destroyed in the wars that broke out from time to time,
those that still remain in Lalibela, Gondar, Shoa, Gojjam and elsewhere fill
the competent observer with a sense of wonder and admiration. Since
these works of art are also closely related to the history of Ethiopia, the
young artists of Our country who pursue these fine arts on modern lines
can find occasion therein for legitimate pride.
We have established this institution because We consider it a matter of
great importance to revise and develop the fine arts in Our country in a
manner which will enable Our artists to combine the historical and
traditional art of Ethiopia with the advantages of modern technical
developments in the field.
If Ethiopian paintings and other works of art attain such a standard that
they can be sent out of the country and can hold their own amidst exhibits
from other countries, they can certainly help in the efforts to make
Ethiopia known more widely as a nation fully participating in the spirit and
the substance of modern civilization.
Our customary support shall always be forthcoming to similar efforts in
the fields of music and literature as well.
A purely materialistic art would be like a tree which is expected to bear
fruit without flowering, and to sacrifice grace and beauty for mere utility.
Those who learn here should from the beginning, sedulously avoid this
spirit of utilitarianism. Our admiration for the Creator's handiwork should
not be limited to those things He has provided us with for our daily needs,
but should include all that is good and beautiful. It is these tender feelings
of deep and silent admiration evoked from our hearts by the beauties of
creation that should find adequate expression in the fine arts.
As We have stated time and again, it is easy to begin but hard to finish,
and We express on this occasion both Our happiness at what We see here
today, as well as Our strong hope to see this work which is now begun
bearing fruit in the near future.
churches of Ethiopia, and the carvings in wood and stone which have
come down to us in the ruins of the ancient palaces, bear witness to the
fact that the fine arts had attained a comparatively high degree of
development even in very early times. Although the major portion of these
works of art was destroyed in the wars that broke out from time to time,
those that still remain in Lalibela, Gondar, Shoa, Gojjam and elsewhere fill
the competent observer with a sense of wonder and admiration. Since
these works of art are also closely related to the history of Ethiopia, the
young artists of Our country who pursue these fine arts on modern lines
can find occasion therein for legitimate pride.
We have established this institution because We consider it a matter of
great importance to revise and develop the fine arts in Our country in a
manner which will enable Our artists to combine the historical and
traditional art of Ethiopia with the advantages of modern technical
developments in the field.
If Ethiopian paintings and other works of art attain such a standard that
they can be sent out of the country and can hold their own amidst exhibits
from other countries, they can certainly help in the efforts to make
Ethiopia known more widely as a nation fully participating in the spirit and
the substance of modern civilization.
Our customary support shall always be forthcoming to similar efforts in
the fields of music and literature as well.
A purely materialistic art would be like a tree which is expected to bear
fruit without flowering, and to sacrifice grace and beauty for mere utility.
Those who learn here should from the beginning, sedulously avoid this
spirit of utilitarianism. Our admiration for the Creator's handiwork should
not be limited to those things He has provided us with for our daily needs,
but should include all that is good and beautiful. It is these tender feelings
of deep and silent admiration evoked from our hearts by the beauties of
creation that should find adequate expression in the fine arts.
As We have stated time and again, it is easy to begin but hard to finish,
and We express on this occasion both Our happiness at what We see here
today, as well as Our strong hope to see this work which is now begun
bearing fruit in the near future.
| Haile Selassie the First - July 23, 1958 |
Next >>
Next >>
| ... It is these tender feelings of deep and silent admiration evoked from our hearts by the beauties of creation that should find adequate expression in the fine arts ... |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |