Melaku Belay

Choreographer, dancer

TED Fellow Melaku Belay is a choreographer and dancer.

Why you should listen

Melaku Belay brings global attention to the dynamic traditions of Ethiopian dance and music, innovating Eskista dance through original choreography. He is the director of the Fendika Cultural Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which brings people together through traditional and contemporary Ethiopian arts.

Melaku Belay’s TED Talk

Melaku Belay
The ecstasy of Eskista, an ancient Ethiopian dance
14 minutes 48 seconds
By mastering the Eskista, an ancient Ethiopian dance, TED Fellow Melaku Belay survived a childhood on the streets and became a voice for his country. He shares how traditional dances can connect the wisdom of the past to the energy of the future -- and, after the talk, delivers a thrilling performance of Eskista accompanied by a free-jazz ensemble. (In Amharic with consecutive English translation by filmmaker Mehret Mandefro)
Posted Jan 2023

More news and ideas from Melaku Belay

News
A New Era: Notes from Session 2 of TED Fellows Talks at TED2022
April 10, 2022
Session 2 of TED Fellows talks brought us yet another incredible group of individuals doing wildly different things in wildly different places. Eleven speakers and one performer took us across the globe to share their bold plans for social impact, technological innovation, cultural shifts and more. The event: Talks from Session 2 of TED Fellows […]
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Melaku Belay

Why you should listen

Melaku Belay’s TED Talk

More news and ideas from Melaku Belay

A New Era: Notes from Session 2 of TED Fellows Talks at TED2022