Introduction

The 120^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Ethiopia and Russia result of collaboration between the Ministry of foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Addis Ababa and the Ethiopian Postal Service Enterprise. The four stamps reflect the longstanding relations between Russia and Ethiopia, which started in the time of Menelik II and even earlier.

1. Nikolay Leontiev and Dejazhmach Balcha

Nikolay Leontiev and Dejazhmach Balcha belong to numerous past and present day links uniting Russia and Ethiopia, which are so far apart geographically. Nikolay Leontiev (1862-1910) was a noble Russian officer graduated from the famous Nicholas Cavalry School in St. Petersburg. He first visited Abyssinia as a leader of an expedition sent by the Imperial Russian Geographical Society with the main task of establishing friendly contacts between the two peoples. Nikolay Leontiev won the trust of Emperor Menelik II, thus paving the way for establishing formal diplomatic relations between Russia and Abyssinia. Later on Menelik II appointed N. Leontiev as a military adviser. Together with other Russian volunteers N. Leontiev took part in the Battle of Adwa. After the Abyssinian army achieved that glorious Victory he continued his service at the Emperor’s court and contributed to the formation of the first national regular army troops. By Menelik’s order N. Leontiev headed several expeditions to the western areas of the country and to Lake Rudolf. Scientific and geographic reports of N.Leontiev on the areas have a great importance up to now.

Dejazmach Balcha (Safo) (1863-1936) was an outstanding military commander of Abyssinian army who participated both in the first and the second Italo-Abyssinian Wars. Endowed with skill in military exercises and personal abilities, he won fame and made his reputation in the Battle of Mekele and later in the Battle of Adwa. Originally of humble birth, Balcha due to his talents, devotion to Homeland and loyalty to the Throne was rewarded with elevation to the noble status of Dejazmach. Later on, he became Governor of Sidamo and Harar and Governor in 1928 Dejazmach Balcha was forced to resign due to rising tensions between him and the regent Ras Tafari (future Emperor Haile Selassiel). During the Second Italo-Abyssinian war Balcha resumed his service to fight against the fascist invaders. Balcha Memorial Hospital of the Russian Red Cross, operating in Addis Ababa since 1947, was named after Dejazmach Balcha.

2. Castel of Fasilides (Gondar) and Kremline of Nizhny Novgorod

City of Gondar was founded by Emperor Fasiledes around the year 1635 and served as the capital of both the Abyssinian Empire and Bege Meder province. Till now the city holds the remains of several royal castles, including those in Fasil Ghebbi, for which Gondar became world-famous. The modern city of Gondar with its picturesque ruins is a popular tourist destination. The most famous old buildings in the city lie in the Royal Enclosure which includes Fasiledes Castle, Iyasu’s Palace, Dawit’s Hall, Banqueting hall, stables, Empress Mentewab’s Castle, Chancellery, Library and three churches. Near the city one can find Fasilides Bath, which annually hosts the ceremony of Timkat, the Orthodox Tewahedo celebration of Epiphany.

Kremlin (in English – citadel) of the city of Nizhny Novgorod was built in 1515. Under the rule of Ivan III, Nizhny Novgorod played the role or a guard city protected by a permanent garrison with heavy artillery. It served as an assembly point for Russian troops in fights against the invaders. The Kremlin was reinforced by 13 towers and two kilometer fortified wall. This fortress was never taken by enemy. It lost its military significance later on and served as local administrations’ headquarters Nowadays the city is a favorite place for tourists who have a chance to admire the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel, which is the oldest surviving building in the city.

3. Traditional Musical Instruments

The history of Russian folklore and the history of folk musical instruments are inseparable. Among them guws/i, an instrument with 4-14 strings played by plucking is the oldest one. It came to the world centuries ago and allows both chord and melodic playing Another favorite Russian instrument is a three-stringed balalaika which was probably invented by serf peasants to relieve their hard living under cruel landlords. This affordable triangle-shaped instrument was prevalent in the Russian countryside since 17^th century. Russia is also known by garmon (garmoshka) which appeared in the first half of 18% century. Russian garmon is a traditional reed musical instrument with bellows and two push-button keyboards. Diatonic chromatic garmon with 25 keys (buttons) for melody and 25 buttons for basses or accompaniment is the most widespread type.

Ethiopia enjoys a long-standing musical tradition which may vary from northern to southern and from western to eastern parts of the country. In the highlands, most popular instruments are string instruments, such as masinqo, a one-stringed bowed lute, kerar, a six-stringed lyre and begena, a large ten-stringed lyre. The was hint is a bamboo flute common in the highlands areas as well. Trumpet-like instruments include the ceremonial malakat used in some regions and holdudwa (animal home) found mainly in the south. Embilta flutes have no finger holes and produce only two tones. The Konso and other people in the south play Janta or pan flute which hash holes.

4. Traditional tableware & household stuff of Ethiopia and Russia

Ethiopia is well known for Arabica coffee of its own origin. Traditional coffee ceremonies are performed in every comer of the country. Jebena and sini, two principal items of tableware, usually accompany the ceremony. Jebena is made of clay and has a neck, a pouring spot and a handle where the neck connects with the base. In Ethiopia, a small pottery cup called sini or finjal is used to contain coffee poured from the jebena. The national household stuff is mostly represented by mesob, a colorful hand weaved basket that serves as a table. Mesob is traditionally used to serve a communal meal for several people. Russian traditional tableware is mostly represented by khokhloma, which is wood-made handicraft decorated with national ornament. It first appeared in the second half of 17^th century in the city of Nizhny Novgorod and is known for its curved and vivid, mostly flower, berry and leaf patterns. Often the Slavic mythical figure of Russian fairytales Firebird is also a part of Khokhloma painting. It is painted on wood with red, black, green, yellow and orange colors over a golden background When applied to wooden tableware or furniture it makes it look heavier and metal-like .

Source:- Ministry of foreign affairs & Russian Embassy Addis Ababa.