Exchange And Project-Based Collaboration With Addis Ababa University

2019 ZHdK Fonds für internationale und interkulturelle Dozierenden-/Mittelbau-Projekte

Departement Musik

Exchange and project-based collaboration with «Addis Ababa University», Zürcher Hochschule der Künste

Under the direction of Prof. André Bellmont, the Department of Music at ZHdK and students in the Composition for Film, Theatre and Media programme have developed an intercultural research project in collaboration with Addis Ababa University (AAU).

The goal here was to establish an institutional network during a trip to Addis Ababa from 7 – 17 November 2019 and thus lay the foundation for long-term exchange projects between AAU and ZHdK. The participants in the meetings said they enjoyed a unique and successful experience, which was most certainly brought about in part by Ethiopia expert Jeroen Visser, who supported the group with his extensive expertise and solid cultural connections.

Participants also became aware that Switzerland and Ethiopia are similar in that both countries have historically pursued an independent course on their respective continents for centuries. The collaborative network established within the framework of the project has also furthered the political, economic and institutional spirit of optimism in Ethiopia. In addition, cooperation between students from ZHdK and AAU at the Yared School of Music lead to an impressive concert performance at the end of the visit. This performance took the form of a silent movie accompaniment that also featured dancers.

A return visit by an AAU delegation in January 2020 in Zurich reinforced the spirit of mutual cooperation and laid the groundwork for further projects that is sure to last a long time.

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