(Photo: The New York Times)
Tadias Magazine
By Tadias Staff
Published: Sunday, January 25, 2009
New York (TADIAS) – How often do we find a 15-page illustrated advertisement on Ethiopia in the New York Times? Look again at the Sunday, December 1, 1963 copy and you will find your answer.
The ad insert in section 12 of the paper shows a full page view of the newly built ECA building in the capital, Addis Ababa. It’s title reads, “Ethiopia – Nation of Vast Potential and Great Opportunities.”
This deliberate effort by Emperor Haile Selassie to portray Ethiopia as a strategic and stable place for business development is stunning and exceptionally beautiful. Glancing through the illustrations one can get a glimpse of Ethiopia’s cultural and environmental diversity as well as see rare photos as the one of the Emperor participating in New York’s ticker tape parade (1954) and being greeted by President John F. Kennedy & First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy during his famous visit to the U.S. in the early 60′s.
Contents of the advertisement include the meeting of African leaders in the capital, Ethiopia’s granary and hydro-electric potential, her 3,000 year history and travel opportunities, as well as a five-year plan to spur the economy.
The advertisement makes for a good reading leaving one a little more proud in having shown the outside world a fraction of our treasures.
Here are some of the rare photos featured in the AD.
Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, Walking in the Ticker Tape Parade in New York City
- June 1, 1954.
President John F. Kennedy & First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy greet Emperor Haile
Selassie during his visit to the U.S. in 1962.
The AD cover
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