Photographer raises Ethiopia's profile

Images of sick, dying people were the only perception of Ethiopia one freelance photographer had a little more than a year ago. Today is a different story.

After spending a month in the African country and researching its culture, Emily Taylor now is trying to educate people in Richmond about the life of Ethiopians.

"It's such a big part of my life right now, that getting up in front of people and sharing (my experience) feels really good to do," Taylor said. "The interest is definitely there and everyone is so positive about it."

"Project Image Ethiopia" is how Taylor hopes to bridge the gap between Westerners' perception of Ethiopia and its true identity. The project, which still is in its beginning stage, will be turned into a multimedia product. It will include a short documentary and a book that Taylor hopes to take to universities and cultural centers around the world.

"There's a taste of everything that the modern world has. There's such good diversity there, all in one country." - Emily Taylor
Taylor, a young and energetic Richmonder, said she wants to show the modern aspects of Ethiopia.

"The project will focus on the progressive things - the things people don't realize are there," Taylor said, adding that the country is home to more than 55 universities and a number of private and government-owned schools.

"There's a taste of everything that the modern world has. There's such good diversity there, all in one country."

Ethiopia uses the Julian calendar, which is divided into 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month of either five or six days. The calendar is seven-and-a-half years behind the calendar used in the U.S.

Therefore, Ethiopians are about to celebrate their millennium. Taylor said since this year is especially important for the African country, it is also a big factor in her project.

Yoseph Teklemariem is an Ethiopian living in Richmond. He said Taylor's project couldn't happen at a better time because of the Millennium celebrations and because of the doors it could open for tourism in the country.

"Her images are amazing," Teklemariem said. "What it could mean for Ethiopia's tourism - just shedding light on a country that's been so misrepresented for so, so many years."

For more information about the Project Image Ethiopia, go to www.projectimageethiopia.org. An important aspect of the multimedia project is changing the perception Americans might have about Ethiopians. Taylor said that even though there is poverty and sickness, the people maintain a sense of pride.

"A lot of people in the western society have little or no respect for them (Ethiopians) at all," Taylor said. "In our terms, they are so materialistically poor, but they almost know the secrets of life. They are so happy."

Taylor remembered an 8-year-old boy whom she met. He had left his family to go to school in town. Taylor said she was amazed by his motivation to live on his own and get an education he wouldn't have received otherwise.

Teklemariem said children are taught to see a wrong angle of Ethiopian people.

"When I moved here in the '80s, it was the height of the famine," Teklemariem said. "I was teased a lot and couldn't combat it with anything because I was just like 'that's all they see,' so I can't be upset at young kids because that's all they're trained to see."

Taylor recently launched her Web site, where she explains her goals and ambitions about Ethiopia. The Web site was designed and hosted by Lou Barber, who was nominated in September, 2006 by Style Weekly as one of Richmond's "Top forty under 40."

Taylor said the help she receives from people has kept her motivated about her project.

"I wouldn't still be doing this if it wasn't for the support and encouragement from the Richmond community and people from all over the place."

Gergana Bobeva
Issue date: 1/22/07 Section: Spectrum - Commonwealth Times