By Wudineh Zenebe

Mulatu Astatke, the internationally acclaimed Ethiopian jazz composer and performer, is to establish a company with Walta Information Center (WIC) to run one of the landmark theater house in Ethiopia known as Mega Amphitheater, it was learnt. The new company, named 'Wal Africa Jazz Village', will be licensed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) in five days after the holding of each shareholder is determined, Mulatu told The Reporter.

Located off Churchill Avenue in front of Tewodros Square, Mega Amphitheater will be managed by Mulatu. "This is the first theater house in the country to be managed by professional musicians," said Mulatu, who founded Ethio-Jazz 42 years ago.

The theater house, formerly run under the management of Mega Enterprise, was handed over to Walta Information Center (WIC) due to inefficient management by the former.

Founded in 1995, WIC has been showcasing Ethiopia's investment, tourism, culture and art through various mediums.
Wal Africa Jazz Village has plans to stage musical shows of the nation and nationalities of the country. It was learnt that the new company also intends to open a jazz school and screen documentaries.

However, both the theater house and the Amphitheater are in poor conditions. This will require the new management to inject some seven million birr for renovation.

"Mulatu is a renowned artist. I believe he would take the theater house to a new level," said Teshale Belhu, deputy manger of WIC.

Source: EthiopianReporter