A UNIQUE photography exhibition comparing life in Wales with that in Ethiopia launches tomorrow.

Double Take, which opens at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay, looks at the similarities and differences between the two nations using pictures.

Photographers from Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa and Betws, near Bridgend, took part and were each given 12 themes to work with.

The result is an exceptional insight into the lives of two contrasting communities.

The project is a creative collaboration between Valley and Vale Community Arts and The Ethiopian Gemini Trust, which works to support families with twins and is currently helping more than 12,000 people.

The work is part of an ongoing community link between Betws and Addis Ababa, that strives to support vulnerable people in both communities.

It is part of the Wales Africa Community Links programme that supports more than 120 communities across Wales and sub-Saharan Africa who are working together to reduce poverty.

Double Take has given community members a chance to explore and express how they see their communities.

Photographer Netsanet Tsegaw, from Addis Ababa, said: “I enjoyed seeing two cultures coming together, and seeing what’s inside us all in a unique and expressive way.

“Given words to interpret for our photographs gave me a different understanding of the world and new ways of relating to others.”

Anita Ile, from Betws in the Garw Valley, said: “I was surprised at the similarities of the photographs from the two countries.

“Thousands of miles apart, but we have thousands of ideas that are the same.”

The exhibition launches at 12.30pm and includes the screening of a collaborative film and a fusion of Welsh and Ethiopian music performed by the Betws Community Choir.

Valley and Vale offers access to community arts and media workshops, projects in video, animation, dance, drama, theatre, photography and multi-media design.

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