“Bridges across Continents: Celebrating 120 Years of Ethiopia-Belgium Relations”
To celebrate 120 years of Ethio-Belgian diplomatic relations (1906-2026), the Ethiopian Art Conservation Program (EACP) invites scholars, artists, heritage professionals and policymakers to a two-day in-person conference in Addis Ababa. The conference will explore in depth the historical, cultural, economic and academic aspects of this bilateral relationship.
The Research day is free of charge, but reservations are obligated: INVITATION
September 4, 2026
09:00 Welcome and coffee
09:30 Welcome Speech H.E. Ambassador Annelies Verstichel
09:35 Word of welcome Speech Ethiopian Ambassador H.E. Eshete Tilahun
09:40 Key Note: Dr. Fasil Giorghis: Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development
10:00 Naomi Meulemans (AfricaMuseum), Aynew Demissie (UAntwerp), Shimels Yalew (UAntwerp) Pathways to an Inclusive Cultural Heritage Management
10:15 Atsbha Gebreegziabher: Hidmo-Led Resilient Aksum Project and Call for Partnership: Community-Based Heritage Protection and Capacity Building in a Conflict- and Climate-Affected World Heritage Site
10:45 Fkereselase Sifir Mesgia: Teaching Across Borders: Antwerp, Addis Ababa, and the Making of a Shared Conservation Curriculum
11:15: Coffee Break
11:30: Yonas Yilma: Ethiopian Manuscripts in Belgium: Collections and Contributions to Ethiopian Studies
12:00 : Michael Girimay Gebremedhine and others: Microplastic pollution in Lake Aba Samuel Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
12:30 Lunchbreak
13:15 Antwerp University/ Bahir Dar University
14:00 Presentation Workshops and Exhibition at Institute of Ethiopian Studies, Addis Abeba
14:30 Coffee and aftertalk
September 5, 2026
10:00: Visit to IES and in person discussion
12:30 Lunch and goodbye
RSVP: The Research day is free of charge, but reservations are obligated: INVITATION