Celebrations marking this year’s Eritrean National Festival culminated in a fervent closing ceremony Sunday August 10, 2008 at the Expo Hall here in the Capital.

During the ceremony, where ministers, regional administrators, government officials and invited guests were present, regions and individuals who won in the various shows and competitions at the 10-day long festival were awarded prizes.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gideon Fessehaye, Head of the National Holidays Coordinating Committee, said that the festival served as a ground for reinforcing Eritrea’s cultural heritage and national values.

“With new as well as existing cultural, educational and entertaining activities in the course of the festival, it was truly a success in all aspects,” he added.

Individuals who presented exceptional works in painting and sculpture, as well as those who demonstrated excellence in debating, poetry and short story writing, traditional sports and other competition were awarded prizes by Mr. Saleh Meki, the Minister of Health.

The Southern region walked away with first prize in the educational village exhibition, while Gash-Barka won 1st prize and 25,000 Nakfa for best exhibition of replica houses and traditional lifestyle. In addition to standing first in traditional music and folkdance, Gash Barka also won a trophy for collective points scored in the eight types of traditional sport competitions.

In the songs contest, the top ten singles out of 261 songs released in the period between June 2007 and June 2008 were awarded prizes. First prize and 7,500 Nakfa went to the song “Adey Neaki” (My Country For You), performed by singers Temesgen Yared and Tedros Hagos at the 17th Independence Day Anniversary official celebrations. Teklemichael Ghebru, one of Eritrea’s veteran singers, was awarded 10,000 Nakfa for outstanding achievement.

Financial awards of 10,000 Nakfa each also went to the best 10 dramas that were presented during national holidays in the same period (2007/2008).

Certificates and different monetary incentives were also given to various individuals and institutions who participated in different shows.

Visited by around 600,000 visitors, Festival Eritrea 2008 was officially opened with a cultural show at the Cinema Odeon Friday August 01, 2008 and remained open to the public until Sunday August 10, 2008.