Melaku Belay - Artist portrait - FENDIKA cultural center

As a child, during the Derg regime in Ethiopia, Melaku was a refugee in Sudan. His family was dispersed and he ended up as an orphan and street kid in Addis Ababa. He was looking for work to survive in the streets. He was lucky to find something that became a passion for him - dancing and music saved him.

He started to dance for tips in a music club that he now owns. Today he is dancing around the world with the band “Ethiopiques” – as a renowned dancer. Yet, he keeps returning home to dance in his club and to revolutionize the art scene in Addis Ababa where he runs one of the most famous Azmari (minstrel) places – Fendika – with his spirit and inspiration where the best international and Ethiopian artists like jazzists and dancers are invited to perform. For instance, the rock band The Red Hot Chili Peppers included a song called “Ethiopia” in one of their albums. This song was inspired by their visit to Fendika where they performed together with Melaku. The place is not only a symbiosis of dance and music, between tradition and modernity but also an organization that supports street kids.

In 2011 Melaku was awarded the Alliance Ethio-Francaise award for dance excellence. On May 5 2015 he was named as a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, recognizing his exceptional artistic career, by the French Ministry of Culture and Communications - an extremely prestigious honor.