Haile Selassie Postcard

Description

Haile Selassie Postcard

Gouache and linoprint on paper.
Format A6, 250g/m2.
Open edition, signed and numbered.
Carved and printed by hand with love and respect.

Haile Selassie, born Tafari Makonnen on July 23, 1892, in Ejersa Goro, Ethiopia, was a visionary leader and the last emperor of Ethiopia, whose reign left an indelible mark on the country and the world. Ascending to the throne in 1930, Selassie’s reign spanned nearly six decades and was characterized by his efforts to modernize Ethiopia, promote African unity, and resist colonialism and imperialism.

Selassie’s leadership was marked by a series of ambitious reforms aimed at modernizing Ethiopia’s infrastructure, economy, and educational system. He implemented measures such as the abolition of slavery, the introduction of a written constitution, and the establishment of schools and universities, which helped propel Ethiopia into the modern era.

Internationally, Haile Selassie was a prominent advocate for African liberation and unity, serving as a symbol of resistance against colonialism and apartheid. His impassioned speeches at the League of Nations and the United Nations helped raise awareness of the plight of African nations and inspired a generation of independence movements across the continent.

Selassie’s legacy extends beyond his political achievements, as he is also revered as a spiritual leader by Rastafarians, who believe him to be the incarnation of God (Jah) and the messiah promised in the Bible. His coronation as Emperor of Ethiopia in 1930, under the name Haile Selassie I, inspired the Rastafarian movement and solidified his status as an iconic figure in African and Caribbean culture.

Despite facing challenges and controversies during his reign, including a period of exile during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia in the 1930s, Haile Selassie’s legacy endures as a symbol of African resilience, independence, and hope. His contributions to Ethiopia and the global struggle for freedom and equality continue to be remembered and celebrated today.