The renowned Ethiopian musician Mahmoud Ahmed was awarded the insignia of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Ambassador to the Ethiopia, Bridgett Collet. The award ceremony took place on Tuesday night, July 19 at the residence the Ambassador.
According to the French embassy’s website, the Ambassador paid tribute to Mahmoud’s musical career and his remarkable life, a rise from a very humble background to being one of the country’s greatest music stars, later gaining international recognition, bending mix of contemporary music and traditional sounds of Ethiopia. She stressed Mahmoud Ahmed’s long-lasting ties with France thanks to the many concerts he performed there and his devotion to the Addis Ababa l’Alliance éthio-française. The event was attended by French producer, Ethiopian music expert and Mahmoud’s long-time collaborator, Francis Falceto and the Ambassador acknowledged his role in Mahmoud’s recognition in the international scene. The Ambassador concluded by saying that by choosing to pay homage to Mahmoud, France is also paying tribute to the Ethiopian culture and diversity, a cause that her country has always been attached to.
Mahmoud on his part, visibly touched by the honor, expressed gratitude for the award, saying the award honors his fans and the people of Ethiopia as well. He also led a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Nice terrorist attack, then singing a spiritual song largely taken up by the audience.