Matt, Could you please forward me Marc’s e-mail address? Please see his message above.

Marc, Thank you for your prompt response. I hope Matt has my e-mail address as well and I would be delighted if he can pass it on to you so that we can deal directly.

As a teenager I wanted to play the Guitar like Tewolde and he was my inspiration and hero. I grew up listening to his music and I used to own a few vinyl records of his, many of which I had to destroy, as we were not allowed to keep any of that material during the Derg Era. Although I am much much younger than him, by collecting some of his music recorded live and talking to people that had direct contact to him, I got to know more of him. What inspired me was his guitar skills and how he pioneered and used electric guitar to play Eritrean songs. That was very creative and clever.

I once wrote to Francis Falceto asking him if he can do the sort of thing that you envisage to do with Tewolde. He told me that it was not possible but he said that Mr Assress Tessema was going to write in detail about him and MATA, a book that I believe has been released and I am eagerly waiting to read.

I am glad to hear that that Tewolde is alive and Healthy. I do not know if he is capable of singing or performing but I do hope he can. it is very important! BTW, You are doing a fantastic job. I understand that there is little understanding of what you doing and could be a bit frustrating but it is all a matter of time. In a couple of years time young Eritreans will be craving for your work and Tewolde”s biography.

I hope this creates an opportunity for me to get to know more about Tewolde and arrange something in the future

Regards,

Ben

Thanks for your interest.

There’s a lot to say about Tewolde, since he’s had a life full of musical, political and personal developments, with both highlights and hard times. But you maybe know that already. At the moment he’s living a quiet and slightly drew back life in Rotterdam. He does not perform in public anymore, but he’s still in good health. And a very kind and charming person.

Like stated before, there’s currently not much information about Tewolde available, let alone his music. This will change in the near future, I hope. At least I am gathering all kind of information, pictures, films, music, etc. On a site and in a film this will all be presented later this year.

I am not much of a writer -I am a filmmaker after all- so I won’t tell his whole life in detail here, although you’re right and I do know a lot more. I am afraid you have to be patient and wait for the film and the website, the latter might be online sooner than you’d expect. But if you really cannot wait and/or want to meet him, ask Matt for my emailadress. I don’t know who you are and where you live, but why couldn’t we arrange something?

There’s one question which I’d like to ask you in return, if you don’t mind: how do you know Tewolde and his music? Any special memories?

regards,

Marc