October 21, 2006
Addis Ababa's new Roto roundabout
In any other city it would be a statue of a guy on a horse. Or at least a nice little fountain.
But what does Addis choose to decorate one of its most prominent roundabouts at the head of a dual carriageway to the airport? It is an artful display of Roto tanks, providing a beautiful primary-coloured counterpoint to the curves of the domes of Medhanialem Church in the background.
Posted by aheavens at October 21, 2006 9:53 AM
Comments
Now we are auctioning off public spaces?What next?
Posted by: abe at October 23, 2006 5:39 AM
Hey Andrew,
As a journalist, aren't you a tad bit embarassed when you are scooped by a blogger? Or forget the blogger; Anthony Mitchell from Kenya breaks the news before you do? It is a damn shame that you are writing about a roundabout when, ahem, other newsworthy stories abound (I know, this is a personal blog etc but still...). In any case, you seem extremely cautious not to offend the powers that be. I don't know if you don't want to meet Anthony's fate but it's okay even if they kick you out, bro..... I am sure you can survie...unless you have other business that requires you to stay put.....
Peace,
gonTe
Posted by: GonTe at October 23, 2006 7:44 PM
A nation that once built marvels like Lalibela and Axum is now building a monument to a dime-a-dozen water tankers, what an engineering feat! What an aesthetic test!
irritated,
solomon
Posted by: Solomon at October 23, 2006 8:11 PM
What a joke. Is this for real or what. Does anyone care about the image of the city. The city will earn some money from Mr. Roto owner but is it really worth it conisidering how ugly the display is.
Posted by: guest at October 24, 2006 1:59 AM
Actually, Addis does have a roundabout with a statue of a guy on a horse at Emperor Menelik Square. Not to knock the artistic work of the Roto roundabout, brought to you from makers of fine water and septic tanks, but why next to the recently completed and most grand church in the country? Hard to imagine this was all city hall had to work with.
Posted by: WeblogEthiopia at October 24, 2006 6:17 AM
What are Roto tanks? Are they prominent in Addis? Did the company who makes Roto tanks pay for the roundabout?
Not very aesthetically pleasing, but it's kind of amusing.
Posted by: Tobian at October 25, 2006 4:24 AM
Excuse my ignorance - I was in Ethiopia for 5 weeks, but who is Roto?
Posted by: phil at October 26, 2006 10:05 PM
Comeon Andrew, please kick this thing up with some spicy, lively news! Goodness gracious, it is not like you owe any of us anything (atleast not anything I can think of right now..lol), but I come here everyday expecting something. And it's weird, I keep coming.
Posted by: ETgirl at October 27, 2006 12:12 AM