1965 Historical Moments in Debra Birhan
In June, 1965, two young researchers arrived in Addis Ababa at the invitation of Emperor Haile Selassie. The purpose of György Martin (folk dance researcher) and Bálint Sárosi’s (folk music researcher) journey was to examine and explore traditional Ethiopian folklore. They were members of the Folk Music Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, whose head was Kodály at that time. From their home institution they had received internationally renowned knowledge and expertise in folk music research, thus they wished to be among the first to explore Ethiopian folklore. Thus, one of the most exciting and productive expeditions of Hungarian folklore research to Africa began.