World renowned Italian architectural firm CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati has unveiled the design for the Grand Fendika Cultural Center, a new civic space in the heart of Addis Ababa, created in collaboration with Fendika’s founder, Melaku Belay. The project was developed in partnership with Fendika’s local and global communities and made possible through the financial support of TrustAfrica, a Pan African foundation headquartered in Dakar, Senegal. The project builds on decades of grassroots work to sustain indigenous Ethiopian performance traditions in a rapidly changing city. Fendika, the last azmari bet of its kind in the area, had been revived by Melaku in 2008 and earned international acclaim.
The new building remains deliberately open to its surroundings. Its design emphasizes porous boundaries, allowing music to drift into the street. Rather than replacing what already exists, the building gives it space to grow, remaining deeply connected to its neighborhood and its history.
The new building translates Fendika’s long-standing connection to its community into physical form, starting from the street. At Fendika, the building takes that idea seriously—making the street itself part of the performance. A gently sloping stairramp begins at ground level and rises toward a rooftop terrace, weaving through performance halls, classrooms, rehearsal studios, artist residences, archives, a café, and an open-air stage. Double-height spaces and interwoven staircases link the four levels, allowing visitors to move organically between them, always within earshot of music or performance.
Fendika has partnered with Hyatt Regency and revived their concerts (since losing their original site in 2024) and Azmari programs. The municipality of Addis Ababa recognized the value of Fendika’s work and has allowed them to rebuild Fendika on the original site.
Source: CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati How to contribute to the rebuilding project. https:// fendika.org/support