The Power of the Pen: Society in motion Recap

We couldn’t have asked for a more fitting way to usher in the year with AWiB’s first monthly event after the rest & reflection in August. ‘Power of the Pen: Society in Motion’, gathered AWiBers & guests at the Hilton Hotel. The evening reminded us that words are not just tools- they are bridges, sparks, and sometimes swords, shaping our collective story.

Lidya Yohannes, AWiB’s Membership Programs Manager, opened the program by bringing silence to the hall then welcoming the audience with contagious enthusiasm. She spoke of what it means to be an AWiBer, reminding everyone that networking is at its core and that the reflective weekend Lighthouses are vital steps in their journey. Soon after, she invited fellow AWiBers to the stage to showcase their brands – Tsion Demissie of Xion Branding & Advertising, Firehiwot Worku with her Crafts, Mahlet Lulseged of Haymani Farming, and Kenean Nigatu of Gift Business Group. With warmth, Lidya then introduced the evening’s moderator, Fitsum Atnafework Kidanemariam, presenting her bio as a living example of “paying it forward.”

Fitsum introduced the highly anticipated topic & guest speakers: Bedilu Wakjira(ph.d), poet, author, Assistant Professor of language and linguistics at AAU, and Ato Yikunoamlak Mezgebu, AAU Language and literature Lecturer. She framed the discussion around three central questions;

• What is the power that lies behind words?
• What response do you experience when sharing your written or spoken words?
• What is the historical significance of writers throughout the years when it comes to Ethiopian History?

Dr. Bedilu opened with a stirring poem that evoked nostalgia and identity, setting the tone for the evening. “We are made of our experiences, what we see and what we hear. Words shape our worlds,” he reminded the audience. Shaping thoughts into words, he said, is a powerful tool, for once shared, they bring both the expected (when the audience grasps what we mean) and the unexpected (when they see what we never intended). Before picking up the pen, he urged, we must ask “Why?” If it is to stand against actions that break our values or harm social good, then we write. But we must also pause and reflect: “Am I writing from ego and fear, or from service and balance?”

He then spoke of intentions – whether to inspire, motivate, or provoke, and of the inevitable outcome once words are released. In today’s world, where “Hate Boxes” multiply, it is impossible to be understood by everyone. Recalling the past, he noted that under the Derg and regimes before it, divisions were far fewer, and the pen became a form of resistance against oppressive systems. Now, however, social media spreads hate with alarming speed, drowning out voices of depth and meaning. Still, the writer must be prepared for every kind of response: “If one is afraid, one shouldn’t write. If one worries about what people think, one shouldn’t write.”

Dr. Bedilu continued exploring the deep ties between language, culture, and identity. Ge’ez, he reflected, is not merely a language but the backbone of Ethiopia’s socio-cultural continuity, carrying memory, tradition, and a shared sense of self across generations. Through it, Ethiopians have recorded resistance and reform, politics and revolution. Today, we see that trauma and healing are more reflected in many works. Yet his words carried sorrow too: in a world where hate overshadows reflection, he confessed he would no longer share his writings on social media, for too many readers on those platforms “do not deserve my time, effort, or energy.” His conclusion left the hall heavy with silence & sense of sorrow.

One of the evening’s most powerful moments came when the second speaker, Yikunoamlak’s voice echoed the ancient cadence of Ge’ez. The hall hushed, almost transported, as he spoke in a language that carries centuries of wisdom. From there, he unfolded the story of Emahoy Gelanesh, a remarkable woman who lived nearly ninety years ago. Though blind, she mastered Kine – Ethiopia’s intricate, metaphor-rich poetic tradition, at a time when women’s voices were seldom given space. Through her verses, she even challenged her father, and in doing so, earned recognition as a master of the art. Her words became her power, transforming her into a respected teacher within her community.

Yikunoamlak shared her story to show the power of words. For Emahoy Gelanesh, poetry was not just decoration, it was strength & courage. It breaks barriers, gives voice to the silenced, and preserve truths that might otherwise disappear.

He closed his speech by turning once more to Ge’ez itself, drawing attention to its precision and depth. In this ancient tongue, he explained, not a single word is misplaced or casually chosen. Embedded within it are the secrets of Ethiopia’s history, anthropology, art, and architecture—a living archive of culture and identity that continues to hold the power to shape and define generations.

Questions rose from the audience and moderator: Why had Dr. Bedilu said he would no longer share his writings? Did he truly believe Ge’ez was dead? How long does it take to learn Ge’ez? How can words be used to bring harmony and heal society? Should writers worry about the popularity of their themes? And how does one become a good storyteller?

Dr. Bedilu responded with a vivid analogy: just as there is “junk food” for the body, there is “junk food” for the soul – indulging in endless social media scrolling. To create harmony, he urged, we must turn to a “healthy diet” of selective reading, books, and meaningful reflections. While he affirmed that he would continue writing books, he would not share his works on social media. On Ge’ez, he explained that while it remains in religious and scholarly use, it is effectively dead as no one speaks it as a mode of daily communications or as a mother tongue. Yikunoamlak added his voice, cautioning that learning Ge’ez is a lifetime journey and that only the truly dedicated ones should start, taking small steps consistently.

Dr. Bedilu encouraged aspiring storytellers to write from the heart, stressing that discipline is key: “Write every day and read consistently; only then can thoughts transform naturally into words.” Fitsum concluded with a powerful reminder that the pen is both sword and feather, capable of wounding or healing. The night ended with the speakers and moderator receiving gifts, a token of appreciation from AWiB. Everyone then continued to network for a while before walking out visibly satisfied with what they experienced.

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