Title & Author:

Arturo Mezzèdimi, Africa Hall : a monument to African history / edited by Marcello Mezzèdimi.

Edition:

Second edition.

Publication:

[Novato, CA] : Oro Editions, [2026]
©2026

Description:

459 pages : illustrations (some colour) ; 31 cm

Notes:
"First published on the occasion of the inauguration of the renovated Africa Hall on October 21, 2024. A new chapter on the renovation and the opening ceremony has been added to this new edition." -- title page verso.
Includes bibliographical references.
Institutional Forewords -- Introduction -- Historical Content -- The Architectural Complex -- Embedded Artworks -- The Founding Conferences -- The Extension Project -- Life of Africa Hall -- The Renovation Project -- Introduction to the Architect
Institutional forewords -- Introduction: On the origin and content of the book / Marcello Mezzèdimi -- Chapter 1: Historical context -- Building the United Nations / Chloé Maurel -- On the paths to pan-Africanism / Amzat Boukari-Yabar -- Haile Selassie's diplomatic legacy / Daniel Mulugeta -- A nation and a city in transition / Shimelis Bonsa Gulema -- Plan of modernist Addis Ababa -- The diplomacy of work / Gianfrancesco Lusini -- Historical timeline of key events -- Chapter 2: The architectural complex -- Origin and construction of Africa Hall / Dawit Benti and Edward Denison -- The "works of the regime" and their monumentality / Arturo Mezzèdimi -- Recollections on how the project unfolded / Leul Ras Mengesha Seyoum interviewed by Dawit Benti -- The architectural composition / Fasil Giorghis and Ephrem Nigussie -- How the work was conceived / Arturo Mezzèdimi -- The story of a modernist family / Edward Denison -- Chapter 3: Embedded artworks -- An ancient artistic legacy / Bekele Mekonnen -- Radiance and vision / Kate Cowcher -- A botanic dream and the African cosmogram / Monica Brondi, Laura Callea, Nelly Cattaneo -- In the words of the artists / Afewerk Tekle, Nenne Sanguineti Poggi, Brunetto Buracchini -- Rising ideals / Rasselas Lakew -- Chapter 4: The founding conferences -- Two milestones in African history / Martin Welz -- Inauguration of Africa Hall. Cut-outs from the speeches -- Unveiling Africa Hall / Gianmarco Mancosu -- Africa Hall on world media. A personal collection of the architect -- From African liberation to continental unity / Amzat Boukari-Yabara -- Recollections of a young diplomat / Ambassador Kongit Sinegiorgis interviewed by Antonio Baio -- "We welcome to Ethiopia" / H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia -- The founding charter of the Organization fo African Unity -- Map of African independences 1958-1963 -- Chapter 5: The extension project - Expanding Africa Hall / Complied by Marcello Mezzèdimi and Giancarlo Elmi -- Chapter 6: Life of Africa Hall -- A platform for continental politics, economics and culture / Compiled by Marcello Mezzèdimi -- Hosting an African prize for outstanding achievements / Hannah Mariam Meherete-Selassie Dereje -- H.I.M. prize trust list of awardees -- Echoes of history / Luca Sola -- Chapter 7: The renovation project -- Renovating Africa Hall / David B. Gole -- A new blossoming of the "floral mural" / Paola Buscaglia, Michela Cardinali, Daniela Russo -- The Africa Hall renovation project. List of contractors -- Chapter 8: Introduction to the architect -- A modernist architect of empire / Edward Denison.

Summary:

"This book is a photographic journey-complemented by a collection of academic essays on related historical, architectural and artistic topics-on the origin and life of "Africa Hall" in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a building recently declared "Monument to African History," which was donated in 1961 by Emperor Haile Selassie to the United Nations and designed by architect Arturo Mezzèdimi to serve as its continental headquarters, becoming also the birthplace, in 1963, of the Organization of African Unity." -- Amazon
"Africa Hall: A Monument to African History documents the legacy of one of the continent's most significant architectural and diplomatic landmarks. Established in 1961 as the headquarters for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the complex was gifted by Emperor Haile Selassie I to symbolize the rising aspirations of peace, unity, and independence for an Africa emerging from the colonial era. It holds immense historical value as the birthplace of continental diplomacy, notably serving as the site where thirty-two independent nations convened in 1963 to sign the founding charter of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The volume details the remarkable story of the hall's creation, designed by the young, self-taught Italian architect Arturo Mezzèdimi. Entrusted with the task of delivering a world-class facility in just eighteen months, Mezzèdimi worked in close collaboration with the Emperor to transform Addis Ababa into a modern diplomatic metropolis. The construction represents a profound narrative of vision and reconciliation, as the building was designed by a representative of a former enemy and built by Italian contractors using local labor and materials, highlighting a successful era of post-war international cooperation." -- Provided by publisher.

ISBN:

1961856638 (hardcover)
9781961856639 (hardcover)

Subject:

Mezzedimi, Arturo, 1922-
Africa Hall (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
United Nations. Economic Commission for Africa Buildings.
United Nations. Economic Commission for Africa
Buildings
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Buildings, structures, etc.
Addis-Abeba (Éthiopie) Constructions.
Ethiopia Addis Ababa

Added entries:

Mezzedimi, Arturo, 1922- architect.
Mezzèdimi, Marcello, editor.

Africa Hall

Holdings:

Location: Library study room new acquisitions 325666
Call No.: 325666
Copy: 1
Status: Available