Fairfield House News #9 Aug 2024
Legacy Day; new exhibition; WI visit; more on HIM and Garvey. Also: why pay if you can get it free?
Fairfield House communities celebrate Legacy Day
On 20 July Ethiopian Orthodox worshippers, Rastafari elders, community members and dignitaries led by the Mayor of Bath and other local people joined in celebrating HIM’s birthday at Fairfield House.
The colourful, vibrant multicultural celebration bridging different cultures and faith traditions underlined once again Fairfield House’s unique role in bringing communities together, and the unique power and importance of HIM’s legacy to Bath.
Fairfield House chair Fisseha Combley and Mayor of Bath Cllr Michelle Doherty, with volunteers and priests.
An estimated 250 people gathered throughout the day for worship, food, music and celebration. Volunteers unveiled a new exhibition celebrating HIM’s international travels and status (see below).
Sister Danielle on HIM’s birthday celebrations
Emperor Haile Selassie I began each day at 0500 at prayer in The House of the Afflicted, the Fairfield House Chapel. This significant spiritual practice is a foundation of the Emperor’s Birthday celebrations as visiting Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo priests Kesis Belete and Kesis Abate led attendees in a service of prayers, songs, chants, and scripture in Ge’ez (with translations) inside the Sacred Garden.
The priests then led a ceremonial procession to the front lawn where in 1937 the 225th Ethiopian Emperor celebrated his 45th birthday. Participants stood motionless as the censer’s bell mixed with Ethiopian frankincense and holy recitations blessing the day.
Thanks to volunteer staff, a feast worthy of His Majesty graced guests before open invitations for oral tributes began in earnest. This exultation continued in song with Empress Storm, Yaz Alexander, Heartical Spice, and Prinny pouring a libation of heartfelt lyrics sealing honours for H.I.M and I-nity as a permanent testament.
Rastafari Ises offerings on July 23rd saw many make pilgrimage in heights of reverence and be welcomed home. A Rastafari benediction sent the Imperial Riders on a cycling journey to Dunham Massey in a blaze of not only red, gold, and green but also lionhearted reggae tunes on blast from their bike’s speakers.
This charitable undertaking to raise funds for the Awasho Orphanage School Project embraced the spirit of ‘yilugnta’ (Amharic: Combined compassion, love, respect, and empathy) for which H.I.M lived and breathed.
In affirmation, nyabinghi drumbeats soon rose to the heavens.
Sister Danielle is a Fairfield House volunteer and tour guide.
Bristol stands for peace compassion and justice
Fairfield House co-founder Professor Shawn Haile Mariam Sobers was part of a Bristol Cathedral interfaith event and co-signatory of a statement deploring the prejudiced civil disturbances that took place in Bristol and other parts of the UK in August. The diverse faith and secular representatives said they were “shocked and saddened by the violence and harassment that has taken place in Bristol and the rest of the UK over the last few days.
Prof Shawn Sobers speaks at Bristol Cathedral.
“We stand united in our condemnation of the actions of extremist groups. There is no place in our city for racism, anti-Muslim hate or violence against asylum seekers and refugees.” They affirmed a collective commitment to peace, compassion, and justice.
Despite worrying reports and perhaps because of a strong police presence Bath was spared violence, but there was fear and anger among the community after people felt the need to take evasive precautions.
Prof Sobers represents both the Rastafari community of Bristol and Bath and the Ethiopian Orthodox faith. He co-founded Fairfield House Bath CIC and was a trustee until 2023. He created the Freedom in the City festival, and Imperial Voice Radio. He remains active in future plans for Fairfield House.
“Best place to visit”: Fairfield House rockets up the charts
Tripadvisor now ranks a visit to Fairfield House for the Sunday tour as #25 of the “best things to do in Bath”. It’s a fantastic achievement for the new volunteer-led community heritage endeavour.
Thanks to everyone who has visited and reviewed. Historical guided tours run most Sundays, and bespoke tours are available during the week for school visits and private groups.
New exhibition celebrates HIM the international statesman
Did you know His Imperial Majesty opened a coffee shop in South Korea? Find out more in our new museum space..
The Emperor’s Legacy Day saw the unveiling by the Mayor of Bath of a new permanent exhibition at Fairfield House: the HIM Haile Selassie I World Tour. It describes HIM’s global reputation and impact, with a globe and world map showing His Majesty's travels from 1924 - 1974.
Centrepiece of the exhibition is a new historically faithful replica uniform of the Emperor donated by friend of Fairfield, Gad Anbessa from Guadalupe.
The exhibition was formally opened by the Rt Worshipful Mayor of Bath Cllr Michelle O'Doherty. Curatorial team members Ras Benji and Zach Barber spoke about how the exhibition came together.
Mayor of Bath Cllr Michelle Doherty opens the new exhibition.
Bath Lansdown Women’s Institute visits Fairfield House
Bath Lansdown Women’s Institute visited Fairfield House recently for a tour and a Caribbean lunch. The lively ladies of the WI enjoyed exploring a legendary part of their local heritage and the supply of tea and biscuits.
Thank you to Hilary Macklin for organising this visit and we look forward to welcoming the WI again in future.
Hayward Gallery invites Ras Benji to talk HIM and Garvey
Fairfield House Operations Manager and historian Ras Benji was invited to speak about two African giants, HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I and Marcus Garvey, at the Hayward Gallery at Tavares Strachan’s exhibition There is Light Somewhere.
Ras Benji and BEMSCA manager Pauline Swaby-Wallace, with Hayward Gallery assistant curator Thomas Sutton. Marcus Garvey sculpture by Tavares Strachan.
The amazing exhibition by Tavares Strachan at the Hayward gallery features many pieces in tribute of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie I and Marcus Garvey. It’s on until 1 Sept. See it if you can.
Blattengeta Heruy family visit Bath and Fairfield House
Fairfield House received a visit from the family of Blattengeta Heruy Wolde Selassie, the Emperor's closest friend and advisor and Ethiopian Foreign Minister, who died at Fairfield House in 1938. For some US-based family members it was their first time at Fairfield House and to the original grave of their great grandfather. It was a beautiful day. Fairfield House trustees Pauline Swaby Wallace and Shawn Sobers were honoured to host the family on this important personal pilgrimage.
Generous artwork donation by Justin Sobion
The Coronation of Haile Selasie and Empress Menen, by Justin Sobion. Kindly donated to Fairfield House and now on sale (framed).
Why pay when you could get it for free?
It’s a great question, and the answer is: to support Fairfield House.
Fairfield House News is free and will always be available free. But it’s a great feeling to start being a supporting subscriber at £5/month or £50/yr, as some have already.
Fairfield House achieves a lot with small amounts:
10 new subscribers would cover Imperial Voice Radio costs for a year
20 subscribers would literally pay the rent.
A thousand subscribers would even pay the utility bills, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The initial aim is to get to 100 paying subscribers to Fairfield House News. That would make a huge difference as we negotiate the next lease.
If you can, please subscribe now. Then persuade a friend to next month.
Upcoming events
Sun 25 Aug Historical guided tours (book here)
Sat 7 Sept Rastafari Sabbath Observance led by local Elders
Sun 8th,15th,22nd,29th Sept Historical guided tours
Sat 14 Sept Bath Spa University Paper Nations event
Sat 28 Sept Ethiopian Community New Year Celebration
Sat 5 Oct Rastafari Sabbath Observance led by local Elders
Th 10 Oct remembering HIM’s Royal British Legion visit: Bristol
Sat 19 Oct Freedom of the City Assembly Rooms Bath: all welcome