House of Rastafari is a project conceived and carried out by FARI (Federazione delle Assemblee RastafarI in Italia) and by the Exodus Association and the Ethiopian Cultural Service which has been active for seven years. In 2000 a seminar was organized in order to make the Rastafari religion and its Ethiopian roots known. In fact, that is the main objective of this place: to attract people's attention by spreading the Rasta faith message which is quite present in reggae music.
The house is in charge of this task through different activities, as film showing and its correspondent debates. They also have a library service (with books in English), art pieces and photographs. However, the task of informing people about this is done by the brothers who are always available and willing to tell and explain whatever doubt people have.
A very important job the House is carrying out is related to solidarity in Ethiopia, by selling local products directly imported from the African country and through which the brothers want, at the same time, to make their culture and art known.
Another important gesture of solidarity is the raise of funds for the “Asociación Abisinios Para La Cooperación” (http://www.abisinios.org) that works training teachers in an Ethiopian school in Bahar Dahar for disabled children. You can find a leaflet outside the House, where they also sell traditional Ethiopian juices. The money collected will go to the Association. Last year collection reached 1800 Euros and they were entirely invested in this project. For further information:
http://www.myspace.com/houseofrastafari.
Nicoletta Vaccari / Translation by Adriana Mir
