Exhibitions

YZ has exhibitions on a rotating basis, each lasting 1-4 months.

See our past shows below, and follow us on social media @yzmuseum to keep up to date on future ones!

From Addis, with Love: The Nostalgia & Art of Stamps

The Ethiopian Postal Service began operations in 1894 in Harar. Over its 130-year journey, it has not only issued a variety of stamps but also provided opportunities for Ethiopian artists to contribute to stamp design.

These stamps have documented and celebrated the nation's social, economic, and political transformations across different eras.

Our newest exhibition showcases various stamp collections, including a collection donated by Ms. Eleonora Salvatore Carbonaro, and tells the story behind them.

November 15, 2024 - February 15, 2025

History of Buttons in Ethiopia:
Its Fashion, Art, & Use

Apart from their obvious use, the aesthetic value and elegance given by buttons is immense. Used for many purposes such as showing honor, displaying wealth, and more, the production and use of buttons cannot be separated from design, history, and culture.

YZ's collection of buttons, in addition to that of the Ethiopian Heritage Authority were displayed, showcasing their cultural and historical significance.

July 13, 2024 - September 03, 2024

From Culture to Creativity:
A Century of Ethiopian Jewelries' Tradition, Changes and Continuity

Ethiopia's jewelry is a testament to cross-cultural connections in art and craftsmanship, and an emblem of representation, a unique symbol to Ethiopians.

This exhibition showcased original Ethiopian jewelry across different ethnic groups, as well as contemporary creative works emulating antique designs.

February 23, 2024 - April 21, 2024

Music with Enqutatash Paintings:
"Abebayehosh"

For the Ethiopian New Year, YZ presented the art and stories behind a classic start-of-year tradition: Enqutatash art and Abebayehosh music.

September 6, 2023 - September 24, 2023

Every Woman as an Artist:
Knitting, Crocheting, and Embroidery as Art

As an important component of Ethiopia's socio-economic history, handicrafts skills were the focus of this exhibition. Specifically the artistry of women in knitting, crocheting and embroidery.

For this show, graduates form Ethiopia's former Etege Menene institute present their work.

June 23, 2023 - August 6, 2023

Addis Ababa
The Birth of a City

This photographic exhibition curated by Hugues Fontaine in collaboration with YZ showcased life in Addis in the early century, through storytelling imagery.

June 1, 2023 - June 18, 2023

Horsemanship in Ethiopia

This exhibition showcased the various traditions, garbs, and stories surrounding horsemanship in Ethiopia over the ages. This show was presented for the 127th commemoration of the Victory of Adwa.

March 2, 2023 - April 1, 2023

Events and Visitors

YZ had the pleasure of welcoming the Ambassador of Mexico to Ethiopia, H.E. Alejandro Estivill and the political, Multilateral, and Cultural Attaché Ms. Rocio Rodriguez to our exhibition: "The History of Buttons in Ethiopia"
July 19, 2024

YZ Museum was very happy to welcome APaSuN "Ages and Life Paths in the South and North," a research and network team, to our museum.
June 7, 2024

YZ had the honor of welcoming the Ambassador of Morocco to Ethiopia, Her Excellency Mrs. Nezha Alaoui M'hammdi to its exhibition on Ethiopian jewelry "From Culture to Creativity."
April 7, 2024

YZ had the pleasure of welcoming Mrs. Ritu Banga, wife to the President of The World Bank, Mr. Ajay Banga into our establishment in order to tour YZ's exhibition "Every Woman as an Artist"
August 2, 2023

YZ had the pleasure of hosting the book launch of Raey Bereketeab's debut novel "Hiwote Kilatsé."

The event was led by Dr. Andualem Hadero, the editor of the book, and attended by various scholars and guests.
June 26, 2023

YZ had the pleasure of welcoming two visitors to our exhibition "Every Woman as an Artist": USAID Ethiopia's Deputy Mission Director Thomas Staal, and Brian Gilchrest.
June 24, 2023

The talented Alumni of Etege Menen Boarding School are pictured here with our chief curator Abel Assefa, for the opening of YZ's exhibition "Every Woman as an Artist."
June 23, 2023

Dr. Alula Pankhurst, scholar and social anthropologist, & Ian Campbell, writer and historian, author of several studies and books focusing on the Italian occupation of Ethiopia are pictured here during their visit to YZ.
June 4, 2023

The opening of YZ's exhibition, "Addis Ababa: The Birth of a City" was a huge success!
Pictured above are the curators Hugues Fontaine and YZ's Abel Assefa.
June 1, 2023

The Ambassador of Switzerland to Ethiopia & South Sudan, Tamara Mona, and the Ambassador of Switzerland to the African Union, Pietro Mona are pictured above during their visit of YZ's exhibition "Horsemanship in Ethiopia."
March 4, 2023

The Embassy of Luxembourg's chargé d'affaires Dominique Chevolet, the Embassy of Switzerland's diplomatic attachée Candice Lechot, and photographer, researcher, & writer Hugues Fontaine visiting YZ.
February 19, 2023

Students from Lycée Guebre Mariam's "Club Webradio" !
These 8th grade students, pictured above, are put together a digital report on YZ Museum, published on their club's blog "Les Gamins au Micro."
February 10, 2023

Artist Tamrat Gezahegne at YZ Museum.

Tamrat is a founding member of Netsa Art Village, which is the most dynamic venue for the flourishing of the contemporary art scene in Ethiopia and is a painter of international renown.
January 6, 2023

A place to satiate your historical curiosities - local school kids came to visit YZ this week
December 29, 2022

YZ Museum has had the pleasure of hosting the Mexican Embassy's Cultural Attaché Rocío Rodriguez!
December 22, 2022

Exhibitions

From Addis, with Love: The Nostalgia & Art of Stamps

History of Buttons in Ethiopia: Its Fashion, Art, & Use

From Culture to Creativity: A Century of Ethiopian Jewelries' Tradition, Changes and Continuity

Music with Enqutatash Paintings: "Abebayehosh"

Every Woman as an Artist: Knitting, Crocheting, and Embroidery as Art