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An 17ú Comhdháil de chuid Chumann na Taighde Ealaíonta (SAR)

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Submission Number: 65
Submission ID: 103
Submission UUID: 5bbd07ee-89c0-48b8-a8f2-759f94999f7f

Cruthaithe: Fri, 13 Feb 2026 - 09:28
Déanta: Fri, 13 Feb 2026 - 09:51
Changed: Wed, 13 May 2026 - 08:12

Remote IP address: 213.55.92.81
Submitted by: Anonymous
Teanga: English

Is draft: Níl
Current page: webform_confirmation
Given name Tesfay Equar
Surname Kidanu
Email tesfaequarart@gmail.com
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Title The Legacy of Kidus Yared as the Founding Father of Ethiopian Liturgical Music and World Music
Format Other format
Main language English
Abstract This study examined Kidus Yared (c. 505-571 AD) a 6th-century Ethiopian theologian, notation system, musician, hymnologist, poet, author, translator, naturalist, choreographer, dancer, actor, director, critic, and composer, revered as the founder of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church liturgical music. Methodologically, a qualitative approach. The data collection tools were interviews, observation, and document review. Data analysis methods used qualitative data thematic analysis through narratives and merged data. The study identified the Aksumite kingdom and early monasticism as crucial influences on Yared's development and performed a detailed analysis of his unique modal system, rhythmic structures, and vocal techniques (Zema). Findings reveal the meticulous oral transmission of his music through generations of Debtera (traditional musicians) and the profound cultural impact of his work on Ethiopian society and identity. Finally, this study contributes to a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of global music history, placing Kidus Yared at the forefront of non-Western musical innovators and visionaries.
Image Dv Photo.jpg
Short biographies of the presenter(s)
  • Tesfay Equar Kidanu's academic trajectory, having studied at Mekelle and Addis Ababa
    Universities. He holds an undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts, followed by a Master’s degree in
    Theatre in multimedia. Tesfay, where he explored the use of pure theatre and applied theatre as a
    tool for social change in Ethiopia. Tesfay has had an active career, taking part in applied drama-
    based on projects for various purposes and participants. These projects include art therapy,
    psychodrama therapy, health education, commercial sex workers through invisible theatre,
    art for peace education, workplace skills training, and presentation techniques, as well as
    emotional intelligence.
Previous presentations or iterations of the research  Visual Arts Competition at the 4th Edition of EHRC’s Annual Human Rights Film Festival to mark International Human Rights Day on 10, 2024, Jimma, oromiya-Ethiopia.
 Exploring the Acting of Prominent Actor Wegayehu Nigatu in Focus. International Conference on Art studies on 10-12 october 2024, Milan, Italy.
 The Role of Laureate Tsegaye Gebremedhin's Selected Artwork in Promoting National Building: Audiences and Artists' Perspective in Focus.
Additional information Inspired by his time at the Addis Adigrat and Jimma University, Tesfay
has explored writer, actor, director, and critic training techniques, incorporating oral traditions
and storytelling, and continues to explore alternative perspective in performance training. Tesfay
brings an extensive 11-year teaching career to our University, with expertise spanning various
aspects of theatre such as writing, acting, directing, criticism for (stage, screen, and radio),
 musical theatre, movement, voice, indigenous performance, and contextual studies. His rich
professional background deeply informs his approach, anchoring practice and context as the core
pillars of his teaching philosophy.
Research interest: Art History, Teaching and Learning the Arts, Arts Policy, Art Management
and Advocacy, Arts Theory and Criticism, Economic, Social, Cultural Studies, Migration,
Climate change, AI in the Arts, Art Therapy, psychodrama therapy, Ethnomusicology, Political and Community in the arts.
Spatial and technical requirements I have been teaching Theatre Arts courses as a lecturer at Jimma University. I am also working at Mara Children and Mothers Multipurpose Aid Social Development Organization as a program designer volunteer in a remote/online capacity.
2025: I have working as a chief operational officer, consultant, and project designer on remote/online at Harmony Tube as a content creator, Yament PLC in Yeshi Gabicha program, Addis Ababa, and an event organizer, and children's play game director with Ho-Arts.
Potential risks or ethical concerns No, a potential risk at all.
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An 17ú Comhdháil de chuid Chumann na Taighde Ealaíonta (SAR)

Welcome to SAR 2026

Endangered Conceptual Worlds

The 2026 International Forum on Artistic Research takes place from 23 to 26 June 2026. Hosted by the University of Galway on the Atlantic coast of Ireland, the Forum addresses the challenges of Endangered Conceptual Worlds. As the 17th annual conference of the Society for Artistic Research it is the largest conference on practice-based research within and through the arts, bringing together more than 300 international participants: leading practitioners, scholars and policymakers from the entire range of arts-based disciplines.

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Slightly extended deadline for submissions

The 2026 Forum on Artistic Research website has been inaccessible for several hours on Friday night and Saturday morning. Unfortunately, an update to the web server was scheduled to take place, which automatically activated maintenance mode and prevented any work on the submissions during the night and the next morning. We have therefore decided to slightly extend the deadline for submissions to Monday 2 March 2026 at 23:59 GMT. Feel free to work on your proposals until then.