Sosi, Gezahegn; “CONGRATULATIONS!” to you and all members of the Salon. Let the trumpets blare and fireworks fly! You deserve nothing less.

Bringing a hundred-plus literature enthusiasts together from across the world and managing to have such spirited, genuine, and positively-charged discussions on literary issues is a feat that could be taken up only by the dedicated and those willing to get going even when the goings get tough. I could imagine the brick walls and the depressions during the earliest days and months. You maneuvered you way through it all and there could be nothing wrong in patting your own backs, because that is an affirmation of work well done and at the same time a resolve to keep on going no matter the obstacles down the road.  

Life is seldom a walk in the park. Not ever! Much of the world being in the eye of the political, social and economic storm, riding through it all and coming out in one piece is quite a challenge. Keeping heads above the raging waters is the water drains every ounce of our energy, mentally and physically. Members of the salon scattered all over the world still carving out enough time to participate in the salon’s various programs indeed programs is a clear sign of dedication and perseverance. Three cheers and more!

In times when even long-lasting friendships and relationships shatter like brittle silverware, and hopelessness hovers over our heads it’s amazing bringing together souls who probably never met each other in person talk and creating the harmony for genuine, well-intention discussions is amazing. In times when absurd and ill-intention negativity commands narratives, seeing group members voice genuine appreciations for work well done is exciting, to say the least! No flattery intended.

Back there are frequent book launchings. That in itself is encouraging. However, thinking that reflects what we may call the “level of readership” would be misleading. The ‘horrible’ (For lack of a better term!) truth is that book readers are an endangered species! No “ifs” and “buts!” Things being as bleak as they are, ventures like the literary saloon are blessings in each and every sense of the term. You’d be ‘a bestseller’ for selling three thousand books over several months in a country of 130,000,000+ million literally-starved souls! Not much twinkling stars over here.

Keep it up, and keep it going!