Hiwot Tefera
Hiwot Tefera is a respected Ethiopian writer whose work resonates deeply, especially among the generation shaped by the social and political movements of the 1960s and 70s. Born and raised in Harar, she completed her early education in the historic city before moving to Addis Ababa University, where she later earned her postgraduate degree in Anthropology/Sociology. Her unique academic background enriches her writing, allowing her to explore human relationships, ideology, and society with depth and clarity.
She is the author of four impactful books: Tower in the Sky (history, politics), HaseSa (literature, philosophy, religion, history), Mine to Win (fiction, literature), and Mintiwab (fiction, history, literature). Her debut work, Tower in the Sky, published in 2012 by Addis Ababa University Press, recounts her firsthand experiences during the student movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, including her role within the EPRP and the emotional journey of love and struggle during Ethiopia’s turbulent era. Both Tower in the Sky and Mine to Win have been translated into Amharic, expanding her readership and solidifying her place in contemporary Ethiopian literature.
After spending 28 years in Canada, Hiwot Tefera returned to Ethiopia and now lives in Addis Ababa. She continues to inspire readers across generations through her storytelling, historical reflection, and commitment to documenting the human experience. Her books remain influential among Ethiopians seeking to understand the cultural and political landscapes that shaped modern Ethiopia.
