Selam Founder and CEO Teshome Wondimu receives prestigious ISPA Award!

Selam Founder and CEO Teshome Wondimu receives prestigious ISPA Award!

Selam is proud to announce that its Founder and CEO, Teshome Wondimu, has received the International Citation of Merit Award from the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA). This is one of ISPA’s highest honors.

The ISPA Awards recognize leaders who have made strong and lasting contributions to the global performing arts field. The International Citation of Merit Award is given to individuals who show clear leadership and long-term commitment to cultural exchange and international cooperation in the arts.

“I am honored to receive this recognition from ISPA,” said Teshome Wondimu. “The award reflects not only my own work, but also the shared efforts of my colleagues at Selam, as well as the artists, partners, and communities we work with around the world. I look forward to continuing our work to strengthen global cultural dialogue.”

Teshome Wondimu will receive the award in person at the ISPA Congress in New York on January 15, 2026.

Read more about the ISPA Awards 2026 here

About Selam
Selam is a global cultural organization operating through Selam Sweden, Selam Ethiopia, and Selam Kenya, in close collaboration with the African Union (AU) and partners across Africa. Selam develops international festivals and events in Sweden, the Nordic region, and Africa, including Selam Festival Stockholm and Addis Jazz Festival. Core initiatives include the music and publishing platform Muzikawi, the pan-African network Connect for Culture Africa (CfCA), and the Pan-African Network for Artistic Freedom (PANAF), alongside cultural collaborations in Africa and globally.