Prior to the funeral ceremony, his family members, friends, senior government officials, diplomats and hundred thousands of fans accompanied his body for the Farwell ceremony with military march from his resident Villa Alpha to the cemetery of the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
The farewell ceremony was also accompanied with a flower laying ceremony.
President Girma Woldegiorigs, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and the House of Peoples’ Representatives, ministries, African Union and embassies through their representatives put wreaths at the artiste's grave.
In a message he sent to the artiste's family, Prime Minster Meles expressed his sorrow over the death of the artiste on behalf of him and the people of Ethiopia.
PM Meles said the late Afework efforts to promote Ethiopia the rest of the world is matchless and has been one of renowned personalities on whom the nation is proud of.
Similarly, President Girma said artiste Afework was one of the leading personalities who relentlessly working to realize the renaissance of Ethiopia.
He said the current generation should follow the suit of the matchless artiste.
President Girma wished comfort in his message to the artiste's family.
Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church His Holiness Abuse Paulos on his part said “although today is a sad day for Ethiopia, but we cannot say Afework has died. He is alive with us with his unforgettable works that inspire others to do so.”
According to the obituary read out at the funeral ceremony, the late Afework was born on 22 October 1932 EC in the town of Ankober from his mother Felekech Yematawerk and his father Tekle Mano.
One of the paintings exhibited is the well-known Maskal Flower which made its debut on this occasion, and has since been exhibited in the USSR, the USA, and at the Festival of Negro Arts in 1965 at Dakar, Senegal.
His paintings such as “Backbones of African Civilization” “African Movement”, “African Atmosphere” and “African Unity”, and for Expo 67 in Montreal, Canada, “Africa’s Heritage” which in now in the permanent collection of the National Museum of Ethiopia.
He also produced over ten designs for an African Unity emblem and flag.
The late Afework has received close to 100 prestigious awards.
The award for the Order of "Hero of Peace of Friendship" from U.S.S.R in 1980, American Academy Membership Award, Cambridge Life time Achievement Award and membership in 1992 as well as the International Peace Prize Award in 2004 are among the awards he received.
The Ethiopian Radio and Television broadcast live the funeral procession.
House of People Representatives Speaker Abadulla Gemeda , Mayor of Addis Ababa City, Kuma Demekessa, ministers, ambassador, renowned personalities, hundred thousands of people attended the funeral procession.
The late the Most Honorable Maitre Artiste World Laureate Afework Tekle passed away last Tuesday at the age of 80.