Addis Ababa-based diplomatic community extend Meskel festival best wishes
Addis Ababa, September 26, 2024 (FBC) – Embassies of various countries and missions of multilateral organizations stationed in Addis Ababa have extended their best wishes to Ethiopian Christians on the occasion of the Meskel-Demera holiday.
A couple of weeks after the celebration of the Ethiopian New Year, various religious and cultural festivities are marked indoors and outdoors in the country. Meskel, the holiday celebrated in commemoration of the discovery of the True Cross, is one of those holidays marked at outdoor venues. It is one of the 9 religious and cultural holidays celebrated in Ethiopia between August and September.
Fete of Meskel started on the 26th of September with the celebration of the Demera, a ceremonial burning of a large bonfire. It is a special event that is conducted on the eve of Meskel to recall the smoke that supposedly led Empress Helena to the site of the True Cross.
Marking the holiday, various ambassadors, diplomats, missions, and friends of Ethiopia have sent their best wishes to Ethiopians celebrating the occasion.
In that regard, the embassies of Russia and Cuba sent their heartfelt message to all Ethiopian Christians and “wish them health, happiness, peace and harmony to each and every Ethiopian family and home.”
Sending their message of best wishes, embassies of the UK and France also shared a post on social media showcasing their respective staff celebrating the occasion in the premises of the embassies in Addis Ababa.
In his message of a happy Meskel wishes to all who celebrate, Darren Welch, Ambassador of the UK noted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Wonderful to celebrate Demera together with colleagues of UK Embassy in Ethiopia and light the bonfire as we mark the end of the rainy season.”
The diplomatic missions and embassies, among others, UNESCO, embassies of the United States of America, Sweden, and Switzerland sent their best wishes to Ethiopians celebrating the festival.