Addis Ababa, September 27, 2024 (FBC) – Tourists abroad who attended the celebration of Demera, the eve of a UNESCO-inscribed Meskel festival, were enthralled by its unique religious and cultural dimensions.
The celebration of Demera, marking the finding of the True Cross upon which Jesus was crucified, was held yesterday across Ethiopia decorated with Orthodox religious and cultural festivities.
Predominantly, the event was colorfully marked at Mekel Square at the heart of the capital in the evening with a huge gathering of followers of the church, Sunday school students, and members of the clergy dressed in robes and traditional clothes and several tourists.
Those tourists who were also part of bonfire celebration of the Meskel festival, Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s biggest open-air religious festival last night, were astonished to see the huge gathering from followers of the Church dressed mostly in white.
Particularly, the tourists were overwhelmed by choir groups composed of Sunday school students and priests present religious songs and the burning of the huge bonfire erected in the square.
Jean Pierre, a Belgian tour operator who attended this colorful festival, praised the beauty of the Meskel-Demera festival and pledged to promote Ethiopia’s rich culture and traditions back home.
Having visited Ethiopia multiple times, he has explored notable heritage sites such as the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Simien Mountain National Park, and the Obelisk of Axum.
Pierre realized that Ethiopia has immense potential for tourism development.
“I am working for a travel agency in Belgium and we are working together with local agencies. So, I try to make as much as possible, promotion for Ethiopia… So, we can bring more people to see our beautiful country (Ethiopia).
Many times, I have been of course to Lalibela, Simien Mountain, Axum and southern part of Ethiopia. So, it is a country that has a lot of things to show for the tourist sector,” Pierre stated.
Marikn Griehsel, another tourist from Sweden who came with fourteen guests, was captivated by the colorful celebration of Meskel.
She described the music, the priests, and the large gathering as an extraordinary and unique experience, urging others to visit Ethiopia.
“I think that, in general, people should visit Ethiopia. It is a wonderful country with the beautiful city of Addis Ababa and many other places across the country. Experiencing this unique culture and scenery is something you won’t find anywhere else in the world,” she remarked.
Marianne Von der Esch, from the same country of Sweden, also found the Meskel celebration fantastic and incredible.
“I really think it is fantastic. We are so impressed and it is really incredible… I am so excited also to see not only the Meskel ceremony but to see the city itself.” she underscored.
Emanuel Garbin , an Israeli tourist on his part, shared his joy in witnessing the celebration, highlighting the unity and happiness of the participants.
“It is very powerful and feels very much a message of unity to see here people all around the country coming together to celebrate the holiday. It is very fun and very meaningful. And, I hope this day will remind people that we should always behave like this what one another celebrate and be united together.”
Garbin also expressed his surprise at the warmth and safety he felt while in Ethiopia, stressing that he enjoyed, impressed and felt safe like a family.
“I really enjoyed it; and it is very surprising. When you are here, you feel first of all how safe it is. When you are here, you are safe; everyone is welcome in… It is like a family. This is the feeling I get when I am here,” he emphasized.