Embassies, missions of various countries extend New Year best wishes to Ethiopia

Diplomats, embassies, missions of various countries extend New Year best wishes to Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, September 11, 2023 (FBC) – Ambassadors, heads of missions, and diplomats of various countries as well as leaders and representatives of multilateral organizations based in Addis Ababa have expressed peaceful and prosperous Ethiopian New Year of 2016 to the Ethiopian People.

Ethiopia will ring in its 2016 New Year tomorrow, September 12, 2023. Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia at home and abroad will celebrate the holiday with optimism and renewed hope. The nation has preserved its own unique calendar of 13 months for millennia. Peculiar from the rest of the world each of the 12 months in Ethiopian calendar has 30 days while the 13th month (Pagumen) has 5 days or 6 during each leap year.

Embassies and missions of various countries as well as multilateral organizations based in Addis Ababa sent their warm congratulatory messages. Embassies of Russia, China, India, Russia, Denmark, Norway, Cuba, Mexico, Canada, the Netherlands, Turkiye, Republic of Korea, Japan, the U.K., France, Germany, the U.S., Djibouti, Sweden, Italy, Australia, Brazil, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland, the UN organs, African Union, EU in Ethiopia, among others have expressed their warmest wishes on the New Year holiday to Ethiopians.

In a lengthy message, Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin wished a peaceful 2016 Ethiopian New Year for all Ethiopians across the country.

“Each time this holiday is celebrated, we perceive it as something new, promising and much anticipated. As we say goodbye to the outgoing year, we recall its joyful and sad moments, always hoping that the forthcoming one will bring many blessings and good fortunes.”

Over the past year, Ethiopia and Russia have continued to develop in every possible way the bilateral ties based on strong bonds of friendship, mutual trust, respect and understanding, the Ambassador said, noting that the outgoing year marks the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Ethiopia.

“I wish to my Ethiopian friends, first of all, peace; peace in the country, peace in every house and peace in every mind and heart. If we have peace, we can achieve any other goal. And of course, I am wishing my Ethiopian friends prosperity, good health, friendship, love and happiness constituted by all these,” Ambassador Terekhin expressed his best wishes.

Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Robert Shetkintong similarly wished to Ethiopians peace, unity and development in celebrating the 2016 Ethiopian New Year.

“I echo the universal prayer on the lips of every Ethiopian citizen that is for peace, unity, and development of Ethiopia,” Ambassador Shetkintong extended his best wishes.

Republic of Korea Ambassador to Ethiopia, Kang Seokhee wished to all Ethiopians and the Ethiopian government a peaceful and prosperous 2016 Ethiopian New Year.

“I wish Ethiopian people and government peace, prosperity, solidarity, and reconciliation in the New Year,” he expressed.

Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Agostino Palese wished the 2016 Ethiopian New Year to be of development and economic growth.

“I wish peace and love for Ethiopians. I hope that 2016 will be a very nice year for Ethiopia and I hope to see Ethiopia grow economically. I hope all Ethiopians understand the dividend of peace; peace is a value and you are always to go ahead on this part. It is very important that everybody has to understand that you have a bright future if you value the importance of peace,” Ambassador Palese forwarded his wishes.

French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Rémi Maréchaux for his part said “Happy New Year to all Ethiopians. I wish 2016 E.C to be the year of stability, dialogue and peace. France will stand by Ethiopia and Ethiopians to support efforts for peace and prosperity.”

Similarly Ferdinand Von Weyhe of German Embassy Charge d’Affaires, Cuba Ambassador to Ethiopia Jorge Lefebre Nicolás and Muhammad Salem Alrashedi, UAE ambassador to Ethiopia as well as have wished a peaceful and prosperous 2016 Ethiopian New Year.

Meanwhile, Roland Kobia, EU Ambassador to Ethiopia & African Union, said, “Wholeheartedly wishing Peace and Reconciliation to all Ethiopians for this new year. All the rest will naturally follow, notably security and prosperity.”

Whereas, Ambassador of China to Ethiopia said via d social media message, “The Embassy of Peoples’ Republic of China in Addis Ababa wishes all Ethiopians a Happy Ethiopian New Year 2016! May the New Year bring you peace, joy, and happiness.”

For her part, Ambassador of Denmark to Ethiopia, Kira Smith Sindbjerg, sent her best wishes to Ethiopians. “Melkam Addis Amet to all celebrating the Ethiopian New Year. My best wishes for a peaceful 2016 in beautiful Ethiopia. Today at the Danish Embassy we celebrated with a traditional coffee ceremony.”

Furthermore, the U.S Embassy in Addis Ababa has also sent its best wishes to Ethiopians in a message, saying: “As 2016 approaches, the United States Embassy in Addis Ababa wishes all Ethiopians a happy and peaceful New Year!”

Ethiopians celebrate the first day that heralds the Ethiopian New Year with festivities, getting together and attending traditional events, which are considered as a special moment of renewal. They also wear traditional attire and enjoy traditional cuisine and drinks.