International Tourists Flock to Lalibela for Genna Festival Celebrations

Addis Ababa, January 6, 2025 (FMC) – Visitors from around the globe have converged on Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to partake in the vibrant celebrations of the Genna Festival.

In addition to the influx of international tourists, hundreds of thousands of Ethiopian Christian faithful and local attendees have gathered at the iconic Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela to experience the rich cultural and religious heritage associated with the festival.

The Regional Tourism Bureau highlighted that the Genna Festival not only holds deep religious significance but also plays a vital role in boosting the local tourism industry.

On Christmas Eve, participants in Lalibela engage in an overnight service filled with rhythmic chanting, singing, and prayers, while the following day features masses and sermons commemorating the Birth of Jesus Christ.

Ethiopian Christians celebrate Genna on January 7, honoring the nativity of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem for the salvation of humanity.