People celebrate the Meskel festival in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, on Sept. 26, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

A man is seen in celebration of the Meskel festival in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, on Sept. 26, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

People march towards the Meskel Square in celebration of the Meskel festival in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, on Sept. 26, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

Tens of thousands of people gathered on Thursday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, to celebrate Meskel, a major religious festival that includes the burning of a large bonfire, known as Demera.

As is tradition, crowds filled Meskel Square to take part in the Demera ceremony, an integral event in Ethiopian culture. The festivities, held annually on Sept. 26, the eve of Meskel, began in the afternoon with captivating performances by Sunday school students who sang religious hymns and performed spiritual rites. They were joined by hundreds of priests and deacons from churches across the city.

The event was attended by prominent figures, including Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Abune Mathias, Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, government officials, diplomats, and foreign tourists.

In his address, Ethiopian Minister of Culture and Sports Shewit Shanka said Ethiopia has a rich cultural and religious heritage, noting the significance of the Meskel celebration. "Meskel is Ethiopia's fascinating treasure, inscribed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as a world heritage site, and it plays a key role in promoting the country internationally," Shanka said.

Addis Ababa City Mayor Adanech Abiebie, through a representative, said the festival is important beyond its spiritual value, describing it as a heritage that enhances Ethiopia's global image. "Meskel symbolizes love, peace, and unity, strengthening the bonds of humanity," she said, calling on citizens to embrace love and respect for one another despite their differences.

As night fell, Abune Mathias, along with other religious and government leaders, set the Demera bonfire ablaze, a central act of the celebration.

Foreign tourists were also in awe of the event. Douglas Cochran, a visitor from the United States, said, "This is a spectacular festival. I've never experienced anything like it back home. The music was refreshing."

"It's incredible to see so many people come together for the Meskel Demera celebration. It's truly impressive," said Silke Grunow, a tourist from Germany.

Meskel coincides with the end of Ethiopia's rainy season and the blooming of the "Adey Abeba," a yellow daisy-like flower that blankets the hillsides across the country. The flower has become a symbol of the celebration.

In Ethiopia, Meskel and other holidays are traditionally celebrated with unique customs, including the preparation of special traditional foods and drinks, and the exchange of seasonal greetings during visits with family and friends.