Irreecha Festival Celebrated as Symbol of Unity, Say Abbaa Gadaas

Addis Ababa, October 5, 2025 (ENA)—The Irreecha Festival, one of the most significant cultural and spiritual events in the Oromo culture was celebrated in an atmosphere of peace, unity, and cultural pride, according to Abbaa Gadaas.

Abbaa Gadaa Gobena Hola, Secretary of the Union and Tulema, said that this year’s Hora Arsedi Irreecha festival was celebrated in a way that strengthened unity.

 Abbaa Gadaa Gobena together with the Head of the Oromia Regional State Culture and Tourism Bureau gave a briefing regarding the completion of this year’s Irreecha festival.

 In his briefing, he emphasized that that this year’s Irreecha festival was celebrated with love and unity in a way that strengthened unity.

 The 2025 Irreecha celebration as deeply meaningful, emphasizing that it embodied the values of togetherness and mutual respect, he added.

 Celebrations took place primarily at Hora Finfinnee in Addis Ababa and Hora Arsedi in Bishoftu, attracting millions of participants from across Ethiopia and beyond.

 “This year’s celebrations welcomed people from various ethnic backgrounds,” he noted, “offering a profound display of peace, love, and unity that reflects Ethiopia’s rich cultural mosaic.”

 Held under the theme “Irreecha for the revival of the country,” the  festival underscored Irreecha’s role in promoting national cohesion and cultural identity. Participants widely echoed this message, describing the Hora Arsedi gathering as a powerful symbol of Ethiopian brotherhood and unity.

 In addition to cultural significance, the seamless organization of the festival was also praised.

 Abbaa Gadaa Gobena extended heartfelt appreciation to government institutions, security forces, service providers, and the public for their coordinated efforts, which ensured the festivities proceeded smoothly and without incident.

 Meanwhile, Abbaa Gadaa Keta Biru emphasized the festival’s spiritual essence.

 “Irreecha is a celebration of peace, forgiveness, and unity,” he affirmed. “It is our duty to pass these values and traditions to the next generation with respect and care,” he told ENA.

 The Irreecha Festival served not only as a cultural celebration but also as a vibrant holiday for unity, reaffirming shared values and strengthening the spirit of togetherness among Ethiopia’s diverse communities, he concluded.

 Beyond its cultural beauty, this year’s Irreecha Festival resonated deeply with Ethiopia’s broader journey of transformation and development.

 Rooted in the Gadaa System, the traditional socio-political and cultural governance framework of the Oromo people, it embodies gratitude, peace, and social harmony.

 Over the years, Irreecha has evolved into a national symbol of unity and coexistence, bringing together millions from diverse backgrounds.

Jamila Simbru, the head of the Oromia Regional State Culture and Tourism Bureau, said that this year's Irreecha was celebrated colorfully and in organized manner.

He said that both in Hora Finfinnee and Hora Arsedi, the people celebrated Irreecha in a colorful manner, wearing traditional costumes and strengthening unity.