Amhara Region Prepares for Colorful Shadey, Ashendye, and Solel Festivals

Addis Ababa, August 17, 2026 (ENA) —The Amhara Region has finalized preparations to celebrate the Shadey, Ashendye, and Solel festivals in a colorful manner, the Region’s Culture, Tourism, and Sport Bureau said.

The festivals, held annually in mid-August across the Amhara Region, are widely recognized as rainy-season celebrations that emphasize social cohesion, cultural values, and the vitality of women.

The events are said to help communities preserve traditions passed down through generations and strengthen people-to-people connections.

The Bureau further noted that the festivals are expected to boost domestic tourism activity.

Deputy Head of the Bureau, Ayele Anawte, told ENA that key tourism-related activities are being implemented to sustainably increase tourist arrivals.

In this regard, efforts are underway to organize and strengthen “Know Your Country” clubs for students, civil servants, associations, and other groups as part of broader tourism promotion measures.

Ayele added that plans have been set in motion for the 2019 EFY to enable over 21 million tourists to visit destinations, including natural and historical attractions.

To support the celebrations, committees have been established at various levels to prepare not only for Shadey, Ashendye, and Solel, but also for other winter festivals, including Engicha Nekela, Kese Acheda, and Buhe.

Starting at the end of August, the festivals are primarily celebrated in Wollo, Wag Hemra, Gojjam, Debre Tabor, and other areas.

In this regard, preparations have been made to celebrate the Shadey, Ashendye, and Solel festivals not only in Wollo and Wag Hemra, but also in Bahir Dar and other towns in the region, he noted.