Meskel-Demera Festival Serves as Shared Value that Elevates Nat’l image, Cultural Wealth: Mayor Adanech 

Addis Ababa, September 26, 2026 (ENA) —Meskel-Demera festival is serving as a shared value that elevates Ethiopia’s national image and cultural wealth across the world, Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie said.

Addressing the Demera celebration at Meskel Square today, the Mayor stated that the Meskel-Demera festival, one of the most vibrant public celebrations in the city, is a great festival which has been celebrated for centuries while preserving its religious essence and shining brightly in our culture.

 

The holiday, while maintaining its religious and cultural significance, encompasses many cross-generational and holistic benefits, Adanech underscored.

Recalling the official registration of Mesquel-Demera by the UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, she said it serves as a shared value that elevates Ethiopia's image and cultural wealth across the world.

For Ethiopians, the holiday holds a profound meaning in their daily lives and all joint activities, the Mayor emphasized.

 

“Even though each of us has a distinct culture, language, religion, and identity, we become unbreakable force that overcomes darkness for both the city and country as we stand together like the Demera, walk hand-in-hand, and strengthen our unity.”

According to her, the city of Addis Ababa has recently been cited as a center of global attraction, a symbol of cleanliness, and an example of urban transformation achieved in a short period of time.

 

The Mayor also noted that the hosting of many tourists who visit the city warmly showcases the manifestation of Ethiopian hospitality.

The ability of hosting such great national and international events as well as holidays underscore the city's capacity to successfully lead and accommodate huge functions.

Holding of great events like these show the city's competence, civility and beauty thus creating capacity for even greater attraction—not just because the government worked alone; but because we stood and cooperated together, she stressed.