Irreecha Fesival Captivates International Guests 

Addis Ababa, October 4, 2026 (ENA)—International guests that attended the 8th Irreecha Forum in Addis Ababa have described the festival as a vibrant expression of culture, thanksgiving and unity, encouraging more people to visit Ethiopia and experience its cultural heritage.
The Irreecha Forum was held at the Sheraton Addis Hotel on Friday.

Gene Mettler, an American visitor who also has the Oromo name Balcha, said Irreecha shares similarities with Thanksgiving in the United States, as both celebrations involve giving thanks for blessings received.

A major difference is that Thanksgiving in the United States is mainly celebrated by families, while Irreecha brings the wider Oromo community together to give thanks and seek blessings for the future.

“What I love about Irreecha is that the entire Oromo and Ethiopian community joins together to celebrate,” the American said.

Mettler, who had lived in Ethiopia for four years, also said he recently returned from the United States where he shared his experiences of Ethiopian culture and family unity with friends and relatives, adding that he has decided to remain in Ethiopia for as long as possible.

Fauzia Abdikadir, a visitor from Marsabit, Kenya, described Irreecha as a “very beautiful festival,” saying she enjoyed the way Oromo and Ethiopian culture was represented during the celebration.

 

According to her, Addis Ababa is also a tourist destination, particularly its views at night, that encourages tourists to visit the city and experience its culture. “It’s a very beautiful city,” Abdikadir said.

The other visitor from Kenya, Nadi Girole, said she is happy to attend the forum and the Irreecha that takes place in the coming two days and learn more about the culture, its origins and traditions.

“Everything about the Irreecha festival—learning about my culture, where my people come from, and how everything started—is so beautiful,” Girole said.

 

She pointed at the traditional clothing, language and the presence of Abbaa Gadaas among the aspects of the celebration that impressed her most.

The Kenyan also said wider publicity, interviews and social media promotion could help introduce Irreecha to more people around the world and encourage tourists to visit Ethiopia during the festive season.

Like the other visitors, Girole noted that Addis Ababa is a beautiful city; and encouraged people in Kenya and elsewhere to visit Ethiopia, saying they would enjoy the city and its people.

 

Irreecha is an Oromo thanksgiving celebration in which people express gratitude to Waaqa (God) for blessings received and pray for blessings in the future.

Irreecha Hora Arsedi, the Oromo thanksgiving festival, is being celebrated colorfully in Bishoftu, drawing large crowds to the lakeside and public gathering places across the town.

Moreover, yesterday, Irreecha Hora Finfinnee was celebrated in Addis Ababa under the theme “Irreecha for National Renaissance,” bringing together hundreds of thousands of people in a colorful celebration of Oromo culture, heritage and unity.