Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie spoke at a Meskel Demera celebration at Meskel Square on September 26. She said the festival raises Ethiopia’s national image and shows its cultural wealth. The Ethiopian News Agency, or ENA, reported her remarks. She called Meskel Demera one of the city’s most vibrant public celebrations. She said it has kept its religious essence for centuries. UNESCO lists Meskel Demera as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Mayor Adanech said the holiday holds deep meaning in daily life for Ethiopians. She linked the piled Demera fire to unity across cultures, languages, religions and identities. ENA quoted her saying people become an unbreakable force that overcomes darkness when they stand together like the Demera, walk hand in hand and strengthen their unity. She said Addis Ababa has drawn recent praise as a center of global attraction, a symbol of cleanliness and an example of urban change. She said warm hosting shows Ethiopian hospitality. She added that large national and international events show the city can lead and host major gatherings.
A separate Meskel weekend event took place in Piassa. Organizers Addis Foodie and Barba Promotion held Kitfo Fest number 8 at Monarch Parkview Hotel, according to an AddisToday listing. The rooftop event ran on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27. It used the hotel’s thirteenth and fourteenth floor rooftop at Tewodros Square, in front of Friendship Park. The program offered food from noon until late. It listed Gurage dishes including kitfo, tibs and tire siga. It also listed tej, areke and desserts. Live masinko players performed. Guraginya dancers and singers, DJs, games and a Demera bonfire ceremony filled the program.
AddisToday described Kitfo Fest as a cultural food festival. It brings Gurage food, live music and Meskel festivities to a rooftop that overlooks Piassa and Friendship Park. Entrance was free. Visitors paid for food and drinks. The listing did not publish attendance figures.
Meskel marks the Finding of the True Cross in Ethiopian Orthodox tradition. Crowds gather on the eve for the Demera bonfire and watch flames rise from a tall pile of wood and flowers. Mayor Adanech stressed the holiday’s religious essence and its benefits across generations.
Fighting continued in northern Ethiopia during the same month. Reports covered civilian hospitals and displacement. In Addis Ababa, the Meskel calendar still filled Meskel Square and a Piassa rooftop with Demera light, Gurage dishes and live music.
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