{"id":755212,"date":"2026-09-30T21:04:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T01:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mereja.com\/index\/?p=755212"},"modified":"2026-10-23T21:40:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T01:40:24","slug":"meskel-demera-lights-addis-as-kitfo-fest-brings-gurage-food-and-music-to-piassa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.com\/index\/755212","title":{"rendered":"Meskel Demera lights Addis as Kitfo Fest brings Gurage food and music to Piassa"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Demera<\/p>\n

Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie told a Meskel Demera celebration at Meskel Square on September 26 that the festival raises Ethiopia’s national image and shows its cultural wealth, the Ethiopian News Agency reported.<\/p>\n

Calling it one of the city’s most vibrant public celebrations, she said Meskel Demera has kept its religious essence for centuries and linked the bonfire to unity across cultures, languages, religions and identities. When people stand together like the Demera, she said, they become “an unbreakable force that overcomes darkness.” UNESCO lists the festival as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.<\/p>\n

Meskel marks the Finding of the True Cross in Ethiopian Orthodox tradition. On the eve, crowds gather to watch flames rise from a tall pile of wood and flowers.<\/p>\n

Across town in Piassa, Addis Foodie and Barba Promotion held the eighth Kitfo Fest over the Meskel weekend, September 26 and 27, on the 13th and 14th floor rooftop of the Monarch Parkview Hotel at Tewodros Square, according to an AddisToday listing. Food ran from noon until late, with Gurage dishes such as kitfo, tibs and tire siga alongside tej, areke and desserts.<\/p>\n

Masinko players, Guraginya dancers and singers, DJs and games filled the program, which closed with its own Demera bonfire. Entrance was free and visitors paid for food and drinks. The listing did not publish attendance figures.<\/p>\n

Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n