Radar | Feb 02,2019
The week approaching Ghenna (Christmas), celebrated last Friday in Ethiopia, saw organisers at Mesqel Square continuing to innovate on aesthetics and entertainment. The celebrations there were unique from events hosted in past holidays. The authorities attempted to make every penny of the 2.5 billion Br spent revitalising the most popular public square in the capital count. Part of the square surrounded by the concentric semicircle stairs was adorned with Christmas decorations, hosting food vendors and customers. The red and green lighting glistened best in the nighttime. A handful of eateries had set up shop using food trucks and mascots ran around playing with kids. Several participants were busy snapping selfies.
The jamboree is occurring jointly with an exhibition bazaar taking place behind the gates. It hosted 500 vendors and offered camel and horse riding with music performances to boot. Many of the participants hung out in the courtyard after doing their shopping. The more anticipated celebration will be far from Addis Abeba, in Lalibela, Amhara Regional State, where Ghenna is celebrated warmly. It is one of the main events on the "Great Ethiopian Homecoming" schedule, organised by the government in response to what it perceived as unfair and negative international media coverage. It planned a “million march” on Sunday and looked to wrap up celebrations with Timket (Epiphany) and the "Great Ethiopian Run" on January 23. Officials have been sharing their wishes that the holiday season, which nearly corresponds with the beginning of 2022, marks the dawn of a better year.
“Years come and go but the last one has been a particularly harrowing experience,” recalled President Sahle-Work Zewde. “Let’s make 2022 a year of peace, healing and solidarity.”
PUBLISHED ON
Jan 07,2022 [ VOL
22 , NO
1132]
Radar | Feb 02,2019
Radar | Dec 25,2023
Fortune News | Jan 19,2024
Editorial | Apr 01,2023
Viewpoints | Mar 26,2022
Advertorials | Jan 22,2024
Sunday with Eden | Feb 10,2024
Photo Gallery | May 06,2019
Radar | Sep 10,2023
View From Arada | Sep 30,2023
Feb 24 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
Abel Yeshitila, a real estate developer with a 12-year track record, finds himself unable to sell homes in his latest venture. Despite slash...
Feb 10 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
In his last week's address to Parliament, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) painted a picture of an economy...
Jan 7 , 2024
In the realm of international finance and diplomacy, few cities hold the distinction that Addis Abeba doe...
Sep 30 , 2023 . By AKSAH ITALO
On a chilly morning outside Ke'Geberew Market, Yeshi Chane, a 35-year-old mother cradling her seven-month-old baby, stands amidst the throng...
Apr 27 , 2024
The Prosperity Party (PP) - Prosperitians - is charting a course through treacherous...
Apr 20 , 2024
In a departure from its traditionally opaque practices, the National Bank of Ethiopia...
Apr 13 , 2024
In the hushed corridors of the legislative house on Lorenzo Te'azaz Road (Arat Kilo)...
Apr 6 , 2024
In a rather unsettling turn of events, the state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (C...