𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 E͎t͎h͎i͎o͎p͎i͎a͎n͎ ͎N͎e͎w͎ ͎Y͎e͎a͎r͎

The celebration kicked off early with Ms. Svetlana Drozda leading a thoughtful and creative activity. As part of the welcoming ceremony, she provided participants with images of the Meskle, the iconic yellow flower that blooms during the Ethiopian New Year. Everyone was invited to write a personal wish for the new year and glue their flower onto a large communal collage, symbolizing hope, renewal, and unity.

In keeping with the theme of the event, the dress code for the day was white, reflecting the traditional attire worn during Enkutatash in Ethiopia. White clothing symbolizes purity and peace, adding a visual element that highlighted the importance of the celebration and brought the EISB community together in a shared experience.

The Ethiopian New Year, known as Enkutatash (እንቁጣጣሽ), is celebrated on Meskerem 1 in the Ethiopian calendar, which falls on September 11th (or 12th during a leap year) in the Gregorian calendar. Enkutatash marks the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the new year in Ethiopia, symbolizing renewal and the start of a new agricultural cycle.

The celebration began with Mr. Bayeh’s presentation, where he introduced the significance of the Ethiopian New Year, explaining its historical, cultural, and religious importance.

Following the introduction, the audience was treated to traditional Ethiopian music, capturing the soulful rhythms and melodies of the country. The music added a festive atmosphere and gave attendees a sense of the joyful celebration that accompanies Enkutatash in Ethiopia.

A highlight of the event was a speech delivered by a representative from the Ethiopian Embassy, who emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges and shared some insights into Ethiopia’s rich history and traditions. The representative expressed gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate this important holiday with the EISB community.

The event also featured a food-tasting experience, where attendees sampled traditional Ethiopian dishes. The menu included iconic spicy foods. Mr. Bayeh explained the significance of the dishes during the New Year celebrations, highlighting the communal aspect of meals in Ethiopian culture.

This celebration offered a wonderful platform for cultural learning and brought the EISB community together in the spirit of diversity and global understanding. A big thank you to Mr. Yosef Bayeh for organizing this enriching experience!