ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia is set to launch a major international cultural diplomacy initiative, KIN Ethiopia, on Sunday, beginning with a cultural showcase in China, according to the Ministry of Culture and Sport (MoCS).
The campaign aims to promote Ethiopia’s rich cultural and artistic heritage on the global stage.
Organized by the MoCS in collaboration with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Government Communication Service, KIN Ethiopia will present Ethiopian art, music, fashion, coffee culture, and traditional customs to international audiences. Themed “Heralding Renewal via KIN Ethiopia”, the campaign seeks to highlight the country’s cultural depth and diversity while fostering bilateral relations through people-to-people connections.
MoCS State Minister Nebiyou Baye told journalists yesterday that the event will feature over 70 artists and 50 musical performances representing Ethiopia’s diverse ethnic cultures. “This is the largest cultural diplomacy initiative of its kind since a similar effort 39 years ago,” he noted, adding that the showcase will travel to several countries after the China debut.
The program includes fashion and costume exhibitions, traditional ornament displays, and Ethiopian coffee ceremonies elements that represent Ethiopia’s identity and values. Nebiyou emphasized that KIN Ethiopia will create opportunities for cultural exchange, boost Ethiopia’s global image, and support diplomatic and economic engagement abroad.
Government Communication Service State Minister Tesfahun Gobezay also highlighted the initiative’s strategic importance. “Art plays a vital role in nation-building, diplomacy, and promoting a country’s positive image. Ethiopia is now using this soft power to build cultural bridges,” he said.
He further noted that countries around the world have successfully leveraged art through music, literature, and performance to boost tourism, investment, and international partnerships. “KIN Ethiopia brings multilayered benefits to the country, from diplomacy and tourism to national branding,” Tesfahun added.
The campaign’s launch in China, a country with longstanding bilateral ties with Ethiopia, is expected to strengthen cultural relations and signal Ethiopia’s renewed commitment to global cultural engagement.
BY MESERET BEHAILU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 19, July 2025
