GONDAR – Tourists attending Ethiopian Epiphany commended UNESCO for recognizing Timket as one of the world’s intangible cultural heritages.
A tourist named Yvonne Jarry told The Ethiopian Herald yesterday that the Ethiopian Epiphany celebration is well deserved of the UNESCO’s recognition as it is a unique tradition only found in Ethiopia.
The occasion is fantastic. The crowd and the happiness on the faces of the celebrants make the event more unique, she stated.
It is very traditional and colorful. “People seem very happy to be here. The celebration showcases rare tradition and we want such tradition to survive.”
Taking the opportunity, Yvonne calls for tourists to visit Ethiopia particularly in such occasion in a bid to have unforgettable stay in Ethiopia.
Tourist Luca Carnino is from Italy. It is his second time to visit Ethiopia. Over the past two weeks, Luca together with his tour mates has visited some historic and tourist attraction places in Addis Ababa, Gondar including Lalibela churches, Axum and lake Tana monasteries.
He said that Ethiopia’s Epiphany is unique and colorful attended by beautifully dressed mass celebrants. The inscription of the celebration on UNESCO will play an important role to attract more visitors to Ethiopia, he noted.
As to him, many people in Europe do not have any information about the colorful celebration of Ethiopian Epiphany. However, following the inscription UNESCO’s inscription of the holiday, some of them are coming and of course Luca’s friend is among them.
He expects more tourists to Ethiopia next year when the information about the world intangible
heritage Timket is spread out. “I have never seen such kind of Epiphany celebration before. I hope visitors who will attend this occasion in the future will get surprised and enjoyed it.”
Lucas is also interested to invite more Italians to visit Ethiopia’s traditions when he returns to his motherland.
Nicholas van Hemelrijc hails from Brazil. He said that the Ethiopian Epiphany [for sure] UNESCO’s list for its unique scenes. Several peoples are gathered here from various places to celebrate the holiday in an interesting ways, he expressed.
The celebration is uniquely observed with various ceremonies and specially the people engagement is especial than any other celebrations in the world, he noted.
The Ethiopian Herald January 21/2020
BY YOHANES JEMANEH
