BY TEWODROS KASSA
Lalibela is one of the leading international tourists’ destinations in Ethiopia. The Rock Hewn Churches of Lalibela makes it a significant tourist attraction in the country. The This tourist destination is known for its numerous religious pilgrims throughout the year. However, a larger number of Christian worshipers get together is seen annually during the Genna (Ethiopian Christmas) celebration that takes place with various wonderful religious festivities of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church Priests and Deacons.
Visiting Lalibela during the Genna holiday gives an erasable memory that captivates the spiritual life of everyone. Recently, the Lalibela town administration announced that preparations have been finalized to welcome over 1.8 million tourists for the celebration of Genna (Christmas) in the area.
Lalibela Town Deputy Mayor Head of Town’s Tourism Office, Deacon Addise Demiss told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that the town has concluded its preparation to serve the expected tourists thereby boost the tourism movement which was devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic and conflict in the area for over three years.
In doing so, he mentioned that around eight major committees were formed to better facilitate the celebration. While ensuring peace and security, beautifying and cleaning up the town being their major role, he said the committees have been on stand since December to safeguarding peace in the surrounding.
Similarly, over 45 hotels have been ready for the accommodation service that the tourists may need. He added that for the language constraint that the tourists might encounter while attending the actual celebration; the town has collaborated with tour operators to fill the gap.
Moreover, a work force that is in charge of inspecting illegal trading or traders who tries to gain unnecessary profit out of the tourists is organized adding that discussion were held with traders with hope of sensitizing them of the situation.
Besides its religious and societal benefits, the celebration had a huge contribution in enhancing the economic gains as well as stimulating the tourism. According to him, some 141 million Birr is expected to be generated from this year’s celebration.
According to him, the town’s economic movement is nothing without its tourism. With the outburst of the corona virus pandemic and the conflict, the livelihoods in the area were hit hard by the shattered economy that followed the aforementioned problems. Prior to those years, the number of tourist that used to arrive at the stonerock-hewn churches was over 39 thousand and an amount of 260 million Birr used to be secured.
Reminding that huge amount of destruction has occurred and there is decline in the number of tourists, he noted that now that the infrastructure is rebuilt and facilitation has been done, the town expects to welcome 1.8 million tourists and secure 141 million Birr.
Debre Roha Saint Lalibela stone-hewn churches Administrator, Komos Aba Tsege Selassie Mezegebu noted beside the preparation on religious aspect, works are underway with concerned bodies with regard to accommodation, beautification and cleaning.
Furthermore, spaces are also being prepared to serve participants who do not have reservation in hotels to stay in the resident’s location as well as in the compounding of the churches. A group of volunteers would also help out desperate people during the celebration, he mentioned.
He finally urged Ethiopians to visit the place given its age-long and historic value that adds to its religious architecture.
On his part, Heritage Protection and Tourism Development Department Coordinator with Lalibela Town Administration Culture and Tourism Bureau, Mandefro Tadesse, said that the town is preparing itself to celebrate the festival impressively. Lalibela has finalized preparations to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ (Genna) holiday, on January 7th, 2023.
In doing so, various committees are set up and the youth are given the training to receive guests and facilitate transport, water, and food as well as to make tourists aware of the town and its environs. As the faithful and tourists did not attend and celebrate the day as required over the last 3 years, it is necessary to celebrate the upcoming Christmas in a very glamorous way with guests. Some 45 hotels are ready to welcome and host the guests who come to the town to celebrate the holiday.
Ethiopian Christmas is marked after forty-three days of fasting. January 7th is regarded as a special epoch as it is also the birthday of King Lalibela, who built the historic and mesmerizing Lalibela churches. Training has also been offered for priests, youths, and other holiday coordinators to celebrate the festival in a good manner.
The coordinator also pointed out that efforts are being made to celebrate the Christmas holiday widely and restore the tourism activities that have been dwarfed due to conflict and COVID-19. “There is no security problem and we have discussed it with the security bodies so that the festival can be celebrated peacefully and guests can return safely to where they came from. Over 1.5 million guests are expected to celebrate Christmas on the spot”.
In sum, millions of local and international tourists flow to Lalibela to celebrate the colorful Genna festival that takes place annually with the huge gatherings of the Christianity religion followers. Celebrating Genna at Lalibela gives special feeling. Come and visit Ethiopia and celebrate the wonderful Genna (Ethiopian Christmas) festival at the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 30 DECEMBER 2022
