Gena (The Birth of Jesus Christ) and Timket, (The Baptism of Jesus Christ at Jordan River by John the Baptist) are among the religious feasts celebrated warmly and colorfully among adherents of Christianity.
These two annual festivals, (Gena and Timket) unlike other countries, fall in the month of January- on 7th January and 19th respectively, (Tahsas 29 and Tir 11 in the Ethiopian calendar) respectively. The festivals are celebrated a few days after followers of the Gregorian calendar welcomed their New Year.
And this year’s Gena and Timket festivals are just left with a few days to be marked with breathtaking and captivating events throughout the country; especially at Lalibela and Gondar.
Following the festivals, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed extended his invitation to the second-generation foreigners of Ethiopian origin around the world to come back to their roots, reconnect with their ancestral roots, experience and enjoy the unique social, cultural and religious values and practices of their affinities, to spend some quality time at their homeland and have memories that will last a lifetime and also contribute to the nation’s growth and development.
The Premier made the call a week ago at the time he inaugurated the Chebera Churchura Elephant Paw Lodge, located in the Dawro Zone, South West Ethiopia.
According to the Premier, the program will be carried out in three-rounds, from 30th December 2023 to the end of September 2024. The first-round homecoming program is arranged under the motto “Connect to Your Culture” begins from 30 December 2023 to 29 January 2024.
In this respect, the first round of the homecoming program is scheduled from 30 December to 29 January 2023 under the theme “Connect to Your Culture”. Thus, second generation foreigners of Ethiopian origin invited to come home and attend the stunning, unforgettable events of the Gena and Timket festivals in Ethiopia.
Likewise, the second round program will be carried out under the theme “Connect to Your History” at the time when the African Union Summit will take place in Addis Ababa.
And the third round will take place from the time the Ethiopian rainy season begins to 30 September 2024, and the second generation diaspora who come to the homeland during this schedule will participate in the national annual tree planting session, according to the Prime Minister.
“What I want to make a call is about the second generation of Ethiopians who were born abroad. The second-generation Ethiopians are invited to come to their country in three rounds, from the end of December 2023 to beginning of September 2024 starting from this week. The first round will be held under the theme “Connect to Your Culture” They are invited to celebrate Christmas, Epiphany and victory days’ including the Victory of Adwa celebrated sometime in the future with us. Thus, they will be familiar with their culture and promote it to others. The second round, which will be held starting from the AU Summit until the end of the rainy season is dubbed as “Connect to Your History”. This will enable them to know their history, language, faith and culture,” the Premier elaborated.
The 3rd round, as to him, will be held from the end of June to the beginning of September 2024 under the motto: “Leave Your Legacy.”
According to Abiy, if the young Ethiopian Diasporas come home, know their culture and history and they are re-connected, they will teach children, plant seedlings, participate in rainy season activities. And the invitation is to leave their legacy in the land of their progenitors through taking part in various activities.
Stating that the invitation is not just an empty invitation, the Prime Minister pronounced the arrangements of special discounts by various service rendering organizations including the Ethiopian Airlines, the hotels and other similar institutions in all parts of the country.
“The reason for the invitation is not gaining money; but to let them know and understand their culture, history and love their country. It is also to encourage them to return, serve and develop their country once our path to prosperity starts to fruition. Ethiopia is ours and at the same time, theirs.”
Subsequent to Premier’s invitation, various activities are undertaken to welcome the second generation Ethiopians in the Diaspora.
The Ministry of Tourism has recently announced the establishment of a main committee tasked to facilitate homecoming of the second-generation Ethiopian diaspora.
In a press briefing, the Tourism Minister, Ambassador Nasise Chali, stated that the homecoming program is aimed at connecting generations at home and abroad and familiarizing the second generation diaspora with their country of root.
Once they come home receiving the invitation extended by the Prime Minister, the second generation Diaspora will get connected to their history and culture and contribute their part to the ongoing development activities in the country, she said.
Not only that the homecoming program, aside from mending the gap between generations of Ethiopians, will also enable the second generation diaspora to promote the tourism potentials of Ethiopia to the rest of the world and become ambassadors of their nation at the global sphere.
The Minister further said “generations may come and go, but our beloved Ethiopia remains an everlasting beacon. So it is our duty to pass the baton, not just to those within the borders, but also to our kin scattered across the globe,” ENA reported.
To realize Premier’s call, make the guests’ stay more enjoyable and memorable, the Ministry has set up a grand committee and divided the Second Generation Ethiopians Homecoming into three phases with a series of different events scheduled to be overseen by sub-committees.
The main committee is led by the Ministry of Tourism, she pointed out, adding that different institutions from federal, regional, and city administrations are part of the main committee.
Each phase promises a unique of events designed to foster meaningful connections and celebrate shared heritage.
“This initiative marks a pivotal step in bridging the generational gap and fostering a collective spirit of growth in keeping with the country’s unwavering commitment to welcoming its global diaspora,” Nasise reiterated.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 5 JANUARY 2024
