Africa · updated 2h ago · 3 min read
Foreign Missions in Addis Ababa Celebrate Ethiopian New Year 2019 E.C. With Peace and Hope
Foreign missions in Addis Ababa joined Ethiopians welcoming 2019 EC with peace. Enkutatash marks start of 13-month Ethiopian calendar year 2019.
Whether the focus is diplomacy or seasonal cultural details.
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Fana Media Corporation S.C
“Foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations based in Addis Ababa have joined Ethiopians in welcoming 2019 E.C.”Read the original ↗
Bantu Gazette
“Enkutatash arrives each September as the heavy Kiremt rains recede and yellow Adey Abeba flowers spread across the Ethiopian highlands.”Read the original ↗
Fana Media and The Reporter Ethiopia foreground diplomatic goodwill, while Bantu Gazette and UA.NEWS foreground calendar, seasons, and traditions.
Enkutatash in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia welcomed 2019 E.C. with Enkutatash, a New Year marked by the blooming of the Adey Abeba flower and the transition as the rainy season recedes, with celebrations described as taking place across the country and in Addis Ababa.
“Enkutatash is one of the most special moments in Ethiopia’s calendar”
In Addis Ababa, foreign missions and international organizations based in the city joined Ethiopians in welcoming 2019 E.C., with the FMC report saying the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China wished Ethiopians peace, hope and prosperity and Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Sun Mingxi expressed hope that friendship between China and Ethiopia would continue to deepen and endure.
The Reporter Ethiopia framed the day as a season of renewal and hope, quoting Canadian Ambassador Nicolas Simard saying, "Enkutatash is one of the most special moments in Ethiopia’s calendar" and adding that Canada and Ethiopia were concluding six decades of formal diplomatic relations.
The same Reporter Ethiopia account quoted Germany’s Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Ferdinand von Weyhe describing his time in Addis Ababa since August 2023 and saying, "A testament to these historic ties is the famous German Aksum Expedition" as it marks its 120th anniversary this year.
Diplomats link culture and policy
The diplomatic messages in Addis Ababa connected Enkutatash traditions to broader engagement plans, with FMC reporting that the U.S. Embassy extended wishes for a joyful Enkutatash and that Ambassador Ervin J. Massinga shared a New Year message separately.
FMC also said the European Union Delegation in Addis Ababa conveyed New Year wishes, with EU Ambassador Sofie From-Emmesberger expressing hopes for a peaceful, prosperous and joyful 2019 and reaffirming the importance of the EU-Ethiopia partnership.
In Pakistan, Ethiopia’s embassy held celebrations under the theme "Diversity: Ethiopia’s Adornment," and The Diplomatic Insight reported that Dr. Musadik Masood Malik attended as chief guest while Prime Minister’s Advisor and National Coordinator on Tourism Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan and Additional Secretary for Africa Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan were guests of honour.
In Islamabad, Dr. Oumer Hussien Oba, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Pakistan, highlighted Enkutatash as marked by the blooming of the Adey Abeba flower and said Ethiopia is the only African nation never colonized, with its own Ge’ez calendar and alphabet, and he formally invited Pakistan to support Ethiopia’s hosting of COP32 in Addis Ababa in 2027, calling for stronger climate cooperation for the Global South.
Calendar details and what’s at stake
Beyond greetings, multiple accounts tied Enkutatash to Ethiopia’s 13-month calendar and the seasonal rhythm, with IRIE FM saying the Ethiopian calendar has 13 months, 12 months of 30 days each, and a 13th month called Pagume containing five days or six during a leap year.
“The calendar has 13 months, with 12 months consisting of 30 days each”
Bantu Gazette described how Ethiopia entered 2019 on Friday, seven years behind much of the world, and said Enkutatash arrives each September as the heavy Kiremt rains recede and yellow Adey Abeba flowers spread across the Ethiopian highlands.B
The Reporter Ethiopia’s interviews also framed the year ahead as a period for dialogue and institutional priorities, with Canadian Ambassador Nicolas Simard saying, "Canada hopes the year ahead creates the conditions for Ethiopia to pursue its impressive economic growth trajectory" and calling for lasting peace, reconciliation, and continued progress.
In the same set of reflections, Alexis Lamek, Ambassador of France to Ethiopia and to the African Union, described the Ethiopian New Year as a promise of renewal and said the past year included "Structuring the Ethiopian general election" and deliberations within the National Dialogue, placing the calendar celebration alongside political and governance stakes for 2019 E.C.