Addis Ababa: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has sent Timket (Ethiopian Epiphany) holiday best wishes to Ethiopians celebrating the festivity. In his message today, Prime Minister Abiy said Timket is a momentous religious, cultural, and national celebration in Ethiopia.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Epiphany commemorates the moment when Jesus Christ descended from heaven and was baptized by John in the Jordan River, as indicated by the Prime Minister. This marks the beginning of the journey to redeem the lost Adam. PM Abiy emphasized that Jesus Christ followed Adam every step of the way from Bethlehem to Calvary, and in doing so, not only restored Adam to his former glory but also gave him greater glory than he had before.
For the Prime Minister, this carries a profound lesson for Ethiopia today. “Our nation has faced numerous challenges, akin to the journey from Bethlehem to Calvary. We must lift Ethiopia up every time it falters, transforming our failures in governance, the economy, politics, and communication into a resurrection of our national spirit,” he stated.
Recalling that Ethiopia has suffered for centuries, trapped in poverty and backwardness, PM Abiy urged the children of Ethiopia to rise as redeemers for their country. Despite numerous challenges, bringing about the resurrection of Ethiopia has remained a core mission today, he indicated.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that Epiphany is a deeply traditional holiday in the country, celebrated with vibrant displays of culture. It is a festival of Ethiopia’s heritage, where the fields, rivers, and rich cultural expressions are showcased through clothing, traditional items, hairstyles, and music, he indicated. “The Timket becomes a public exhibition of Ethiopian culture,” he underlined.
PM Abiy further emphasized that Epiphany celebrations serve as a public museum of Ethiopian culture, drawing many tourists to the country during this season. “From rural to urban, from the edges of the country to its center, and from abroad to home, the celebration of Ethiopian Timket is a powerful manifestation of our shared identity,” he remarked.
According to the Prime Minister, Timket, a UNESCO-inscribed world heritage, is also a national holiday that brings together Ethiopia’s diversity in one space. It is an opportunity to experience the various nations, languages, and cultures of Ethiopia in a single square. “Ethiopian traditional dress is worn, and the hidden jewels of our culture come to light, and through Timket, one can immerse themselves in the many facets of Ethiopia.”
The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to Ethiopia’s forefathers for bequeathing these values. This holiday not only connects the city to the countryside, as many Ethiopians travel to rural areas to visit their relatives, but it also attracts Ethiopians from abroad, with millions returning to celebrate this special day together. “This unity strengthens our national bond and further consolidates our shared identity,” the Prime Minister stated.
He also stressed the need for exploiting the spirit of baptism to build the nation and to foster the festival by enhancing Ethiopian cultural values and reinforcing a common sense of nationalism.