Tigray Cancels 2019 E.C. Meskel & Demera Celebrations
Tigray government today cancelled 2019 E.C. Meskel & Demera public celebrations. The Tigray Culture and Tourism Bureau (TCTB) has announced that the 2019 Meskel Festival will only be celebrated in religious institutions and villages for the sake of public security.
In a statement issued today, Tigray Culture and Tourism Bureau (TCTB) said Ethiopian federal government is conducting repeated drone strikes on holidays and public gatherings. Therefore, it is not safe for people to celebrate 2019 Meksel & Demera publicly. The bureau said that musical events in the squares and Demera activities could endanger people. The bureau urged people to protect themselves. Tigray regional government and Ethiopian federal government are locked in political disputes. Both sides have been mobilizing forces. Ethiopian air force today conducted over 20 drone strikes in and around Alamata city.
Meskel Festival is Ethiopia’s UNESCO-recognized festival. It was recognized by UNESCO in 2006. Meskel, the Festival of the True Cross, is among the country’s six listed traditions. Meskel is celebrated annually on September 27 (Meskerem 17 in the Ethiopian calendar). It holds deep spiritual and cultural significance, particularly for followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. It is a grand public festival marked by the lighting of a large bonfire, known as *Demera*, accompanied by colorful religious rituals and communal gatherings.
