JEDDAH, 9 September 2007 — A yearlong Ethiopian millennium celebration commences here on Tuesday. The Ethiopian Consulate is hosting the event, in cooperation with the Ethiopian community at the consulate premises.
The celebration will be marked by different activities including workshops on Saudi-Ethiopian historical relations, exhibitions on Ethiopian products and investment opportunities as well as Ethiopia’s vast tourism potential, and football tournaments among Ethiopian and other African community teams,
“The main objective of this historic event is to cement the long standing relationship between Ethiopia and the Kingdom, promote the country’s positive image and its vast investment and tourism opportunity, and strengthen the bilateral cultural relations,” Ethiopian Consul General Tekleab Kebede told Arab News yesterday.
Similar events will be held in Riyadh organized by the Ethiopian Embassy and the community.
Ethiopia, one of the world’s oldest civilizations and Sub-Africa’s second most populous country, has rich culture and history that goes back to prehistoric times. It has yielded the oldest evidence of human origins yet discovered — the 3.5 million year old fossilized skeleton of a female hominid.
“Ethiopia is endowed with wonderful historic sites, natural wealth and beautiful diverse culture. Among the exiting historical sites are the eight world heritage sites which are classified and recognized by the UNESCO,” he said, adding that Ethiopia with its own calendar and script is poised to colorfully celebrate its own millennium within the country and at overseas locations from Wednesday.
According to the website of UN General Assembly, the UN adopted the text on the Ethiopian millennium, recognizing Sept. 12, 2007 to Sept. 11, 2008 as the year commemorating the Ethiopian Millennium. The UN also welcomed the declaration adopted by the Assembly of the African Unity that recognized the millennium as a unique African occasion.
The assembly also called upon all AU member states, the Commission of the AU and regional economic communities to extend their support toward its successful celebration.
The event will also serve as an occasion to overcome the diverse socio-economic difficulties facing his country.