Tourists thrilled to celebrate “unique” Timket festival in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, January 19, 2023 (FBC) – Tourists from USA, France, and Sweden said they were thrilled and privileged to experience the unique Timket festival and meet very welcoming Ethiopian people.

In an exclusive interview with Fana Broadcasting Corporate, the tourists stated that they were chuffed by their experience in Ethiopia and its people.

Will Broaddus, from Maryland, USA, insisted that Timket festival is so unique in its overall contents. He stated that it gave him goosebumps. He hopes to come back to visit the country once again.

“This is my first time to visit Ethiopia and celebrate Timket. I am really excited to be here and celebrate Epiphany. It is an amazing celebration. The love the Ethiopian people have for God is unlike anywhere else in the world. You can feel it”, he said.

Mr. Broaddus, who himself is an Orthodox Christian stated that the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is crucial in preserving history and culture.

“I was baptised in Re’ese Adbarat Debre Selam Kidist Mariam Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church to be an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo follower three years ago. Since then, I’ve been following an Orthodox faith. It’s been a blessing to be an Orthodox follower. The Apostolic Orthodox Ministry goes back to the earlier parts of the first church. The history, the culture, and the value are so special and well preserved in Ethiopia. I feel blessed to be part of the EOTC” Broaddus stressed.

Timket, according to Will Broaddus, is so special and brings so many people together to celebrate the Baptism of Jesus Christ. “The strength of their faith and energy of the people in praising God is unlike anywhere else in the world.”

He believes that putting the impacts of COVID-19 and the conflict behind and be able to celebrate events like this  together can only tighten the bond and unity of Ethiopians.

“Ethiopia is such a special place. The people are so loving and welcoming. So, Timket brings so many people together regardless of ethnicity, age or social status. It brings them together peacefully”

Calling on tourists to visit and enjoy the culture, nature, food, history, food, and tourist attraction areas of Ethiopia, Will said “If you get the opportunity to come to Ethiopia, please come and visit this beautiful country. The people are very welcoming and friendly.” He also mentioned the love he has for Ethiopian cuisine.

Though he came to Ethiopia for the first time, he is also hopeful that this won’t be his last visit to the country.

Pierre, from France, for his part, insisted that he and his friends were thrilled to experience the Epiphany (Timket) festival celebration in Addis Ababa.

“I love the Epiphany vibe. It is my first time to come to Ethiopia. It is the biggest religious festival I have ever been to. In my country, France, people do not follow religion seriously. However, here, in Ethiopia, it is amazing to see such a huge crowd of people with such strong faith and spirit to their religion.”

“Peace returning in the country and it’s more stable now; I think the flow of more tourists will increase soon”, Pierre, said.

“It’s great to know for tourists like me in every corner of the world that there are no notable security issues right now in the places I visited. The people are so kind and welcoming”, he added.

The Frenchman also called on tourists to come to Ethiopia and discover the lifetime experiences.

Daniel, a tourist from Sweden, said that Timket festival celebration is unique and bigger than he has ever seen in Europe.

“It’s my first time to be here in Ethiopia and experience such sort of festival. I know certain festivals in Europe, but compared to Ethiopia they are too small.

Timket is unique from other festivals in Europe, because [here] everyone is together no matter where you come from, which age you have. Everyone is great. It’s one of the most important days of the year or may be in a lifetime”, said the Swede tourist.

He also commended the impressive efforts of the residents of Addis Ababa how they cleaned the city and prepare such a massive event. He said this is one of his notable highlight so far in his stay in Ethiopia.