Irreecha Symbolic Representation of Unity, Peace: Oromia Regional President

Addis Ababa: Oromia Regional President Shimelis Abdisa underscored that Irreecha, a supplication and thanksgiving Festival of the Oromo people, symbolizes unity and serves a testament to peace.The Irreecha celebration is one of the public holidays celebrated in Ethiopia and is a thanksgiving festival observed at the river bank in the season of Spring and at the mountain in the season of Autumn.As part of the holiday to be celebrated tomorrow in Addis Ababa, the 6th Irreechaa Peace Forum held under the theme: 'Irreecha: for Our Culture Renaissance,' at the Adwa Victory Memorial today.During the event, Shimelis explained that Irreecha is a festival where people thank and express gratitude to the Creator and come together as one.Given the festival Irreecha is a symbolic representation of unity, reconciliation, peace, prosperity and brotherhood, the president stated that occasion also strengthens the bonds among the people.Shimelis further extended his gratitude to the residents of Addis Ababa their hos pitality and to host guests from various parts of Oromia region and the country as well as foreigners who come to attend Irreecha festival.On her part, Mayor of Addis Ababa City Administration Adanech Abiebie said Ireecha is a festival of thanksgiving, peace, forgiveness, solidarity and brotherhood as well as cultural values.The festival is strengthening the bond of brotherhood and sisterhood among all the nations and nationalities in the country, she said, adding Irrecha is becoming an important ritual festival that attracts visitors.The festival that is going to be celebrated tomorrow, Mayor Adanech hoped that the current corridor development in Addis Ababa will make this year's Ireecha festival special and colorful.As Various ritual practices are performed in celebrating Irreecha, it has been becoming a cultural nationalism not only for the people of Oromo but also the nations and nationalities of the country as well as the diasporas.This, in turn, has increased the number of incoming tourists an d incomes generated from tourism, it was learned.Source: Ethiopian News Agency