Bishoftu Welcomes Tens of Thousands Ahead of Sunday’s Harsade Irreecha Festival

Addis Ababa, October 4, 2025 (FMC) — Bishoftu City has warmly welcomed tens of thousands of festivalgoers arriving for Sunday’s Harsade Irreecha Festival, with city authorities confirming that all necessary preparations have been finalized for a colorful and peaceful celebration.

Bishoftu City Mayor Mr. Alemayehu Asefa said the city is fully ready to host the festival, emphasizing that guests are being received with the traditional Ethiopian spirit of hospitality.

He noted that this year’s Irreecha celebration is particularly special as it coincides with the implementation of several major development projects in the city.

Mayor Alemayehu described Irreecha — a central expression of the Gadaa system — as a festival symbolizing solidarity, brotherhood, and unity.

He underscored that the city administration has worked diligently to enhance infrastructure, beautify corridors, and improve essential services to ensure comfort for both residents and visitors.

He added that Bishoftu is giving special attention to positioning itself as one of Ethiopia’s leading tourist destinations, and that the city is working closely with service providers to ensure festival participants do not encounter supply shortages.

According to the Mayor, security measures have also been strengthened, with additional police deployment and the use of modern surveillance cameras along major routes and at the main festival grounds to guarantee public safety.

Mayor Alemayehu expressed gratitude to Bishoftu’s residents for their warm reception of visitors and their cooperation in helping make the 2025 Harsade Irreecha Festival a joyous and memorable national celebration.