Addis Ababa, September 6, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia today marked Resilience Day under the national theme “Firm Foundation for a Resilient Nation,” the first of the five days of Pagumen observances leading up to the New Ethiopian Year 2018 E.C., which will be celebrated on Thursday, September 11.
In a message issued on the occasion, the FDRE Government Communication Service stated that Ethiopia, a country built on the blood and sacrifice of its ancestors, continues to advance to higher levels of respect and honor.
The statement emphasized that Ethiopia is a land of heroes who have withstood challenges throughout history and, in doing so, have created new chapters of triumph.
According to the message, Ethiopians are both heirs and guardians of the heroic deeds that define the nation’s identity.
“They are Ethiopians when alive and Ethiopia itself when they pass away,” the statement noted, underscoring the deep bond between the people and the nation.
The commemoration of Resilience Day is meant to honor this legacy and pay tribute to the generations who turned adversity into strength.
The Service recalled that even on the eve of the historic Victory of Adwa, Ethiopia was tested by drought, cattle disease, and internal disputes. Yet, by setting aside their differences, the nation’s forebears confronted the invading colonial army and secured a world-defining victory that became a turning point in global history.
The statement further drew a parallel with the present century, in which Ethiopia has once again overcome formidable challenges to create a new historic chapter with the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
The project, it noted, faced immense trials — including drought, floods, conflict, the Covid-19 pandemic, desert locust infestations, landslides, diplomatic pressures, and persistent adversaries. Despite these obstacles, Ethiopians persevered “like gold tested in fire,” safeguarding their sovereignty and transforming impending darkness into the light of renaissance.
The Service stressed that Ethiopians, through sacrifice and unity, have built a strong and enduring foundation for their country, ensuring that their heroism will be remembered with eternal honor.
It affirmed that the enduring lesson from history is that an Ethiopian is one who unites for Ethiopia, resists challenges with determination, and works tirelessly to maintain a nation that rests on a firm foundation of resilience.