Addis Ababa, November 3, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia is taking decisive steps to project its rich cultural heritage and indigenous traditions to the world, using art, festivals, and cultural diplomacy as strategic instruments to strengthen international ties.
Home to diverse nations, nationalities, and ethnicities, Ethiopia is renowned for its 13-month calendar, breathtaking natural landscapes, and a wealth of tangible and intangible heritage recognized by UNESCO.
Yet, cultural experts note that, historically, efforts to promote Ethiopian traditions abroad have faced significant challenges, including logistical and bureaucratic barriers.
For Mikias Mulugeta, an Ethiopian cultural producer, festival organizer, and creative strategist, these barriers represent both a challenge and an opportunity. Over the past seven years, Mikias has been building platforms that amplify African voices through literature, film, music, dance, and visual storytelling, most notably the Focus on Ability Inclusive Arts Platform and the newly launched Brethren Festival in the UK.
“There’s a quiet determination in our work,” Mikias said. “Festivals are not just events; they are instruments of diplomacy. Our culture deserves recognition. When Ethiopian artists are absent from global art festivals, it reflects a gap we are determined to bridge.”
Mikias’s approach goes beyond spectacle. He focuses on creating sustainable structures for cultural exchange, ensuring that artists—from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda—can travel, perform, and return home safely. His work addresses mobility issues, visa hurdles, and administrative challenges, ensuring that performances are not just seen, but that the artists themselves are present to represent their heritage.
Central to Ethiopia’s cultural diplomacy is KIN Ethiopia, a government-supported art troupe dedicated to showcasing the country’s traditions on the international stage. According to Minister of State for Culture and Sports, Nebiyu Baye, KIN Ethiopia promotes Ethiopia’s arts, crafts, music, knowledge, and cultural practices, celebrating over 50 nations and nationalities within the country. The troupe’s performances feature music, dance, traditional clothing, coffee ceremonies, and cuisine, offering a holistic representation of Ethiopia’s heritage.
“The work started to promote Ethiopia’s universal culture abroad is historic and encouraging,” Nebiyu noted. “KIN Ethiopia is more than an art troupe; it is a bridge connecting Ethiopia with the world, reinforcing cultural identity while promoting diplomacy through heritage.”
Cultural experts stress that Ethiopia’s international presence can be further strengthened by aligning cultural initiatives with other global priorities. Mikias and stakeholders have highlighted opportunities to link Ethiopia’s rich heritage with international platforms focused on issues like climate change, citing recognition for the country’s Green Belt program under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as an example.
Through these initiatives, Ethiopia is redefining what cultural diplomacy means in practice. By combining the vision and determination of cultural leaders like Mikias Mulugeta with institutional efforts from KIN Ethiopia, the country is ensuring that its traditions are not only performed but strategically positioned as a tool for global engagement, dialogue, and recognition.
As Ethiopia continues to bring its traditions abroad, the country sends a clear message: its culture is not only a symbol of national pride but also a dynamic instrument for international collaboration, dialogue, and the strengthening of people-to-people ties.