On October 24, 2024, the German Embassy in Addis Ababa hosted a large reception to mark the recent Day of German Unity. This important national holiday commemorates the reunification of Germany in 1990 and was also honored in Ethiopia with a festive event. Numerous guests, including representatives of the Ethiopian government, members of the diplomatic community as well as friends and relatives of the German community, attended the celebration.The German Embassy School Addis Ababa (DBSAA) was represented with both an information stand and a musical contribution. At the school’s information stand, guests were able to find out about the DBSAA’s educational programs and purchase merchandise from the school. All proceeds from the sale went to the Bildung4Kids (B4K) project.Another highlight of the day was the performance by the German Embassy School choir, which provided musical entertainment for the celebrations. The choir, consisting of students from grades 5 and 6, presented a colorful mixture of German and international traditional songs. With their musical skills and enthusiasm, the children managed to inspire the audience and emphasize the festive atmosphere. The choir’s performance not only reflected the joy of music, but also the school’s commitment to cultivating German culture and language abroad while promoting intercultural dialog.

On 30.09.24, the past Meskel holiday was celebrated in the DBSAA kindergarten and elementary school. Meskel, also known as the “Feast of the Cross”, is an important holiday in Ethiopia, traditionally celebrated on September 27 and commemorates the discovery of the true cross by Empress Helena in the 4th century AD. At the heart of the Meskel celebrations is the symbolic lighting of a large bonfire to commemorate the original fire that, according to legend, Helena lit in search of the cross. For the kindergarten and primary school children, this custom was also performed with a traditional choir and priest. The parents of the kindergarten children were invited to celebrate this special day together with their children and enjoy a delicious buffet together. This year’s DBSAA Meskelfest was once again a wonderful event to develop an awareness of Ethiopia’s cultural diversity and to experience it at first hand.