Ethiopians mark Meskel festival amid renewed calls for peace

Ethiopians across the country gathered to commemorate Meskel, the centuries-old Christian festival marking the discovery of the True Cross, even as conflict continues to affect large portions of the nation.

The celebrations, which typically draw crowds for processions, prayers, and communal gatherings, took on added significance this year as participants used the occasion to voice hopes for peace. In regions touched by fighting, the festival provided a rare moment of collective observance transcending the divisions fueling the country's ongoing instability.

Meskel, observed on September 27 annually, remains one of Ethiopia's most important religious and cultural observances. The festival carries particular resonance in Ethiopian Orthodox tradition and has long served as a unifying occasion for communities across the diverse nation.

Officials and civil society groups used the festival platform to reiterate appeals for dialogue and conflict resolution. The juxtaposition of traditional celebrations with the stark reality of ongoing fighting underscored the humanitarian toll of Ethiopia's security situation and the population's desire for stability.