Korea's Ethiopian community celebrates Meskel in Chuncheon
A Demera bonfire burns during a Meskel celebration in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Sept. 29. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
By Bereket Alemayehu
CHUNCHEON, Gangwon Province — Ethiopia-gil, a road near to the Memorial Hall for Ethiopian Veterans of the Korean War in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, hosted a Meskel celebration for the 14th consecutive year on Sept. 29.
An annual holiday celebrated by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, it commemorates the discovery of the True Cross of Christ in the fourth century. Inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013, the festival was celebrated across Ethiopia on Sept. 27.
The festival in Korea attracted hundreds of people from diverse communities in Korea, and was organized in collaboration with the Ethiopian Bet Association and Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Far East, as well as the dioceses of the United Kingdom, Ireland and surrounding countries and the Holy Mary Church of the Holy Light of South Korea.
David Cha, president of the Ethiopian Bet Association, gave a speech expressing his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined the 14th Ethiopian Road Meskel Festival in the city.
David Cha, third from left, president of the Ethiopian Bet Association, gives a speech during a Meskel celebration in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Sept. 29. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
“Every year when Ethiopians gather like this, it holds great significance for us," he said. "This is a precious time to share our greetings and the warmth of our homeland, and it's irreplaceable. You all play a crucial role in strengthening the relationship between our two countries. I sincerely hope that our children grow up with respect and become great individuals who contribute to the world. They are our future and hope. Today is a day for all of us. Let us celebrate by enjoying the Meskel festival to the fullest and cherishing each other’s presence."
Colorfully dressed priests of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in South Korea offered ceremonial blessings, chanted hymns and prayers, and performed their unique rhythmic dance before the "Demera," or large ceremonial bonfire.
One person in attendance was Chalachew Kindie Mengist, a researcher at Pusan National University's Research Center for Climate Sciences, as well as one of the church's head officers and a member of the festival organizing committee. He told The Korea Times that since the church officially established its presence here in 2019, it has taken part in organizing the festival every year. However, he added that even though it's originally a religious holiday, it attracts everyone who likes Ethiopia's people, culture and traditions, and has been an important aspect of the community that brings together people from all across Korea.
Chalachew Kindie Mengist, a researcher at Pusan National University, participates in a Meskel celebration in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Sept. 29. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
“Historically this place was visited by the last emperor of Ethiopia, King Haile Selassie, in the 1960s, who named the current coffee house, Ethiopia Bet, as the way when Ethiopians come to visit Korea to have a permanent place where they feel comfortable," he said. "The Korean business owners kept that promise for decades, in that mutual tradition evolved between the two societies. So, this is a place where we all come together as a family and feel connected, visit the war veterans’ memorial hall and exhibition, and celebrate our beloved country, Ethiopia. Overall, the annual festival is a time when families and friends celebrate unity.”
Ethiopian journalist Tewodros Assefa came all the way from Ethiopia with a film crew to represent Ethiopian National Television (EBC). For the last seven years, he has traveled to different countries with Ethiopian diaspora communities, filming major holidays they celebrate and making documentaries.
Ethiopian journalist Tewodros Assefa, celebrates Meskel in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Sept. 29. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
“We are happy witnessing such a gathering at the festival," he said. "They all come from different parts of Korean provinces. We know that not many Ethiopians live in Korea, however, it is great to see Ethiopians and Koreans get along and live in coexistence. In addition to documenting the festival, our production is working on featuring the friendship and relationship between the two nations.”
Chuncheon established the Memorial Hall for Ethiopian Veterans of the Korean War here in 2004 after signing a sisterhood agreement with the Ethiopian capital city of Addis Ababa. It also established Ethiopia-gil the same year, which runs through downtown Chuncheon's Geunhwa-dong and passes by the Bukhan River.
Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He's also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative and a freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.