July 05, 2025
Abraham Tekle
Bridging Borders Through Tradition and Trade
As the rhythm of traditional Ethiopian drums echoes alongside Romanian folk melodies this August, a cultural festival bridging the Horn of Africa and Eastern Europe promises more than just music and dance. It offers diplomacy draped in vibrant cloth, garnished with shared meals, and staged through centuries-old art forms.
From August 29 to September 7, 2025, the Inter Luxury venue in Bucharest will host the Ethio-Romania Cultural Festival, a celebration aimed at weaving stronger social and diplomatic ties between the two nations. Organizers describe the event not only as a showcase of culture but as a deliberate strategy to deepen bilateral cooperation in areas ranging from trade and investment to tourism and education.
Organizers say the event will go beyond entertainment, positioning itself as a platform for fostering mutual understanding and unlocking opportunities in trade, investment, and tourism. The festival is expected to welcome a host of dignitaries, including Călin Florin Groza, a member of the Romanian Parliament; Andinet Bekele, Chairman of the Ethiopian Community in Romania; and business leaders and diplomats from both countries.
At its heart, the event reflects a growing global trend: using cultural diplomacy to open doors previously locked by geopolitics or economic barriers. In this context, the Ethio-Romania Festival will offer not only traditional performances but also curated exhibitions of Ethiopian artwork, textiles, and export-ready products. Symposiums on Ethiopian coffee, leather goods, and investment opportunities are also planned, designed to entice Romanian businesses and investors toward the Ethiopian market.
Ethiopia and Romania share a diplomatic relationship that spans more than six decades. Trade between the two countries remains modest but growing. While economic exchange between the two countries has traditionally involved Ethiopian exports such as coffee and legumes, and Romanian goods including wheat and electrical components, both nations are now looking to broaden the scope. Recent efforts have focused on strengthening ties in technology, agriculture, banking, and vocational education.
Romania, which considers Ethiopia a key partner in its “Romania-Africa Strategy,” has already begun offering technological assistance to Ethiopian schools. The festival, in this light, is more than soft power—it is an extension of policy.
But culture, officials emphasize, remains a central pillar of the relationship.
Since its formation, the Ethiopian Community in Romania has played a critical role in promoting Ethiopian heritage abroad—organizing events that highlight the country’s cuisine, attire, tourism, and religious practices. The upcoming festival, organizers say, will build on this legacy, targeting not only the diplomatic corps but also the wider Romanian public.
Andinet Bekele, who has long championed Ethiopian-Romanian ties, said the festival represents more than just a celebration—it marks a strategic milestone.
“Our ties with Romania go beyond protocol,” he said. “They reflect six decades of collaboration in education, trade, and diplomacy. This festival is an opportunity to introduce Ethiopia to a new audience and to forge new partnerships that span culture, commerce, and connectivity.”
Tourism is a key area of mutual interest. Ethiopia, which boasts ancient religious sites, breathtaking landscapes, and diverse cultural heritage, sees Romania as a potential market for tourism growth. Likewise, Romanian officials hope the event will drive reciprocal interest in their own culture and historic attractions.
Endegena Abebe (PhD), Ethiopia’s tourism minister, underscored the festival’s importance in elevating Ethiopia’s global image and diversifying its tourist base. He also hinted at the potential for new air connectivity between the two nations, which could bolster tourism and trade alike.
For his part, Romanian lawmaker Călin Florin Groza used the festival as a stage to articulate his country’s growing ambition to strengthen ties with the African continent—anchored in its strategy, “Romania–Africa: A Partnership for the Future – through Peace, Development, and Education.”
Speaking at the event, Groza emphasized Ethiopia’s central role within this strategy, identifying the country as a key partner in both Romania’s broader Africa engagement and in its Multiannual Program for International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance.
“Ethiopia is a nation with a remarkable history, a unique culture, and a vital role in its region,” Groza said. “Romania values Ethiopia’s contributions to peace, stability, and integration in the Horn of Africa. This festival is more than a cultural celebration—it is a platform for public diplomacy, artistic exchange, tourism promotion, and the creation of new academic and economic partnerships.”
Groza also highlighted tangible progress in bilateral cooperation. In recent years, Romania has supported a range of joint initiatives with Ethiopia, including the donation of medical equipment to Millennium St. Paul Hospital, IT support for schools such as Lideta Catholic School and Tiya High School, and joint projects in health, education, and digital transformation.
Looking ahead, Groza noted Romania’s commitment to expanding cooperation into emerging areas such as sustainable agriculture, green energy, and scientific innovation.
A Community on the Rise
At the heart of the growing bilateral relationship is the vibrant Ethiopian community in Romania, Andinet pointed to the community’s growing presence across a range of sectors. Over the past six years, he said, the number of Ethiopians working in Romania has grown significantly, alongside a surge in Ethiopian-owned businesses—from traditional restaurants and bars to retail shops and clothing stores—particularly in Bucharest.
Andinet credited Tsega Kebede, Ethiopia’s ambassador to Switzerland, for helping establish the Ethiopian community network in Romania. “We currently have about 2,000 official members, although many more are not members yet,” he told The Reporter.
The Ethio-Romania Festival, he emphasized, serves both symbolic and practical purposes—celebrating heritage while supporting the community. “Some Ethiopians have opened Habesha restaurants, the first of their kind at this level. This festival is crucial for promoting Ethiopian tourism and introducing our culture to new markets,” he said.
Tourism, officials say, is a sector on the rise. Endegena said the Ethiopian government is intensifying efforts to promote the sector, with support from both the Ministry and the public. “The festival is a golden opportunity to connect with travel agencies and strategic partners,” he said, “and to highlight Ethiopia’s diverse and rich tourist destinations.”
He noted that this year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Romania—a relationship historically rooted in cooperation across education, healthcare, technology, and trade. Now, he said, both nations are working to revitalize those ties with a renewed emphasis on tourism and investment.
In the end, the Ethio-Romania Festival is more than a celebration—it is a symbol of a shared future. As both countries look to expand their bilateral cooperation, the festival offers a model for how cultural engagement can translate into economic opportunity and enduring partnership.
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