Ethiopia Celebrates New Millennium
Addis Ababa Leads Preparations to Welcome the third millennium
Once again, preparations are underway to welcome the third millennium, except on this occasion, by adherents of the ancient Ethiopian Coptic calendar.
The advent of the third millennium (according to the Gregorian calendar) created a universal sense of expectation and promise of a new chapter in the course of world history. This expectation was underlined by uncertainty about the future as rumours of an imminent breakdown in global IT infrastructure, commonly referred to as the ‘millennium bug’, circulated the media. While these fears were unfounded, the prelude to the millennium did invite a collective appraisal of global achievements and shortcomings since the beginnings of human endeavour.
The Year of Dialogue among Civilisations
A notable response to this event was provided by the United Nations General Assembly in the form of Resolution 53/22, reaffirmed at its fifty-fourth session in December 1999, to establish a ' Year of Dialogue among Civilisations'.
The General Assembly emphasised the indispensable role that cultural diplomacy plays in efforts to secure peace and strengthen interaction among civilizations, and welcomed ‘the collective endeavour of the international community to enhance understanding through constructive dialogue among civilizations at the threshold of the third millennium’.
By taking these steps at the conclusion of the second millennium and advent of the third, the international community signified the importance of cultural diplomacy and demonstrated an awareness of its potential impact on the behaviour of civilisations to effect positive change.
The Coptic Millennium
Once again, preparations are underway to welcome the third millennium with the same sense of expectation, except on this occasion, the millennium will be celebrated by adherents of the ancient Ethiopian Coptic calendar; which places the beginning of the third Millennium at 12 September 2007, seven plus years behind the millennium of the more commonly used Gregorian calendar.
Ethiopia sits in the 'horn of Africa' and has a rich cultural heritage that is unique among African nations. Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, is set to lead celebrations as it finalises plans for a great Ethiopian run, banquets, concerts, tree plantings and other such festivities. These plans represent the culmination of diligent efforts by the Ethiopian Millennium Festival National Council to mark a truly memorable occasion.
The majority Oromo and Amara people of Ethiopia combine with other ethnic groups to form a party that has a prolific guest list of over 70 million residents. Furthermore, these celebrations are not restricted to Ethiopians as the party atmosphere has spread throughout Africa.
AU Declaration on the Ethiopian Millennium
Not willing to miss out on a good celebration, the remaining 52 States of the African Union joined Ethiopia at the African Union Summit of January 2007, to call on all Africans to mark this occasion and embrace these celebrations.
The Summit declaration urged ‘all Member States of the African Union, the Commission of the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities to extend their support towards the successful celebration of this unique African occasion – the Ethiopian Millennium’.
These events serve to reveal the rich diversity of culture that exists within the international community and relates a narrative of cultural coexistence that celebrates diversity and yet thrives on cohesion.
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