Irreecha Celebrations See Rising Costs for Attendees

Tens of thousands of people gathered at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa last week to celebrate the annual Irreecha thanksgiving festival. The cultural event was marked by vibrant colors, traditional songs, and cultural dances. However, many attendees who traveled from various regions to the capital faced significant financial burdens due to rising inflation. The overall cost of celebrating the festival climbed well above last year's expenses across multiple sectors. Key areas seeing price hikes included round-trip transportation, hotel lodging, traditional Oromo attire, and ceremonial items required for the day's events. Despite the economic strain, thousands still participated in preserving and celebrating their cultural traditions.