Preparations and Pre-Events for the 2026 Irreecha Festival Underway in Finfinnee and Bishoftu

Various cultural and sporting events are being conducted across Finfinnee, Bishoftu, and other parts of Oromia in connection with the 2026 Irreecha festival. According to Birhanu Bufee, Senior Advisor at the Oromia Culture and Sports Bureau, Irreecha Hora Finfinnee will be celebrated on October 3, 2026 (Meskerem 23, 2019 EC), followed by Irreecha Hora Harsadi on October 4, 2026 (Meskerem 24, 2019 EC). Pre-festival activities began earlier and include traditional Goobee and Shinooyyee cultural exhibitions, the Miss Irreecha competition, and the Great Irreecha Run. The running event attracted around 50,000 participants, including 1,000 professional athletes, with top cash prizes of up to one million birr for male and female winners. Urjii Biqilaa was crowned Miss Irreecha and pledged to promote the cultural values and heritage of Irreecha during her one-year tenure. Prominent athletic figures, including Tirunesh Dibaba and Ethiopian Athletics Federation President Sileshi Sihine, attended the sports event, highlighting its potential to boost international awareness and tourism.