Ethiopia has reaffirmed its commitment to cultural diplomacy and international cooperation through an impressive participation at the 11th St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum, held from September 11 to 13, in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. The high-level Ethiopian delegation, led by Nefisa Almehadi, State Minister of Culture and Sports, engaged in a series of high-impact events aimed at promoting Ethiopia’s diverse cultural heritage and strengthening people-to-people relations between Ethiopia and Russia.
In her keynote address at the opening session, State Minister Nefisa highlighted Ethiopia’s unique cultural tapestry as a national asset that fosters unity, resilience, and creativity. She underscored the role of culture as a powerful tool for dialogue, peacebuilding, and global cooperation, stressing Ethiopia’s longstanding belief in the value of international cultural exchange.
As part of the forum, Ethiopia launched a landmark cultural presentation titled “KIN Ethiopia: Ethiopia Rising,” with the Ethiopia Rising Art Troupe staging a vibrant showcase at the iconic Alexandrinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. The troupe, consisting of over 70 performers, captivated audiences with Ethiopia’s traditional music, dance, fashion, and coffee culture, offering a rare window into the nation’s ancient civilization and living traditions.
The celebration of culture continued in Moscow on September 15, with the second leg of the tour held at the prestigious Philharmonic Hall, drawing a diverse audience of diplomats, Russian citizens, members of the Ethiopian diaspora, and international guests. Audiences were warmly welcomed with Ethiopia’s traditional coffee ceremony, adding an authentic and intimate dimension to the evening.
In her remarks at the Moscow event, Nefisa extended Ethiopian New Year greetings and congratulated the Ethiopian people and their friends on the successful completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a symbol of national pride and achievement. The cultural performance paid tribute not only to Ethiopia’s heritage but also acknowledged the cultural richness of the host nation, highlighting mutual respect and shared values between the two countries.
These cultural showcases, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian Embassy in Moscow, in partnership with Shakura Production, were also part of a broader public diplomacy effort to promote Ethiopia’s image as a cultural and tourism destination.
Ethiopia’s diplomatic outreach in Russia also extended to the field of sports. On the sidelines of the cultural events, State Minister Nefisa held a bilateral meeting with Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation. The two sides reached an agreement to enhance cooperation in various areas, including sports science, athletic training, sports academy administration, and technology transfer.
Minister Degtyarev emphasized that federations in athletics, football, boxing, and aquatic sports would be informed to initiate collaborative programs. Furthermore, Russian universities are expected to provide training opportunities for Ethiopian students, underscoring the long-term educational and institutional aspects of the agreement.
This year’s engagements carry added historical significance as Ethiopia and Russia celebrate over 120 years of diplomatic relations, a partnership marked by shared values of sovereignty, mutual respect, and non-interference. In a press briefing, Ambassador Nebiyu Tedla, Director General of Public Diplomacy at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscored the role of cultural diplomacy in deepening bilateral understanding and fostering enduring people-to-people ties.
Ethiopia’s participation in the 11th St. Petersburg International United Cultures Forum, complemented by cultural showcases in St. Petersburg and Moscow and new avenues of cooperation in sports, signals a dynamic and forward-looking phase in Ethio-Russian relations. Through art, culture, and sport, Ethiopia continues to expand its global footprint, using soft power to build bridges and cultivate partnerships grounded in mutual appreciation and shared aspirations.