Jeddah: The annual festival of the Eritrean Community in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was conducted with patriotic zeal from 9 to 15 November. The event, a significant cultural gathering, aimed to celebrate and promote Eritrean heritage and unity among the diaspora.
According to African Press Organization, the festival was officially inaugurated by Mr. Abdurahman Osman, Eritrea’s Consul General in Jeddah. The celebration featured a variety of activities including photo and video presentations, traditional and cultural displays representing Eritrea’s ethnic groups, and bazaars showcasing products from Eritrean families and artifacts. Cultural and artistic performances, along with sports competitions involving youth from various age groups, added vibrancy to the event.
During the festival, Mr. Estifanos Habtemariam, Director General of the Desks Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided an extensive briefing on the current situation in Eritrea, as well as regional and global developments. He emphasized the vital role of Eritrean nationals abroad in contributing to national affairs and commended the diaspora for their contributions to national development programs. Mr. Estifanos called for the strengthening of organizational capacity, awareness, and unity among the nationals.
Participants expressed their unwavering connection to their homeland, government, and defense forces. They conveyed a strong commitment to enhancing their involvement and contributions to national affairs, reinforcing the sense of community and shared purpose among Eritreans living abroad.