The 16th Ethiopia Gil World Coffee Festival & Meskel Festival to Be Held in Chuncheon

Ethiopian traditional 'Meskel Demera Bonfire Ceremony' and Peace Solidarity Declaration
Exhibition on 22 Korean War participating nations, Chuseok citizen singing contest, and autumn night busking
Direct experience of traditional clay pot 'Jebena' authentic Ethiopian coffee ceremony
World Coffee Culture Photography Exhibition winning works and citizen friendship soccer match
Chuncheon Mayor Yuk Dong-han, Chuncheon City Council members, Ethiopian Ambassador to Korea, ministers, consuls, and other prominent figures in massive attendance
[KBS Chuncheon] The Ethiopia Bet Corporation (Chairman Cha David) will grandly host The 16th Ethiopia Gil World Coffee Festival & Meskel Festival for three days from September 25 (Friday) to September 27 (Sunday) around the Geunhwa Waterside Cultural Square Forest in Chuncheon-si, Gangwon State.

This festival is organized as a global cultural harmony venue where citizens visiting their hometowns during the Chuseok holiday, returnees, and resident Ethiopian expatriates can mingle together. In particular, this year's event features a wider array of colorful and rich programs, including Ethiopia's largest traditional festival, the 'Meskel' ceremony, a special exhibition honoring the 22 Korean War participating nations, citizen-participatory performances, and authentic coffee culture experiences.

■ [Core Main Event] Flames of Peace and Harmony, 'Meskel Festival'

The highlight of the festival, the 'Meskel Festival', will unfold on the main stage on September 27 (Sunday). Ethiopia's traditional heritage, the 'Demera Bonfire Lighting Ceremony' and a peace dance performance will take place, with VIPs from various fields, including Chuncheon Mayor Yuk Dong-han and the Deputy Ethiopian Ambassador to Korea, attending together to declare the 'Ethiopia Gil Peace and Culture Solidarity'.

■ [History & Veterans Exhibition] 22 Participating Nations Guide Exhibition and Veterans Memorial Tribute

A '22 Participating Nations Guide Exhibition' commemorating the historical ties between Gangwon State/Chuncheon and the Korean War will be set up across the festival grounds, offering visitors a meaningful venue for veterans' culture education. On the final day of the festival, a memorial flower-laying ceremony at the Veterans Monument will also be held.

■ [Sensory Satisfaction Experience] Traditional 'Jebena' Coffee Ceremony & Finding My Coffee

A large-scale coffee ceremony (1,000-person tasting event) where visitors can experience the authentic culture of Ethiopia, the homeland of coffee, will also be held. Spectators can directly taste coffee extracted through the traditional Ethiopian clay pot 'Jebena' and enjoy the pleasure of finding coffee that perfectly matches their taste through various coffee booth stamp tours.

■ [Citizen Harmony] Chuseok Gongjicheon Autumn Busking & Citizen Singing Contest

Abundant entertainment is prepared for citizens welcoming the holiday. The 'Gongjicheon Autumn Busking' to embroider the autumn nights during the Chuseok holiday, the 'Citizen & Exchange Karaoke' where citizens themselves become the stars of the stage, and a Korea-Ethiopia friendship soccer match through sports will be held, creating unforgettable Chuseok memories for visitors.

Cha David, Chairman of the Ethiopia Bet Corporation, stated, "This festival will go beyond a mere viewing event, serving as a special time where Chuncheon citizens, returnees, and foreign expatriates share the value of peace with a warm coffee aroma," adding, "As the Chuncheon Mayor and many distinguished guests will join us, we ask for much interest and participation from the citizens."

[Event Overview]
Event Name: The 16th Ethiopia Gil World Coffee Festival & Meskel Festival
Dates: September 25 (Fri) ~ September 27 (Sun), 2026 / 3 days
Location: Around Geunhwa Waterside Cultural Square Forest, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon State
Hosts: Gangwon State, Chuncheon City, Embassy of Ethiopia in Korea, Ethiopia Bet Corp.
Key VIPs: Mayor of Chuncheon, Deputy Ethiopian Ambassador to Korea, National Assembly Members, Provincial/City Council Members, etc.

[Major Program Schedule Summary]
September 25 (Fri) [Chuseok Citizen Harmony & Autumn Night Shelter]

15:00 ~ 17:00 : Chuseok Traditional Folk Games & Quiz Show
17:00 ~ 18:30 : Chuseok Special Citizen Karaoke
18:30 ~ 21:00 : Chuseok Special Gongjicheon Autumn Busking Performance
September 26 (Sat) [Coffee & Sports/Song Exchange]

14:00 ~ 16:30 : Authentic Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony (1,000-person Free Tasting)
15:00 ~ 17:00 : Resident Ethiopian Team vs. Chuncheon Citizens Friendship Soccer Match (Gongjicheon Artificial Turf Stadium)
16:30 ~ 18:30 : Gongjicheon Citizen & Exchange Song Festival (Citizen Singing Contest)
18:30 ~ 21:00 : Chuseok Special Gongjicheon Autumn Busking Performance
September 27 (Sun) [Meskel Festival & Peace Declaration Ceremony]

11:30 ~ 12:30 : Veterans Monument Memorial Flower-Laying
14:00 ~ 14:30 : Peace & Culture Solidarity Declaration Ceremony (Attendance of Chuncheon Mayor and other VIPs)
14:30 ~ 16:30 : Meskel & Demera Bonfire Lighting Ceremony and Dance of Peace
Ongoing Operations: 22 Participating Nations Guide Exhibition, Coffee and Culture Experience Booth Stamp Tour