Addis Ababa — More than 189,000 domestic and international tourists have visited the Adwa Victory Memorial over the past 11 months, according to Girum Girma, Director General of the Adwa Victory Memorial.
Built in Addis Ababa to commemorate Ethiopia’s historic victory at the Battle of Adwa, the memorial has become a major cultural landmark.
It stands as a symbol of African freedom and black empowerment, attracting a growing number of visitors and hosting numerous national events.
In an exclusive interview with ENA, Girum Girma, stated that the memorial has seen a steady increase in visitor numbers since its opening.
He emphasized that the growing public interest reflects a deep desire to connect with the artistic expression of the Adwa victory and to understand the historic achievement that united the nation.
“In the last 11 months alone, the memorial welcomed around 189,000 visitors, generating close to 147.3 million birr from ticket sales, hosted events, and other services,” Girum said.
“The memorial plays a vital role in helping citizens and foreign guests alike visualize and internalize the victory they once only read about in history books.”
The Prime Minister, during the 42nd regular session of the House of People’s Representatives, also noted that Ethiopia hosted over 150 international conferences this year, double the number held during the previous fiscal period.
This surge in tourism and global engagement is attributed to a series of key reforms and infrastructure enhancements, including relaxed immigration policies, the expansion of Ethiopian Airlines, growth in the hospitality industry, development of economic corridors, and the ongoing improvement of major tourist destinations.
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As part of this broader tourism push, landmarks such as Unity Park, the Science Museum, Friendship Park, and the National Palace attracted around 1.5 million visitors in the past year, generating over half a billion birr in revenue.
The Adwa Victory Memorial, in particular, is also emerging as a preferred venue for various cultural and academic events, boosting Ethiopia’s conference tourism and foreign exchange earnings.
Visitors expressed pride and admiration for the memorial. Sadem Qasim said he was thrilled to witness the rich historical artifacts on display, noting that it reinforced Ethiopia’s legacy as a country with a powerful past.
Hanan Mohammed highlighted that the commemoration of the Adwa victory instills a strong sense of identity and educates the younger generation.
Another visitor, Belay Haile, described the memorial as both impressive and emotionally moving, stating that it allowed him to “see the victory of Adwa in person.”
The memorial features a topographic map of the Adwa mountain range, a virtual reality experience that reconstructs the key events of the battle, and several interactive exhibits that bring history to life for guests.
The Adwa Victory Memorial continues to serve not only as a historical site but also as a source of pride and inspiration for Ethiopians and all people of African descent around the world.
