Aurora Sister  Cities International and Denver sister cities International are partnering to bring you the trip of a lifetime. From September 26-October 12 2019 you will visit historic Ethiopia during two of the country’s most revered celebrations. Meskel is an annual religious holiday in the Ethiopian Orthodox and Eritrean Orthodox churches  most famous for the burning of a large bonfire, or Demera, based on the belief that Queen Eleni had a revelation in a dream. Irreecha is a Thanksgiving holiday celebrated by Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, the Oromo. The Oromo people celebrate Irreecha to thank Waaqa (God) for the blessings and mercies they have celebrated the previous year. During the tour, you will also visit the historic UNESCO World Heritage site of Lalibela and its 11 “hidden” rock-hewn churches; the biblically-relevant city of  Axum, the Awash National Park; and the Addis Ababa’s famous Merkato.