VASILE VLASIN-EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE DIRECTOR: DEBRE LIBANOS IS A MIRACLE OF NATURE AND ART

During an official visit to Ethiopia, ECTT President, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea inaugurated the celebrations marking the inscription of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia`s capital on the WORLD`S CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM list and have a line of high level talks in order to address the advancement of tourism in Ethiopia and the key role of the sector in the country’s social-economic development. (Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, 30 January-8 February 2019).

 

 

Debre Libanos Monastery and natural preserve has provoked awe to the ECTT executives. European Council on Tourism and Trade Director Vasile Vlasin declared that Debre Libanos is one of the world`s top natural and architectural marvels.

 

 

 

The Government of Ethiopia and the Government of Addis Ababa are currently implementing a number of strategic measures to further develop the country’s tourism sector, including investment in infrastructure and capacity building on destination management and product development, through the recently established Tourism Transformation Council.

 

 

Upon an invitation by H.E. Mrs. Sahle Work Zewde F.D.R Ethiopia President, European Council on Tourism and Trade President H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had visited Ethiopia at the head of a high level delegation.

 

These measures reflect how tourism is firmly established among the development drivers of the country, said Head of Government of Addis Ababa Takele Uma Benti in a meeting with President Dr. Anton Caragea, where he expressed his full support to the tourism sector, and the commitment of the Ethiopian government to make sustainability a priority in future tourism development.

 

 

 

Ethiopian art enthused all the representatives of the global tourism institution.

 

European Council on Tourism and Trade President Dr. Anton Caragea commended Ethiopia for the political support awarded to the tourism sector and in particular for integrating tourism as part of its development policy.

 

In 2015 after the decision taken by the European Council on Tourism and Trade to select Ethiopia as the receiver of the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION award the country registered an influx of over 1 million tourists and earned more than 2 billion dollars in 2015/2016 tourism year, numbers never achieved before and after in the Ethiopia`s tourism history.

 

 

The Head of Global Tourism Institution-ECTT H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea gives the start of Addis Ababa Culture and Tourism Festival and of Addis Ababa-WORLD`S CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM manifestations.

 

 

The decision to inscribe Addis Ababa as a WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM will give a new impetus to the country and support is further development appreciated President Dr. Anton Caragea.

 

During his official visit, President Dr. Anton Caragea opened the cultural festival of Addis Ababa: Unity through Culture and officially entrusted  the certificate and award for Addis Ababa as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.

 

The Ethiopia`s President received also the Official Letter for World Leaders in Tourism Development highlighting Ethiopian government responsibilities for protecting culture and heritage and using tourism as a tool for development of their nation.

The Official Letter for World Leaders in Tourism Development is calling on Heads of States and Government to “promote the value of the tourism sector in advancing sustainable tourism development”.

 

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MARKING ADDIS ABABA ROLE AS WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

CEREMONIES FOR ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY CONFERENCE FOR ADDIS ABABA

WORLD TOURISM DAY HOST ADDIS ABABA

NEW ACADEMY MEMBER PRESENTATION: H.E. PRESIDENT SAHLE WORK ZEWDE

NEW ACADEMY MEMBER PRESENTATION: ADDIS ABABA GOVERNMENT HEAD TAKLE BENTI UMA

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An extensive cultural programme was carved out for President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and his delegates  and destined to offer them an extensive Ethiopian experience.

 

European Council on Tourism and Trade delegates having in the center Mr. Mark Doda-Head of Balkan Tourism Organization are enjoying an interesting cultural show in Ethiopia`s capital: Addis Ababa.

 

 

The European Council on Tourism and Trade delegation visited the provinces of Kaffa and Jimma, the birth place of coffee and the famous Palace of Abba Jifar located in Jimma.

Jimma tourism potential and Abba Jiffar Museum as well as the city open markets left an indelible mark on the delegates who appreciated the city architecture and elegance and Islamic heritage potential and valued the impressive remains of the Abba Jifar palace towering over the city.

The ECTT delegation enjoyed also an exclusive tour of the tourism and cultural potential of Addis Ababa environs like the natural crater lakes of Bishoftu and the splendid religious and cultural complex of Debre Libanos.

Debre Libanos unique role in Ethiopian Church development and the rich museum collections of the Debre Libanos Monastery are powerful elements destined to make the area a hot tourism spot.

 

In the familiarization tour around Addis Ababa the delegation had explored the Addis Ababa City Museum, The Ethnographic Museum (hosted in former Imperial palace Genet Leul,  Haile Selassie Museum, National Museum etc.) the Saint George Cathedral and Holy Trinity and Entoto Heritage Area (encompassing the Palace of Emperor Menelik II, Churches Myriam Entoto and Saints Raguel and Elias).

 

 

President Dr. Anton Caragea emphasized the importance for future of Addis Ababa of better highlighting and package the impressive potential of the tourism and cultural preserve of the Entoto Area.

 

 

President Dr. Anton Caragea emphasized as urgency the enacted as a special tourism and cultural preserve of the Entoto Area, in order to ensure its better protection and tourism role in development of Addis Ababa and highly valued the decision taken by the new dispensation of the Head of Government of Adds Ababa Takele Uma Benti to promote a safe and cultural oriented tourism in the city.

 

 

President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea receives an Ethiopian art work from Head of Addis Ababa City Government Eng. Takele Uma Benti. 

 

 

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You can read more about the letter for tourism and development leaders on:

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR CAMBODIA

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR ETHIOPIA

GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR TOURISM: ACADEMICIAN HUN SEN

PHNOM PENH-WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

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President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea delegation included: the Director of European Tourism Academy, Academician Dr. Mircea Constantinescu, Director for Hospitality and Development Mr. Pavel Avramoiu, Mr. Vasile Vlasin-Head of Investment Division in European Council on Tourism and Trade and former Prime Minister Mark Doda, Chairman of Balkan Tourism Organization.

 

ECTT and Ethiopia have agreed to reinforce their collaboration in the areas of cultural protection, historical promotion, sustainable tourism development, public-private partnerships and marketing strategies etc.

The Photo Album of the Addis Ababa-World Capital of Culture and Tourism is accessible here

The Photo Dossier of the Global Tourism Institution visit to Addis Ababa is available here

ECTT TO ENTRUST FDR ETHIOPIA`S LEADER SAHLE WORK ZEWDE WITH THE LETTER FOR WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT

The Office of the President of the GLOBAL TOURISM INSTITUTION (European Council on Tourism and Trade) announced that H.E. President of F.D.R of Ethiopia Ambassador Sahle Work Zewde will receive the OFFICIAL LETTER FOR WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT on behalf of European Tourism Academy “in clear appreciation of your influential vision in carving culture and national heritage of Ethiopia as conducive instruments in building tourism and in ensuring development for your people recognition of the role and significance of tourism on world stage”.

 

Professor Dr. Anton Caragea The President of European Council on Tourism and Trade-ECTT (left) and President of Romania H.E. Professor Dr. Emil Constantinescu on the venue of ECTT Executive Board meeting.

 

 

 

The official letter penned by the Office of the President of European Council on Tourism and Trade outlines the role of tourism in promoting  Ethiopia in the world, in building bridges of cooperation and friendship and highlighting the positive effects of the cooperation between the Presidency of Ethiopia, the local government of Addis Ababa and the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels, cooperation that allowed the nation to continue on the road for development via tourism growth and for poverty reduction strategy:

 

Your activities had created what we are celebrating today: ADDIS ABABA victory and selection as the WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.

Ethiopia is an example of development activities, investment protection and facilitation, economic growth and wealth spreading to the nation and this is the creation of your life long experience and devotion to your people.

 

The world community statement of confidence in the bright future of Ethiopia nation and practical measures put in place, made your country succeeding in the WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM competition in recognition of your nation incredible wealth of traditions, natural treasures, history prowess and contribution to humanity legacy.

The world recognizes that Trade, Travel and Tourism are part of the international life and each and every one of our citizens became a world ambassador and a central actor on world stage.

 

 

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EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY EVENTS PROGRAMME FOR ADDIS ABABA

ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

 

CEREMONIES FOR ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY CONFERENCE FOR ADDIS ABABA

WORLD TOURISM DAY HOST ADDIS ABABA

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Nations that wish to attain their full potential and reach the picks of development, international recognition, economic growth and prosperous life for their citizens can’t remove themselves from the international tourism and trade arena.

Trade and Tourism are the key pillars for countries and billions of people, worldwide, in their efforts to achieve fully their live potential.

European Council on Tourism and Trade had become, and strides to remain, the driving force in the international promotion of culture, and patrimony and encapsulate tourism as the main vector in development and international cooperation.

 

The international recognition of Ethiopia`s President Sahle-Work Zewde comes in the wake of the global tourism institution –European Council on Tourism and Trade decision to recognize Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia and the seat of African union as receiver of the WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM designation.

 

 

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You can read more about tourism and development on:

 

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR CAMBODIA

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR ETHIOPIA

GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR TOURISM: ACADEMICIAN HUN SEN

PHNOM PENH-WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

ACROSS EUROPE CELEBRATION START TO MARK SAINTS EPICTETUS-PRESBYTER AND ASTION-HOLY MONK

2018/2019 will be a year dedicated to the celebration of the Christian heritage of the Europe and also of the unity of the continent and will also mark the Latin continuity and the two millennia of Christian life on Dobruja and Balkans and Asia Minor (today`s Turkey) by presenting  the sacred heritage of Holy Martyrs Epictetus and Astion, has decided the Academic Council of European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT).

Saints Martyrs Epictetus and Astion are perfectly representing the values of today Europe as their life and sacrifice is creating a pilgrimage of faith that is uniting Turkey with Balkans and  Eastern Europe.

During their life and priesthood they spread the Christian light from Asia Minor (nowadays Turkey) through Balkans and obtained their crown of immortality in today Romania-Dubruja/Dobrogea. 

 

By their life work and sacrifice they united Asia and Europe , East and West.

 

They also united Orthodox Christian and Catholic Church as they are celebrated in both rites and are speaking about the unity of Christianity in the world of today, they are the bridge that can and will unite the two Christian Churches.

They are also a perfect example of sacrifice and life offered in the service of Our Savior Jesus Christ, has highlighted their significance Professor Dr. Anton Caragea – ECTT President.

Europe of our days needs to be remembered his Latin/Roman and Christian roots and we must not overlook that we are the beneficiaries of two millennia of Christian legacy this are fundamental dates of the historical evolution of European culture.

Murighiol Cathedral dedicated to Saints Martyrs Epictetus and Astion.

The center of European Cultural Pilgrimage Year 2018/2019.

 

In this perspective, the  Saints Martyrs Epictetus and Astion role is a fundamental one as we are speaking of the oldest historically proven martyrs of the Church on the territory of Eastern Europe, they are not only teaching us on the uninterrupted continuity of civilization on the banks of Danube, but also are offering us a lesson on the love for Christ of our people, even more resounding as we are having here saints registered in the Catholic and Orthodox pantheon  so truly universal saints testifying for the Holy Church in his wholeness, saints that are making Europe proud of her  legacy, concluded the historical presentation of the moment President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea.

The Halmyris-Murighiol fortification today. A central point of the map of cultural and historical treasures of Dobrogea (Dobruja).

 

The focal point of the celebrations for 2018/2019 THE YEAR OF SAINTS MARTYRS EPICTETUS AND ASTION will take place on July 8, 2018 and on July 8, 2019 (dates marking the beginning and the end of the celebrations) on Murighiol (former roman city of Halmyris) in the cathedral of Saints Epictetus and Astion with a special mass taking place in the honor of the holy martyrs of Christian faith and of European Christian legacy and heritage: Saints EPICTETUS and ASTION.

 

The celebrations will be lead by European cultural, religious and political personalities and by representatives of all Christian faith denominations leaders and will also have European Council on Tourism and Trade President-Professor Dr. Anton Caragea in attendance.

 

The proposal for an European wide celebration of  Saints EPICTETUS and ASTION was made by Romania and unanimously approved by European Council on Tourism and Trade as an European Cultural Pilgrimage Program dedicated to highlight the cultural richness and potential of heritage to unite peoples and traditions.

 

 

The excavated ruins of the Roman Cathedral built on VIII century on the spot where Saints Epictetus and Astion  suffered martyrdom for their faith in Jesus Christ in  290 after Chr.

ON SAINTS MARTYRS EPICTETUS AND ASTION.

It is the celebration of the oldest holy martyrs known as the territory of Dobrogea, Epictetus and Astion, the Orthodox Church commemorates on 8 July.

Description of life and their passion was kept in the Acts of the Martyrs with large details.

They are known as saints Halmyris, the ancient Christian city located on the banks of the Danube that was called in ancient times “Almyra”. They suffered a martyr’s death during fierce persecution against the Christian church triggered by Emperor Diocletian (244-311) on 8 July 290. Surely they are the martyrs old Dobrogea certified undoubtedly springs hagiographic.

The terrible proof of martyrdom: the beheaded sacred bodies of the saints discovered after an 1700 years hiatus. 

Life and their passion has being given large coverage in the Acts of the Martyrs, and their holy martyr act were kept only in a later century copy. XV, located in the Church of the Saviour in Utrecht and was published in 1615 by Jesuit scholar Herbert Rosweyde († 1629).

In 1921, Benedictine Dom Germain Morin discovered in remembrance of martyrology Ieronimian St. Epictetus and Astion on May 23 in “The S.S. Epicteto presbytero et Astion monachu martyribus Almiridensibus in Scythia “, confirming the veracity of statements he Acta Sanctorum, edited by H. Rosweyde, mentioned above.

 

Acta Sanctorum took passages from a study of its impact on the two saints and martyrs renowned researcher and historian Netzhammer Raymund (1862-1945), Catholic archbishop arrived in Bucharest and left posterity work Epiktet und Astion, diokletianische Martyrer I Danaudelta, Zug. 1937.

HISTORICAL LANDMARKS.

 

Saints Epictetus and Astion from Halmyris.

 

Saint Epictetus, priest, and Saint Astion, originals from Asia Minor, were martyrs for Christ in the 3rd century in Scytia Minor (the today Romanian region Dobruja-Dobrogea, situated between Danube and the Black Sea).

They were originally from Little Asia.

Information about their lives is known only from a copy of a 15th century manuscript kept in the archive of the Savior Church in Utrecht, published in 1615 by the Jesuit monk Herbert Rosweyde, the initiator of the hagiographic collections Acta Sanctorum, under the title “SS. Epicteto presbytero et Astion monacho, martirybus Almiridiensibus in Scythia “.

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