On the 9th of June 2017, Brussel’s iconic Manneken-Pis received an Ethiopian traditional costume. A colorful ceremony including Ethiopian dances and cuisine was organized at the Brussels Town Hall for the handing-over of the costume, in the presence of Ethiopian Ambassador H.E. Teshome Toga and Mrs Clémentine Barzin, Brussels Municipal Councillor. About fifty guests from the Brussel’s Manneken-Pis Order, universities, and other friends of Ethiopia attended the ceremony.
Welcoming the guests, Mrs Clémentine Barzin noted that Ethiopia was a country with a long and grand history, and that it was especially pleasant to see that this Ethiopian culture was going to be linked to Brussels through Manneken-Pis.
In his remarks, H.E. Ambassador Teshome Toga underlined the longstanding and close friendship between Ethiopia and Belgium, which is particularly intense in the field of academic cooperation and people-to-people relations.
A procession then went to the statue of Manneken-Pis where the costume was unveiled to the participants.
Manneken-Pis is one of Brussels landmark and symbols since the year 1619.
The Ethiopian costume was prepared by the Ethiopian fashion design company Store251.
