Across the nation, Ethiopians stretched their muscles and tested their flexibility while celebrating International Yoga day on Monday, June 21.
Other than India itself, Ethiopia held the highest number of yoga events in the world, according to Indian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Robert Shetkintong.
Over 100 yoga events were held in cities across Ethiopia, including 26 universities, 50 factories, and the famous Unity Park in Addis. The Embassy of India also held a seminar on yoga and its benefits. A yoga teacher from Ethiopia, Mahlet Sebsibe, also held a demonstration session.
“Yoga is good for physical as well as mental health. It helps an individual to unite with her/his inner strength and protects us from all negativities,” stated the press release about the celebration.
International Yoga Day was established December 11, 2014 after the United Nations, including both Ethiopia and India, unanimously adopted a resolution to observe the holiday on June 21 every year.
Yoga is an ancient and traditional practice in India, with ties to both Hinduism and Buddhism. It involves sets of positions, different meditation and relaxation techniques, and breathing exercises. It has become a popular form of exercise around the world.

After a year marked by the cancellation and postponement of events, Also Known As Africa (AKAA) returns in 2021 with energy and determination and continues to stand for a multi-faceted Africa, which transcends historical boundaries and whose artistic voices resonated in the four corners of the world.
This past spring, AKAA in collaboration with Manifesta, took up residence in Lyon from May 19 to July 16, 2021. By imagining a new hybrid format between fair and exhibit, AKAA presented an exhibition (for sale) inviting 13 artists whose work responds to a curatorial theme developed by Armelle Dakouo, Artistic Director of AKAA. Energized by the incredible success of this new format, AKAA presents its upcoming edition, back at the Carreau du Temple, with a cutting edge selection of exhibitors.
With 32 international galleries and over a 100 artists from all over the world, AKAA has become, in six editions, an event not to be missed for collectors, art professionals and amateurs of contemporary art. AKAA is thrilled to announce the return of many exhibitors such as galleries MAGNIN-A – Paris, MOV’ART – Angola/Lisboa, October Gallery – London or THK Gallery – Cape Town, as well as the new participation of Montague Contemporary – New York, Rhizome Gallery – Algiers, Motion Art Gallery – Cairo, BKhz -Johannesburg, Krystel Ann Art – Lisboa, Open Art Exchange – Schiedam, By Lara Sedbon – Paris, Galerie Véronique Rieffel – Abidjan and Voss Gallery -Dusseldorf.
AKAA is much more than an art fair. With its cultural platform, AKAA builds bridges between disciplines. Every year art professionals from around the world are invited to participate in les Rencontres AKAA and join in the conversation around contemporary art from Africa and rethink the codes of the international art market. This year, Les Rencontres AKAA’s cultural program is entitled: “Against the flow of Time”.