World · Latin America · 3 hrs ago
Ethiopian imperial family visits Mexico City after more than 70 years
Yisehak Fikre Selassie, great-grandson of Ethiopia’s Haile Selassie I, visited Mexico City with his wife and daughters on October 20.
His great-grandfather visited the city in 1954 to thank Mexicans for supporting Ethiopia after Italy invaded in 1935.
That visit led to the opening of Plaza Etiopía, and the city’s Etiopía Metro station also recalls the connection.
At the University of the Cloister of Sor Juana, Yisehak gave a talk on Ethiopian art and rock-hewn churches.
He also opened an exhibition featuring 12 of his artworks, which draw on Ethiopian traditions, spirituality and modern art.
Yisehak left Ethiopia in 1974 and later studied art in the United States and Rome; the exhibition is open for a limited time, though no closing date was given.
Yisehak Fikre Selassie, great-grandson of Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie I, visited Mexico City with his family on October 20.
The visit took place at the University of the Cloister of Sor Juana and included a talk on Ethiopian art and rock-hewn churches.
Selassie also opened an exhibition featuring 12 of his artworks.
He was accompanied by his wife, Asqual Teferi, and their daughters, Princesses Gigi and Lissie.
The visit renewed cultural and historical ties that date back to Haile Selassie I’s visit to Mexico in 1954.
- Who
- Yisehak Fikre Selassie, his wife Asqual Teferi and their daughters, Princesses Gigi and Lissie.
- What
- The Ethiopian imperial family visited Mexico City. Yisehak gave a talk and opened an exhibition of his art.
- When
- October 20; the article was published October 22, 2026.
- Where
- The University of the Cloister of Sor Juana in Mexico City.
- Why
- To strengthen historical and cultural ties between Ethiopia and Mexico through an exchange focused on art and heritage.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Benito Mussolini invaded Ethiopia.
Emperor Haile Selassie I visited Mexico City and inaugurated Plaza Etiopía.
Yisehak Fikre Selassie went into exile from Ethiopia and settled in the United States.
Yisehak graduated in arts, specializing in illustration, from the Rhode Island School of Design.
Yisehak and his family visited the University of the Cloister of Sor Juana, where he gave a talk and opened an exhibition.
- Visitor
- Yisehak Fikre Selassie, great-grandson of Haile Selassie I
- Visit date
- October 20
- Venue
- University of the Cloister of Sor Juana, Mexico City
- Exhibition
- 12 artworks
- Historic visit
- Haile Selassie I visited Mexico City in 1954
- Art degree
- Rhode Island School of Design, 1988