In a move sure to strike confusion in the minds of scores of backpackers, Ethiopia is gearing up for a huge concert to celebrate the advent of the millennium.
As the country uses the Julian calendar (abandoned by the West in the 16th century), it will enter the new millennium on September 12th this year, some seven years after most of the world welcomed the 21st century.
A glitzy New Year's concert will be held in a new 20,000 capacity venue in Addis Ababa, with Beyonce, Janet Jackson and 50 Cent rumoured to appear.
However, the celebrations have garnered criticism due to the allegation that Saudi-Ethiopian magnate Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi has paid $10 million to build the venue.
Ethiopia is ranked 170th out of 177 in the United Nations' Human Development Index and locals have said that dealing with the nation's poverty-stricken population should be a top priority.
Speaking to Reuters, Fasile Abebe, an Addis Ababa tax driver, said: "We could spend smarter… I have no time for this Millennium."
Mulugeta Aserate Kassa, public relations chief for the committee in charge of the festivities, was more buoyant, commenting: "It's time for the nation to undergo a renaissance. A renaissance in our way of doing things - and in our acceptance of a democratic society."
Legendary runner Haile Gebrselassie will lead a ten kilometer Millennium Race as part of the celebrations.
