From Ethiopia to Liverpool: A Family’s Golden Memory at the Premier League Victory Parade

Ethiopian Tribune – May 28, 2025

The city of Liverpool witnessed something truly extraordinary on May 26, 2025 – a celebration that brought together families from across the globe, including our own Ethiopian diaspora community, to witness Liverpool FC’s historic Premier League championship parade. What started as a joyous family reunion turned into an unforgettable day of triumph, challenges, and the unbreakable spirit of the Reds faithful.

A Long-Awaited Reunion

For many Ethiopian families living across the UK and beyond, the Liverpool FC championship parade became more than just a football celebration – it was a precious opportunity for family reunions. Brothers and sisters who hadn’t seen each other for months, children meeting their grandparents, and friends scattered across different continents all converged on this Merseyside city with one shared passion: celebrating Liverpool’s 20th Premier League title.

The atmosphere was electric from the early morning hours. Families arrived from Surrey, London, Birmingham, Manchester, and even from as far as Bermuda and Ethiopia, many wearing the iconic red jerseys alongside traditional Ethiopian scarves and flags. The diversity of the crowd reflected Liverpool FC’s global appeal – a testament to how football transcends borders and brings people together.

Following the Parade: A Day of Pure Joy

The parade began at 2:30 PM, with the team traveling on open-top buses along the traditional 10-mile route from Allerton Maze through the city center. What made this celebration particularly special was that it was the first time Liverpool fans could witness their team parade the Premier League trophy since 1990 – the COVID-19 pandemic had denied them this moment in 2020.

The estimated one million fans who lined the streets created an atmosphere unlike anything previously witnessed in Liverpool. Despite the persistent rain that dampened the streets but not the spirits, supporters sang traditional Liverpool anthems, danced, and celebrated with an energy that could be felt throughout the city. The sight of Calvin Harris DJing on the team bus, as arranged by captain Virgil van Dijk, added an extra layer of excitement to the festivities.

Ethiopian families found themselves swept up in the infectious joy, children meeting their football heroes for the first time, parents explaining the significance of this historic moment, and grandparents sharing stories of Liverpool’s past glories. The parade route became a tapestry of cultures, languages, and generations united by their love for the club.

The Incident That Cast a Shadow

The day’s celebrations took a tragic turn when a vehicle drove into a crowd of fans on Water Street near the Liver Building. Twenty-seven people were hospitalised, with two seriously injured, including a child. Police arrested a 53-year-old man and ruled out terrorism, believing the driver acted alone.

For many families, including ours, who were celebrating in different parts of the city, news of the incident only reached us through social media clips and worried phone calls from relatives. The immediate aftermath saw panic ripple through the celebration as mobile networks became jammed with concerned family members trying to reach their loved ones.

The Challenge of Getting Home

What followed the incident revealed both the best and worst of human nature. While the city’s shops, pubs, and restaurants continued to serve customers with warmth and fairness, transportation became a nightmare. Taxi ranks emptied instantly, Uber drivers began charging extortionate rates for short journeys, and public transportation ground to a halt under the weight of demand.

Many families found themselves stranded, with some missing flights and others facing hours-long waits for any form of transport. The usual 10-minute journey from Allerton Library to the city center, which had taken just 20 minutes during the parade, became an impossible reverse journey. Many chose to walk back through the rain – a journey that took over an hour but became an adventure in itself.

One family friend missed her international flight entirely, unable to secure any transport to the airport despite being willing to pay premium prices. Bus services disappeared from the streets, and train stations became overcrowded with frustrated travelers queuing for hours.

Finding Solutions Together

Yet it was in these challenging moments that the true spirit of the Liverpool community – and the visiting families – shone brightest. Strangers offered shelter, local businesses provided free charging stations for phones, and families who had just met began coordinating shared transportation solutions.

The Ethiopian families, like many others, turned these obstacles into opportunities for bonding. Children who might have complained about walking in normal circumstances found themselves on an unexpected adventure, parents shared umbrellas with strangers, and the elderly were looked after by the younger generation. What could have been a source of frustration became another layer of the day’s memories.

Golden Memories to Last a Lifetime

Despite the challenges – or perhaps because of them – every family member returned to their respective destinations with stories that will be told for generations. Children experienced their first major football celebration, parents witnessed their team’s historic achievement, and families created bonds strengthened by shared adversity and joy.

The Ethiopian community’s experience at Liverpool’s championship parade reflects the broader immigrant experience in the UK – finding belonging and joy in British traditions while maintaining their own cultural identity. The red scarves worn alongside Ethiopian flags, the traditional songs mixed with Liverpool chants, and the family structures that prioritize collective celebration over individual convenience all contributed to a uniquely multicultural celebration.

A Testament to Community Spirit

Looking back, May 26, 2025, will be remembered not just as the day Liverpool FC celebrated their Premier League triumph, but as a day that demonstrated the resilience and unity of communities. From the million fans who celebrated in the rain to the families who walked home together when transport failed, the day proved that the best human responses often emerge in the most challenging circumstances.

For the Ethiopian families who made the journey to Liverpool, the experience reinforced why football is called the beautiful game – not just for what happens on the pitch, but for how it brings people together, creates lasting memories, and builds communities that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.

The golden memories created on that rainy day in Liverpool will be shared with children and grandchildren for decades to come, ensuring that this championship celebration becomes part of family folklore – a story of triumph, community, and the unbreakable bonds forged in the heart of Merseyside.

The Ethiopian Tribune extends its thoughts to all those affected by the incident during the parade and celebrates the resilience of the Liverpool community in the face of adversity.