xml.py

#!/usr/bin/env python

import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET

xml = '''<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE TestXml [
    <!ELEMENT TestXml (TestNode*)>
    <!ELEMENT TestNode (#PCDATA)>
    <!ENTITY testent "test entity">
]>
<TestXml>
    <TestNode>&testent;</TestNode>
</TestXml>
'''

tree = ET.fromstring(xml)

# prints: test entity
# but I want: &testent;
print(tree[0].text)