A Demonstration of Love for Egypt… An Exceptional Egyptian Day in Montreal

The Egyptian Day celebration, held on July 4 in Montreal as part of Egyptian Heritage Month, turned into a heartfelt demonstration of love for Egypt. Organized by the Society for Public Development and Integration of Immigrants, SPDI, the event brought together Arab communities, international guests and visitors from different backgrounds to celebrate Egypt, its culture and its enduring place in world civilization.

The celebration aimed to revive Egyptian heritage and introduce Canadian, Arab and multicultural audiences to the beauty of ancient and modern Egyptian civilization through a rich family-friendly program. The atmosphere became even more emotional because the event came one day after Egypt’s important win over Australia and its qualification for the round of 16 at the World Cup, adding a powerful wave of pride and celebration to the cultural and artistic program.

The event was opened by Aliya Shafie Mohamed, president of SPDI, who emphasized that Egyptian civilization, with its history stretching back thousands of years, represents a global human legacy. She explained that the celebration offered a diverse program combining art, heritage, literature, music, traditional crafts and family activities, presenting a bright image of a culture that helped shape human civilization and continues to inspire the world today.

Aliya Shafie Mohamed added that the event reflects SPDI’s belief that culture is one of the most important bridges between peoples. She also highlighted that Canada’s diversity is a source of strength and richness for society, and that such initiatives help promote knowledge, mutual respect and meaningful human connection.

In his remarks, Dr. Ahmed Gaber, the Egyptian cultural attaché, expressed his happiness with the event, which was held for the second year in a row. He praised the strong organization, the richness of the program and the valuable efforts made by SPDI, especially Aliya Shafie Mohamed and Hossam Mokbel, in supporting Egyptian culture and civilization.

Dr. Ahmed Gaber also played an active and important role in supporting the event, offering cooperation and sponsorship that helped present the Egyptian Day in an honorable and successful way.

Maryam Ishaq, representing CIBC, the golden sponsor of the celebration, thanked the organizers for their efforts and stressed the importance of institutional support for such social and cultural initiatives. She noted that CIBC is committed to supporting events that celebrate cultural diversity and highlight the role of different civilizations within Canadian society.

Businesswoman Amira Boulos, speaking on behalf of Amira Stores and the General Union of Egyptians Abroad, headed by Adel Boulos, said she was pleased with the remarkable gathering, describing it as something Arab communities had long needed. She praised the event as a positive and inspiring occasion that brought Egyptian and Arab communities together and deserved continued support.

After the speeches, the artistic program began with a concert by distinguished singer Maged Zarif, who came especially from Toronto to perform at the Egyptian Day celebration. He presented a selection of beloved Egyptian songs, beginning with classics by Abdel Halim Hafez and other pioneering artists, before moving to modern songs and original pieces. The audience repeatedly asked him to continue, refusing to let him leave the stage because of the joyful atmosphere he created.

Following Maged Zarif’s performance, several documentary films about tourism and culture in Egypt were screened. History professor Julie Messina, a specialist in ancient Egyptian history, then delivered a lecture on the influence of ancient Egyptian civilization on the world, with a special focus on Western civilization.

The event hall later witnessed an unforgettable scene of national pride after Egyptian fans celebrating the national team’s qualification to the round of 16 arrived in the West Island area. The celebration continued through the Egyptian Day venue, where songs, drums and chants of “Long live Egypt” filled the hall, with Arabs and non-Arabs joining together in a moving scene that was difficult to describe.

The audience then enjoyed another musical segment featuring authentic Arabic music performed by singer Wissam Kamar, accompanied by Maestro Magdy Abdullah, oud player Moshid Khalaf, keyboardist Ghassan Zein and percussionist Fadi Meshrefi.

The celebration also included a mini museum of Egyptian civilization, featuring replicas of ancient artifacts that took visitors on a journey through thousands of years of Egyptian history. For the first time, the event also presented an exhibition of papyrus artworks inspired by the symbols and beauty of ancient Egyptian civilization.

Another highlight was an Egyptian fashion show representing different historical and cultural stages of Egypt, including Pharaonic, rural, Upper Egyptian, Alexandrian and Sinai styles. Visitors were also given the opportunity to try on traditional outfits and take memorable photos.

The Egyptian Day was also accompanied by a lively bazaar featuring clothing, accessories, handmade crafts and products reflecting the spirit of Egyptian culture, in addition to popular Egyptian dishes that carried the familiar flavors of the Egyptian home.

By the end of the day, the celebration had become more than a cultural event. It was a living expression of pride, identity, belonging and love for Egypt, presented in the heart of Montreal and shared with a wider Canadian multicultural community.