Culture

Egyptian Coptic Christians celebrate entry of ‘Holy Family’ into Egypt

Published

11 months ago

June 2, 2023

Egyptian Coptic Christians on Monday, June 1, celebrated the historic entry of the “Holy Family” after travelling from Palestine through Sinai and into the Delta, before moving far south to Assuit, where they spent almost four years before leaving.

The Egyptian government which announced and promoted the celebration, said the project would restore and renovate 25 holy sites that were stopping points for the Holy Family during their stay in Egypt.

The Egyptian government said in the statement that stops had been fully restored and openned for visitation in various governorates such as Cairo, Kafr al-Sheikh, Al-Gharbeyyah, Al-Sharqiyyah, Al-Beheirah, and Al-Minya, while other important stops would be renovated for the celebration next year.

“This national project is part of the government’s efforts to preserve such historic sites, benefit local communities, and promote religious tourism,” the statement said, noting that the festivals related to the “Journey of the Holy Family were added to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List in 2022.”

The entry of the Holy Family to Egypt has become a national celebration of the Coptic Orthodox Church with the Fraihi rite on the 24th of the month of Bashans of the Egyptian calendar, which is the first of June of each year, as celebrated in the first centuries AD.

The journey of the Holy Family which had Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus, according to the Coptic Christians, took them three and a half years where they had to make several stops.

“All three of them, Jesus who was two years old at the time, his mother, the Virgin Mary and his father, Joseph the carpenter,” the church history said.

Click to comment

Culture

Egypt unveils stamp to mark 100th anniversary of relationship with Brazil

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Egyptian Post Board has unveiled a stamp to mark its 100th anniversary of relations with Brazil.

The commemorative stamp which was unveiled on Thursday, is designed with an artistic image that contains some of the famous tourist attractions in both countries.

With a size of 4 cm by 6 cm,
the stamp is insured against counterfeiting, multi-colored, and is value 10 Egyptian pounds.

According to Dr. Sherif Farouk, Chairman of the Egyptian Post Board of Directors, the stamp is equipped with QR Code technology, with the aim of creating a “rich interactive experience for those who possess them, enabling them to acquire the necessary knowledge about this occasion in an innovative and attractive way.”

“Egyptian-Brazilian relations are characterized by mutual trust, and close and constructive cooperative relations,” Dr. Farouk said.

He further explained that during the past years, Egypt and Brazil were able to develop means of cooperation to include many fields, which informed the idea by Egyptian Post to take the initiative of issuing a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Egyptian-Brazilian relations

“The anniversary stamp has the aim of strengthening the strong diplomatic relations between the two countries,” he stated.

Dr. Farouk added that commemorative stamp is an important means of cultural communication between different countries of the world, and document the history of nations throughout the ages.

“Therefore, the Egyptian Post is always keen to issue commemorative stamps on important events and occasions to document and commemorate those events,” he noted.

Culture

Ghanaians celebrate return of Asante Gold artefacts looted by British

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Ghanaians, especially those from the ancient Asante region, have been in joyous mood as they flocked to the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of the region, to welcome the 32 golden artefacts which were returned to the Kingdom in a loan deal by the United Kingdom after they were looted about 150 years ago.

The agreement to loan back the artefacts to their original owners for an initial period of three years was reached between two British museums, the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and British Museum, and the Asante King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, with a possible of further extending the loan period.

The returned precious items have been on display at palace museum since they were returned and have been a source of joy for the people as they troop in daily to see and have a feel of their ancient history.

The return of the artefacts also coincides with the silver jubilee celebration of the Asantehene.

Some of the items, described by as “Ghana’s crown jewels” were looted during the Anglo-Ashanti wars of the 19th Century, including the famous Sargrenti War of 1874.

Among the returned artefacts are the sword of state, gold peace pipe and gold badges worn by officials charged with cleansing the soul of the king.

Other items like the gold harp (Sankuo) which were given to a British diplomat in 1817.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who spoke on the significance of the returned items, said the dignity of the Kingdom has been restored.

“This is a day for Asante. A day for the Black African continent. The spirit we share is back.

“We acknowledge the very painful history surrounding the acquisition of these objects.

“These treasures have borne witness to triumph and trials of the great kingdom and their return to Kumasi is testament to the power of cultural exchange and reconciliation,” the King added.