Discover Egypt Draws Over 70,000 Visitors
Organized by the Canadian Egyptian Heritage Association, the 8th edition of the Discover Egypt Festival achieved remarkable success over two days at Celebration Square in Mississauga, welcoming more than 70,000 visitors from diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds. The festival created a vibrant atmosphere with exceptional organization that received widespread appreciation from attendees.
Members of the Canadian Egyptian Heritage Association’s Board of Directors delivered welcoming remarks, including Dr. Magdy Neshat, Dr. Hany Shenouda, Dr. Medhat Anis, and Member of Parliament Sherif Sabawy. They welcomed the audience and emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting Egyptian heritage and culture in Canada.
Mariana Gabriel, Festival Director of Discover Egypt, successfully led the planning, organization, and overall supervision of all stages of North America’s largest Egyptian festival, demonstrating outstanding leadership and professionalism.
Artist Dr. Maged Zarif, Founder of All Art Studio and Artistic Director of the festival, played a key role in creating an exceptional artistic program. He carefully selected performances to appeal to all audiences and successfully delivered a high-quality festival experience with creativity and excellence.
Member of Parliament Sherif Sabawy also addressed the audience, expressing his happiness to participate in the festival every year and praising the impressive attendance and the important role the event plays in supporting Egyptian arts and culture.
The event was attended by Dr. Ahmed Gaber, Egyptian Cultural Counsellor, members of the EgyptAir Board of Directors, along with Canadian parliamentarians and government representatives, who praised the festival’s outstanding organization and its important cultural role in strengthening exchange and connection between Egypt and Canada.
The first day’s official opening ceremony was hosted by media personalities Nour Sobhy and Ahmed Bondok. Nour appeared in traditional Ancient Egyptian attire and delivered welcoming remarks inspired by the ancient Egyptian language, adding a special cultural dimension to the ceremony. The second day’s program was presented by media personality Dalia.
The festival featured a remarkable lineup of Egyptian artists, led by superstar Wegz, who energized the audience with his performance and interaction. Singers Essaf and Abo El Leef also delivered memorable performances that received great appreciation from attendees.
The artistic program also included performances by DJ Wiwa Hegazy, Dr. Majed Zarif, 3agawand Band, Maher and Tharwat, Maureen Morad, and DJ Boba.
The festival showcased talented young artists, including Mostafa Mohamed, Meryien Morad, the Music Without Borders Orchestra, and singers Ramah and Nagwa, whose performances added a unique artistic spirit to the celebration.
The audience also enjoyed outstanding folklore performances by Noura, Egyptian dance performances celebrating the music of legendary composer and artist Farid Al Atrash, and a captivating saxophone performance by Dr. Sax, which created a magical atmosphere throughout the event.
The festival also presented a spectacular Sound and Light Show inspired by the historic Temple of Philae in Egypt, along with impressive performances by young artists Natalie, Reham Nassim, and Nermine, who enriched the program with their exceptional talents.
“El Leila El Kebira” Amazes the Audience
One of the festival’s most memorable highlights was the extraordinary presentation of “El Leila El Kebira”, the timeless Egyptian masterpiece that has touched generations of Egyptians, featuring lyrics by the legendary poet Salah Jahin and music by the great composer Sayed Mekkawy.
The iconic work was presented with a fresh and innovative artistic vision by Egyptian-Canadian director Dr. George Wadie, with musical supervision by Dr. Majed Zarif. The performance received widespread praise for preserving the authenticity of the original masterpiece while introducing it through a contemporary and creative approach.
This remarkable festival continues to be one of the most anticipated annual celebrations of Egyptian culture in Canada, bringing communities together and showcasing Egypt’s rich heritage, creativity, and artistic excellence.
The event also received outstanding media coverage by Khaled Salama, Media Spokesperson for the Canadian Egyptian Heritage Association, along with Hawa Toronto TV, highlighting the festival’s remarkable success.
