Sham El-Nessim in Egypt
April 13 · Level 5 · #1241 of 2238
Sham El-Nessim is Egypt’s spring festival, with roots reaching back into antiquity. Celebrated across religious communities, it gives families a shared occasion to spend time outdoors and welcome the new season.
How it is celebrated: people pack picnics for parks, gardens and waterside outings. Coloured eggs, spring onions and salted fish feature in the traditional meal, including the fermented fish known as feseekh.
Despite bringing Muslims and Christians together, the festival follows a Christian calendar rule: it takes place on the Monday after Coptic Easter, so its date changes from year to year.