Sham El-Nessim, which translates from Coptic as “inhaling the breeze,” is a celebration of spring that dates back to around 2700 BC. Marked by Egyptians across religious and social backgrounds, the festival takes place annually on the Monday following Easter Sunday.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly issued a decree declaring Monday, 21 April, an official paid holiday for public and private sector workers in honour of Sham El-Nessim.
Madbouly also announced that Thursday, 24 April, will be an official paid holiday in lieu of Friday, 25 April, to mark Sinai Liberation Day. The annual national holiday commemorates the final withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982, under the terms of the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace agreement.
In addition, Thursday, 1 May, has been designated an official paid holiday to mark Labour Day.
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