“Imprints on the Blessed Land [Egypt]” was the theme title of an art exhibition held by the Association for Preserving Egyptian Heritage (APEH) to commemorate the Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, the Feast day on which is celebrated by the Coptic Orthodox Church on 1 June every year. The exhibition was held at the Misr Public Library (MPL) in Doqqi, Giza, Cairo.
Anba Martiros, Bishop-General of Sharq al-Sekka al-Hadeed Churches, opened the exhibition jointly with artist and art critic Venus Fouad; and Riyad Radwan, general manager of the Doqqi MPL.
Inspired by the biblical story of the flight of the Holy Family—Baby Jesus, St Mary, and St Joseph—into Egypt, more than 40 various artworks were on display at the exhibition. These included oil paintings, mosaics, sculptures, woodwork, and photographs by some 20 artist members of APEH.
Watani talked to Anba Martirus, who noted that quite a number of art exhibitions inspired by the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt have been held this year. “This,” he said, “reflects increasing interest in the event, and in the trail this journey followed inside Egypt. This artworks on display were done by Muslim as well Coptic artists, meaning that the event is a national affair. There are efforts to market the trail of the Holy Family in Egypt as a tourist attraction, and we pray that it would bring Egypt prosperity on all levels.”
Mr Maged al-Raheb, founder and head of APEH, told Watani that it has become an APEH tradition to celebrate the Flight of the Holy Family into Egypt every June. He expressed pride that 20 Egyptian artist members of APEH have this year participated in the exhibition with 40 works of art.
Watani International
23 June 2019