Coptic Museum of Canada
41 Glendinning Ave M1W 3E2 Toronto, ON, Canada

This weekend, Coptic Orthodox Christians in Canada and around the world will welcome the Coptic New Year and celebrate the Feast of Nayrouz. * * *... Date harvesting is a familiar sight to many living in Upper Egypt’s countryside. The red date variety grows in Egypt between August and October. It is called Balah Zaghll after the nationalist leader Sa’d Zaghll (1859-1927). In the 1920s when Britain imposed censorship of the media to limit the growing popularity of Sa’ad Zaghll among the Egyptian masses, songs were created about the zaghll date and the zaghll pigeons with couched references to him. Popular singers of the period used the zaghll date to communicate such a message. Coptic Orthodox Christians also culturally celebrate the New Year or the feast of Nairouz by eating red dates. The date’s red exterior symbolizes the blood of the martyrs, it’s white interior represents the purity of their hearts, and it’s seeds stand for the strength of their faith. * * * Title: Cuillette des dates Montaza / Date Harvest - Montaza Artist: Margaret Nakhla Oil on canvas

Congratulations to Kirollos Kilada on becoming 1 of 4 recipients of the OCAD U Career Launcher Studio at 401 Richmond Street West an arts-and-culture hub in downtown Toronto. It is home to over 140 artists, cultural producers, social innovators, microenterprises, galleries, festivals, and shops. Kirollos is a Coptic artist and illustrator based in Mississauga, ON, Canada. He is a graduate of the OCAD University Illustration Program with a focus on visual metaphors and symbo...lic language. Kirollos is also an iconographer who has been commissioned for churches and private collections in both the U.S. and Canada. * * * Illustration Title: Mohammed Naguib Artist: Kirollos Kilada Description: Mohammed Naguib, first president of Egypt, was erased from history and forgotten after being put under house arrest and replaced by president Nasser. Naguib had begun democratic reform after the 1952 revolution, while Nasser sought an iron-fist dictatorship

The History of the Coptic Nation by Yacoub Nakhla Roufilla. Published in 1898, this is the first ever book in Arabic that addresses the history of Copts. Roufilla was an 18th century historian, linguist, writer, and the founder of al-Watan (The Patriot) newspaper. The book traces coptic history from the Tower of Babel and the Pharaonic dynasties all the way through to the Greek, Roman, Persian/ Sassanid , and Muslim occupations of Egypt and to the leadership of His Holiness Pope Kirillos IV (18411861). This was also the first book to address the political, social, and economic status of the Copts in Egyptian society and the relationship between the Copts and the powers that ruled Egypt over time.

*comment below with your images* The CMC is asking our community to share images that capture the story of the COVID-19 pandemic. One winning image will be featured online, and be a part of a future exhibition. In 100 years from now, what story can be told through images? Think about how images captured during the pandemic will reflect the changes to everyday life, and depict the consequences of social distancing.... Share your photos in the comments below or send via email to [email protected] * * * * Submission suggestions: How a local concern has become global. Art of the Copts in this period. Protests, social change. Use of public spaces. What has comforted you? What has given you joy? How your community adjusted to health regulations. How museums adapted to lockdown & health regulations. Physical distancing and group activities. Home centered activities (hobbies, baking, employment, etc.) Generosity of Canadian government, communities, and/or individuals. Impact of technology on life (education, communication, relationships, etc.) Circulation instructions (signs, masks, social distancing, etc.)

This icon of St. Peter once hung at the High Institute of Coptic Studies in Cairo as part of an exhibition during the 1960’s on Coptic Art. It was used as an example of the early survival of traditional Coptic Art that started in the mid 20th century. * * *... * Generously donated to the Museum by member, Dr. Magued Fahmy in memory of his mentor in Coptology, Rev. Father René Paquin S.J.

Marguerite Nakhla was a prolific Coptic artist who had the ability to reproduce on her canvases every day life and folk culture in Egypt. In this painting, Nakhla is depicting a melon cut familiar to her in typical Egyptian fashion. * * *... Melon, 1942 By: Marguerite Nakhla (1908-1977) Oil on canvas. 64.5 x 42cm