The National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG) announced the date of Sham al-Nessim 2024, which is an official holiday in Egypt with ancient roots that celebrates the coming of spring.
Sham al-Nessim falls on Monday, May 6, and comes the day after the Coptic celebration of Easter.
The Egyptian Cabinet decided to move the Labor Day holiday from Wednesday, May 1, to the next day, Thursday, May 2, so that the number of vacation days after adding the two weekend days will become five consecutively:
- Thursday, May 2nd: An official holiday for Labor Day.
- Friday, May 3: Weekend.
- Saturday, May 4: Weekend
- Sunday, May 5: Holiday in some institutions, including banks, on the occasion of Easter).
- Monday, May 6: An official holiday on the occasion of Sham el-Nessim.
The custom of celebrating Sham el-Nessim begins with coloring eggs in bright colors, then eating salted fish such as herring, and Fesikh – the very same foods that the ancient Egyptians used to eat on this day.
The holiday is eagerly awaited every year in Egypt, as it brings together friends and family to commemorate spring together.
