Discover Egypt 2025 Festival

MISSISSAUGA – Last week, the Canadian Egyptian Heritage Association successfully hosted the Discover Egypt 2025 Festival. The event was held at Mississauga’s Celebration Square over three consecutive days, from May 16^th to 18^th, and welcomed more than 100,000 attendees.

Discover Egypt, now an annual occasion and one of the largest Egyptian cultural festivals in North America, brought together Canadians from all backgrounds to celebrate Egyptian heritage, arts, culture and community. From a vibrant lineup of musical and dance performances to authentic cuisine, artisan markets, heritage exhibits, and interactive workshops, Discover Egypt 2025 offered an immersive experience into the heart of Egyptian culture.

Among the distinguished guests at Discover Egypt were: Mr. Ahmed Meky, Consul General of Egypt in Canada; Dr. Ahmed Gaber, Cultural Attaché at the Egyptian Cultural & Educational Bureau in Canada; The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State for Small Business and Tourism; Sheref Sabawy, Rudy Cuzzetto, Deepak Anand, Silvia Gualtieri, members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario; Her Worship, Mayor Carolyn Parrish; and, City of Mississauga Councillor Stephen Dasko. Each of these guests delivered uplifting and heartfelt speeches to Discover Egypt attendees, expressing their appreciation for the celebration and happiness to be part of this meaningful and vibrant event.

“We are deeply honoured by the overwhelming turnout, which far exceeded our expectations,” said Mr. Meky in his remarks. “The extraordinary response reflects a growing appreciation for cultural diversity and a strong desire for community connection. It is a privilege to take part in a festival that so beautifully blends Egypt’s ancient and contemporary art with the inclusive values of Canadian society.”

Previously, Discover Egypt has received funding support from various levels of government, including the Government of Canada’s Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program (MARP) – Events Stream, which funds initiatives that promote intercultural understanding, discussions on diversity and inclusion, and the celebration of Canada’s rich cultural heritage. The festival has also benefited from the Experience Ontario program, which supports tourism and cultural events that drive local economic activity. GTA Strategies was proud to support the Canadian Egyptian Heritage Association in the development of successful grant applications, helping to secure funding that brings impactful community programming like Discover Egypt to reality.

The Canadian Egyptian Heritage Association was incorporated in 2019, with a mission to serve members of the Egyptian Ontarian community as well as promote and bring awareness to Egyptian heritage, culture and the community’s contributions to Canadian life. During this time, the Canadian Egyptian Heritage Association has successfully hosted a variety of events and programs to meet this mandate, including an annual Egyptian flag raising ceremony at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as well as various seniors’ and youth community recreation and cultural programs. The highlight of these efforts is the Discover Egypt festival, which continues to stand as a remarkable symbol of connection, collaboration, and respectful cultural exchange.