The 45th edition of the Rimini International Meeting dedicated a special exhibition to depict the Holy Family’s journey in Egypt on the period from August 20 to 24, 2024. H.G. Anba Ermia, Head of the COCC attended and participated in the exhibition.
The exhibition aimed to provide a captivating visual journey through the various locations in Egypt visited by the Holy Family. The Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center also showcased a documentary titled “The Journey of the Holy Family in Egypt” produced by MAP Production, which is affiliated to the center. The documentary, which took three years to complete, has been translated into several languages, including Italian.
The exhibition was characterized by its refined artistic taste, presenting the Holy Family’s journey through icons, alongside contemporary images of the sites that have become sacred places for Christians and people worldwide. Additionally, the exhibition featured multimedia presentations, models, and life-size figures that reflected the diverse Egyptian environment experienced by the Holy Family, including the Nile Valley, desert, mountains, and their stay in a cave.
The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, witnessed a significant turnout from the public, including prominent public figures who visited the Rimini Meeting this year. The event highlighted the profound impact of this Biblical narrative on the region.
Many visitors expressed a keen interest in visiting the route of the Holy Family in Egypt, a journey they were previously unaware of. The exhibition enabled visitors to explore the historical and cultural significance of these sites, that they were unaware of, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the deep-rooted Christian heritage in Egypt.
During the exhibition, His Grace Anba Ermia, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, received prominent public, cultural, and religious figures who visited the exhibition. His Grace also engaged in conversations with visitors, answering their questions and inquiries.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, a symposium was held where His Grace Anba Ermia, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, delivered a speech about the Holy Family’s journey to Egypt. Dr. Sameh Fawzy also participated in the symposium.
His Grace presided over the Mass of the Feast of the Virgin Mary Mass in the city of Rimini, with the participation of Father Daoud al-Naqloni. The Mass was attended by the Coptic Church members in both Rimini and Bologna, affiliated by f the Coptic Diocese of Rome, headed by His Grace Bishop Bernaba.
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It is worth mentioning that His Grace Anba Ermia, the head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, received a delegation from the Rimini Meeting on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. The delegation included Bernhard Scholz, President of the Meeting for Friendship Amongst Peoples Foundation, Director Emmanuele Forlani, head of exhibitions Alessandra Vitez, and Dr. Wael Farouk, the exhibition supervisor. This meeting at the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center was held to prepare for the exhibition on the Holy Family’s journey to Egypt, which is being organized in cooperation with the cultural center.
At the end of the meeting, commemorative photos were taken, and His Grace Anba Ermia presented the delegation with gifts.
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The Rimini Meeting is a major international cultural event for friendship among peoples, held annually from August 20 to 24 for nearly 45 years. Supported by the Vatican and the Italian government, it attracts high-ranking Italian officials and international figures from Europe and beyond, drawing around one million visitors each year.
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