Egypt's Day has events for whole family

The Gallahue family uncovered many facts about Egypt on March 1 during Egypt's Day, but they couldn't seem to agree which fact was the most compelling.

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Morgan Gallahue, a fourth-grade pupil at River Ridge Elementary School, seemed to enjoy the souvenir section.

The papyrus papers captivated Greenbrier Middle School pupil Cameron Gallahue.

Their mother, Vicki Gallahue, enjoyed learning about ancient herbal Egyptian remedies.

"This is just wonderful," Gallahue said. "It makes me want to go there."

The Gallahues attended Egypt's Day at the Columbia County Library. The event featured a variety of activities to teach visitors Egyptian history and modern culture.

The program was organized by a local group of Egyptian descent.

"The main purpose behind it is to increase awareness about the Egyptian culture, religions, civilization and those kinds of things," said Mohamed Abo-Elhamd, who entertained the visitors by writing in Arabic calligraphy.

The main exhibit was held in two rooms off the library's main front lobby. Egyptian music played as the crowd viewed Egyptian currencies and read books on the nation's history.

Children made crafts inspired by the culture and listened to Egyptian stories.

Visitors also could don ancient artwork. In Egyptian culture, henna tattoos are worn for weddings and other happy occasions. During Egypt's Day, passers-by could pay $3 for temporary skin art.

Inside the "Pyramids Theater," in Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center, guests watched documentaries about the ancient land.

While checking out the attractions, visitors could sample authentic Egyptian dishes. The menu featured foods such as falafel, kofta, stuffed grape leaves and baklava.

Abo-Elhamd said that he and others held an Egypt's Day four years ago but that adults with children left the exhibit early.

"We're looking at the educational part of it to be the main thing, but, of course, we wanted to attract more crowds of young kids, so we had to add that interesting part," he said.

The group plans to donate books and some of the day's proceeds to the library and the American Diabetes Association, Abo-Elhamd said.