Ismailia (Egypt): Ashraf Gaber
Standing tall overlooking the vital shipping lane of the Suez Canal, the War Memorial for the Defense of the Canal at Mount Maryam has been fully revived after 100 years since its inauguration. On a memorable Tuesday evening, this historic monument transformed into an open-air stage narrating a century-long saga, from war to peace, and honoring generations who sacrificed to protect this crucial maritime artery.
A Stone Memory on the Banks of a Golden Canal
Originally constructed in 1925 to commemorate the fallen heroes of World War I who defended the Suez Canal, the memorial has shed its silent stone facade to become a vibrant site embodying a continuum of valiant battles, from fierce defense to nation-building and development. Choosing Mount Maryam as the event location was more than protocol; it was a deliberate act to reconnect fractured generations with the memory of this iconic landmark, especially after it remained closed for nearly 25 years before being restored and reopened to the public.
A National Celebration and a City’s Message
The celebration, themed “100 Years from War to Peace,” took place under the patronage of Major General (Pilot, Ret.) Akram Mohamed Galal, Governor of Ismailia, with participation from Admiral Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, and Major General (Ret.) Mohamed Youssef Assaf, Commander of the Second Field Army. The event synergized symbolically with Ismailia’s 74th National Day, the 156th anniversary of the canal’s opening, and the 50th anniversary of its reopening post-October War. This confluence framed Ismailia as a city rewriting its narrative, bearing the burdens of war for decades while now emerging as the capital of the canal’s memory and a permanent stage for celebrating peace and development.
Governor’s Address: Egypt, “The Nation of Strong Peace”
In his keynote, Governor Akram Galal welcomed guests, emphasizing that what unfolds at Mount Maryam transcends a mere official ceremony: it is an intentional restoration of a vital chapter in Egypt’s indelible history. He stressed that Egypt remains “a strong country of peace and enduring dignity,” with the memorial standing as a testament to those who sacrificed during World War I, the War of Attrition, the glorious October battles, and the equally significant struggles for development.
The Suez Canal: From an “Engineering Marvel” to a Cultural and Tourist Hub
Admiral Osama Rabie described the Suez Canal as “the most iconic historical event and an engineering marvel whose echoes continue to illuminate human history and future.” Linking the 156-year anniversary with the memorial’s revival, he underscored the restoration’s role in safeguarding tangible and intangible canal heritage. The project complements other initiatives such as renovating the historic canal museum, developing yacht marinas, waterfront promenades, and gardens, transforming the canal cities into cultural and marine tourism hubs.
“Al-Hilm Orchestra”: Music That Bridges Generations
A highlight of the event was the artistic performance “100 Years from War to Peace” directed and scripted by artist Maher Kamal and performed by the “Al-Hilm Orchestra” affiliated with Suez Canal University under the baton of maestro Dr. Basma Mahmoud Ibrahim. The orchestra turned Mount Maryam into an open-air theater that struck a chord with the national memory. The participation of “Al-Hilm Orchestra” bridged the university generation with the heroes of the canal’s defense through a blend of evocative musical pieces and patriotic songs, seamlessly moving from war eras to messages of hope, peace, and growth, an artistic dialogue between past and future.
A Heritage and Handicrafts Exhibition
Accompanying the “100 Years from War to Peace” celebration, a distinguished heritage exhibition was held, showcasing the history of Ismailia and the Suez Canal through artistic paintings and handcrafted artifacts that narrate the stories of generations and the city’s maritime and cultural heritage.
The exhibition was organized in coordination between the Ismailia Governorate and the Suez Canal Authority, displaying traditional crafts and heritage pieces that document the local folk heritage and highlight Ismailia’s deep connection with the canal’s history and its significance in national development. The exhibition added a vibrant cultural dimension to the celebration, attracting visitors and locals alike to enjoy a unique experience blending national heritage arts with the revered memory of the place
Honoring the Makers of Victory and Nation-Building
The event not only resurrected history through speeches and art but also publicly honored key figures whose sacrifices shaped pivotal moments. The namesake of former Ismailia Governor Major General Mahmoud Amin Omar (October War 1973), engineer Osman Ahmed Osman, founder of Arab Contractors and a national icon, and Major General Yousry El-Shammakh, commander of the Paratroopers Battalion defending the city and Mount Maryam in the October War, were honored alongside dedicated personnel from the Suez Canal Authority who continue to manage and safeguard this vital waterway.
From a Closed Military Site to an Open Tourist Venue
Reopening the memorial after decades of closure and upgrading its surroundings symbolizes Mount Maryam’s transformation from a military stronghold to a civilian tourist destination. This transition reflects a broader vision to convert military history into a form of soft power by integrating heritage into integrated tourism, cultural, and educational routes. Visiting the memorial now forms part of an enriched itinerary that includes the Suez Canal Museum, heritage exhibitions, and artisan crafts narrating the intertwined story of the city and canal.
The Grand Finale: Fireworks Illuminating a Memory of Light
The finale witnessed a sky ablaze with fireworks above Mount Maryam, camera lenses capturing intergenerational moments, veteran soldiers with their families, students, and state and military leaders gathered before the memorial. Against the backdrop of the ever-awake canal waters, Ismailia reimagined itself: from a frontline defense city to a capital of a renewed message that peace demands guardianship, development requires memory, and dreams, like those of the “Hilm Orchestra”, start on humble stages and grow with every generation ready to carry the torch anew.
