Ministry of Water Resources to produce series of documentaries on history of irrigation in Egypt
Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilem meets with Ministry's media team, joined by Egyptian Gazette newspaper's Journalist Amira Sayed- press photo
CAIRO – April 2025: Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilem directed to produce a series of documentaries highlighting the historical evolution of irrigation in Egypt.
The Minister's dierctions were gien after holding a meeting with the Ministry's media team, joined by Egyptian Gazette newspaper's Journalist Amira Sayed, who recently won the Excellence Award in the Graduate Documentary Competition at BEA's international digital media and broadcast contest for her documantary 'Ladies of the Nile.' The short film was produced by the the Kamal Adham Center for Television and Digital Journalism at the American University, in cooperation with the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources.
During the meeting, Sweilem emphasized the significance of documenting both the ancient and modern aspects of Egypt's irrigation legacy. He noted that the ancient Egyptian civilization, which flourished along the banks of the Nile River, was a pioneer in developing some of the earliest irrigation technologies known to mankind. Preserving and showcasing this heritage, he said, is essential to honoring Egypt's longstanding expertise in water management.
The Minister highlighted that these documentaries would serve as a powerful tool to raise public awareness about the vital role of water in Egyptian society and the enduring connection between the Nile and the Egyptian people.
Irrigation-related heritage
The Minister siad that that Egypt is home to numerous historical water infrastructure landmarks, such as the Kufra Dam, which dates back to the era of the ancient Egyptians. Remarkably, parts of this ancient structure still stand today, serving as a testament to Egypt's early advancements in engineering and water management.
He added that Egypt has several historical water facilities, such as the Old Delta Barrage, established in 1862; the Old Aswan Dam, established in 1902; the Old Assiut Barrage (1902); the Old Zefta Barrage (1902); the Old Esna Barrage (1906); the Old Nag Hammadi Barrage (1930), and the Edfina Barrage (1951).
Additionaly, Sweilem said that the Ministry also possesses numerous important collections and documents, such as books, maps, reports, photos, encyclopedias, and rare albums, such as the Description of Egypt , the 1869 Suez Canal Opening Ceremony Album, and the 1928 Atlas of Maps of Egypt , and others.
Irrigation Museum
The Ministry is currently coordinating with UNESCO to establish an Irrigation Museum aimed at preserving Egypt's irrigation heritage and documenting both ancient and modern efforts in effective water management, the Minister said.
The museum will serve as a hub for safeguarding historical irrigation facilities and restoring significant archival materials—including books, maps, reports, and photographs—related to the development of water systems throughout Egyptian history. Thus, the Minister ordered to make an inventory of all the Ministry's historical holdings and facilities.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CairoScene
a day ago
- CairoScene
The Kaaba's Kiswa Was Once Made in Egypt
The Kaaba's Kiswa Was Once Made in Egypt Before it became the exclusive task of Saudi Arabia's Kiswah Factory in Mecca, the sacred cloth that drapes the Kaaba—the Kiswa—was once handwoven in Egypt. For centuries, the honour of producing this sacred textile belonged to Egyptian artisans whose needlework carried both craftsmanship and deep spiritual devotion. Nearly a century ago, a group of ten master weavers in Cairo spent an entire year crafting the Kiswa by hand, stitch by stitch, in preparation for its annual journey to Mecca ahead of Hajj. To trace this legacy, we spoke with Ahmed Shawqi Othman Al-Qasabji, grandson of the man who once led Egypt's Kiswa Authority. His grandfather, Othman Al-Qasabji, was at the helm of the operation in 1924, overseeing the meticulous process from the weaving of the black silk to the embroidery of Quranic verses in shimmering gold thread. 'Ten craftsmen worked for a year,' Ahmed recalls. 'It wasn't just a job. It was a form of worship.' Passed down through generations, the story of Othman's stewardship reads like a sacred inheritance. The workshop itself stands in Cairo's historic Darb El-Ahmar district, an unassuming space that housed a spiritual duty of monumental scale. The Kiswa was not merely a ceremonial object. It was a national pride, crafted with intention, reverence, and artistry. Egypt's last official contribution was in the 1920s, after which the production gradually moved to Mecca. Still, the memory remains alive. 'My wish,' Ahmed tells us, 'and I don't know if I have the right to ask for this, is for us to produce the Kiswa again.' It is a modest request, spoken with longing. But it holds weight. Because in those threads once spun on Egyptian looms, faith was made visible. And perhaps, in remembering, a revival isn't so far-fetched.
CairoScene
2 days ago
- CairoScene
Ancient Pigment Egyptian Blue Revived by US Researchers
Researchers at Washington State University have revived Egyptian blue—the world's first synthetic pigment. Jun 05, 2025 A team of researchers from Washington State University, in collaboration with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute, has successfully recreated Egyptian blue, the oldest known synthetic pigment in the world. Originally developed over 5,000 years ago, the pigment was commonly used in ancient Egyptian art, tombs, and architecture. The scientists tested 12 different methods to reproduce the pigment, adjusting materials and heating times to mirror ancient techniques. They discovered that a rich, vivid blue could be achieved even when only half of the mixture's colour-bearing component was used—challenging previous assumptions about how the pigment was made. Small variations in temperature and ingredients also caused the colour to shift, from pale greens to intense blues and even greys. Beyond its historic value, Egyptian blue has properties that make it relevant for modern technology. It absorbs visible light and emits infrared radiation, which can be applied in biomedical imaging, telecommunications, and anti-counterfeiting technologies. The recreated pigment is now on display at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh.
Egypt Today
3 days ago
- Egypt Today
Egypt, Cyprus conduct joint military drill ‘Ptolemy 2025'
CAIRO – 4 June 2025: Egyptian and Cypriot special forces carried out 'Ptolemy 2025' joint military training that ran for several days in Cyprus. The exercise included theoretical sessions, combat skills exchange, tactical coordination, and field drills. It concluded with live-fire exercises, both conventional and advanced, with participation from both armies. This drill is part of ongoing joint training programs between Egypt and partner countries to support military cooperation.
