Sham el-Naseem “smelling the breeze” is an ancient Egyptian festival that marks the start of Spring. Join us for an Egyptian day with picnicking, authentic Egyptian food, music, family friendly activities.
It is one of Egypt's most significant national festivals, which has its origins in the ancient Shemu festival which marked the onset of the agricultural season. This festival will bring the essence of Egypt to life for one day, showcasing time-honoured ways of celebration.
During this time, Egyptians would present salted fish and various delicacies to different deities, likely aligning the event with the Spring equinox- a celestial occurrence historically tied to the alignment of the sun with the Pyramids. As Arab cultural influences grew, the festival's name transformed into Sham El-Nessim, adopting new elements that shape today's celebrations.
The Chau Chak Wing Museum will bring this authentic Egyptian festival alive for the second year at the University of Sydney with activities such as picnicking on the lawns, authentic Egyptian cuisine, live musical performances, and a range of other family-friendly activities.
We are honoured at the attendance of the Consul-General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Sydney, Her Excellency Mrs Reem Zahran.
James Tawadros is a world‑class percussionist and renowned Riqq soloist whose innovative approach to this ancient Egyptian instrument has earned him international acclaim. A Coptic Egyptian Australian and autodidactic child prodigy, James is a proponent of both traditional and contemporary Arabic music that reflects his heritage and upbringing. His dexterity, rhythmic variety and virtuosity have captivated audiences worldwide.
Alongside his brother, oud virtuoso Joseph Tawadros, James is a five‑time ARIA Award winner for Best World Music Album. His career highlights include being the youngest soloist to perform with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, performances with the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras respectively, the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the BBC Proms and the Morphing Chamber Orchestra at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Beyond the stage, James works for the University of Sydney as a Scientific Strategy Advisor for the Sydney Biomedical Accelerator and is a casual academic at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, teaching Arabic music history and its context in music education.
For his performance at Sham El Naseem, James has brought together musicians for an authentic representation of classical Egyptian music by some of Egypt's best composers.
Emad Nosir is a distinguished violinist whose musical journey is as captivating as the melodies he creates. Born in Cairo, Egypt, Emad graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at Cairo University in 1979. However, his heart had always been attuned to the strings of a violin, compelling him to pursue his true passion.
In pursuit of his musical dreams, Emad enrolled at the prestigious Music Academy in Haram, Giza, and dedicated 5 years to mastering the violin. His relentless drive and commitment to music shaped him into a remarkable musician, weaving together cultural influences from his roots and the rich tapestry of global music. He plays oriental and western music.
In 1988, Emad took a bold step, migrating to Australia, where he continued to hone his craft and share his love for music. His performances quickly garnered admiration, allowing him to connect with diverse audiences and contribute to the vibrant musical landscape of his new home.
DJ Bash (Bishoy Eskander) is an Egyptian-born open-format DJ from Cairo with over 15 years of experience behind the decks. Now based in Sydney, he has built a strong reputation performing across nightclubs, private events, and corporate functions, delivering high-energy sets that connect with diverse crowds. Influenced by Egyptian and international sounds from a young age, DJ Bash blends cultures and genres seamlessly to create dynamic, crowd-focused experiences on every dancefloor.
Join us for free family workshops and arts and craft activities exploring ancient Egypt:
Purchase from a wide range of Egyptian tastes including Koshari, Kofta, Molokhia (Green Egyptian soup), Fateyer with honey and cheese, Egyptian Bashmyl, Ta'ameya (Egyptian falafel), Mahshi (stuffed vegetables), feseikh, Basbousa (semolina cake) and Konafa.
