In an event filled with celebrations and national fervour, Egypt witnessed today the much-anticipated opening of the new Suez Canal. The ceremony began with a naval flotilla, and was attended by a number of high profile figures from across Egyptian society and the international community. Notable attendees included Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, King Salman of Saudi Arabia, French President Francois Hollande and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. After the celebratory naval flotilla, a short film by Egyptian director Magdy al-Hawary was played, documenting the history of this stage in the canal’s expansion, from the unique way in which it was funded, to the project’s excavation and construction. The video also emphasised the canal’s status as a national icon, pointing to the fact that the path to today’s opening was “planned by Egyptian minds and Egyptian efforts.” The film also pointed to the sheer magnitude of the project. Indeed, the $8 billion expansion, which had originally been projected to take three years, but was completed in just one year, includes 21 miles of new channels cut through the desert, and expands existing bodies of water by 22 miles, making way…
