Many Egyptians consider the beautiful city of Alexandria to be their summer destination as they escape from the heat of the capital and other cities in Egypt.  ‘Alexandria is more beautiful in winter than in summer’ is a well-known saying from Alexandrians. The city has its own charm in winter and shares in the Christmas celebrations and not only in its churches and cathedrals. Artists, soloists and choirs perform Christmas-related songs and carols.

Ahram Online brings you closer to events at Christmas time in Alexandria during the month of December.

10 December:   The Great Hall at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina at 8 pm

Saint Mark’s choir from Cairo will perform well-known Christmas carols

(El Kornich Street, El Shatby)

18 December:  Culturel Francais d'Alexandrie (French Cultural Centre) at 8 pm

Sacre Coeur choir conducted by Sherif Attala will perform Christmas carols.

The choir of Sacre Coeur from Ebrahimya Church has been performing for almost 25 years.  They perform Christmas carols annually in various churches in Alexandria.

19 December:  Jesuit Cultural Centre at 8.30 pm,

El Refak Choir will sing the best known Christmas songs.

(Port Said Str, Sidi Gaber)

20 December:  College St Marc at 8 pm

Sacre Coeur choir conducted by Sherif Attala will perform Christmas carols (Shatby Station)

21 December:  The Great Hall at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina at  8 pm

El Refak Choir will sing the best-known Christmas songs

El Refak Choir was founded in 1999 at the Jesuit church in Alexandria.

(El Kornich Street, El Shatby)

23 December:  Sacre Coeur church at 8 pm

Sacre Coeur choir conducted by Sherif Attala will perform Christmas carols

(Port Said Street, El Ebrahimya.)

24 December: St Mark's Pro-Cathedral at 6 pm.

A Christmas carol service by candlelight

This service has been taking place since the 1960s, during which the story of the birth of Jesus Christ is read and traditional carols are sung in English. A choir consists of 30 members and sings in four voices.

(The far end of Salah Salem Street, opposite the police station of Mansheya)

24 December:    College St Marc at 11.45 pm.

Messe de Minuit on Christmas Eve

A mass held in French during which the school choir and adults sing some traditional carols, as well as some famous pieces by Bach, Faure and Mozart. The singing is done in four voices, in Latin, French and English and is accompanied by the orchestra with the organ. The choir consists of around 80 members.

(Shatby tram station)  

29 December:  The Great Hall in Bibliotheca Alexandrina at 8 pm

Heaven Harp choir’s Christmas concert

The heaven harp was formed in 1998 and was limited to a small number of young people singing hymns  in weekly meetings or at different church occasions (New Year, Christmas, Easter...). Today the choir participates in a variety of events and festivals including choir-singing. The choir has recorded "Christmas Melodies"  and won first prize in the 1st El Agayby Artistic Festival held in 2005.