Cairo Marks Nile Diversion Anniversary and Honors High Dam Builders

The Russian Cultural Center organized a celebration marking the 62nd anniversary of the diversion of the Nile River, in cooperation with the High Dam Builders Association and the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association, in the presence of prominent figures in Egyptian-Russian relations, along with engineers, technicians, and families of the High Dam builders.

The event was moderated by Sherif Gad, Secretary-General of the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association, and attended by Dr. Vadim Zaichikov, Director of Russian Cultural Centers in Egypt, Dr. Ibrahim Kamel, Chairman of the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association, and Engineer Sabry El-Ashmawy, Chairman of the High Dam Builders Association.

Dr. Vadim Zaichikov described the High Dam as a symbol of Egyptian-Russian friendship, emphasizing the success of bilateral cooperation despite numerous challenges and highlighting the continuation of this partnership in major national projects, including the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant.

Dr. Ibrahim Kamel praised the High Dam builders, describing them as a source of pride for Egypt and the makers of one of the country’s greatest historic achievements. Engineer Sabry El-Ashmawy stressed that Egyptian determination and cooperation with Russian friends were key to the success of the massive national project despite difficult circumstances.

The celebration also featured a lecture by Dr. Abbas Sharaky, Professor of Geology and Water Resources at Cairo University, who reviewed the stages of the High Dam’s construction, its role in protecting Egypt from floods and droughts, and its contribution to agricultural and urban development.

Sharaky noted that the High Dam helped expand Egypt’s agricultural land to nearly 11 million feddans, including the New Delta project, which aims to reclaim and cultivate 2.2 million feddans using Nile water and water recycling projects.

The event included a documentary screening about the historic diversion of the Nile River, along with an archival photo exhibition documenting the construction phases of the High Dam.

At the conclusion of the celebration, attendees paid tribute to the Egyptian and Soviet builders of the High Dam, as well as to the Egyptian people who endured difficult economic and political conditions during its construction, with special recognition for the sacrifices made by the Nubian people for the completion of the landmark national project.