Ottawa: Egypt's Ambassador to Canada, Ahmed Hafez, hosted a reception at the Egyptian embassy in Ottawa to celebrate UNESCO's recent decision to add Egyptian koshary to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for 2025.According to State Information Service Egypt, the event was organized in cooperation with Ahmed Gaber, head of Egypt's cultural and educational office in Canada. It attracted a wide range of Canadian officials, including members of parliament from both the House of Commons and the Senate, along with cultural figures, academics, business leaders, representatives of Canadian organizations and associations, and several accredited ambassadors.In remarks at the reception, Hafez stated that the UNESCO listing was a significant achievement that enhances the global reputation of Egyptian heritage and emphasizes its cultural richness. He described koshary as a cultural and social symbol that reflects values of sharing and diversity within Egyptian society and embodies everyday traditions passed down through generations.He further noted that the international recognition of koshary extends beyond appreciation of Egyptian culinary heritage, signaling broader global respect for Egypt's culture and long history, and reaffirming the ability of its heritage to inspire and renew itself.During the event, a short film prepared under Gaber's supervision was screened, following his speech, introducing koshary and highlighting how Canadian audiences have engaged with the dish.As part of the program, guests were served koshary from a specially prepared traditional street-food cart, allowing attendees to sample the dish and learn about its ingredients as well as its social and cultural background.The inclusion of koshary on UNESCO's intangible heritage list marks an important addition to Egypt's global heritage record and is the first time an Egyptian food item has been inscribed on UNESCO's lists, a step officials say will help promote Egyptian culture in Canada and internation ally.