Millions of Egyptians celebrated on Monday the traditional spring festival of Sham an-Naseem, which is held on the day following the Coptic Easter to mark the beginning of spring. The festival, whose name literally means "Smelling the Breeze," dates back to the times of pharaohs.
On Sham an-Naseem, Egyptians spend all day picnicking. Traditional festival meals include the Fesikh salted fish dish and smoked herring - to honor the Nile River, and painted eggs symbolizing the germ of life.
