Presidential candidates running in the upcoming election used the Sham al-Nessim celebration as a chance to reach out to Egyptians. Hopeful Hamdeen Sabbahi, whose presidential campaign is titled “One of Us,” head to Kanater, the Nile Barrages, on a ferry. In jeans, a radiant Sabbahi took pictures with Egyptians visiting the garden. On Sunday, roofless double-decker buses displaying pictures of presidential hopeful Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh drove along the corniche in Alexandria in the afternoon. Abouel Fotouh's campaigners distributed orange flags and balloons carrying Abouel Fotouh's picture to people as they elaborated on his electoral platform. Ahmed Nabil, one of the campaign coordinators, said the purpose of operating those buses is to share celebrations with Egyptians and inform them of Abouel Fotouh's ideas. Sham al-Nessim is an ancient springtime celebration in Egypt that dates back to the pharaohs. Egyptians traditionally eat fesikh, a type of fermented fish, and many people spend time outside to celebrate.
