About ECCAO
The Egyptian Canadian Cultural Association of Ottawa (ECCAO) is non-profit organization that was incorporated in 1984 by a group of 12 Egyptian-Canadian men and women who lived in the National Capital Region.
Living Heritage of Traditional Egyptian Crafts
This seminar explores Egypt’s living heritage through its traditional crafts, each one carrying centuries of cultural memory and identity. Despite facing economic and social pressures, many of these crafts are being revived through creative entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and sustainable design. We highlight the voices and experiences of artisans, examining how their work can be preserved, reimagined, and celebrated both in Egypt and around the world.
About the Speaker
Dr. Amal Magdy Alattar is a Visiting Scholar at the University of Ottawa, specializing in Classical Archaeology and Cultural Heritage. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, and now based in Canada, she is the President & CEO of the Canada Heritage Action Foundation and the founder of HUYYA, an initiative promoting narrative justice for Global South communities in world museums.
Her work focuses on re-narrating the histories of marginalized peoples, with a strong emphasis on identity, memory, and cultural representation. Dr. Alattar has presented at major international forums including UNESCO, and her creative projects, such as the docu-fiction film The Researcher and her upcoming book A Woman from the South, blend academic inquiry with storytelling.
Recognized as a leading Arab feminist voice in Canada and beyond, Dr. Alattar is shaping new ways of thinking about heritage, memory, and global cultural dialogue.