Om El Donia Statue in Port Said

Standing tall at the gateway to Egypt’s maritime soul, the majestic Om El Donia, meaning “Mother of the World”, rises in bronze splendour within the newly inaugurated Egypt Square in the northern coastal city of Port Said. Sculpted by contemporary Egyptian artist Essam Darwish, this grand figure is a tribute to Egypt’s enduring identity, drawing inspiration from both the Pharaonic past and echoes of Ptolemaic elegance.

At ten metres in height, it is presently considered the largest bronze artwork in modern Egyptian history. The statue’s chosen form honours the time-honoured symbolism of femininity as the embodiment of strength, sacrifice, and the nurturing spirit of nations. Much like Lady Liberty in New York, Om El Donia stands as a proud matron of cultural pride and international welcome, gazing out over the waters where vessels from across the globe pass through the Suez Canal.

Crafted from enduring bronze, a metal renowned for its longevity and stately sheen, the sculpture is anchored upon a base of fine granite; another nod to the durability and timeless prestige of Egypt’s artistic tradition.

In Darwish’s own words, the statue was conceived as a symbol of Egypt herself, located in a place where East and West quite literally converge, offering a modern homage to the eternal land once hailed as the cradle of civilisation.