The Egyptian Ministry of Culture will launch the 26th Ismailia International Folk Arts Festival on Saturday, in collaboration with the Ismailia Governorate. The festival will take place under the auspices of Dr. Abdel Aziz Kansoua, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Acting Minister of Culture, and Lieutenant General Nabil El-Sayed Hasab Allah, Governor of Ismailia.
The festival is organized by the General Organization for Cultural Palaces, led by artist Hisham Atwa, and the Central Administration for International Cultural Relations, led by Dr. Howida Kamel, in coordination with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Tourism Activation Authority, and the Suez Canal Authority. This year's festival features 15 participating troupes, including 8 from Russia, Romania, Lebanon, Tanzania, Sudan, Algeria, Jordan, and Indonesia, and 7 troupes affiliated with the General Organization for Cultural Palaces.
The festival's events will kick off with a festive parade of all participating troupes at 5 pm on Saturday, in front of the old governorate building on Mohamed Ali Street. The official opening ceremony will take place on Sunday, October 11, at 8 pm at the Ismailia Cultural Palace, and will include honoring several symbols and personalities who have enriched the artistic and cultural movement.
The festival's activities are implemented through the Central Administration for Artistic Affairs, led by artist Ahmed El-Shafei, the General Administration of Festivals, and the General Administration of Folk Arts. The festival's director and producer of the opening and closing ceremonies is artist Maher Kamal.
The festival's performances will take place from October 12 to 15 at several theaters, including the Sheikh Zayed Park, Family Club, Denfrah Club, Engineers' Syndicate, and Ismailia Cultural Palace, as well as several theaters in the cities of Fayed, Qantara West, and Qasasin.
In addition to the performances, the festival will also feature an exhibition of environmental crafts. The festival's activities will conclude on Friday, October 16, with a closing ceremony and honoring of the participating troupes at 8 pm at the Ismailia Cultural Palace.
According to artist Hisham Atwa, the Ismailia International Folk Arts Festival represents one of the international artistic events that the Ministry of Culture, represented by the General Organization for Cultural Palaces, is keen to continue and support in cooperation with the Ismailia Governorate.
Key points
- The festival features 15 Egyptian and foreign troupes.
- The festival's events will take place from October 12 to 15.
- The festival will conclude with a closing ceremony on October 16.
