On Wednesday, 10 January, Minister of Culture Helmi El-Namnam and Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Song Aiguo, inaugurated “The Second Crafts and Cultural Industries Fair: Egypt-China” at the Hanager Arts Centre. Shi Yuewen, the cultural counselor at the Chinese embassy in Cairo and director of the Chinese Cultural Centre, also attended the launch. Organised by the Cultural Development Fund, and presided over by Fathi Abdel-Wahab, the exhibition aims at introducing the handicrafts and traditional arts of the two countries and to reinforce channels of communication between artists and artisans. The fair showcases from the Egyptian side Al-Fustat traditional handicrafts such as jewellery, pottery, stained glass and brass wares, as well as graphic, wood, metal artworks, paintings, and textiles by professors of the Faculty of Fine Arts. A traditional handicraft market is also being held, including heritage products for the cities of Al-Arish, Bir Al Abd, Aswan, Konoz Al-Nuba, Sohag, Halayab and Shalatin, in addition to the products of the Bedouin Women Association for Heritage and Sustainable Development in Ain Moussa. The Chinese pavilion includes traditional artifacts, handicrafts, paintings and artworks by a number of leading artists and craftsmen from China. It includes interactive calligraphy workshops, ceramics, silk embroidery and an interactive calligraphy workshop in which a number of Egyptian calligraphers are participating. El-Namnam said that the exhibition is a continuation of previous meetings and exhibitions held in Cairo or in a number of Chinese cities during the Egyptian-Chinese cultural year. He added that cultural relations between the two countries are historical: "Relations between Egypt and China have been strong since the time of President Gamal Abdel Nasser and flourished in the era of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. We were pleased with the visit of the Chinese president to celebrate the beginning of the Egyptian-Chinese cultural year in Luxor." The opening of the exhibition was followed by a dance performance by the National Ensemble for Folk Arts. The exhibition continues through 14 January from 1pm to 8pm. Egypt's Minister of Culture Helmi El-Namnam and Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Song Aiguo, inaugurate "The Second Crafts and Cultural Industries Fair: Egypt-China" at Hanager Arts Centre. (Photo: Al Ahram) For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
