Acting on behalf of Minister of Culture Saber Arab, Cairo Opera House Director Ines Abdel-Dayeim inaugurated the first edition of the Damanhur International Folklore Festival, organised by the Opera House in collaboration with the Foreign Cultural Relations Sector. The opening featured Bahiya, choreographed and directed by Karima Bedeir and performed by the Knights of the Orient for Heritage company. At the opening ceremony Abdel-Dayeim granted the Greek folk troupe the Opera House Shield of Recognition. Performances have included Al-Beheira Folk Dance troupe, who presented the social and cultural traditions of the province, and the Tanoura whirling dervishes.