“This year Ramadan cultural events will not only entertain the public and show them different facets of Egyptian culture,” says Minister of Culture Helmi Al-Namnam. “They will also indirectly stand against all kinds of extremism through the dissemination of moderate thinking. Border cities like Halayeb, Shalatin, Abu Ramad as well towns north and south of Marsa Matrouh will have their own cultural actvities in Ramadan,” Al-Namnam pointed out. “Opening new discussion channels with the young in different places all over Egypt is another goal of this year's Ramadan programming.” To this end a number of seminars and lectures delivered by prominent figures from the Ministry of Religious Endowments and Al-Azhar have also been organised by the ministry. Luxor continues its activities as Capital of Arab Culture with a focus on Sufi and folk dance, religious chanting and Arabic music. In Cairo there are numerous activities planned. The Cultural Palaces have launched special Ramadan programmes that include exhibitions, screenings, concerts and workshops at the Northern Cairo Wall and in the Bazara Wikala on Al-Muiz Street as well as throughout the country. The Supreme Council of Culture is organising poetry readings and seminars. The Cairo Opera House offers a Ramadan programme of religious chanting and Oriental music. The General Egyptian Book Organisation is organising two book fairs: on Al-Muiz Street and on the Faisal Fairgrounds. Tanoura dance in Prince Taz Palace According to Creativity Centre Director Khaled Galal, the centre has two performances planned: Ghona Masri (Egyptian Singing), an evening of folk songs; and Sallem Nafsak (Hand Yourself In), a tragicomic sequence of stage sketches. According to the Cultural Development Fund (CDF) Chairman Ahmed Awwad, the CDF is organising performances – including the Mawlaweya, Amer Al-Tuni and Manal Mohyieddin – at the Islamic Cairo baits (or houses) and its creative centres in Zamalek, Al-Fustat, Al-Khalifa and downtown Cairo. Al-Ghouri Dome and Al-Azhar Street will be filled with religious chanting, Sufi performances and poetry readings – the latter to be presented by poet Ahmed Abdel-Moati Hegazi at Bait Al-Shair and Bait Al-Sett Wasila in Al-Azhar, qaragoz and shadow puppet theatre. Nasir Shamma's Bait Al-Oud is performing Mohamed Abdel-Wahab and Laila Murad songs. Two exhibitions have also been inaugurated. The first shows handicrafts from all over Egypt while the second shows calligraphy by 40 artists. The Talaat Harb Cultural Centre has also started a programme of poetry reading and music.
