Egypt launched its first International Festival for Drums and Traditional Arts under the title 'Drums Dialogue for Peace'. The festival takes place between 19 and 25 April, under the umbrella of the culture ministry, foreign cultural relations office, antiquities ministry and tourism ministry. Founded and directed by Intesar Abdel-Fattah, the festival promotes intercultural dialogues among the participating countries, of which Greece is the guest of honour. The festival also pays tribute to Egyptian and foreign folk icons, such as writer and thinker Tharwat Okasha, folk dancer and choreographer Mahmoud Reda, director Abdel-Rahman El-Shafei and many others who have contributed to the preservation and promotion of folk heritage.
