Egypt's Minister of Culture Inas Abdel Dayem and President of the Egyptian Opera House Magdy Saber inaugurated, on Sunday, the 29th edition of the Salah El-Din Citadel International Festival for Music and Singing, which is held in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The festival includes 31 diverse concerts held under the supervision of the Artistic House of Music. The festival will be running for 16 days, starting from 15 August. During her speech at the opening ceremony, Abdel Dayem said Abdel-Dayem said that Egypt has emphasized throughout history that it is the cradle of civilization. She added on the Egyptian territory the colors of arts, culture and science grew, and on the banks of its immortal river, history was born. She asserted that Salah El-Din Castle used to offer security for Egypt, but now the Citadel Festival comes to protect public taste and illuminate the art scene in Egypt and the Arab world. She explained that holding this festival confirms the state's insistence on overcoming challenges, asserting the role of the festival as one of Egypt's soft forces to combat extreme ideologies. The Culture Minister had also honoured 12 personalities who contributed to enriching the art scene in Egypt and the Arab world, and others who participated in achieving the success of the festival. The 12 personalities include pianist Amr Selim, singer Amjad Al-Atafi, singer Reem Kamal, opera singer Dalia Farouk and singer Khaled Shahdi. Then the festival had also presented the first Egyptian to reach the famous competition programme America Got Talent, the young flute recorder beatbox, Medhat Mamdouh. The opening ceremony concluded with the violin and piano duet Fouad and Munib accompanied by the Cairo Ceremonial Orchestra led by Maestro George Qelta, where they presented a group of their original music. The singers who will participate in the festival includes Ali El-Haggar, Hani Shaker, Hisham Abbas, Medhat Saleh, accompanied by the famous pianist Amr Selim and his band, Mohamed El-Helou, as well as singer Mai Farouk, Ahmed Effat, Sheikh Yassin Al-Tohamy, Muhammad Hassan, Tariq Al-Arabi (Tarkan and his sons), Carmen Suleiman, Muhammad Mohsen, Jannat, Nesma Mahgoub, Dina Al-Wadidi, Lina Shammian, Soleste Cairo Opera, and Ballet Ensemble. Two concerts will be held each evening. The Festival's programme: Sunday 15 August 8pm: Cairo Symphony Orchestra 10pm: Foud and Mounib Monday 16 August 8pm: Talents Development Centre's Children Choir 10pm: Wust El-Balad band Tuesday 17 August 8pm: Cairo Cafe band led by Ali Sharaf 10pm: Ahmed Gamal Wednesday 18 August 8pm: Yasser Soliman Ensemble for Music and Singing 10pm: Sheikh Yassin El-Tohamy Thursday 19 August 8pm: Cairo Opera Orchestra and Cairo String Orchestra 10pm: Ali El-Haggar Friday 20 August 8pm: Nadia Mostafa 10pm: Mohamed El-Helw Saturday 21 August 8pm: Wael El-Fashni 10pm: Lena Chamamyan Sunday 22 August 8pm: Hala Roshdi 10pm: Tarek Arabi Tourgane Monday 23 August 8pm: Hazem Shaheen 10pm: Carmen Soliman Tuesday 24 August 8pm: Nada Sharara 10pm: Hani Shaker Wednesday 25 August 8pm: Nouran Abutaleb 10pm: Hisham Abbas Thursday 26 August 8pm: Speed of Hearts band 10pm: Mohamed Mohsen Friday 27 August 8pm: Mohsen Hassan 10pm: Jannat Saturday 28 August 8pm: Tabla player Said El-Artist 10pm: Nesma Mahgoub Sunday 29 August 8pm: Boghdady Big Band – jazz concert 10pm: Dina El-Wedidi Monday 30 August 8pm: Marimba player Nesma Abdel Aziz
