YEREVAN - Giuseppe Verdi's masterpiece "Aida" has already taken opera buffs by storm in many parts of the world. The ancient Egypt-themed opera, which revolves around a love affair between a captured Ethiopian princess and an Egyptian military commander, will soon have yet another spectacular performance. An Armenian cast will perform "Aida" in Yerevan on December 23. "This opera is unique thanks to Verdia's ingenuity and its humanitarian theme," Armenian Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan has said. "We are even ready to stage 'Aida' in Egypt," she told a group of Egyptian journalists visiting Armenia. Since its independence in 1991, Armenia, which boasts a centuries-old cultural heritage, has been keen to nurture links with Egypt. In 1997, the two countries signed a cultural co-operation agreement. "We have now entered a new phase of implementing a new agreement promoting co-operation in the years 2012 and 2013," she added in an interview. Last year, the Library of Alexandria in Egypt and Armenia's National Library sealed a co-operation pact. Meanwhile, Armenian theatrical groups are frequent participants in the annual Cairo Experimental Theatre Festival. "Children's teams from Armenia take part in all activities held under the auspices of (Egypt's First Lady) Suzanne Mubarak," said Poghosyan through an interpreter. Egypt has a large Armenian community, who have got integrated into society harmoniously in different walks of life since the 19th century. "We are always grateful to Egypt for giving us creative Armenian thinkers, composers, medical professionals and architects," she said. "The fact that there are Armenian schools, cultural centres, newspapers and magazines in Egypt reflects the good treatment the Armenians have always got there." Several Egyptian actors of Armenian origin are among the country's big names. "We consider our cultural ties with Egypt the key to the development of Armenia's cultural relations in the region." Poghosyan cited "interest and plans" to translate books from Arabic into the Armenian language and vice versa over the coming few years. "I think good results in this regard will start appearing by 2012."
