With the participation of 25 artists from around the world, the Fifth Luxor International Painting Symposium kicked off on Sunday. The international symposium this year includes ten Egyptian artists, five artists from other Arab countries and ten artists from Russia, Argentina, Austria, the Philippines, Germany, Romania, Hungary, Ecuador and Georgia. Mohamed Abu Seda, head of the Cultural Development Fund which is organising the event, says that he is delighted with this cultural event that has become one of the landmarks in Egypt's artistic scene. Abu Seda adds that the session is being held at a special historical moment, in the wake of last year's revolution, stressing that he is happy that the event is attracting the attention of more artists from around the world. "We have five new countries participating for the first time," he explains, adding that this session will be of special importance as it will witness the laying the foundation stone of the Luxor Atelier, a long-cherished dream of Egyptian artists. Abu Seda has thanked the artists who have contributed to the ambitious project, calling on more Egyptian artists to get involved. On the sidelines of the symposium, an exhibition of the works produced last year during the fourth symposium will be held in the gallery in the Prince Taz Palace in Islamic Cairo. The exhibition will run until December 9 while the symposium wraps up on December 1.
