The other day I was watching the latest Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises and seriously the way Bane and his clan were determined to destroy Gotham City reminded me a lot of what some are trying to do to Egypt. A few months ago I warned that the plan of those people includes demolishing all institutions that are related to art and culture. That was when the Minister of Education announced that music will not be taught at schools because it corrupts kids. Days later when all hell broke loose he denied saying this completely. Last month we found out that the Minister of Culture was planning to dismiss Cairo Opera House's President, Dr Inas Abdel -Daiem. A delegation from the Cairo Opera House had a meeting with him and he claimed that he had no intention of dismissing her at all. Moreover, he claimed that he was happy with her performance. Some people are not to be trusted at all no matter what they say – the dismissal was confirmed and he attempted to appoint Dr Reda El-Wakil instead but the wise man turned down the offer. Finally, Badr el-Zagazigy, an engineer, was appointed as the new president of our opera. How did thousands of employees, music lovers and supporters react? Different companies and troupes cancelled their performances, renowned artists like Omar Khairat and Nesma Abdel-Aziz decided not to play at the opera and demonstrations were, and still are, being held all over the place. A march to the Ministry of Culture, followed by a sit in, has become a very common procedure. It is not about Dr Inas; it is about principles. How could an outsider impose his uncalculated decisions on such a venue and its artists? With all due respect to Badr el-Zagazigy, I personally find it unacceptable to appoint an engineer as the President of Cairo Opera House. The man has been working there for many years but still he is not an artist. Although I knew all the facts and details, I thought I should speak to Dr Inas and hear the story from her. The woman had enough courage to tell me everything. "My dismissal from the very start was not a rumour – the first time we heard of it we knew that the decision was taken but since the news was leaked, the minister denied it completely because he was still trying to find excuses. The decision was taken but my name was not properly written in the dismissal letter and, while they were writing another one, the news was leaked! Despite denying it in various media, we knew he was planning to dismiss everyone in charge and the decisions he was taking were totally mixed up. Only three days later he sent the dismissal letter without informing the media of course." What on earth are his reasons? "It is just a plan to control everything. At first he didn't have anything to say and he claimed that he would reveal the reasons later. Then he said he wanted to pump in new blood, which wasn't a reasonable excuse and everyone was against it. Many went on demonstrations against the minister." This is absurd. Are we supposed to force out the experts and have inexperienced or unqualified people in their places? He does not own Egyptian culture and he has no right whatsoever to destroy it. People have every right to march against him if this is his excuse. "He later said things like ‘mismanagement' and when he was asked to elaborate he said that we present Verdi's Aida during the season of exams and asked, "What will the father do when his son is having exams". He also said that Al-Forsan did not sell many tickets in Alexandria. "Of course we have nothing to do with this at all because Al-Forsan troupe does not belong to the Cairo Opera House in the first place – the Cultural Development Fund is in charge of it. They only perform at our venues. Besides, the opera is about culture and our main purpose is not making financial profit but we are spreading culture. "Nevertheless, while some performances don't make profits, others do and make up for them, which is normal. He also ignored and even denied everything we achieved throughout the year." So he doesn't know what the Cairo Opera House is doing or is in charge of and still he is imposing his irrational decisions on it and on culture. So what happened after the dismissal? "He offered the position to Dr Reda, who immediately declined because he sensed the plan to sabotage the Cairo Opera House. Those people are trying to split us up but Dr Reda is smart. He said, "The best person for this position is Dr Inas and I can't do what she is doing. Then he offered it to Badr, who fell into the trap by accepting it. It is just a transition period and they will not keep Badr in that post, but the minister knew that he couldn't appoint a total stranger because people will not allow this. So he appointed someone who works at the Cairo Opera House." What are the actions you and all culture supporters are taking? "I am suing him and the first court hearing will be on June 11 (today). I am taking legal action because what he has done is against the law and regulations. I have been in that position for 15 months and my contract should be renewed in February of next year. I was delegated and there are several procedures that should have been taken but he ignored them. However, legal actions take time." "People in our circle are furious as you know because it is not about Inas, it's not about the opera or all those who were dismissed – it is a spark that started a fire which should stop their plan of destroying culture in Egypt. I am happy that this plan was quickly exposed. People will not keep this man in his position for much longer." I totally agree. We deserve to have a human being that must know about culture and work to promote it. "Many are sitting in right in front of the ministry not only to show their approval, but also to show that their voice will be heard loud and clear. We have daily free performances by artists who are doing what they do best – expressing themselves through their art." Whether they like it or not, Egypt will never give up its culture and we will get rid of those incompetent persons who are deliberately trying to destroy our culture. Send me to: [email protected]
