The National Film Festival celebrates heritage on its International Day through the screen of art and creativity
In a rich cultural event that reflects the spirit of Egyptian identity and the richness of its intangible heritage, the National Cinema Center, headed by Dr. Ahmed Saleh, participates in the activities celebrating World Intangible Cultural Heritage Day, which is organized by the Ministry of Culture on October 27 and 28, 2025, under the patronage of Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno, Minister of Culture, and in cooperation between the Supreme Council of Culture, the Cultural Development Fund Sector, and the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, along with a number From cultural and academic institutions and civil society organizations.
The events are held at the headquarters of the Supreme Council of Culture in the Cairo Opera House Square, and the Al-Hanager Arts Center cinema, in an atmosphere that celebrates the diversity of Egyptian and Arab heritage, and stresses the importance of preserving it and passing it on to generations.
– Cinema is the mirror of popular memory.
The National Cinema Center participates over the course of two days by showing a distinguished group of documentaries that document aspects of the authentic Egyptian heritage, including:
The film “Tug of War”; Directed by Nihad Ashry, and “Bayaa Al-Rababa” Directed by Tariq Al-Mirghani, and “Al-Khayamiya” Directed by Hashim Al-Nahhas, and * “The Art of Peasants” Directed by Abdul Qader Al-Tilmisani, in the Al-Hanager Arts Center cinema hall.
These visual works reflect aspects of popular heritage and traditional arts, so that cinema becomes a means of preserving cultural memory and documenting the features of national identity.
– An artistic opening that celebrates crafts. And heritage
The activities of the first day begin at 10:30 a.m. with the opening of an exhibition of traditional crafts and pictures organized by a group of art colleges affiliated with various Egyptian universities, in addition to an exhibition of handicrafts organized by the Cultural Development Fund sector, with the participation of the Semsemiya band affiliated with the Misr Public Library in Ismailia, which adds a traditional musical flavor to the festival. Opening.
– “Music and Singing Traditions”… A Heritage Told
At 11:30 am, the “Music and Singing Traditions” workshop will begin, with the participation of an elite group of researchers. And musicians, in the presence of a number of culture and art icons, including: Dr. Ashraf Al-Azzazi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Culture, the architect Hamdi Satouhi, head of the Cultural Development Fund Sector, Dr. Noria Sanz, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, Dr. Nahla Imam, Advisor to the Minister of Culture for Heritage, Dr. Ahmed Saleh, Head of the National Cinema Center, and Dr. Mohamed Shabana, Professor of Popular Music at the Academy. Arts.
The workshop includes two research sessions; The first is entitled “Instruments of Popular Music… Unity and Diversity.” Headed by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shabana, researchers from Egypt and the Arab world participate in it, including: A. Dafallah Al-Hajj from Sudan, A. Rafiq Al-Akouri from Yemen, accompanied by oud player Muhammad Al-Hajri, musician Munir Al-Wasimi, and A. Musa Ahmed Musa, Dr. Shaima Al-Saidi.
The second session will be held under the title “Women’s Songs” Headed by Dr. Mustafa Abdel Qader, and deals with women’s songs on different Egyptian occasions and regions, with the participation of A. Ayat Abdel Dayem, and A. Nihad Helmy, and A. Fatima Muhammad Ali.
– The second day…an extension of Arabic singing and its heritage.
The activities will be completed on the second day, Tuesday, October 28, with sessions under the title “Arabic music and singing…various popular contexts.” Headed by Prof. Dr. Nizar Ghanem, studies are presented on Samar songs in the oases, Arab folk stories, and agricultural songs as a source of inspiration in folklore, in addition to research dedicated to the music of the Hilal biography.
The program concludes with a session entitled “Combining music and singing between state responsibility and efforts.” Eligibility» Headed by Prof. Dr. Saeed Al-Masry, it deals with field documentation and research efforts for musical heritage, with the participation of Prof. Alia Nassar, and A. Adel Musa, and Eng. Haitham Younis, Dr. Doaa Mahfouz, and A. Youssef Shalayel.
– A heritage that illuminates memory and preserves identity
These activities come within the Ministry of Culture’s ongoing efforts to preserve intangible cultural heritage and revive folk arts and traditional practices, emphasizing that heritage is not a past that is told, but rather a present that is preserved. A future to be inherited, and a general invitation to all those interested in culture, arts, and Egyptian identity to participate in this event that combines originality and creativity.
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