From the photos participating in the festival... Photo by the festival president

From architecture to folk games… Details of the first heritage arts festival in Qena

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In November, the governorate of Qena is preparing to launch the first edition of the “Heritage Arts and Crafts Festival,” which will feature a series of documentary films on traditional crafts, as well as a competition for the most beautiful photograph depicting these crafts. The festival will also include art workshops and folk costume shows.

Best photograph of heritage architecture

Haitham Al-Hawari, founder and president of the festival, says that this event is one of ten cultural projects that have been held in Qena in recent years, especially since the organization of the Southern Theater Festival. He pointed out that the festival is launching a competition entitled “Best Photo of Heritage Architecture,” sponsored by a cultural institution, with the results to be announced next November.

Regarding the conditions for participation, Al-Hawari explained: “No photos from outside the governorate of Qena will be accepted. The photo must depict heritage architecture and be taken by the photographer themselves. It is also prohibited to merge or delete elements from the photo, use filters that alter the essence of the heritage scene and make it appear unrealistic, or add text or frames to it.”

The photo must be at least 3000 MB in size, in high-quality JPG format, and participants may submit a maximum of three photos. Written consent must also be obtained from people who are clearly visible in the photos, especially children.

Al-Hawari added that participants are responsible for ensuring that the intellectual property rights of any element in the image are not violated. Images must not contain any political or religious symbols, taking into account customs, traditions, and public taste.

Governor of Qena inspects heritage works to be featured at festival in Al-Sarsou factory

Prize money

The prize money for the top three places is 30,000 pounds, distributed as follows:

First place: 15,000 pounds.
Second place: 10,000 pounds.
Third place: 5,000 pounds.

Artistic and cultural skills development workshops

Al-Hawari continued, saying:

“On the sidelines of the festival, training workshops will be organized in the field of folk arts and traditional crafts. The aim is to develop the skills of young people and introduce these arts in various regions, especially villages and hamlets.”

He added that the workshops seek to create economic opportunities by supporting handicraft products, introducing them to new generations, and training them in their manufacture. In addition to empowering local artists and craftsmen and providing platforms to showcase their creativity, the workshops will develop the artistic skills of the people of Qena under the guidance of specialists.

The artistic program also includes folk art performances, Moulia and Tanoura shows, and popular and historical performances. In addition to storytelling, palm reading, folk singing, madih and religious chanting. Alongside church hymns, puppet shows, shadow plays, flute and rababa performances. The festival will also feature traditional arts groups from Palestine, Algeria, Morocco and Oman.

Revival of traditional games

The festival president explained that, for the first time, a number of traditional games for children will be presented with the aim of reviving some of the games that were part of village culture, such as kite flying, seven stones, ball games, the bee or wasp game, the ball game, the king’s catch or tag, and the electricity game.

The festival also includes authentic traditional games from Upper Egypt culture, such as marmah, tahteeb, and horse dancing.

Crafts and Arts Exhibition.

The festival also includes an exhibition of Upper Egyptian clothing and traditional and folkloric costumes, an exhibition of traditional jewelry and accessories, and an exhibition of traditional architecture. In addition to an exhibition of traditional games. Along with organizing workshops on handicrafts and environmental crafts, accessory making, Arabic calligraphy, religious chanting, puppet making, and folk instruments.

Arrival of events in villages

Al-Hawari concluded his speech by saying, “The events, art and cultural exhibitions, and craft workshops will tour most of the villages in the governorate, with the dates to be announced before the start of the festival. We have also launched a registration form on the festival’s official website to give all independent groups the opportunity to participate.”