Aswan, Egypt, September 21, 2011 -- The
Characters of Egypt Festival is a 3-day
encounter of diverse cultures organized
by Wafaa el Nil NGO in collaboration
with the Egyptian Tourism Authority. It
is an annual event that brings together
representatives from 33 different ethnic
groups residing in Egypt.
From 2008 to 2010, the event was hosted
by Fustat Wadi el Gemal, 50 kms south of
the Red Sea resort of Marsa Alam. This
year, in 2011, the festival will take
place from October 27 – 29 and will be
relocated from the desert environment of
Wadi el Gemal to the Island of Heisa in
Aswan on the River Nile [located between
the Aswan Low Dam (Khazzan Aswan) and
the High Dam]. This new location offers
an opportunity for the participants to
experience different landscapes and
cultures in their places of origin.
An estimated number of 3,000 guests are
expected to participate in this year’s
event. These are composed of 350 tribal
individuals, 100 volunteers, 100
journalists, media personnel and press,
politicians, ambassadors, business
people, academics, artists, visitors
from Cairo and Alexandria in addition to
tourists visiting Egypt during that
time.
Vision
The festival envisions creating a
platform through which a variety of
isolated ethnic groups can converge in a
festive communal atmosphere. The event
offers a rare opportunity to link
cultures and inculcate values of mutual
respect, understanding, tolerance and
equality.
The objective of the event is to create
awareness of cultural diversity amongst
different ethnic groups. This diversity
is recognized and celebrated through
indigenous practices, beliefs, cuisines,
clothing, music, art, literary
traditions, sports and dialogue. Some of
these attributes are showcased through
workshops and exhibitions together with
arts and sports competitions. The idea
is for foreign tourists and other local
spectators to take part in these events
in a spirit of respect and mutual
understanding.
In the long-term, the festival aims to
tackle socio-economic and environmental
issues. The initiative works towards
improving life conditions of the
island’s approx. 1500 inhabitants and
takes proactive steps towards creating
awareness of and mitigating the
environmental challenges facing the
River Nile.
The Characters of Egypt Festival 2011
The catering during the festival will be
provided by Divine Works: art of food
and beverage serving typical Egyptian
dishes. In addition, a number of local
chefs from the various ethnic groups
will provide home-cooked traditional
cuisine under the supervision of the
caterers.
Besides the music, dance and
sports festivities, a number of
informative workshops will take place
during the event. Examples include
discussions on customary law,
alternative medicine, sustainable
tourism and environmental awareness. In
addition, a wide array of exhibitions
will take place such as photography and
handcraft displays. Azza Fahmy, the
leading Egyptian jewelry designer, will
once again exhibit her private
collection of ethnic Egyptian jewelry as
she has done at the past three
Characters of Egypt festivals.
Quote Mr. Walid Ramadan: “With
the cultural diversity existing in Egypt
and the similarities and contrasts that
characterize the many ethnic groups, the
Characters of Egypt festival is a unique
platform to melt barriers between
different cultural understandings. We
are all united in our differences.”
For additional information,
please contact Walid Ramadan, Founder
and Chairman:
5 Abbas Helmy Street, Heliopolis, Cairo, EGYPT
Cell: +2012 100 1109
Email: charactersofegypt@gmail.com
Website: www.charactersofegypt.com
5 Abbas Helmy Street, Heliopolis, Cairo, EGYPT
Cell: +2012 100 1109
Email: charactersofegypt@gmail.com
Website: www.charactersofegypt.com
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