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Al-Ahram Weekly

Um Kolthoum at the heart of 33rd Arab Music Festival and Conference - Music - Arts & Culture

The management of the Music Festival and Conference announced that Um Kolthoum will be the central figure of its 33rd edition, planned to take place in October 2025 The decision is aligned with the Ministry of Culture designating 2025 the Year of Um Kolthoum, and a year-long celebration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Egyptian singer's death. During the meeting of the Festival's high committee held this week at the Cairo Opera House, director of the event's 33rd edition,Tamer Ghoneim, also underscored that the festival will focus on presenting exceptional musical and vocal performances that both reflect the richness of Arab heritage and showcase contemporary musical creativity. In addition, the Fetsival will serve as a platform for promising new talents to express themselves. Ghoneim added that several influential and creative figures who have made significant contributions to the field of Arab music will be honoured during the festival. During the same meeting, the Opera's chairman, Alaa Abdel Salam, stated that the upcoming edition will feature developments aimed at enhancing the Festival's status as a leading platform for Arab music in the region. He added that the festival will gather renowned stars of Arabic singing alongside young talents, and will also host discussions and academic studies related to contemporary music issues. The Arab Music Festival and Conference is Egypt's largest annual event dedicated to showcasing Arabic music. During the festival's days, a large selection of concerts showcase Egyptian and Arab musicians, ensembles and orchestras taking place on stages operated by the Cairo Opera House. These include theatres within the Cairo Opera House itself, as well as the Gomhoreya Theatre and Arabic Music Institute, extending to the Sayed Darwish Theatre in Alexandria and the Damanhour Opera House. Year of Um Kolthoum The year 2025 has already held numerous activities that paid tribute to the Star of the East. In January this year, the Cairo International Book Fair dedicated a special segment to Um Kolthoum, which includes musical performances and an exhibition of rare documents and photographs at the National Library and Archives. In February, the ministry's General Authority for Cultural Palaces organized the Um Kolthoum Festival for Music and Singing, which spanned across various governorates. The same month, the National Media Authority hosted a grand artistic celebration, rekindling the legacy of Egypt's media hub while paying a special tribute to Um Kolthoum's family. The 9th edition of the Aswan International Women Film Festival (2-7 May 2025) has been named after Um Kolthoum, whose face decked the festival's official poster. Throughout the year, the Cultural Development Fund, another ministry-linked body, organized cultural and artistic events in Cairo and Alexandria. The celebrations extend beyond Egypt's borders. In February, Cairo Opera's Arab Music Orchestra, conducted by Alaa Abdel-Salam and singers Rehab Omar and Iman Abdel Ghani, performed Um Kolthoum's songs at the Paris Philharmonic Hall (Philharmonie de Paris), France. In July, the celebrations dubbed Um Kolthoum in Paris, took place at the prestigious theatre La Salle Gaveau, featuring Egyptian artists Marwa Nagy, Reham Abdel-Hakim, and Amira Selim in the Star of the East's repertoire. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link: