Egypt’s festivals fear future amid new funding regulations
As Egypt's cultural season starts in September, many festival organizers worry that they will be unable to go on after recent additional bureaucratic measures and cuts in state aid.
Egypt's festival organizers have expressed concern about freedom of expression and artistic creativity in the wake of the first meeting of a new government committee tasked with authorizing and regulating the country’s festivals.
The committee, launched by a governmental decree in July, met Aug. 27. Presided by Culture Minister Enas Abdel Dayem, the committee includes representatives from the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Finance, Tourism, Antiquities, Civil Aviation, Youth and Sports, and Local Development.
Under the new decree, organizers of cultural activities will get their permits from the Culture Ministry after their request is approved by the multi-ministry committee.
Although Dayem said at the first meeting that the committee seeks to protect public funds through a clear map for all festivals funded and organized by the state, many artists say the regulations that are now put in place will mean the demise of many cultural events, particularly smaller festivals.
