In recognition of her efforts, Bibliotheca Alexandrina honoured Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem, together with a group of creators and young emerging talents as part of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s Arts Centre’s 17th International Summer Festival which started on 26 July and will continue until 31 August.

Culture Minister Ines Abdel-Dayem, BA Director Mustafa El-Feki and musician Rageh Dawoud Photo courtesy of the Culture Minister Media Office

Abdel-Dayem expressed her happiness with this honour from Bibliotheca Alexandrina and described it as one of the cultural landmarks in Egypt and in the world, considering it an important centre for enlightenment. She said that honoring creators in general is a motive to continue exerting more efforts.

The honored icons of arts and culture included musician Rageh Dawoud, violinist Hassan Sharara, stage director and Head of the Artistic Production Sector at the Culture Ministry Khaled Galal, the director Essam El-Sayed, the stage director Mohamed Abou Doma, film director Hala Khalil, opera singer Nevine Allouba, musician Osman El-Mahdy, musician Mohamed Hosny, play writer Amar Mustafa and visual artist Nermin Badr.

For his part, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Mustafa El-Feki pointed out that art and culture express the identity of Egyptian society, "giving birth for our distinguished national figures in various fields".

El-Feki described the continuing role Bibliotheca Alexandrina on raising awareness about art, past and present, found in Egypt. He also appreciated the crucial role played by those creators contributing to the flourishing movement of culture and arts in Egypt.

Musical composer Rageh Dawoud, who is among the honorees, disclosed that the honour gathers two different generations which have tremendously contributed to the development of arts and literature, pointing out that this honor highlights their enlightening role and boosts the morale of promising talented artists.