Egypt’s Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem met on 20 December with governor of Minya governorate Qassem Hussein to discuss increasing cultural, artistic and intellectual activities in the Minya’s villages.

The meeting was held after Minister Abdel-Dayem, who is also a flautist, performed alongside German-Egyptian ensemble Cairo Steps in Minya governorate at the University Hall on 19 December.

The performance was part of an initiative to combat religious extremism.

The meeting between the two officials was attended by head of Minya University Mostafa Abdel-Nabi.

Abdel-Dayem and Hussein agreed to establish centres to discover and develop local talents, as well as organising workshops in writing, acting and film directing.

They also agreed on creating classes to develop the skills of people with disabilities to help them better integrate into society.

The minister also discussed with Abdel-Nabi possibly using Minya University's theatre to host activities organised by the Ministry of Culture.