Egypt's Culture Minister Ines Abdel-Dayem announced today that cultural activities will gradually start to reopen in the country in July.

The reopening will start on 15 July, and will include all theatres, the national circus, galleries, museums, performance venues, and literary forums operating under the culture ministry.

In its first stage, the resumption of activities will be open at only 25 percent audience capacity across all venues.

The ministry is also finalising work to reopen three open-air venues at the Cairo Opera grounds.

In an exclusive interview with Ahram Online published earlier this week, Minister Abdel-Dayem explained that one theatre will be located in front of the Hanager Theatre and another in the large open area near the entrance to the Opera’s Small Hall. Also, the already existing open air-theatre inside the Opera building is being expanded.

The three theatres will also serve as venues for performances staged by cultural bodies located at the same grounds, such as the Cairo Opera House, Hanager Theatre, and the Creativity Centre. According to the ministry's media office, the reopening of the entities operating on the opera grounds will be gradual as well.

Minister Abdel-Dayem said in a press release that the return of activities and the implementation of precautionary measures will be closely monitored by a committee appointed by the ministry.

Meanwhile, the ministry will continue its online activities through its YouTube channel.

The gradual re-opening of Egypt’s culture scene comes after four months of a total shutdown that began on 9 March with the government ban on all large gatherings.


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