Egypt's Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem has underlined the importance of introducing cultural activities to the villages targeted by a presidential initiative that aims at improving the quality of life for millions nationwide.

At a meeting with Aya Omar Mohamed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the "Decent Life Initiative", Abdel-Dayem said her ministry seeks to expand the cultural activities in the areas targeted by the initiative, in parallel with the social and economic development there.

She revealed plans to provide these areas with theatre activities carried out by the ministry's mobile theatres, street storytelling, and book kiosks.

Launched by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi in January 2019,  the initiative aims to enhance the quality of daily public services provided for citizens, with a focus on inhabitants of 1,500 of the neediest villages.

It also provides health care, medical services, surgeries and prosthetic devices and job opportunities to these groups.

The minister also stressed the need to carry out "Start Your Dream" project in the most vulnerable communities, which aims at discovering and developing theatre talents through six-month workshops led by the top theatre specialists.

Abdel-Dayem reiterated that the ministry continues to work on "Lived Here" project, an initiative which marks the houses and streets with the names of renowned Egyptian figures that lived in the given neighborhood.

She said that children and youths are among her main target groups and developing their minds and creative skills goes in parallel with the Decent Life Initiative and lays foundation for better future for those communities. 

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture