Culture Minister Mohamed Saber El-Arab on Wednesday stressed the importance of coordinating activities between the Cairo Opera House and other state-run institutions, such as culture palaces and theatres, so as to present opera and theatre performances on as many stages as possible to allow the arts to reach as many Egyptians as possible.

Most officials welcomed El-Arab's comments, offering to support the initiative by facilitating such events.

The minister's statements came during a meeting between the culture minister and several ministry officials, who discussed plans to support existing projects in culture palaces with the use of ministry funds. The remainder of the budget will go to the General Egyptian Book Organisation.

Said Tawfik, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Culture, for his part, presented highlights of Egypt's cultural vision until 2020, stressing the importance of preserving Egyptian identity.

Tawfik also presented each sector's plans both in Egypt and abroad, along with plans to celebrate the 40-year commemoration of celebrated Egyptian writer Taha Hussein. Commemoration events will include seminars at the Supreme Council of Culture and other state-run institutions.

El-Arab also discussed the restructuring of the culture ministry and the stronger focus it will have on marketing and training with a view to presenting culture to Egyptian audiences. Other training endeavours will include developing the capacities of ministry employees.

The minister also said that his ministry would promote more rational use of energy by switching to energy-saving light bulbs and using low-energy appliances for future projects.

Along with the minster, the meeting was attended by Mohamed Abu-Saada, head of the culture minister's office and head of the Culture Development Fund, and a host of other culture ministry officials.