The first phase of the renovation of Ismailia Culture Palace included modernising the attached theatre to host various cultural activities soon and receive the Ismailia International Film Festival for documentaries and short films.

Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem and Ismailia Governor Sherif Bishara inaugurated the completion of the first phase of the renovation of Ismailia Culture Palace on Tuesday, where all renovation work on the attached theatre was completed.

The inauguration was attended by head of the General Organisation of Culture Palaces (GOCP) Ahmed Awwad, his deputy artist Hisham Atwa, and a number of executive officials in the governorate.

The newly renovated theatre of Ismailia Culture Palace Photo credit of the Culture Minister media office

The opening ceremony included a presentation of the stages of the theatre renovation, showing the work that was implemented.

Ismailia Culture Palace is one of the largest cultural palaces in Egypt, covering five​acres. The administrative part of the palace was opened in 1995, while the theatre was established in 1997, and had not been renovated since its establishment.

Ismailia Culture Palace Photo credit of the Culture Minister media office

Abdel-Dayem said that the Ministry of Culture continues to implement a strategy to modernise and develop cultural services. She praised the process of upgrading the theatre, which has been equipped with modern technologies, stressing that the cultural and artistic activities in the theatre will be resumed immediately after the implementation of a set of creative programmes and preparation to host the activities of the 22nd edition of Ismailia International Film Festival for Documentary and Short Films.

Bishara hailed the efforts of the Ministry of Culture in various parts of Egypt, expressing appreciation for its role in reshaping awareness with activities and events presented at various cultural sites. He also praised the renewal and development of the cultural facilities in the governorate.

Awwad explained that the theatre has a capacity of 838 viewers, and its renovation works began in February 2020. The works included the renewal of the central air conditioning system, the ceiling of the theatre, the seats, lighting and sound equipment, the civil defence system, and stage maintenance. This is in addition to equipping the theatre with a cinema screen, a video projector, and maintaining the paintings decorating the façade of the palace.

"The renovation work is underway to complete the second phase in order to raise the palace’s efficiency, including the rest of the building and its annexes," added Awwad.