Egypt’s 23rd Central Upper Egypt Literary Forum opened in Minya on Wednesday, focusing on the preservation of cultural identity amid contemporary literary transformations, government officials announced.
Minister of Culture Gihane Zaki and Minya Governor Emad Kadwany inaugurated the forum at the Minya Governorate General Court Theatre. Held under the theme “Culture Between Identity and Literary Transformations,” the event gathered executive leaders, intellectuals, and literary figures from across the region.
During the opening session, Zaki stated that the ministry is prioritising cultural justice and working to decentralise knowledge beyond the capital and major cities. She outlined plans, coordinated with local authorities, to transform youth centres and local units in rural villages into active cultural hubs, aiming to deliver subsidised books directly to readers deep within Upper Egypt.
“We firmly believe that it is not possible to build awareness, or spread reading, culture, and arts, without genuine participation and integration between official institutions and the creators themselves,” Zaki said.
The culture minister also highlighted the deployment of mobile libraries and theatres to host storytelling workshops and discover local talent as part of the national “Culture is Life” project. Furthermore, she reviewed the ministry’s recent initiatives, including administrative reforms, the launch of the “Culture e” digital platform, and the global recognition of the Egyptian pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
Governor Kadwany affirmed that hosting the forum aligns with the state’s broader goals for the “New Republic,” which encompass building human awareness and protecting youth from extremist ideologies. He noted that the governorate is providing immediate logistical support to facilitate public cultural events across all its municipalities.
“Creators and writers are the guardians of national identity and the conscience of the nation,” Kadwany said, adding that their work is essential for spreading enlightenment throughout Upper Egypt.
Hisham Atwa, head of the General Authority for Cultural Palaces, stated that the forum’s theme reflects the critical role of culture in maintaining national identity during a period of rapid global change. The event provides a platform to discuss the impact of social, technological, and intellectual shifts on contemporary literature, he added.
The forum, headed by Essam Khalaf with poet Osama Abu El-Naga serving as secretary-general, commenced with a folk art performance. The opening session also featured the honouring of writers Ragab Mekkawi and Abdel-Hafez Bakhit in recognition of their contributions to the regional cultural movement.
