'Art Beach' Brings 41 Free Performances to Hurghada, 5-29 August

Hurghada will host 41 free performances under the Ministry of Culture's 'Art Beach' (Shatea El Fann) programme, running at Hurghada Culture Palace from 5 to 29 August, according to Ahram Gate.

The programme is run by the General Authority for Culture Palaces, headed by the artist Hisham Atwa, and Shorouk reported that this is the first time the Red Sea governorate has been included. Admission to every performance is free.

Ahram Gate said the opening night on Wednesday 5 August brings together the Hurghada and Assiut folk arts troupes. The Assiut troupe returns on 6 August alongside the Al-Anfoushy Arab Music ensemble, and the Children's Arab Opera troupe appears in the opening week.

Masrawy reported that the month closes on 29 August with performances by the Hurghada and Matrouh folk arts troupes. In between, the line-up runs through folk troupes from Minya, Gharbia and Shatby, the Abu Qir Arab music ensemble, eastern rhythms groups and a heritage tanoura troupe.

Hurghada is one of six coastal governorates in this summer's edition. CairoScene reported that the full programme totals more than 240 free performances between 28 July and early September, with Alexandria and Matrouh each staging 59, Damietta 38, Port Said 27 and Gamasa 19.

The Hurghada events are staged by the Central Department of Artistic Affairs together with the Upper Egypt cultural region and the Red Sea culture branch, and fall under the national 'Culture is Life' initiative.