After El-Sisi Received Political Award, Egypt, Germany Discuss Cultural Cooperation

A German delegation has delivered the award of St. George for Politics and culture to President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt.

This came in appreciation of his sovereignty efforts in various fields, especially in achieving security, stability and development in Egypt, as well as the pioneering role in achieving the development in the African continent.

Dr. Enas Abdel Dayem ,the Minister of Culture, met the German delegation - headed by Hans Joachim, artistic director of Zember Opera and director of “ Dresden Opera “ Theater –including:- art director Patrick Steiner, economist Nicholas Holtzer, Andreas Kristian, Marion Vormelat, member of the German-Egyptian Cultural Association and the Lebanese Joseph Zion, an expert of artistic industries.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Magdy Saber, head of the Egyptian Opera House, Dr. Heba Youssef, head of the external cultural relations sector, to discuss ways of enhancing cultural and artistic cooperation between the two countries.

Abdel Dayem said that the meeting opens new horizons for cooperation with the German side, especially with the inauguration of the new Opera House in the New Administrative Capital and in the city of culture and arts.

These initiatives and projects were launched in cooperation with Dresden Opera, with a proposal to participate in Semper Opera Ball to honor the character who won the Award of “Saint St. George”, the largest classic art event in Europe scheduled to be held on 7 February in Dresden Opera- Germany.

On his part, the head of the German delegation said that this visit aims to open new platforms of creative partnership with the Egyptian culture, especially between Dresden Opera and Cairo Opera House- the oldest opera in the Middle East and Africa.

He explained that this cooperation includes the exchange of shows and experiences between the two operas at all levels.

It is noteworthy that the Award of St. George is given annually by Germany to one of the world’s influential figures in the international community.

The celebration began in 2009, when it was awarded to Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, in 2009 and Klaus Yohannes, the Romanian President in 2007.

It is worthy of note that this award is given to the personality of the year in artistic ceremonies – which is considered to be the largest in Europe; it is always held in the presence of 2000 viewers in Dresden Opera Theater and more than 15,000 viewers in the external arena through screens transmitting the event.

The event is covered by many local and international TV channels to millions of viewers around the world.