Under the theme "Reviving the Past… Documenting the Present for the Future," the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat has officially launched the fourth season of the "Tabliyet Misr" (Egypt’s Dining Table) initiative. Organized in collaboration with the Sadko Foundation, the event was attended by prominent public figures, researchers, archaeologists, and cultural heritage enthusiasts.
Safeguarding Intangible Heritage
In his opening remarks, Dr. Ahmed Ghoneim, Executive Director of the NMEC Authority, welcomed the guests and expressed his pride in hosting the initiative following its previous successes. He emphasized that "Tabliyet Misr" highlights Egyptian folk cuisine as a vital pillar of intangible cultural heritage, protecting traditional recipes from extinction while promoting Egypt as a premier destination for culinary tourism.
Dr. Ghoneim further noted that the initiative aligns with national efforts to preserve Egypt’s cultural identity. These efforts were recently globally recognized by UNESCO, which officially added "Egyptian Koshary" to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for 2025.
A Journey of Education and Awareness
Ms. Nashwa Jaber, Deputy Executive Director for Archaeological Affairs, stated that the fourth season builds upon the initiative's previous milestones. It features interactive workshops and activities designed to educate the public—across all age groups—on the cultural and historical dimensions of Egypt’s food heritage.
Ms. Dalia Fakhr, Marketing and Cultural Project Development Manager at Sadko Foundation, reinforced the importance of such community partnerships in strengthening Egyptian identity and promoting sustainability within the food heritage sector.
Highlights of the Season
The launch featured several unique cultural exhibitions and activities:
- "Street Food Art" Exhibition: A curated gallery of paintings and cinematic clips documenting traditional foods and the tools historically used by street vendors.
- Marionette Performance: A creative display by the Summer School of Arts featuring puppets inspired by classic Egyptian cinema.
- Specialized Seminars: Discussions focusing on food tourism and the signature dishes of various Egyptian governorates.
- Educational Outreach: Collaboration with the "Tawasol" school in Ezbet Khairallah to host workshops on extracting natural dyes from Egyptian food ingredients.
- Inclusivity: Dedicated workshops for children and people of determination, focusing on the history of traditional dishes, public health, and environmental conservation.
A Bridge Between Generations
The opening day concluded with a live tasting event, where visitors and dignitaries sampled a variety of heritage dishes in a traditional folk atmosphere.
Through the "Tabliyet Misr" initiative, the NMEC continues to solidify its role as a cultural hub, bridging the gap between Egypt’s rich past and its vibrant present while ensuring that the nation’s culinary legacy is passed down to future generations.
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