International Nile children song festival starts in Cairo

The third international Nile children's song festival opened Sunday with children from 18 countries competing for the $ 24,000 prize.

The 10 day-event is hosted by Egypt's first lady Susan Mubarak. Kuwaiti news agency (KUNA) quoted the festival secretary general, Majdi Refaai as saying the festival has two categories, one for children from five to nine years old and the second is from nine to 15 years old. The songs must be new and unheard before to compete for prizes in writing, singing and composing.

Refaai said that the festival will honor adult artists who contributed in the children art's movement including Abdul Monem Madboli, Mahmod Yassin, Safa Abo Suod, Lebleba, Najwa Ibrahem, Ammar Al-Sherey and Hala Fakher.

Several charity concerts will be held, featuring gypsy kings, Lebanese singer Assi El-Halany and others, with returns to be paid to charity projects. An exhibition for gifted children is also featured.