Ismailia folk art event next Sunday

Ismailia's new governor Abdl Aziz Salama, Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosni and chief of the general authority for palaces and culture Dr. Fawzi Fahmi will open the 8th Ismailia folk arts festival on Sunday, August 24.

Organizers cited an increasing participation from the world's famous folk art troupes in the event. Sources said that although folk art ensembles from 33 countries were accepted, they had to turn down requests from another 21 countries seeking to be represented at the festival, which is classified among the world's largest events of its kind.

11 Arab, European and North American countries are to appear in the in the festival for the first time, the sources said, adding that some 1,600 performers will attend in the week-long festival.