Egyptian actor Ahmed Maher revealed a personal story from the early stages of his artistic journey during his honoring seminar at the Egyptian National Theater Festival.

Maher explained that his father strongly opposed his decision to pursue acting, as he viewed the profession as unstable and not a reliable career path.

The actor said that his father had a traditional perspective toward performers, considering acting merely as entertainment rather than a respected profession. This viewpoint created a difficult situation for Maher, especially because of his strong passion for art and his desire to join the Academy of Arts.

Despite these challenges, Ahmed Maher remained determined to follow his dream and continued developing his talent until he became one of Egypt’s recognized theater and television actors.

His story reflects the struggles many artists face at the beginning of their careers when they must overcome social expectations and family concerns to pursue their ambitions.

The artist was honored during the 19th edition of the Egyptian National Theater Festival, which celebrated several influential figures in Egyptian art, including Isaad Younis, Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Shahira, and director Magdy Megahed.

The opening ceremony featured the artistic performance "Safar", created and directed by Walid Aouni, presenting a visual journey inspired by Egyptian identity and the festival’s mission of expanding theatrical activities across different governorates.

The performance used movement, lighting, and visual storytelling to represent Egypt’s cultural diversity, traveling through different environments including Upper Egypt, Nubia, Alexandria, and rural communities.

The festival continues to highlight the importance of Egyptian theater and honor artists who contributed to enriching the cultural and artistic movement throughout the years.