The Ministry of Culture is set to launch the 26th edition of the Ismailia International Folklore Festival on Saturday, in cooperation with Ismailia Governorate.
The festival brings together Egyptian and international performing groups in a celebration of traditional arts and cultural diversity.
The event is held under the patronage of Abdel Aziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture, and Ismailia Governor Nabil El-Sayed Hasaballah.
15 Egyptian and International Troupes
The 2026 festival features 15 Egyptian and international troupes.
Eight international groups will represent Russia, Romania, Lebanon, Tanzania, Sudan, Algeria, Jordan, and Indonesia.
Seven Egyptian groups affiliated with the General Authority for Cultural Palaces will also participate. They include troupes from Ismailia, Mallawi, Alexandria Freedom, Arish, Kafr El Sheikh, and Aswan, as well as the Ismailia Children's Folklore Troupe.
The participating groups will present performances inspired by their respective cultural traditions, offering audiences a broad view of Egyptian and international folklore.
Ismailia Festival Opening Ceremony
The festival begins with an artistic parade featuring all participating groups at 5 p.m. in front of the old governorate building on Mohamed Ali Street.
The official opening ceremony will take place at 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, at the Ismailia Cultural Palace.
The opening ceremony will also include tributes to several figures and cultural personalities who have contributed to Egypt's artistic and cultural movement.
Festival Performance Venues
Performances will be held from October 12 through October 15 at several venues in Ismailia.
The program includes Sheikh Zayed Park, the Family Club, El-Denfah Club, the Engineers Syndicate, and the Ismailia Cultural Palace.
Additional performances will be staged in Fayed, West Qantara, and El-Qassasin, extending the festival's cultural program to several areas across the governorate.
The Cultural Importance of Folklore Arts
Hisham Atwa, head of the General Authority for Cultural Palaces, emphasized the importance of continuing and supporting the Ismailia International Folklore Festival in cooperation with Ismailia Governorate.
He described the festival as an important platform for interaction between folklore groups from different countries.
Folklore arts also provide a distinctive form of cultural expression, reflecting the identity and collective memory of communities while allowing audiences to discover traditions from around the world.
Organizations Behind the Festival
The festival is organized through the Central Administration for Artistic Affairs, the General Administration of Festivals, and the General Administration of Folklore Arts.
The event is also coordinated with the Canal and Sinai Cultural Region and the Ismailia Culture Branch.
Maher Kamal serves as festival director and director of both the opening and closing ceremonies.
The festival is organized in cooperation with the General Authority for Cultural Palaces and the Central Administration for International Cultural Relations, with coordination involving the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Tourism Promotion Authority, and the Suez Canal Authority.
Environmental Crafts Exhibition and Closing Ceremony
The festival program will also feature an environmental crafts exhibition showcasing traditional handmade arts.
The 26th edition will conclude at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 16, with an artistic ceremony at the Ismailia Cultural Palace.
The closing event will include a special tribute to the participating troupes following several days of performances celebrating cultural diversity.
When does the Ismailia International Folklore Festival begin?
The festival activities begin on Saturday, with the official opening ceremony scheduled for Sunday, October 11.
How many troupes are participating?
A total of 15 Egyptian and international troupes are participating, including eight international groups and seven Egyptian groups affiliated with the General Authority for Cultural Palaces.
Which countries are participating?
The international groups represent Russia, Romania, Lebanon, Tanzania, Sudan, Algeria, Jordan, and Indonesia.
Where will the festival performances take place?
Performances will be held at several venues in Ismailia, as well as in Fayed, West Qantara, and El-Qassasin.
When does the festival end?
The 26th Ismailia International Folklore Festival will conclude at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 16, with an artistic closing ceremony and tributes to the participating groups.
