In celebration of the Year of Umm Kulthum, the Minister of Culture inaugurates the "Voice of Egypt" exhibition at the Arts Complex, with the participation of 29 artists and a display of rare belongings of the "Star of the East"
Minister of Culture: "Voice of Egypt" embodies the genius of Umm Kulthum and consolidates the Egyptian state's appreciation for its icons, reflecting our leadership and the uniqueness of our cultural identity
As part of the Ministry of Culture's cultural and artistic program celebrating the Year of Umm Kulthum, Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanou, Minister of Culture, inaugurated the art exhibition "Voice of Egypt" - the voice that inspired the image - organized by the Fine Arts Sector, headed by Dr. Walid Qanoush, in cooperation with the Cultural Development Fund Sector, headed by architect Hamdi El-Satouhi, at the Arts Complex - Aisha Fahmy Palace in Zamalek. Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hano, Minister of Culture, emphasized: "The exhibition embodies the genius of the Star of the East as an exceptional symbol of Egyptian identity. It represents an inspiring space where fine arts, lyrical memory, and rare collectibles converge, presenting a comprehensive picture of Umm Kulthum as an eternal value in the national and Arab conscience. He pointed out that Umm Kulthum was the voice of an entire nation; she sang for Egypt and Arabism, carrying in her tones the strength of the Egyptian character and the depth of its civilization. She represented the voice of the collective conscience and elevated art to the ranks of a humanitarian and national message, and her voice will remain an integral part of the conscience of Egyptians and Arabs." The Minister of Culture noted that organizing the exhibition falls within the framework of the "Year of the Star of the East," reflecting the state's keenness to honor its cultural and artistic icons and present them to new generations as shining models that reflect Egypt's uniqueness and cultural leadership. The Minister of Culture emphasized that the exhibition opens a new horizon for artistic and documentary experiences that highlight Egypt's soft power and emphasize the role of culture in preserving national memory and consolidating its presence. Its brilliant icons, expressing his appreciation to the participating creators and all the cultural institutions that contributed to producing this project in a manner befitting Umm Kulthum's stature and Egypt's cultural standing.
Dr. Walid Qanush, Head of the Fine Arts Sector, said: "The successes of the distinguished exhibitions presented by the Arts Complex have become an incentive to continue this type of performance and to constantly search for ideas that recur with the state of public attraction and media and promotional returns. The "Umm Kulthum Sings Again" exhibition is a new addition and a reference publication that documents how a number of Egyptian creators interacted with one of the most prominent, immortal figures in Egypt's modern history. Umm Kulthum was and will remain an icon and symbol of the golden age of Egyptian art, creativity, and leadership. As much as she aroused admiration thanks to her talent and miraculous vocal abilities, she was also a national figure whose contributions and active and influential role in many national events were etched in Egyptian history."
Qanush added: "Fifty years have passed since the passing of the voice of Egypt and the Arabs, and it is a fitting occasion for us to celebrate this icon and strive to enhance our knowledge." The new generations will be introduced to the Lady of Arabic Singing through this visual presentation, in which painstaking effort was put into preparing, researching, and executing a scenario befitting a unique Egyptian value.
The exhibition features 29 artists from different generations and backgrounds, presenting diverse works in photography and sculpture, all of which embody the depth of artistic and cultural inspiration shaped by Umm Kulthum over the decades. The exhibition also includes a special documentary section documenting the career of the "Star of the East" in Egyptian journalism over a full century, through original copies of newspapers and magazines that chronicled her artistic and humanitarian journey.
The exhibition is a visual documentary experience that retraces the features of the biography and exceptional career of the people's singer, through a visual vision that combines contemporary artworks, journalistic documents, and original Umm Kulthum belongings, in a creative formulation that reflects the value of the singing icon and her place in the Egyptian and Arab consciousness.
The project represents an exceptional experience through which we were keen to present Umm Kulthum's biography in a different visual form, intersecting with the visual arts, journalistic archives, and memory. The exhibition, held in fruitful collaboration with the Cultural Development Fund, showcases a collection of rare Umm Kulthum possessions housed in her museum in El Manial, giving visitors a valuable opportunity to explore a part of her creative and human heritage within the framework of a comprehensive cultural experience that embodies the value of this exceptional event, which consolidates Egypt's cultural and artistic standing and is dedicated to documenting its immortal icons in the national and Arab consciousness.