In a jubilant celebration of a landmark cultural achievement, Egypt has inaugurated the 3rd National Simsimiyya Festival in Ismailia, paying tribute to the beloved stringed instrument now formally inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The recognition, granted in December, marks a significant milestone in the nation’s ongoing effort to preserve its rich folkloric identity.
The opening ceremony, held at the historic Ismailia Cultural Palace, was attended by Minister of Culture Dr. Ahmed Fouad Henno, Ismailia Governor Gen. Akram Galal, and President’s Advisor for Local Development Gen. Khaled Fouda, along with a constellation of public officials, artists, scholars, and hundreds of local citizens. With nine traditional ensembles from across the Canal Zone and Sinai taking part, the event unfolded as both a cultural gathering and a proud reaffirmation of Egypt’s intangible heritage.
“Today, we are not merely witnessing a festival,” said Minister Henno during his opening remarks, “but celebrating a national accomplishment that underscores our identity and tells the story of a people through music. The Simsimiyya has long been the echo of the Suez Canal cities — a companion to resistance, to celebration, and to memory itself.”
The festival, organized by the General Authority for Cultural Palaces, under the leadership of Major General Khaled El-Labban, serves as both a celebration and a commitment. Following directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the Ministry of Culture is intensifying efforts to protect and promote intangible heritage as a vital component of national identity and international cultural diplomacy.
Honoring Tradition Bearers and Scholars
During the ceremony, the Ministry honored three master Simsimiyya artists — Yehia Moller (Ismailia), Sayed Kaboreya (Suez), and Zakaria Ibrahim (Port Said) — whose lives have been devoted to preserving the instrument’s legacy through performance, instruction, and oral history.
The festival also recognized the scientific committee responsible for preparing Egypt’s successful UNESCO nomination, a two-year endeavor involving extensive research, documentation, and inter-agency coordination. The committee includes: Dr. Nahla Emam, folklorist and adviser to the Ministry of Culture, Dr. Mohamed Shabana, Professor of Folk Literature, Academy of Arts, Dr. Rasha Tammom, Professor of Music Theory, Helwan University. This is in addition to Dr. Khaled Abou El-Leil, Professor of Folk Literature, Cairo University, Mohamed Baghdadi, poet and researcher of traditional arts, Dr. Hemat Mostafa, Director, Arts Division, Supreme Council for Culture, Wael Hussein, Head of Committees, Cultural Palaces Authority, and Ahmed El-Sayed, Council Affairs Manager. In addition to filmmakers Haitham Sherif, Nader Galal, and Bassem Farhat, who produced a documentary on the Simsimiyya’s cultural roots.
“This is a historic day for everyone who believes in the power and joy of heritage,” said Dr. Emam. “It is a victory not just for those who play the Simsimiyya but for all who carry its story forward.”
Simsimiyya: A Musical Voice of Resistance and Joy
Originating in Egypt’s northeastern canal cities, the Simsimiyya is more than a musical instrument—it is an emblem of collective memory, used during celebrations, protests, and community gatherings. Its sounds have long accompanied narratives of defiance during the Suez Crisis, and it remains a staple of coastal folk culture.
By gaining UNESCO recognition, the Simsimiyya joins nine other elements previously inscribed on Egypt’s national heritage list, solidifying the country’s global cultural footprint. According to Ismailia Governor Akram Galal, the recognition “crowns years of hard work by cultural scholars and folk artists,” and serves as “a national call to safeguard this living legacy.”
Festival Highlights
Under the artistic direction of Maher Kamal and hosted by Ahmed El-Shafei, head of the Ministry’s Central Department for Artistic Affairs, the opening night featured stirring performances of traditional music and dance, showcasing the instrument’s rhythmic intricacy and vibrant heritage.
Participating ensembles included:
- Ismailia Folk Troupe
- Al-Tor Ensemble (South Sinai)
- Suez Folk Instruments
- Al-Sohba (Port Said)
- Port Said Traditional Music Troupe
- Suez Youth Ensemble
- Ismailia Traditional Instrument Troupe
- El-Waziri Ensemble (Ismailia)
- Port Said Folk Dance Ensemble
Over two days, performances will be held across multiple venues, including Fayrouz Beach Theatre and Sheikh Zayed Youth Center, offering locals and tourists a multisensory journey through the musical heritage of Egypt’s eastern coast.
A Broader National Mission
General Khaled El-Labban, head of the Cultural Palaces Authority, emphasized the Ministry’s broader vision: “This festival is part of a sustained strategy to revive folk arts, bridge generations, and showcase Egypt’s cultural diversity to the world. Heritage must not be seen as static—it’s dynamic, and it speaks powerfully to who we are.”
The Ministry pledged continued investment in community-based initiatives, ensuring traditional practices like the Simsimiyya are preserved not only through documentation, but through living, breathing performance.
As the final chords of the Simsimiyya resonate across Ismailia’s stages, this festival stands as a testament to what heritage can achieve—connecting the past to the future, the local to the global, and the personal to the universal.
