In Celebration of the Year of Umm Kulthum… Minister of Culture Inaugurates the Exhibition “Voice of Egypt” at the Arts Complex with the Participation of 29 Artists and a Display of Rare Artifacts of the Star of the East
Minister of Culture: “Voice of Egypt” embodies Umm Kulthum’s genius and affirms the Egyptian state’s appreciation for its icons, reflecting our cultural leadership and unique identity.
As part of the cultural and artistic program of the Ministry of Culture celebrating the Year of Umm Kulthum, Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hano, Minister of Culture, inaugurated the art exhibition “Voice of Egypt – The Voice that Inspired the Image”. The exhibition is organized by the Fine Arts Sector, headed by Dr. Walid Qannoush, in collaboration with the Cultural Development Fund, chaired by architect Hamdy Al-Satouhi, and hosted at the Arts Complex – Aisha Fahmy Palace in Zamalek.
Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hano, Minister of Culture, emphasized that the exhibition embodies the genius of the Star of the East as an exceptional symbol of Egyptian identity. It represents an inspiring space where visual arts intersect with musical memory and rare collectibles, offering a complete portrait of Umm Kulthum as an eternal value in the national and Arab conscience.
Dr. Walid Qannoush, Head of the Fine Arts Sector, stated: “The successes of the unique exhibitions presented by the Arts Complex have become a motivation to continue this type of showcase and to constantly seek new ideas that attract the public and achieve media and promotional impact. The exhibition ‘Umm Kulthum Sings Again’ is a new addition and a reference work documenting how a number of Egyptian creatives interacted with one of the most iconic figures in modern Egyptian history. Umm Kulthum has always been and will remain an icon and a symbol of the golden age of art, creativity, and Egyptian leadership. While admired for her miraculous vocal abilities, she was also a national figure whose contributions left a lasting imprint on Egypt’s history and played an influential role in many national moments.”
The exhibition features the participation of 29 artists from different generations and directions, presenting diverse works in painting and sculpture. All works reflect the depth of artistic and cultural inspiration Umm Kulthum generated over the decades. It also includes a special documentary section on her journey in Egyptian press across a full century, with original copies of newspapers and magazines chronicling her artistic and human story.
The exhibition is a visual documentary experience that revisits the remarkable life and career of the people’s singer through a combination of contemporary artworks, press archives, and original belongings of Umm Kulthum—an artistic composition that reflects her iconic value and her place in Egyptian and Arab memory.