Egyptian Minister of Culture Rejects Hussein Fahmi’s Resignation

Egyptian Minister of Culture Farouq Hosni has refused to accept the resignation of the head of the Cairo International Film Festival, actor Hussein Fahmi, according to the Arabic daily Al Bayan. 

Fahmi declared his resignation at the end of the concluding ceremony of the festival on Saturday.  

“Hussein Fahmi is a valuable art asset and a big gain for the Cairo festival. He achieved big successes in the previous festivals,” the minister told the daily, adding that he would discuss the resignation, which was thought to be due to the lack of government and business support for the festival. 

The minister said that the ministry of culture "supports any festival held on the soil of Egypt and will increase its share of support. I blame Fahmi for making a big fuss about this issue.”  

“Fahmi should have met with me to explain his demands, which I would have taken care of immediately,” added the minister. 

For his part, Fahmi said, “I am tilting at windmills and there are enemies of the festival. For your information, the Cairo festival has become one of the four best international festivals after Cannes, Berlin and Venice.” 

“What makes me sad is to see the ministry of culture, after all of this success achieved by the festival, fail to support it and pay only 200,000 pounds while the budget for one festival round amounts to two million pounds,” said Fahmi, adding that he had discussed all these matters with the concerned officials without securing anything but promises. 

“Because I like success and fear failure, I managed under difficult circumstances to hold the festival together and make it a success, as the guests will testify to,” said Fahmi. 

Regarding the possibility of withdrawing his resignation, Hussein said, “Things should be clear and the ministry should shoulder its responsibilities towards the festival, both financially and morally.” 

The Egyptian actor has headed the Cairo film festival for four consecutive years – Albawaba.com