The terrorist attacks that shocked the United States last week, have reverberated all the way to Egypt’s art world and may cause the cancellation of the Cairo International Film Festival.
First it was the cancellation of the opera Aida by a Japanese company, which was planned to show at the Egyptian Opera House, begining September 21. Then came up questions about the cinema event, due to be held in Cairo, October 9-22.
However, Egyptian Minister of Culture Faruq Husni told the Arabic daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that “There is a big difference between Aida and the Cairo International Film Festival in terms of costs.”
Adding that "The films participating in the festival come from abroad, unlike the opera, which requires the presence of actors at the venue.”
Nonetheless, the minister did not rule out the possibility of canceling the fest. “We do not know whether the festival will be cancelled or not, as developments will have their impact. The US has declared war against terrorism and nobody knows when this will begin or end.” - (Mena Report)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
