An evocative look at the closing of the “Confrontation and Wandering” cultural initiative in Egypt’s New Valley, where the iconic El-Laila El-Kebira puppet operetta and local art exhibitions bridged the gap between Cairo and the Oases to foster community and counter extremism.
Last week marked the conclusion of the sixth phase of the “Confrontation and Wandering” (Al-Muwajaha wal-Tajwal) project in the New Valley Governorate. This national initiative, spearheaded by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, serves as a sprawling bridge to the country’s diverse provinces. Over four consecutive days, the inhabitants of Kharga City experienced an integrated cultural and artistic immersion. This was no mere string of theatrical performances; it was a creative demonstration that unified the stage, the fine arts, the written word, and the authentic voice of the Oases.
Creativity Defying Distance
The activities of this stage commenced to reinforce the philosophy of cultural justice across Egypt’s various governorates. Culture is no longer a monopoly of the capital. Instead, “Confrontation” has become a vital instrument for dismantling extremist ideologies, while “Wandering” serves as the vessel to reach the most remote villages, hamlets, and frontier cities.
Inside the historic Hebis Cinema in Kharga, the closing ceremony possessed a singular atmosphere. Children lined the front rows, their laughter echoing not merely as a reaction to the puppet shows, but as a vibrant cry of life and a profound longing for art. As the notes of the operetta El-Laila El-Kebira (The Grand Night) began, the theater was transfigured into a genuine Moulid (a traditional folk festival), pulsing with communal energy.
Stations of the Journey
Ibtisam Abdel-Murid, General Manager of the New Valley Culture Palaces, noted that the tour’s activities began at the Faculty of Education at New Valley University. There, art met the student body in a creative dialogue before moving to the Ali Hareef Hall in Kharga. The journey continued to the Youth Development Center, finally culminating at the historic Hebis Cinema, which hosted an unforgettable closing night.
She added that the finale was graced by the presence of several executive and educational leaders from the governorate, alongside a massive audience whose presence reflected the deep passion the people of the Oases harbor for refined arts.
Dr. Najwa Waer, Dean of the Faculty of Education at New Valley University, expressed her delight at the performance of El-Laila El-Kebira, which summoned cherished childhood memories. She emphasized that the Cairo Puppet Theater successfully captivated both children and adults through iconic folk characters such as the chickpea vendor, the Sheikh, the Mesaharati (the pre-dawn Ramadan caller), the candy seller, the Aragoz (traditional hand puppet), and the Sufi chanter.
She further observed that these characters are more than mere puppets; they are symbols of Egyptian identity. The audience engaged with them through rhythmic clapping and song. Dr. Waer noted that presenting El-Laila El-Kebira in the New Valley carries profound significance, as it documents folk heritage and anchors new generations to their popular roots.
The “Personal Experience” Exhibition
The project’s reach extended beyond the stage, as the visual arts claimed a lion’s share of the spotlight through the “Personal Experience” exhibition. Held under the auspices of the Central Administration for Artistic Affairs, headed by the artist Ahmed El-Shafei, the exhibition showcased the works of 15 artists from the cities of Dakhla and Kharga, reflecting the aesthetics of the desert and the oasis environment. Participating artists included Mahmoud Hassan Danial, Hanaa Hassan Bashir, Mohamed Wahid Abdel-Qader, Hanaa Said El-Sayed, Hagar Ramzy Mansoub, Hagar Mohamed Taha, Rawan Ramadan Hamed, Retaj Mahmoud Hassan, Jihad Adel Mohamed, Alaa Mohamed Eid, Eid Janib Mohamed Ahmed, Ahmed Masoud Okasha, Samah Kamel Ahmed, Khaled Mohamed El-Mahdi, and Mahmoud Samir Hussein. The sculptor and artist Mahmoud Danial stated that the “Confrontation and Wandering” project represents a true window for communication with the cultural movement in the capital, asserting that the works of Oasis artists have become an integral part of the national artistic landscape.
From his perspective, Mohamed Abdullah, Director of the New Valley Folk Arts Troupe and Director of the Handicraft Center, pointed out that folk art in the Oases possesses a distinct specificity. He noted that hosting professional performances like the puppet theater enriches the expertise of local creators and fosters a state of cultural exchange. He suggested that linking performing arts, handicrafts, and art exhibitions creates a promising “cultural market” within the governorate.
A State of Wonder
Artist Mohamed Wahid Abdel-Qader, a participant in the “Personal Experience” exhibition, remarked that what he witnessed during the performances was deeper than the artworks themselves. He explained that the wonder etched on the children’s faces during El-Laila El-Kebira was a parallel masterpiece to everything the artists presented.
“The paintings we labored over were on one side of the scale, and the portrait I saw in the eyes of those children during the finale was on another level entirely,” he shared. “I am always searching for light and color, but I saw a true radiance emanating from the children’s eyes. They weren’t just watching; they were spellbound by the puppets. It was a state of wonder that I am witnessing in the heart of Kharga in this way for the very first time.”
Artist Hanaa Said El-Sayed affirmed that the theatrical performance resurrected childhood memories for the people of the Oases and shattered the sense of isolation often associated with geographic distance. She noted that the events made the audience feel as though they were in the very heart of Cairo.
A Book Fair for the People
Ibtisam Abdel-Murid further highlighted the organization of two book fairs; the first by the General Egyptian Book Organization and the second by the General Organization for Culture Palaces. They offered a vast array of titles in literature, history, science, and children’s stories at heavily subsidized prices, in line with the “Culture and a Book for All” initiative. This ensured that literature was within the reach of every family in Kharga.
She concluded that the end of the sixth phase of the “Confrontation and Wandering” project in the New Valley is not merely the conclusion of a fleeting event. Rather, it is the consolidation of a methodology aimed at building the Egyptian persona. The impact remains visible in the eyes of the children who watched the operetta, the dialogues that echoed through the halls of the art exhibition, and the books that have now found a home with the people of the Oases.
The New Valley, with its vast expanses and human treasures, represents a fertile ground for any developmental project that recognizes culture as the soft power protecting the borders before the hearts. As the puppet troupe departed for Cairo, the echoes of Sayyid Mekawy’s melodies continued to resonate throughout the corners of Kharga.