The third National Samsamiya Forum will launch tomorrow, Sunday, August 17, at 8 PM at the Ismailia Culture Palace, under the patronage of Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hano, Minister of Culture, and Major General Pilot Akram Mohamed Galal, Governor of Ismailia. The event features participation from six artistic groups from the Canal and Sinai governorates, as part of cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Ismailia Governorate.

The official opening ceremony at the Culture Palace stage will be attended by the Minister of Culture, the Governor of Ismailia, and several ministers and governors. External performances will continue on Monday at Al-Fayrouz Club and Sheikh Zayed Youth Center.

This year’s forum has a special significance after the Samsamiya art was inscribed in 2024 on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, as one of the authentic folk arts representing the identity and rich heritage of the Canal and Sinai cities.

Samsamiya is a traditional art form historically linked to sea songs and popular resistance, characterized by fast rhythms and joyful melodies, making it a symbol of cultural identity in the Canal cities.

The forum will also honor several symbols of Samsamiya art in the Canal region, alongside honoring the scientific committee responsible for preparing and documenting the Samsamiya file with UNESCO.