Getting Here Geography Climate Demography Culture Religion Arts Economy Language Arts Mother Of Arts The arts  in  Egypt  have  roots  that  go way back into ancient times. Many artifacts have been produced over the span of  time, and  still  remain in good shape today. Over the centuries, Egypt has witnessed the intrusion  of  a  multitude  of  ideas  as  a  result of  the  numerous  invasions,  and  so much of  the art that exists today has been  subtly  shaped  by  these  influences.  Nevertheless,  Egypt unquestionably belongs to an Arabic Islamic tradition and by extension so does its art. Literature Today,  the arts  in Egypt, whether in  literature, music, cinema, or the visual arts, continue to flourish  and expand,  reaching  new  ideas  and  horizons. In literature, Egyptian  writers  are  the  most  celebrated  in the  Arab  world. Modern  Arabic  literature  is  said   to   have   been   shaped  through   the  writings  of Yehhia  Haki,  Yousef  Idris,  Taha Hussien,   Gamal Al-Ghitani,  Sekina Fouad  and of course the Nobel Prize  Laureate   Naguib  Mahfouz. Mahfouz’s   writings  about  Old-Cairo,  the  social  lives of the lower class,  the coffee  shops, the alleys, have not only won him  international  recognition, but  have altered  all together the  style of  Modern Arabic Prose. Naguib Mahfouz’s books are translated to all languages and could  be  found  in  every   book  store. For  a  thorough  understanding  of   Egyptian  culture we would recommend his Cairo “Trilogy”. Music In Egypt, music can always be heard. Whether it's  coming from a taxi, a  coffee shop or someone singing in the  streets, you can’t miss  it. A voice you’ll definitely  get  to know is that of  Om Kolthum, the  most celebrated   female  singer   in the  Arab  world. Om Kolthum  was 73 years old when  she died  in 1975, and  was given one of  the  largest  funerals  in  history. Her  voice is  not only the voice of Egypt, but  the voice of  the  Arab  world.  Everyone  from  the  humble cafe owner, to the rich business man, craves this lady’s deep strong voice. If you  don’t get a chance to  hear her, do buy a tape or two, you won’t  regret it. Another  classical  legend  is  Abdel Halim Hafez, who is  her  male  counterpart.  Again  his epic songs about  love and despair  fill the Cairo air. Unfortunately, Hafez died young  at the age of 48. On  the other side the  new  rhythm of  Amr Diab,  Mohamed Foad and  Hakim  represent the pop side of the Egyptian music scene. A  massive  drop from Um Kalthum and  Abdel Halim, nevertheless the younger generations seem to love them. Visual Arts In  the   past  Egyptian  painting   was   represented   through   the   works of  Ahmed Sabry and  Hamed Abdallah. In  the realm  of  sculpture,  Mahmoud Mokhtar  wa s definitely  on  the top of the list. All three artists  are now  long gone, but  their work still remains  in  the  Museum of  Modern Egyptian  Art,  along with  the work of many  contemporary Egyptian artists. Today,  the Modern  Art  scene  in  Egypt, works in  mysterious ways. Most of the celebrated  painters and  sculptors can be divided  into  two  categories: those  who   have   little   to   offer  but  conventional, representational  and  academic  work, and,  on the other hand,  a  more  recent  circle of   contemporary  artists  who  are willing  to  explore  and  play  with new  medium  and  style. Their  work is  new, Egyptian and  interesting. Try  going down town to  private galleries  like  Mashrabeya,  Karim  Francis,  and  Cairo-Berlin for the more intriguing exhibitions. Among the  exceptional  contemporary  Egyptian  Painters  are,   George  Al-Bahgoury , Adel  Al-Siwi,   Hassan Soliman,  and Mohamed Abla. Cinema As  for  Cinema  and  Film,  Egypt has been considered the leader of the Arabic film industry for over five decades  now.  Among   the celebrated  Egyptian   Actors,  are  Omar El-Sherif   (  who  has  achieved international   recognition   in   films   like  Dr. Zhivago ),   Adel  Imam   ( Egypt’s   leading   comedian ), Adel  Emam,  Nour  El-Sherif,  Ahmed Zaki  and  Mahmoud  Abdel  Aziz ( also  a comedian ). The most celebrated   director  is,  by  far ,  Yousef Shahin,  who  just  recently received  an award  at  the  Cannes Film  Festival  for  his  film “ The Destiny ”. Another  talented director  is Dr. Khairy  Beshara,  with  films that   focus  on  more  contemporary Egyptian  issues. Nevertheless,  Egypt’s  reputation  as the leader of Arabic Film,  is prone  to  challenge, and might not last as a result of the apparent decline in quality during the past few years. As with music, the latest  productions,  involving  young comedians such as Mohamed Heneidy,  have taken  a large step back in terms of  seriousness,  content  and  subject  matter.  Strangely enough,  these  movies  still  managed to  receive  good  reviews,  and  of  course, massive  support  from the young generations. Dance With  just  a   few  shows  every  now  and  then,  the  Contemporary  Dance scene in Egypt  is  definitely over   shadowed   by belly  dancing.  Egypt   is  the belly  dancing  capital  of  the  world. With   the  local oriental   music  providing   an   ideal   rhythm,  Egyptian  belly  dancers  out-number   actors,  artists  and musicians.  Some  dancers  achieve  immense  popularity  and  go on  to  become  movie  stars.  The two most  celebrated  belly-dancers  are  Lucy and  Dina.  Both  dancers put  on   virtually nothing during  the shows, and have a lot  to offer!  You  can  catch  some  belly dancing shows at any of the five-star hotels, and  the night-clubs at  Al-Haram St.  You  might  even  want to  squeeze  in some belly  dancing lessons. Furthermore,  there is the male oriental  dance  performed  with wooden  staves in a  mock fight. There is also the Sufi dance,  which is  performed  by  some  adherents of a Muslim mystical order, and  is more a form of  worship than  a dance. In this Sufi dance, dancers spin round and round wearing brightly colored clothes.