A S U

The cultural and artistic program accompanying the 12th African University Games, “Cairo 2026,” continued the second day alongside the sporting competitions, featuring a diverse range of accompanying events. The activities brought together arts, heritage, music, and student creativity, offering participating delegations and student’s opportunities to interact, connect, and discover the richness and diversity of Egyptian culture.

At the Cairo Opera House, the Main Hall hosted a special artistic performance as part of “Africa Day,” attended by Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture; Mr. Leonz Eder, President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU); Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, President of the African University Sports Federation (FASU) and Vice Chairman of the Games’ Supreme Organizing Committee; along with a number of Egyptian university presidents and representatives of the participating delegations and universities.

Directed by artist Hisham Atwa, the event featured the operetta “The Peoples of Africa Are One,” performed by folk arts troupes affiliated with the General Organization of Culture Palaces, including troupes from Aswan, Sohag, Port Said, Al-Horreya, Kafr El-Sheikh, Arish, and Matrouh. The performance was accompanied by the Egyptian Music and Singing Ensemble Orchestra and the Egyptian Universities Choir, affiliated with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The folk arts troupes presented a series of performances showcasing aspects of the traditional and artistic heritage of Egypt’s governorates, alongside musical and artistic performances featuring students from Egyptian and African universities. The event created a vibrant atmosphere that blended the distinctive features of Egyptian culture with the cultural diversity of the African continent.

Egyptian university students had a prominent presence at the event, with students from Cairo, Ain Shams, Assiut, Alexandria, and Badr University in Cairo participating in the Egyptian Universities Choir. A group of outstanding students who had taken part in the “Tarab” Festival were also selected to perform at the Cairo Opera House, reflecting the role of student activities in discovering and nurturing talent and providing young performers with opportunities to showcase their abilities at distinguished artistic events.

Ahead of the main performance, the brass orchestra affiliated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports presented a selection of musical pieces, creating a festive atmosphere that welcomed the participating delegations and set the stage for the evening performances at the Cairo Opera House.

Dr. Karim Hammam, Advisor to the Minister for Student Activities and Director of the Leadership Development Institute, emphasized that the diversity of the second day’s activities reflects the accompanying program’s vision for “Cairo 2026” to offer an experience that extends beyond sporting competitions. Through arts, music, and heritage, the program provides African university youth with new opportunities to connect and engage with one another, while giving talented students a genuine platform to showcase their abilities and contribute to the cultural and artistic scene accompanying the Games.