India,Egypt discuss ways to promote cultural interactions

CAIRO: India and Egypt have discussed ways to promote cultural interactions between the two countries as they prepare for the next edition of the mega cultural extravaganza 'India by the Nile'.

India's Ambassador to Egypt Navdeep Suri met Minister of Culture yesterday and discussed ways to promote cultural interactions between the two ancient civilisations.

Suri also discussed ways to boost the translation of Indian publications into Arabic.

"Meeting today with Minister of Culture Gaber Asfour should give impetus to translation of Indian publications into Arabic," Suri later tweeted.

The Ambassador discussed the preparations and the programme of the third edition of 'India by the Nile' cultural festival which will be held in April next year.

"The Egyptian Minister was enthusiastic and happy to support the festival," the ambassador told PTI.

The cultural festival, which has twice been held successfully, will include new events like Indian shows, workshops, seminars, exhibitions and other activities in the next edition.

It will also host an exhibition for soldiers who participated during the World War I in Egypt.

Another exhibition for Indian and Egyptian handmade and traditional works will be displayed during the month-long cultural event.

"We will invite Indian handicrafts to show their works and speak about them during the events," Suri said.

During the festival, former Indian ambassador to Egypt Pascal Alan Nazareth will deliver a lecture on his new book titled 'Gandhi's Outstanding Leadership.'

The book was translated in various languages including Arabic in India.

"We are working with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture to release an Arabic version to be distributed during this year's festival," Suri added.