Background:

The cultural development program began in the mid-1980s; through the public libraries established by the Association in a number of villages and cities. The program has developed significantly in practice, turning the libraries into 14 cultural centers that support the artistic and cultural creativity of children and youth. Then the Association expanded its activities to support the free cultural sector technically and financially to enable them to develop and present their artistic and cultural production to the public. The free cultural sector consists of novice art groups that choose some form of art to express themselves and formulate a vision for solutions to the problems of their communities. AUEED provided technical and financial support to groups in different governorates.

Overall objective:

Developing the intellectual, cultural and artistic awareness of children, youth and adults in Upper Egypt, consolidating the values of coexistence, citizenship, tolerance and peace-building, by providing an environment that allows interaction, mutual learning and free expression, to enable them to discover themselves, their potential and capabilities by using all available technical tools and capabilities, to become partners in responsibility towards comprehensive and sustainable community development.

Cultural Centers

AUEED runs 14 cultural centers in Upper Egypt that provide spaces for practicing various cultural and artistic activities

Second - The Choirs

Upper Egypt Choir in Menya

It was founded since more than 30 years ago by Sister Celeste, aiming to revive the artistic and musical cultural heritage of Upper Egypt and preserving it from extinction. The group currently has 55 singers and 10 musicians. This year, the choir participated in the meeting ceremony of His Excellency the Ambassador of the Vatican State in Egypt, Archbishop Nicholas Henry, with religious and political leaders in Menya Governorate, during his pastoral visit to his Coptic Catholic Archdiocese in Abo Korkas.

Qithart Tiba Choir in Luxor

It was founded in 2014 to bring together the singing talents of the Luxor region in a choir and one of the people in reviving the cultural heritage of southern Upper Egypt, raising the public taste of Upper Egypt children in the different school stages, and nourishing their artistic culture. The team currently includes 35 students, and always seeks to discover new vocal and musical talents, help talents and guide them in the right direction, and provide them with the opportunity to make the child feel his importance and his role in society to make a difference through art. During this year, the choir enabled a group of members to play the Nubian tambourine in all its forms. Last July, the group celebrated the International Nubian Day, during which it presented a singing and dancing show.

Third - Tahtib

Most of the Tahtib practitioners from Upper Egypt were only men, especially in the rural areas where the stick was used by the people as part of their daily lives and is considered a sign of masculinity. The rules of the game are based on the values of mutual respect, friendship, courage, strength, chivalry and pride. The first participation of a girl in Tahtib in Upper Egypt was supported by the Association, after the stick game - Tahtib was included in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016, As the request of AUEED and the Egyptian National Committee for UNESCO in 2013.

In 2019, AUEED Tahtib team represented Egypt at the Chungu Festival in South Korea, organized by the World Federation of Heritage Martial Arts (WOMAU) under the auspices of UNESCO. At the same time, AUEED was approved as an official member - with the right to vote - in the World Federation as the first Egyptian team to join.

Fourth - Scouts Movement

The Scout activity began in EL Bayadeya in 1976 by Father Paul Zikri, so as by his efforts and the Order of the Freres Brothers and the Order of the Sacred Heart, many scout leaders graduated. Scouting aims to boost skills and talents of children and youth and to educate the meaning of social values by applying of Promise and scout Law, and by contributing to the service and development of the community.

Fifth - Sports activity:

The program follows the methodology of (education through games and sports) by working with the boys and girl’s teams: football, volleyball, and various kinetic games. The number of participators in the activity is 150 children, and 50 young people.