Ministry of Culture Declares 2025 the ‘Year of Umm Kulthum’

The Ministry of Culture has declared 2025 the Year of Umm Kulthum, launching a year-long celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of the legendary singer’s passing. The initiative will include concerts, exhibitions, and cultural events aimed at honouring Umm Kulthum’s enduring legacy.

The Cairo Opera House will host several performances, including a major concert at the Philharmonie de Paris featuring the Arab Music Orchestra conducted by Maestro Alaa Abdel Salam, alongside singers Rehab Omar and Eman Abdel Ghany. Domestically, the opera house will present two special concerts at the Arab Music Institute, and organise a nationwide talent competition, ‘Discovering Umm Kulthum 2025’, in search of young singers whose voices echo her distinctive style.

The General Authority for Cultural Palaces will launch the Umm Kulthum Festival for Music and Singing in February, beginning in her birthplace, Tamay El Zahayra in Dakahlia Governorate. The festival will include a documentary screening, a storytelling workshop, an art exhibition, and performances by the Mansoura Arab Music Ensemble and folk art troupes.

The Cairo International Book Fair will dedicate a special segment to Umm Kulthum, featuring musical performances and an exhibition of rare documents and photographs at the National Library and Archives. The Umm Kulthum Museum in Cairo will offer free admission throughout February, displaying her personal belongings, photographs, and rare audio recordings.

The Cultural Development Fund will organise additional events in Cairo and Alexandria, including a documentary screening and discussion at the Naguib Mahfouz Museum, two concerts at the Umm Kulthum Museum, and a seminar in Alexandria. Children’s workshops will also be held at the Beit Al-Aini Children’s Creativity Centre, ensuring that younger generations are introduced to her legacy.