The International Festival of Drums and Heritage Arts, which took place under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, concluded on Friday. 

The festival, which was held from 12 to 18 June, took place in cooperation with the Ministries of Antiquities and Tourism, and Youth and Sports; the Cairo Governorate; and a number of national bodies. 

A total of 30 troupes participated in the 8th edition of the International Festival of Drums and Heritage Arts from: Egypt; Syria; Colombia; the Philippines; Indonesia; Sudan; South Sudan; Bangladesh; Pakistan; Yemen; the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); Palestine; and some foreign communities residing in Egypt. 

The events were hosted at the Citadel of Salah El-Din in Cairo, as well as at Al-Hanager Square, Kobbet Al-Ghouri, Freedom Park, the garden at the Mukhtar Museum, the Bait Al Sinnari in Sayeda Zeinab, and the Prince Taz Palace. 

The Philippines was honoured on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of its diplomatic relations with Egypt, along with a number of Egyptian and foreign creators. This included plastic artist Esmat Doustashi and circus artist Mahasin El Helou (Egypt), artist Abdel Qader Salem (Sudan), artist Dodonday Rose (Senegal), and Toto la Momposina (Colombia).