Japan has announced a $1.17 million grant to support the development of the Cairo Opera House in downtown Cairo, according to an official statement released on January 26. The agreement was signed by Lamia Zayed, president of the Egyptian Opera House, and Kato Ken, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Egypt.
Agreement details
The funding will be used to equip the existing theatres with modern facilities and improve the overall experience for visitors at the Grand Theater.
Egypt’s Minister of Culture, Ahmed Fouad Hano, emphasized the Cairo Opera House’s role as a key platform for artists both locally and internationally. “The overhaul aligns with Egypt’s efforts to enrich the cultural landscape and foster an environment of creativity, innovation, and artistic expression,” he said.
Hano also stressed the importance of preserving Egypt’s cultural heritage by embracing modern technologies to drive artistic innovation. Meanwhile, Rania al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, noted that the grant would enhance the operational efficiency of the Opera House, ensuring its continued role as a beacon of arts, music, thought, and knowledge.
Egypt-Japan ties
Japan has played a key role in supporting Egypt’s cultural initiatives over the years. In 1983, the Japanese government provided aid to help rebuild the Cairo Opera House, which was completed in 1988. Additionally, Japan contributed $8 million to the Grand Egyptian Museum project in 2020.
This latest partnership, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Egyptian-Japanese development cooperation, further strengthens the longstanding bilateral relations between the two nations.
Notably, Japan’s grants and technical cooperation to Egypt have totaled approximately $2.4 billion, while development financing has surpassed $7.2 billion since 1954.
Egypt’s cultural efforts
The Egyptian government has been actively working to build a vibrant cultural ecosystem. As reported by the State Information Service in January, the government’s initiatives include launching digital platforms, assessing cultural facilities for restoration, and integrating art production units into cultural palaces to ensure sustainability.
In December, Minister of Culture Ahmed Fouad Hano highlighted the ministry’s focus on generating investment returns. He explained that this initiative seeks to create sustainable, diversified funding sources that balance cultural preservation with economic sustainability, while transforming talents into profitable cultural industries.
The government is also strengthening cultural diplomacy efforts through Egyptian embassies to recover stolen antiquities from abroad. In January, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Badr Abdelatty, praised the successful collaboration with the ministries of tourism, antiquities, and culture, which has led to the recovery of numerous Egyptian artifacts.
