The National Center for Theatre, Music, and Folk Arts Launches the First Zakaria Al-Hajjawi Competition for Folk Arts Studies

The National Center for Theatre, Music, and Folk Arts announced the launch of the first edition of the "Zakaria Al-Hajjawi Competition for Folk Arts Studies," which aims to support researchers in the field of folk arts and encourage serious scientific studies that highlight the cultural roots of Egyptian society and emphasize their extensions in the present.

The competition comes within the framework of the Ministry of Culture's strategy to enhance national identity and pride in Egyptian folk heritage, under the patronage of the Minister of Culture. It is held under the supervision of artist Hisham Atwa, Head of the Theatre Sector, and implemented by the National Center for Theatre, Music, and Folk Arts, headed by director Adel Hassan.

The first edition of the competition addresses the theme "The Culture of Ancient Egyptians and Its Influences on Contemporary Egyptian Folk Arts," where researchers are expected to submit scientific studies written in Arabic that have not been previously published or awarded in other competitions. The research should not exceed sixty pages in A4 size, using "Times New Roman Bold 14" font, adhering to a scientific approach. Each participant is allowed to submit only one research paper.

The center will receive submissions from December 21, 2025, until February 15, 2026, with results announced during the "Egyptian Day of Folk Art" celebration held on March 18, 2026.

Participants can apply electronically through the participation form published on the center's official page, sending a Word document copy of the research and a scanned copy of their national ID card via email to "centerdrama2023@gmail.com." If electronic submission is not possible, works can be delivered in person at the center's headquarters located at 9 Hassan Sabry Street, Zamalek, during official working days, accompanied by an electronic copy of the research.

The competition awards three cash prizes for the winning research papers: the first place receives ten thousand Egyptian pounds, the second place eight thousand pounds, and the third place six thousand pounds. The winning studies will also be published in a special edition issued by the National Center for Theatre, Music, and Folk Arts. A ceremony will be organized to honor the winners and present the awards in an atmosphere befitting the value of Egyptian folk heritage and the importance of scientific research in preserving and developing it.

In this context, director Adel Hassan, head of the National Center for Theatre, Music, and Folk Arts, stated that the competition represents a qualitative step in supporting researchers in the field of folk arts. It aims to stimulate young minds to delve into the depths of Egyptian heritage and explore the hidden links between the civilization of ancestors and contemporary cultural practices. He emphasized that folk arts are not merely a narrated past but a living energy capable of renewing the Egyptian consciousness and shaping a cultural awareness based on roots that build the future.

He confirmed that the initiative aims to restore the status of researchers in the field of folk arts and connect the past with the present through scientific studies that illuminate our cultural roots and inspire new generations. The competition represents an open invitation to reread our heritage with a creative scientific perspective that draws inspiration from history, addresses the present, and builds for the future.