First “Simsimiyya” music festival kicks off in Port Said

CAIRO – August 4: The first Simsimiyya music festival kicks off on Friday in Port Said governorate, celebrating the first memorial of New Suez Canal. The festival organized by Canal region and General Authority for Cultural Palaces, is taking place till August 6.

Simsimiyya bands from the Canal region like Port Said, Ismailia and Suez governorates are participating in the festival, also “Al-Kossair” band from Upper Egypt and “Al-Matarya” band from Delta are joining. Al-Shourouk reported.

The participating bands will perform at different venues during the festival offering cultural and social hub for this distinctive music genre.

The festival’s opening is in homage to the head of early Simsimiyya band Hassan Abu Saleh, the son of Port Said.A documentary featuring his musical life will be presented in the closing ceremony, then participating bands will revive some of his songs. Al-Masry Al-Youm reported.

The Sissimiyya is a stringed instrument that has survived from pharaonic era till now, and is one of Egypt’s oldest folk music based around Ismailia, Port Said and Suez.