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MACIC

MAULANA AZAD CENTRE FOR INDIAN CULTURE (MACIC)

Cultural exchanges between the two countries have existed since time immemorial and with the setting up of the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) in Cairo in 1992 as part of the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP). MACIC conducts regular classes in Hindi, Urdu and Yoga, and periodic classes in Indian dance.

Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) was founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister. Its objectives are to actively participate in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes pertaining to India’s external cultural relations; to foster and strengthen cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries; to promote cultural exchanges with other countries and people; and to develop relations with nations.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958), a distinguished scholar, educationist and statesman, was the first Education Minister of India and Founder-President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. With Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad fought for India’s freedom. A symbol of the pluralistic and secular ethos of India, Abul Kalam Azad laid the basis for independent India’s educational and cultural policies and contributed significantly to the foundation of centres of scientific and cultural methods of inquiry. He made a significant contribution to Islamic studies and wrote a brilliant commentary of the Quran “Tarjuman Al-Quran”. Maulana Azad had a special interest in cultural exchanges with other civilizations and nations. He founded the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and encouraged cultural cooperation between Asia and Africa. He visited Egypt and had a special affinity for Egypt’s great civilization. It is in recognition of Maulana Azad’s special contribution to culture and his affection for Egypt that the Centre of Indian Culture in the Arab world has been named after him.

Major activities of MACIC
Beside its regular in-house classes, MACIC Film Club, MACIC Roundtable and Hindi Conversation Club were also started recently. The Centre also organizes Indian music and dance by troupes sponsored by the ICCR; it regularly holds exhibitions of photographs and paintings by local artists, both in its own premises in Zamalek, Cairo as also in other venues in Cairo, Alexandria, Ismailia, etc. MACIC has carved for itself a special niche in the cultural scene of Cairo. It is known as the place where one gets the best of Indian culture. India was the Guest of Honour country at the International Drums Festival 2016. As part of the 155th Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, a week-long celebration was held in Cairo. In March 2012, a portrait of Tagore was unveiled at the House of Poetry by the EAM and the Egyptian Minister of Culture.

The Centre organizes a painting competition for Egyptian school children every year in order to promote artistic talent among them and encourage understanding of Indian culture. The competition titled "Glimpses of India" is conducted for Egyptian children in the month of October each year.

India by the Nile: India by the Nile 2016 was held from 21 April to 7 May in five cities of Egypt. The Festival is produced on public private partnership. IBN 2015 was inaugurated by Shri Amitabh Bachcan at India House. Over 20,000 Egyptians from different walks of life participated directly in the various events of the IBN 2016. The festival is being billed as the ‘biggest cultural bonanza by foreign countries in Egypt.

The above write up will be followed by the following links (these have been updaed)