Egyptian Society For Folk Traditions
(ESFT)
Main objectives of the Organization:
1. Bringing together a group of intellectuals who are interested and concerned with the folk traditions of Egypt.
2. Locating and studying folk traditions as well as the individuals still practicing these traditions.
3. Promoting and developing folk traditions.
4. Raising the awareness of the public and officials to the importance of folk traditions.
5. Creating an extra curriculum activity for students of folklore and similar disciplines.
Listing of Significant Publications:
• Safeguarding and Protecting the Oral Epic of Al Sirah Al Hillalyya.
(Phase I: Collecting and Documenting). Dr. Ahmed Morsi (2006).
• The Making of a Traditional Artist: The Art of Tally and Sustainable Development. Dr. Nawal el Messiri (2009).
• Official Report on Traditional Crafts for the Industrial Modernization Center (IMC) of The Ministry of Industry (2010).
• The Traditional Market. Dr. Nawal el Messiri (2012).
• Traditional Agricultural Knowledge and Skills. Haitham Younis (2014).
• Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (The Egyptian Archive as an Example). Dr. Ahmed Morsi (2014).
• Traditional Arts and Crafts from Cairo Asaad Nadim (Second edition 2014)
• Traditional Hand Loom Silk Industry in Egypt. Ed. Dr. Nawal el Messiri (In Press, 2015).
Main activities of the Organization:
1. Lectures and presentations by specialists.
2. Collection and archiving of folk traditions.
3. Organizing conferences and workshops.
4. Inviting traditional artists and craftsmen to interact with members of the Society.
5. Interacting with other international organizations which have similar interests.
6. Representatives of the Society attend conferences and workshops in Egypt and abroad.
7. Supporting and supplying Folklore Magazine financially and intellectually.
Relationship of the Organization with Intellectual Property matters:
It is the folk tradition of each country which gives its identity. Over the centuries, Egypt has accumulated, preserved and transmitted valuable traditions. On the national level, it is very important that these traditions be accredited to its people.