Nahla Zayed 
In a significant move to preserve Egypt’s artisanal heritage, Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly witnessed today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Urban Development Fund and the Azza Fahmy Foundation for the Development of Handicrafts, establishing an integrated cultural and training center for traditional crafts in Darb Al-Labbana. The signing took place ahead of the launch of the Fustat Winter Festival 2025, hosted at Fustat Hills Park.
The MoU was signed by Eng. Khaled Seddik, Chairman of the Urban Development Fund, and Eng. Azza Abdel Moneim Fahmy Ibrahim, Chairwoman of the Azza Fahmy Foundation.
Prime Minister Madbouly emphasized that this MoU is an important step toward creating an open-air museum for traditional crafts in Historic Cairo, ensuring the sustainability of these crafts and passing them on to future generations. He noted that this collaboration reflects a strong model of partnership between the state, civil society, and cultural leaders to protect Egypt’s authentic identity.
On the sidelines of the signing, Eng. Khaled Seddik highlighted that the agreement aims to establish a cultural craft center in Darb Al-Labbana, in the Khalifa district of Cairo. The center will serve as a nucleus for reviving and developing Egyptian handicrafts and restoring Historic Cairo’s longstanding role as a hub for traditional arts.
He added that this cooperation is the outcome of the state’s continued efforts to support creative industries and heritage crafts, while emphasizing the importance of involving prominent figures in the field. He pointed out that Eng. Azza Fahmy is one of the Arab world’s leading designers, whose work has elevated Egyptian jewelry craftsmanship to global recognition.
Seddik explained that the cultural craft center—developed by the Azza Fahmy Foundation—will be established within a building owned by the Urban Development Fund in Darb Al-Labbana, opposite the House of Architecture, with a built area of approximately 2,370 square meters. The building has been designed to host exhibitions, events, and training workshops.
He added that the design was executed in coordination with architectural experts specialized in historic and heritage architecture, ensuring the preservation of the UNESCO-registered urban fabric of the area.
The center will include the Azza Fahmy School of Creativity and Design, the Azza Fahmy Training Institute, exhibition and lecture halls, small studio spaces for visiting international artists, as well as service areas and retail outlets showcasing the work of artisans and trainees.
