Culture minister to inspect Mansoura theater

Culture Minister Mohamed Saber Arab will visit Mansoura Thursday to inspect the national theater located near the police HQ in the Nile Delta city. Arab wants to get firsthand information about the theater that was affected by Tuesday's bomb attack on the police HQ. Parts of the theater were destroyed, as well as its front and windows. The explosion also caused damage to the stage. The Mansoura National Theater was established 111 years ago. It is the oldest theater in the Middle East. Legendary singer Umm Kulthum, a resident of Daqahliya herself, had repeatedly stood on the stage of the Mansoura National Theater, which was also a venue for plays by Naguib el-Rehani, Ali el-Kassar and Youssef Wahbi.