Cairo: Minister of Culture Ahmed Fouad Heno attended the launch ceremony of the "City Memory" smartphone application, an initiative by the National Authority for Urban Coordination, led by Engineer Mohamed Abu Sada, and Dr. Osama Al-Juhari, Assistant to the Prime Minister and Head of the Information and Decision Support Centre. The ceremony was held at the Egyptian Opera House, in the presence of Amr El-Basyouni, the Permanent Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, and Dr. Alaa Abdel Salam, Head of the Egyptian Opera House.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Minister Heno emphasized the app's role in preserving the identity and collective memory of Egyptian cities, aiming to reconnect generations with their cultural heritage. The initiative seeks to protect the components of the Egyptian personality and the authentic spirit of cities amid global challenges.
The app, part of the ministry's broader initiatives, combines image, information, and testimony to highlight the beauty and transformations of cities. It aims to integrate efforts among state institutions to celebrate the past and present historical symbols as inspiring models. Minister Heno expressed gratitude to all contributors to the project.
Engineer Mohamed Abu Sada highlighted the app's three main initiatives: "Lived Here," "Street Story," and "Buildings of Value." These initiatives document historical residences, the origins of street names, and significant architectural sites. The app notifies users about these locations, enhancing public awareness of urban history. Abu Sada thanked Minister Heno and Dr. Al-Juhari for their support and collaboration, emphasizing the app's role in preserving heritage and national identity.
Dr. Osama Al-Juhari described the app as a milestone in a joint effort to document urban history. He traced the app's origins to the "Lived Here" project, which began in 2017. The app is designed to be user-friendly and interactive, offering a new perspective on urban landscapes. Al-Juhari expressed hopes to document all Egyptian cities, instilling historical respect in future generations.
The launch ceremony featured a documentary on the app's features and the honoring of contributors to the "Lived Here" and "Street Story" projects. The "City Memory App" aims to engage youth and heritage enthusiasts, reflecting the commitment to preserving cultural narratives through contemporary means.