(AISF) President: Renowned Singer Asala tributes half her payment for children with special needs

CAIRO – 2 December 2018: President of the Alexandria International Song Festival (AISF), Auf Hamam, announced that the festival's fifth edition aims to benefit children with special needs.

Hamam further announced during a press conference that renowned Syrian singer Asala, who is set to perform in the festival’s opening ceremony, decided to dedicate half her payment for children with special needs.

The festival is set to run from Dec. 5 - 20. Saudi Arabia is the guest of honor of the festival's fifth edition.

Hamam clarified that fifth edition's honorees include Asala, poet Omar Battisha, singer Mohammed al-Kahlawi, singer/actor Mohamed el-Sharnouby, Nesma Mahgoub, actress Suhair Abdel Kader and others.

According to Hamam, the festival’s program will consist of specialized sections honoring singers and composers and a separate section honoring creative performers such as the musical team that performs under the name of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, who are participating in the festival for the first time.

In the same context, President of the Contests Committee in the AISF, Emad Hassan, announced during the press conference that this edition's contest will hold the name of artist Mohamed Sultan, one of the most significant honorees of the festival.

Hassan further clarified that the festival will cooperate in 2019 with one of the Emirati foundations to turn into an international contest.