WYF guests dress in Hatshepsut, Tutankhamun costumes

CAIRO – 6 November 2017: Organizers and participants of the World Youh Forum (WYF), currently held in Sharm el-Sheikh dressed in Hatshepsut and Tutankhamun costumes.

WYF is Egypt’s first international youth event set to run until November 10, bringing together 3,000 youth represented by 60 delegations from across the world.

In the main square leading to the conference hall hosting WYF activities, the organizers of the youth program adopted the idea of taking pictures dressed in traditional costumes of the famed Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun and the ancient Egyptian queen Hatshepsut.

"Welcome from the land of the pharaohs," said Maria, a delegate from Ecuador, dressed in the pharaohs costume who participated in the forum through online registration. Making many friends with other participants in her first hours in Sharm el-Sheikh, Maria praised the warm reception she received from the descendants of the pharaohs.

Irrespective of their nationalities, the WYF unified youth coming from across the globe as one community. Hassan, a participant from the Palestinian delegation, took a picture dressed in the Palestinian shoal and raising the Palestinian flag with his Egyptian friend, Ahmed, donning the costumes of the pharaohs.

Earlier, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi called on young people to set aside their differences and added that clashes and conflicts take place in the world as a result of some people’s sense of superiority due to their religion, culture or race.

“Acceptance is not necessarily adopting other religions or doctrines, however, we all have to accept each other and communicate rather than clash,” Sisi added.

Women from African delegations were also keen to take photographs dressed in their traditional costumes: wide colorful gowns, dresses and headscarves. Influenced by queen Hatshepsut, Katya, from Namibia, decided to wear a dress for the queen who ruled Egypt and reached the heart of Africa.

“My message [to you] is accept and respect others regardless of religion and culture; a clash is a possibility, but communication is a must,” said Sisi addressing the youth during “the Deference of Cultures and Civilizations” session at the WYF.

Photo of Youth dressed in Pharaohs' costumes file photo