The Ibsen events in Egypt received massive media coverage both in Egypt and in Norway. In Egypt, the events were covered by practically all the most important newspapers. The Peer Gynt performance was also broadcast live on Egyptian television.
07/11/2006 :: So far, the Embassy has found more than 80 articles in the Egyptian press on the Ibsen events alone. In addition come at least an equal number of articles on Her Majesty Queen Sonja’s visit. Several articles have been published in the biggest Egyptian newspaper Al Ahram, including an interview with Her Majesty the Queen.
All the foreign-language Egyptian papers have carried extensive coverage of the Ibsen events, including the performance of Peer Gynt and Her Majesty Queen Sonja’s visit. The English and French weekly editions of Al Ahram have had broad coverage including front pages, as has the English-language Daily Star Egypt. Furthermore, the English-language Egyptian Gazette has several front page photos of Her Majesty the Queen as well as coverage of all the Ibsen events.
The Arabic newspapers have also covered the Ibsen events and Her Majesty Queen Sonja's visit extensively. In addition to covering events, both regime-oriented and opposition newspapers have published interviews with director Bentein Baardson and his staff as well as with Norwegian ambassador to Egypt, HE Lasse Seim. It is unusual that cultural events get such broad coverage in all parts of print media.
As for TV coverage, Nile TV has broadcast interviews with Her Majesty the Queen as well as with several of the main figures behind the Ibsen events. Also, Egyptian state television broadcast the Peer Gynt performance on the 27 of October. Furthermore, actors Bjarte Hjelmeland and Lise Fjeldstad went on Egypt's most popular talk show "El Beit Beitak" on the Nile 2 channel, which also aired a two hour long program with interviews and footage of the rehearsals. Mehwer TV also interviewed Randi Thorsen of Ibsen 2006 and Norwegian ambassador Lasse Seim in a live broadcast.
It is safe to say that the Ibsen events and Her Majesty the Queen’s visit have received unprecedented press coverage by any standards, and that Norway as such has never received as broad coverage in Egyptian media as during the last week of October.
Most of the coverage is not online, but below are links to some articles in Egyptian and Norwegian press on the Ibsen events and Her Majesty the Queen's visit.
Al Ahram Weekly
Norwegian encounters with the Sphinx
A peak on the plateau
Gyntish design
Al Ahram Hebdo
Une pièce hors pair
Daily Star Egypt
Queen of Norway in Egypt, calls for dialogue with Muslims
Dialogue with the Sphinx
Aftenposten (in Norwegian)
Dronning Sonja i Egypt
Stor ståhei rundt Peer i Egypt
Dagbladet (in Norwegian)
Peer i Sfinxens rike
Bergens Tidende (in Norwegian)
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