On the eve of World Refugee Day 2017, UNHCR Egypt hosted a major film event at the Zamalek Cinema, under the theme "Refugee Voices in Film. Guests showedtheir support to the refugee cause by signing the #WithRefugees and sharing messages about #RefugeeDay on social media. UNHCR Egypt was supported by Arab Cinema Center

On 18 June UNHCR Egypt in cooperation with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Egyptian Association of Friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, launched the "BigRead" program The three months program aims at bringing together local cultural institutions and citizens and forging partnerships among several stakeholders (e.g. Alexandria University, young artists, social clubs, cultural centers, etc.) to enrich cultural dialogue. It includes a series of writing competitions and theatre workshops, during which famous novels will be turned into scripts, and participants get to act the plays at the final event in September. The program allows talented refugees and asylum seekers to participate in the various activities, perform and be part of the cultural life in Alexandria. A "Think and Express" workshop for people with hearing and speaking difficulties will also be part of the program.