As the 34th Arab Music Festival approaches amid a wave of artist withdrawals and rallying expressions of support for the … More
Author: atimetwaly
Arab Music Festival controversy widens ahead of 34th edition
A growing controversy surrounding the 34th Arab Music Festival and Conference has raised questions about budgets, artists’ fees, artistic decision-making … More
Emirati theatre explores love, illusion and memory in Jasmine’s Fingers
In the Emirati production Jasmine’s Fingers (Asabe’ Al-Yasmeen), staged during the 4th Eazees International Women’s Theatre Festival (25 September–2 October), … More
Harmony Araby Choir: When hundreds of voices become one
From the ancient stones of Jordan’s Jerash to the open-air stages of Oman’s Salalah and back to the Red Sea … More
Tarek Said (1966-2026): Independent by choice
Four months after the sudden passing of Egyptian theatre director Tarek Said, the 19th National Theatre Festival (25 July-11 August) … More
Egyptian and Arab artists relish in Egypt’s historic World Cup breakthrough
Egypt’s dramatic victory over Australia to book a place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 ignited celebrations across … More
Sherine Abdel Wahab’s return to Egypt’s stage marks bid to reclaim her artistic narrative
After more than a year away from Egypt’s concert stage, Egyptian superstar Sherine Abdel Wahab is preparing for a high-profile … More
The Opera’s next act: Tracing leadership changes at the Cairo Opera House
Last week, Egyptian bass singer Reda El-Wakil was appointed chairman of the Cairo Opera House, joining the succession of distinguished … More
Eternal magic of Swan Lake returns to Cairo Opera House
Swan Lake returns to the Cairo Opera House, as the Cairo Opera Ballet Company revives Tchaikovsky’s timeless tale of love … More
Dreaming of the Nile
It has been some time since I last followed the Cairo Opera Ballet Company, yet many of its iconic works … More
2025 Yearender: A tale of two stages in Egypt’s diverging live music scene
The year 2025 highlighted a growing divide in Egypt’s music ecosystem, as major festivals and star-led events continued to gain … More
In Chopin’s territory: Young Egyptian pianists explore Poland
Every two years, Cairo hosts Egypt’s only Chopin Piano Competition for Children and Youths. Winners not only perform but also … More
Ziad Rahbani (1956-2025): An endless legacy
Few artists have shaped the cultural and political fabric of the Arab world quite like Ziad Rahbani, and his passing … More
Khaled Saleh: A music of possibilities
Over the past two decades, the name Khaled Saleh has repeatedly appeared in various publications—in recent years often in connection … More
Cairo Opera House celebrates legacy of ballet master Abdel Moneim-Kamel
On 19 and 20 June, the Cairo Opera House staged two gala evenings in tribute to the late Abdel-Moneim Kamel … More
Exile and Hope: Sudanese creatives and the question of home
As Sudanese refugees in Egypt navigate exile, the question of home remains complex. While some hold onto the hope of … More
How to Spend 2 Days in Alexandria – A Local’s Itinerary
Sitting along the Mediterranean coast in the north of Egypt, Alexandria is a an interesting and ancient city that far … More
How to Spend 3 Days in Cairo – A Local’s Itinerary
Cairo, and Egypt more broadly, is somewhere that immediately evokes images of ancient civilizations and a sense of adventure and … More
2024 Yearender: The music of exile: Cairo-based Sudanese musicians finding refuge in their art
Since the outbreak of war in Sudan in April 2023, countless Sudanese nationals have fled the country, and most found … More
In Egypt, Sudanese musicians sing their hymns to peace
The Africa Report Cairo has become home to several groups of Sudanese diaspora musicians, refugees from war who are forging … More
Dafallah Al-Haj | A Titan Of Sudan’s Music Heritage
Far from Cairo’s affluent neighborhoods, children’s laughter echoes through a narrow street as they kick a ball, their swift feet … More
Boundless emotions in Greek National Opera Ballet’s performances in Cairo
On 6 and 7 June, the Greek National Opera (GNO) Ballet gave two performances at the main hall of the … More
Beyond acting: Sudanese actress Eiman Yousif’s many talents
Known for her role in Goodbye Julia, Sudanese actress Eiman Yousif is a well-rounded artist, with music – singing and … More
‘The world is attracted to tragedies,’ says Sudanese director Mohammed Altraifi
Director/producer Mohammed Altraifi wants to focus on distribution of stories made by Sudanese filmmakers to reach everyone. Published in The … More
The Sahel revealed: A story of Niger’s Envoy of God awarded at Aswan Int’l Women Film Fest
The up-and-coming filmmaker Amina Abdoulaye Mamani talks about The Envoy of God, a film that looks deep into the heart … More
‘I want to keep dreaming,’ says Sudanese actress Eiman Yousif
A starring role in Sudan’s ‘Goodbye Julia’ was a dream come true for Eiman Yousif. Yet, while the international accolades … More
Cairo Opera Ballet debuts Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty in Egypt
The Cairo Opera Ballet Company will give its first performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece The Sleeping Beauty on 9 … More
Slim pickings for Africa at this year’s Cannes Film Festival
This year’s 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is fast approaching, running from 14-25 May. The Africa Report takes … More
Egypt: All set for 13th edition of Luxor African Film Festival
The 13th edition of the Luxor African Film Festival (LAFF) which showcases African creativity, will take place from 9-15 February … More
Dilemma for Egyptian, Arab artists in solidarity with Palestinian people
The artists of Egypt and other Arab countries remain deeply saddened, angry and mostly helpless towards the ongoing tragic situation … More
‘We must have Sudanese cinema,’ says filmmaker Ibrahim Shaddad
Fleeing from war-torn Sudan, veteran director-screenwriter Ibrahim Shaddad speaks his lifetime of art amid strife. (The Africa Report) “It took … More
Playboy in Alexandria: On Mozart’s Don Giovanni at Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Opera Don Giovanni was staged at the main hall of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina for three evenings between 18 and 20 … More
Egyptian soprano Neveen Allouba to be awarded France’s Order of Arts and Letters
Well-known Egyptian soprano Neveen Allouba will be awarded France’s Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in the grade of Chevalier … More
Sudan’s museums, and millenia of heritage, caught in the crossfire
Home to 200 pyramids (almost twice the number of Egypt) and to the legendary kingdom of Kush, a land of … More
Faragello the Stubborn: A lifetime devoted to para sports
“Sport changed my life; it altered my way of thinking and gave me purpose. It taught me discipline. Sport allowed … More
Egyptian, African, Greek, Macedonian: The great Cleopatra debate resurfaces
For centuries, Pharaonic and by extension the Ptolemaic Kingdom, inspired painters, writers, playwrights, film, and theatre-makers. One of the most … More
How Egypt’s ‘Zoom Africa’ seeks to undo longstanding stereotypes
Old flames: Egyptian ensemble Zaii Zaman returns with a concert at Tahrir Cultural Centre
Following a few years hiatus, Zaii Zaman returned with a unique Ramadan concert staged at the Tahrir Cultural Centre’s garden … More
Back to the future: Musical Wala Fi El-Ahlam reopens Cairo’s Kasr El-Nil Theatre
Premiering in February 2023, the musical theatre production Wala Fi El-Ahlam by the Egyptian Musical Theatre troupe has continued to … More
Nader Abbassi: A maestro with many hats
Just days prior to conducting the United Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert featuring soprano Fatma Said at the new Grand … More
‘Signs are only signs when we choose to believe in them’: Nouran AbuTaleb on new release Betshoof Alamat
Egyptian singer Nouran AbuTaleb released Betshoof Alamat (You See Signs) on Friday. This is the first song from an album … More
Basem Darwisch: Finding oneself
When speaking of cultural fusion, composer, oud player, and music manager Basem Darwisch is among the first names that comes … More
A lot to choose from: On the multitude of Egypt’s art and culture festivals
The second half of 2022 brings an increased presence of artistic activities to many Egyptian cities. The current months are … More
Beyond Chopin
Shahd Magdy, Andrew Milad, Mahmoud El-Batran and Mostafa Hassan are the names of the young Egyptian pianists who won the … More
Lessons in theatre: On Duncan Macmillan’s play ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ in Cairo
Duncan Macmillan’s play Every Brilliant Thing was staged in Egyptian Arabic at the Rawabet Art Space in Cairo Every Brilliant … More
Sacred sounds: On Mozart’s Requiem in Cairo
Mozart’s Requiem was performed in Cairo on two consecutive evenings, 12 and 13 May. Among the core values of music … More
A musical koshari
Have performers from different nationalities cook traditional Egyptian songs, but spice it all up with an Egyptian darbouka and an … More
Shaking it up again: Yakout on presiding over Cairo Int’l Festival for Experimental Theatre
Gamal Yakout, the newly appointed president of the festival’s 28th edition scheduled for December 2021, talks about his vision and … More
Tarek Raouf Ensemble: A brand new Egyptian band bids on modern jazz
With a four-horn jazz combo and an Indian tabla, the new band brings a new interesting colour to the Egyptian … More
Rowan Maher explores tunes of Egyptian cinema through its songs
Accompanied by seven musicians, Maher will present a series of songs from the known Egyptian films of the 2000s A … More
Cairotronica: Platform for media artists to ruminate on digital technology’s impact on life
Brain child of Haytham Nawar, this year’s Cairotronica was themed ‘Data Fiction’ and took place across two venues: Factory space … More
Egyptian saxophonist Nour Ashour longs for ‘wanas’ in his first track composed during quarantine
Titled ‘Wanas’, the track is the first in a series of compositions coming from Ashour’s home studio in King Mariout … More
‘I Passed By…’: History of Egyptian theatre through Manal Ebrahim’s personal creative journey
The long-standing assistant director and director Manal Ebrahim’s unique exhibition which took place last March bears witness to the Egyptian … More
Revisiting silence and emotional distortions in multi-award-winning Sound of Metal
A showcase of the performers’ abilities and directed by Darius Marder, film Sound of Metal looks into the tragedy of … More
Egyptian cultural manager Ahmed El-Attar discusses his art ecosystem
‘Keep dreaming with your feet on the ground,’ art manager Ahmed El-Attar said on his creative ecosystem In early March, … More
Oud, guitar and percussion: Ali Omar El-Farouk’s trio readies for their first Cairo concert
In their upcoming concert, the newly formed trio will feature Ali Omar El-Farouk (oud, guitar, bağlama), Hany Bedair (cajón and … More
A decade later: On Egypt’s music scene 2011-2020
It is the dawn of 2011, the year of the revolution… And many new songs are coming out of the … More
All strings attached: A heartwarming debut of Egypt’s Isis String Orchestra for amateur musicians
The orchestra gave two consecutive concerts on Thursday 26 November, at the All Saints’ Cathedral in Zamalek Amateur music ensembles … More
Sharm El-Sheikh International Theatre Festival for Youth: Beating the pandemic
The festival’s fifth edition took place between 16 and 20 November 2020 Despite Covid-19 making even a one-off event, let … More
Egyptian singer Zahra Ramy releases first original ‘I Gave Up’
The 30 October 2020 concert will mark the official launch of Ramy’s band Mixer Egyptian radio presenter, singer and actress … More
Unusual ending to unusual edition of 27th Cairo Int’l Festival for Experimental Theatre
The festival took place despite the previous ministerial plans to cancel this year’s edition due to the coronavirus pandemic On … More
Bringing back the ‘music monologue’ with a twist: Bahgaga band to celebrate 5th anniversary with concert
Founded by an Egyptian composer Ayman Helmy in 2015, Bahgaga fuses songs with light acting, presenting the repertoire in a … More
After the Sun Goes Down: Massar Egbari’s guitarist Mahmoud Siam releases new track
The new track comes after many nights spent in the studio during curfew Mahmoud Siam, the guitarist of Egypt’s well-known … More
Egypt’s independent music scene in dire straits as cultural shutdown continues
With the fourth month with no income, Egypt’s independent musicians, DJ’s, technicians, sound engineers and thousand of others in the … More
INTERVIEW: Egypt’s culture minister Ines Abdel-Dayem on the arts scene, plans in the face of Covid-19
With the difficult financial situation faced by artists being an urgent topic, Abdel-Dayem discusses solutions and redraws the map of … More
Remembering Demis Roussos: Alexandria-born Greek singer who engraved himself in the hearts of Egyptian listeners
Renowned internationally and particularly beloved by Egyptian listeners, the master of musical nostalgia Demis Roussos was born on 15 June … More
Obituary: David Hales, Egypt-based British pianist, vocal coach and Cairo’s hidden pillar
British pianist, vocal coach and repetiteur David Llewellyn Hales died on 31 May 2020 in Cairo News of David Hales … More
While international orchestras gradually resume activities, the Cairo Symphony’s future remains vague
The musicians of Egypt’s oldest national orchestra are finding it hard to keep their spirits high and make ends meet … More
Zorba online: Unique history of one of the Cairo Opera Ballet Company’s most triumphant works
The staging of Zorba will be made available by the Ministry of Culture on its YouTube channel, starting 7 June … More
Review: Royal Ballet’s Anastasia, delightful reflections at home
Kenneth MacMillan’s Anastasia was made available for two weeks starting 15 May on the Royal Opera’s YouTube channel They say … More
‘The dancers are eager to get back to the stage’: Erminia Kamel, Cairo Opera Ballet’s artistic director
After two months of suspension of all cultural activities, Erminia Kamel talks about the Egyptian ballet company’s situation, saddened by … More
Massar Egbari’s keyboardist Ayman Massoud starts electronic music project
While continuing to perform with the well known band Massar Egbari, a new endeavour might take Massoud to many fascinating … More
Pianos for Peace: Syrian pianist, composer Malek Jandali
Jandali’s upcoming album, The Jasmine Tree – yet another ode to the rich history and beauty of Syrian culture – … More
Apropos of music: Meditation on a personal love for Chopin
The Poet of the Piano, Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, is part of the international musical consciousness; he is timeless with … More
Myths and methadone: Will Egypt’s laws bend to the rising tide of drug abuse?
The real revolution is yet to come when it relates to the country’s opioid epidemic. Published in Bhekisisa, Centre for … More
Swan Lake: Dreamy poetry, seductive magic on Cairo and Alexandria stages
Tchaikovsky’s famed ballet is performed in Cairo between 10 and 13 January followed by Alexandria performances on 17 and 18 … More
Women of Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra: A vibrant plethora of musicians, talents, personalities
Al Nour Wal Amal Chamber Orchestra for the blind and visually impaired woman musicians has just returned from their 31st … More
‘It is not easy but with perseverance, everything is possible’: Egyptian tenor Ragaa Eldin
Most recently, the young Egyptian tenor Ragaa Eldin won the Association of Opera and Operetta Enthusiasts award during the International … More
Football like you’ve never seen it: On the pitch with this blind soccer team
Blind football represents hope and belonging for Egypt’s one million visually impaired. This story was originally published in Bhekisisa (Mail … More
Cornucopia of art and knowledge: Bigger and brighter 5th India by Nile festival
The fifth edition of India by the Nile, the biggest foreign arts and culture festival held in Egypt, stretched over … More
India’s dancer Aditi Mangaldas weaves the silver threads of Kathak into Egyptian audience
Aditi Mangaldas performed ‘Uncharted Seas’ in Cairo and Alexandria, as part of the India by the Nile festival In her … More
Switzerland’s HORA Theatre invites Cairo audience to look differently at disabilities
Part of the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival’s programming, the Disabled Theatre was staged on 21 and 22 March at AUC’s … More
A play for every child: Egypt’s 7th Hakawy International Arts Festival
The Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children that took place between 7 and 16 March brought theatre and other activities … More
‘Good theatre for children is essential’: UK’s renowned ‘scrapologist’ Patricia Baker in Cairo
Created by Shona Reppe, the Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean was performed within the Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children … More
Closer to the people: British practices in education, inclusion, outreach through music
Following the belief that music is a journey that breaks down many barriers, UK’s cultural managers use music as a … More
The East Anglia maqamat: When Egyptian musicians meet UK’s young talents
Between 12 and 17 February, the musicians from the European Egyptian Contemporary Music Society held workshops for the talents enrolled … More
Remembering Ali Osman: Composer, academic and conductor of Egypt’s Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra
Egypt’s music scene lost Ali Osman, Sudanese composer, conductor, educator and a man whose work with Al Nour Wal Amal, … More
Music for the entire community: Inclusion as a practice from Britten’s UK home
The Snape Maltings’ Learning and Inclusion department uses music to embrace community at large – children, differently-abled, elderly and prison … More
