Gamal Yakout, the newly appointed president of the festival’s 28th edition scheduled for December 2021, talks about his vision and … More
Category: Ahram Online
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
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
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
When two choirs perform together: Egypt and Jordan musical connection
Egypt’s Cairo Celebration Choir and Jordan’s Dozan Wa Awtar performed together, in Cairo on 3 February and in Alexandria on … More
Obituary: Nehad Selaiha, theatre activist, scholar, godmother
On 6 January, the Egyptian culture scene lost Nehad Selaiha: a bilingual scholar, translator, historian, writer and critic with a … More
When the going gets tough: On challenges that 2016 brought upon Egypt’s cultural scene
In 2016, Egypt saw many economic and legal changes that impacted arts and culture scene. The cultural players will now … More
Cairo Choral Society joins Egypt Christmas season with Schubert’s Mass in G
In their concerts on 7 and 8 December, the Cairo Choir Society conducted by John Baboukis, interweaved Schubert’s Mass in … More
Uncovering the face of faceless art: On Egypt’s graffiti artist Keizer, the ant and the city
With the ant being his mascot, or logo, Keizer’s large body of work includes thematic content that ranges from political … More
Ode to beauty: Reset – A page from Paris Opera Ballet’s history
Directed by Demaizière and Teurlai, Reset: A Story of Creation has been screened at the 9th Panorama of the European … More
Ballet Carmen: Antonio Gades company brings Spanish reverie to Egypt
Ballet Carmen, one of the iconic works by late master flamenco dancer and choreographer Antonio Gades, was staged in Cairo … More
Radames of Orleans: Egypt’s tenor Georges Wanis talks about Aida, international career, passions
Georges Wanis will sing opera Aida in Orleans in March. This is one of the many international commitments of the … More
Wholesome brass: El-Nafikha band introduces a new recipe to Egypt’s music fans
In a short time, a unique flavour of El Nafikha brass quintet has generated interest, appreciation of every generation of … More
Celebrating summer with festivals: Egypt and Arab region join the seasonal gleam
From Tunisia and Algeria to Egypt, Lebanon and Palestine… Summer calls for festivals to infuse the regional stages with events … More
Birds of Upper Egypt: Children choir sings in Cairo
On 20 June, Children Choir operating under the Association of Upper Egypt for Education and Development performed at Talaat Harb … More
‘Dance to inspire and elevate’: Dona Ganguly brings India’s Odissi to Egypt
With India by the Nile followed by the Tagore Festival, last weeks brought a lot of cultural offerings from India … More
Magic of music: Renowned Swiss maestro on his career and art of conducting
The Swiss, Germany-based internationally renowned conductor Christoph-Mathias Mueller talks about his profession, an unconditional passion for music, art of conducting … More
INTERVIEW: Cairo Opera Ballet’s artistic director on busy season, performances in Bahrain
Artistic Director Erminia Kamel talks about the Cairo Opera Ballet’s Company busy season prior to their yet another international appearance … More
Stick Stones Broken Bones: Australia’s puppet theatre performs in Cairo
This year, the Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children featured the first contribution by Australia with Stick Stones Broken Bones … More
Irresistible warning sign ‘Do not touch’ opens Egypt’s Hakawy Festival for children
On 4 March, a performance Aga Boom by the Theatre of Physical Comedy from the United States opened the Hakawy … More
‘Egypt is within me’: Prima ballerina Magda Saleh on her career and the gilded years
Renowned ballerina, a graduate of the Bolshoi ballet academy and Cairo’s Academy of Arts, former dean of the Higher Institute … More
The devil is in the expectations: Spanish coffeehouse presented at the Cairo Opera
Between 5 and 8 January, the Cairo Opera House staged a performance inspired by the famed Spanish coffeehouse Café Gijón … More
Confronting fear: how year 2015 brought Egypt’s audiences closer to classical music
Belief ‘you are not expected to like everything,’ seemed to be at the heart of approach to the audiences in … More
Ars longa, vita brevis — Shakespeare, Mendelssohn, Per Poc Puppet Theatre: A many-sided conjunction at the Cairo Opera
Between 23 and 25 October, the Cairo Symphony Chamber Orchestra joined by the Per Poc Puppet Theatre from Spain performed … More
Coppélia ballet premieres in Egypt: A dash of magic and lots of art
A magical tale, Coppélia was performed by the Cairo Opera Ballet Company, attracting whole families to the Opera House in … More
‘It’s a story of hope’: Egypt’s filmmaker on his rockumentary about Les Petits Chats
Young director Sherif Nakhla revives Egypt’s golden years through the rockumetary on the well-known band of the time, Les Petits … More
Gandhi by Egyptian cartoonists, remembering old premises of Indian Cultural Centre in Cairo
The exhibition, which opened on 4 October, commemorates famed peacemaker Mahatma Gandhi, yet also triggers thoughts about the former and … More
INTERVIEW: Ragaa Eldin: An Egyptian tenor finding his voice in Europe
A talk with the young tenor Ragaa Eldin about his path to success, international recognition, and the many shunned operatic talents … More
Not so spectacular: Cairo Opera’s Moulin Rouge
Performed at the main hall of the Cairo Opera House last week, the Egyptian take on iconic Moulin Rouge musical … More
Cats, children and strings: Awtar Quartet visits Cairo’s poor neighborhood
Awtar Quartet brought music and storytelling to Artellewa arts centre and Tawasol School in Stabl Antar, both located at the … More
INTERVIEW: Basma El-Husseiny, from Culture Resource to Syrian refugees in Lebanon
Cultural activist Basma El-Husseiny talks about the now Beirut-based Culture Resource, the reason behind suspending its activities in Egypt, the … More
From India to Egypt: When humankind speaks through Kathak classical dance
We move from the performance of India’s renowned Kathak dancer Prachee Shah in Cairo to Kathak courses organised by Maulana … More
Egypt stretches for celebrations of first International Yoga Day on 21 June
Football star Emad Meteb will join International Yoga Day celebrations at the Embassy of India; Renowned Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan … More
On Cairo Opera Company’s brave foray with Verdi’s Il Trovatore
Staged earlier this month, Verdi’s Il Trovatore was a much needed refreshment for Egypt’s audiences and an opportunity to bring … More
Living the spectacle: Why Egyptians worship Bollywood
This year, the India by the Nile festival brought several components addressing Egypt’s Bollywood lovers, uncovering – or reasserting – … More
INTERVIEW: Elena Dzamashvili: If I’m born ten times, each time I’ll be a pianist
A visit to a Chopin’s disciple, Georgian pianist Elena Dzamashvili, in her little haven in Cairo The room is small … More
When the passionate soul of tango reaches Cairo opera’s stage
In their first appearance in the Middle East and Africa, A Puro Tango Company transported the audience to the essence … More
Keith Bartlett from Globe’s Hamlet: ‘As we travel, the play becomes better and better’
Ahram Online talks to Keith Bartlett, a British actor, about his part in the Globe theatre’s Hamlet and the unique … More
All the world’s a stage: Hamlet’s game of contrasts captures Egyptian audience
Reaching out to audiences across the world, the Globe Theatre’s Hamlet manages to capture people of all cultural backgrounds and … More
Bound for Carnegie Hall
Mohamed Shams is among the brightest stars of his generation. The pianist played recently at the Cairo Opera House and … More
Globe to Globe associate producer: ‘Traveling with Hamlet is a joyous experience’
The Globe Theatre’s ambitious project carries Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet across the globe. Ahram Online talks to Tamsin Mehta, the associate … More
Dundu: A giant German puppet visits Egypt
Year 2015 saw a particularly original opening when a large puppet called Dundu walked the streets of Cairo and Fayoum, … More
Bluebirds’ serenade: On singing out of tune
The easiest natural thing to some, a completely impossible feat to others, the ability to sing in tune requires musical … More
Generation of the greats: Egypt’s artists and intellectuals we lost in 2014
2014 left many voids in Egypt’s cultural landscape, as numerous artists and writers passed away, joining dozens of others we’ve … More
All you need to know about Chopin Piano Competition Egypt
Underscoring Egypt’s contribution to the Chopin piano tradition, the recently held competition is an opportunity to review skills of the … More
Egypt’s Firebird premiere: Risky experiment
Between 28 and 30 October, the Cairo Opera Ballet Company staged Danses qu’on croise and Egypt’s premiere of Stravinsky’s Firebird. … More
INTERVIEW — Marcel Khalife: A musician with a rebel’s soul
Prior to his first concerts in Egypt since 2008, renowned Lebanese musician Marcel Khalife talks with Ahram Online about his … More
Abiding with the light: Sonam Kalra and the Sufi Gospel Project in Cairo
On Wednesday 24 September Sonam Kalra and the Sufi Gospel Project fused music with spirituality in a unique performance at … More
Vibe Studio: Where underground music and a production city dream meet
Ahmed Mohamed Sakran, founder of Vibe studio, the latest hub of underground music tells Ahram Online about the young and … More
‘Culture will not come from a vacuum’: Fathy Salama
Prior to his upcoming concert with Ghalia Benali, Ahram Online talks to Fathy Salama about his plans and explores his … More
Homo Sonantis: on the Cairo Opera new audiences’ behavioral problems
The below par behavior of the New Audience flocking to the Cairo Opera has become a serious issue which can … More
Drama Music Fest presents live orchestral rendition of Egyptian film soundtracks
Ahmed Atef, the main dynamo behind this unprecedented musical event in Egypt, explains the aim of the festival scheduled for … More
Creative progression: on development of arts festivals in Egypt, 2011-2014
Exceptional profusion of artistic festivals in the first months of 2014, points to a new reality we cannot overlook and … More
2nd edition of India by the Nile adds cultural depth to Egypt
Taking place between 1 and 20 April, the second edition of India by the Nile will present a plethora of … More
Ati Metwaly 