Published in Al Ahram Weekly. On 1 June, the weekly concert of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra included the internationally renowned…
Sacked fine arts head El-Meligy ‘not optimistic’ for Egypt’s future
Recently dismissed from his post as head of Fine Arts sector and Central Administration of Exhibitions and Museums, Salah El-Meligy…
Artists to give performances as occupation of culture ministry continues
As the occupation by artists of the culture ministry moves into day two, a programme of performances, film showing, and…
Cairo Opera House cancels concert as protests continue against culture minister
Cairo Opera House strike continues as artists protest on stage against newly-appointed Egyptian culture minister and his decisions, despite scheduled…
Novelist Bahaa Taher resigns from state culture body
Taher resigned in protest at the culture minister’s decision to fire a number of key culture officials in recent days,…
The show will not go on: Cairo Opera House on strike
After the new culture minister fires the head of the opera house, artists refused to perform Aida on Tuesday, instead…
New culture minister fires head of Cairo Opera House
A number of senior arts officials have been fired by the new minister, who took office earlier in May. Published…
Still butting heads
Cairo’s independent artists are making waves in the wake of the downfall of Mubarak, but still clash with the Ministry…
Two in one: Musical performances reveal talents of the young
Between 12 and 14 May, the American University in Cairo performed one-act opera The Telephone and highlights from Les Miserables…
7-year-old Egyptian/Hungarian violinist, Amira captivates audiences
After a long standing ovation, 7-year-old Amira Abouzahra asks innocently if that meant the audience wanted to leave; the half…
Powerful closing: Odissi dance ends ‘India by the Nile’ festival
Performances of Indian classical dance by a renowned ensemble marked the closing of the brilliantly successful ‘India by the Nile’…
Egyptian artists march against Brotherhood-affiliated culture minister
Members of local cultural/intellectual community march from Cairo Opera House to newly-appointed minister’s office to protest alleged ‘Brotherhoodisation’ of Egyptian…
Heart and soul: Shubha Mudgal brings marvels of India to Cairo
Shubha Mudgal, an iconic musician from India performed on Tuesday 23 April in Cairo and on 25 April in Alexandria.…
Creative realisations: Dancing to the music of Egyptian composers
Between 26 April and 3 May, the Cairo Opera Ballet Company performs two works to the music of Egyptian composers:…
Nagada Style: Bollywood at the Cairo Opera House
Bollywood Fusion, part of India by the Nile festival, was a collaboration between artists from Egypt and India. The show…
Akshara: Indian calligraphy redefined at the Hanager Arts Centre
This remarkable exhibition, running from 15 to 21 April at Cairo’s Hanager Arts Centre, showcases various facets of Indian calligraphy…
Boghdady and the Wolf: Cairo Symphony Orchestra to perform for children
On Saturday 20 April, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Magdy Boghdady will perform a special concert tailored for children.…
The life and times of an Arab soprano: Ratiba El-Hefny and The Merry Widow
‘The Merry Widow’ operetta was performed at the Cairo Opera House’s stage last month. Ratiba El-Hefny recalls when she was…
Peter Rorvik talks on his experience organising arts festivals
During his short visit in Cairo, Ahram Online talks to Peter Rorvik, a jury member at the Luxor African Film…
Jazz4kids brings music elements to the youngest audience
The Cairo Jazz Festival gives sample of music education with Jazz4kids workshop held at Darb 1718. Published in Ahram Online…
Gems of Armenia: Cairo’s Arax Choir commemorates Aram Khachaturian
Armenian Community’s Arax Choir conducted by Mihran Ghazelian commemorated the 110th anniversary of composer Aram Khachaturian last Saturday. Published in…
Our line-up is very big this year: Director of Cairo Jazz Festival
On the eve of the fifth Cairo Jazz Festival (21-23 March), Ahram Online talks to its founder and director Amro…
Egyptian film dubbed ‘Muslim Brotherhood production’ causes controversy
Short-film ‘Takrir’ by filmmaker and Muslim Brotherhood member Ezz El-Din Dowidar causes media controversy after cancelling film release in Giza’s…
Requiem for a danseur noble: Abdel-Moneim Kamel
Abdel-Moneim Kamel, a ‘spiritual father of ballet’ in Egypt, passed away in February leaving behind generations of dancers filled with…
Ibn Battuta show captures richness of Arab cultures
The Bahrain National Theatre staged Ibn Battuta, Prince of Arab Travelers, a musical performance by artists from around the world,…
A rendezvous with Chopin: Andrei Gavrilov performs in Cairo
On 10 February the historical Manasterly Palace in Cairo hosted Andrei Gavrilov, the world-renowned Russian pianist, who performed Chopin and…
Polish connection: Lutosławski performed in Cairo
Polish musicians performed a selection of composer/conductor Witold Lutosławski’s works at the Cairo Opera House on Wednesday 6 February. Published…
Cairo book fair honours Egyptian translator Hanaa Abdel-Fattah
Cairo International Book Fair hosts a seminar honouring Hanaa Abdel-Fattah as a translator, along with his many works in theatre…
Year of the Snake: Chinese artists perform in Cairo
For three days, between 28 and 30 January, the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House hosted artists from China.…
Jews of Egypt
Amir Ramses looks beyond the 20th century exodus of Jews Published in The Majalla There is no census that would…
Magic Mozart: The Magic Flute at the Cairo Opera House
Between 10 and 14 January, the Cairo Opera Company, the Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui and the Cairo…
Enana: Dancing along the success path
Enana Dance Theatre that performed in Manama on 28 December is now working on choreography for Ibn Battuta, a show…
When the music’s over: Ammar Al-Sherei
On Friday 7 December, Ammar Al-Sherei, a man of great musical knowledge and skill, passed away at the age of…
Qatar Philharmonic announces new music director for 2013/14
Monday 10 December, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra announces Han-Na Chang as Music Director for 2013-2014 season. Published in Ahram Online…
Egyptian violinist and composer captivates hearts of audiences in Muscat
Yasser Abdel-Rahman performs alongside Budapest Symphony Orchestra at Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman; show will travel to Budapest in…
Egyptian Sinfonietta: a new ambition of the Egyptian Philharmonic Society
On Sunday 9 December the Egyptian Sinfonietta, a chamber orchestra operating under the Egyptian Philharmonic Society (EPS), will give its…
New film recalls pain of Iraqi people
‘Death Triangle,’ screened at this year’s film festival, which features many human and social messages, has unfortunately been killed by…
A moveable feast: music life of Paris for all cultures
Paris beats to the rhythm of music, offering a lot of musical treasures, many of which strike a note with…
The Fifth Season of the Year: when the most unexpected becomes real
The Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House opened its doors on Thursday for the first day of the 35th…
Hundreds of artists march from Cairo Opera House to Tahrir
Ahram Online follows Morsi opposition march by several hundred artists from outside Cairo Opera House near Qasr El-Nil Bridge to…
I wish I was French
Published in Al Ahram Weekly. J’aurais voulu etre egyptien (I Wish I Was Egyptian), recently performed in Egypt, is a…
Mystic Love or Yunus Emre Oratorio performed in Egypt
On Saturday 3 November and Sunday 4 November, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra performed Yunus Emre Oratorio, concerts that were the…
Rossini, Native American or L’inganno felice at the Cairo Opera House
Cairo Opera Company performs Rossini’s one-act opera L’inganno felice, a much needed refreshment for Egyptian audiences. Published in Al Ahram…
Grassroots Romeo – story of Bahiya according to The Knights of the Orient for Heritage
Between 7 and 10 October, Al-Gomhuriya Theatre hosted Bahiya, a ballet where the axes of traditional Egyptian and contemporary Western…
Children of the Opera: looking at the past decades of concerts for children in Egypt
Cairo Opera House invites children to a special concert tailored for young audiences on Sunday 7 October Published in Al…
Missing grandeur: Cairo Symphony Orchestra opens new symphonic season
On Saturday 15 September, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jiri Petrdlik opened its 54th symphonic season. The concert included…
Aida opens Opera season
The upcoming performances of Verdi’s Aida scheduled for four evenings at the Cairo Opera House remind us of the significance…
Safe Play: Raising the curtain on the new Opera House season
On 8 September, the Opening Night Gala inaugurated the new artistic season of the Cairo Opera House. The 54th season…
When the reality is questioned
Published in Contemporary Practices “I was born at 5pm, on Friday,” is what an Egyptian artist Ramy Dozy tells you…
Silence of the Lambs
The Pussy Riot controversy follows the classical mould of the struggle for freedom of expression, and unveils a typical authoritarian…
Citadel Festival this year to include mostly Egyptian artists
Starting on 29 August and running until 5 September, the 22nd Citadel Festival for Music and Singing will include many…
Dear Mr. President – from the Egyptian Youth to the President
Dear Mr. President, an exhibition organized by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia office in Cairo, showcases the fruits of…
Ilham Al-Madfai opens Ramadan Evenings at the Cairo Opera House
On Sunday 29 July, the Cairo Opera House’s open-air theatre hosted its first Ramadan Evenings event with the renowned Iraqi…
British Grafitti artist Banksy in Olympics controversy
Graffiti artist Banksy produces two Olympic-themed works that challenge the glorified image of the world’s premier sporting event. Published in…
Collegiate talents: Yale Whiffenpoofs in Cairo
The Yale Whiffenpoofs gave a concert at the Cairo Opera House’s open air theatre on Monday 16 July. Their performance…
Cirque du Soleil faces criticism prior to performances in Israel
Tadamon, a Montreal-based collective, issue an open letter asking Cirque du Soleil to cancel performances planned for August in Tel…
Notion of freedom knocks on Beiteddine Palace’s door
Calligraphy, or the art of beautiful writing, might seem like an obsolete concept—and Arabic calligraphy would have died out long…
Marvels of Lebanon’s Chouf: Caracalla Dance Theatre at Beiteddine Art Festival
The 27th Beiteddine Art Festival kicked off on 28 June with Kan Ya Ma Kan (Once Upon a Time), a…
Fiesta of Song: American Idol finalists perform in Cairo
Part of the Summer Festival, on 6 July, six American Idol finalists joined three Egyptian singers from the Sing Egyptian…
New mosaics at Cairo’s Faculty of Fine Arts
Students contemplate the future of art in Egypt as they wait for their graduation projects to be marked at the…
Meeting Bahaa Taher: In conversation with the renowned contemporary Egyptian author
Bahaa Taher, one of the most renowned contemporary writers in the Arab World and winner of the most prestigious literary…
Beethoven strikes again
On Saturday 16 June, the Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ahmed El Saedi performed two great works: Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade…
‘Art should not be reserved for the elite’: Nora Jumblatt on the Beiteddine Art Festival
On 28 June, the Beiteddine Art Festival opens with a performance by Caracalla Dance Theatre troupe. Ahram Online spoke to…
Egyptian theatre director receives Gloria Artis
Professor Hanaa Abd El Fattah has been awarded Gloria Artis, the Polish Medal for Merit to Culture, for his contributions…
The quiet passion of photographer Sherif Sonbol graces Warsaw gallery
Situated in the heart of Warsaw, Smolna Gallery hosts an exhibition of works by Sherif Sonbol, a contributor to Ahram…
A universal rhapsody: Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh performs in Cairo
On 7 June, Syrian clarinetist, Kinan Azmeh and the City Band invited the audience to a large palette of musical…
Waiting for Godunov: On the role of artists in times of political change
Hearing about a stir provoked by Boris Godunov on the stage of Mariinsky Theatre, it is hard not to draw…
‘When I hear music, I start seeing it in my mind’ says choreographer Russillo
New York-born, Paris-based, international choreographer Joseph Russillo, talks to Ahram Online about his career, how music inspires his choreography and…
Warda: The Algerian Rose’s legacy will live on
News of the death of one of the Arab world’s most moving singers, Warda, aka Warda al Jazairia (The Algerian…
Contemporary Music Days: Unique in exploring contemporary music
After launching last year, ‘Contemporary Music Days’ returns 19-25 May with a wider and more dynamic programme Published in Ahram…
Humbled by Music: Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra
On Sunday 6 May, the Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra performed an impressive programme at Teatru Manoel in Valletta, Malta.…
An Artist’s Responsibility — Mohamed Abla: from the family to the nation
On 10 May 2012, a newly launched exhibition hall ARTSPACE London, a branch of ARTSPACE Gallery Dubai, opens its doors…
Soiree Francaise with the Cairo Opera Orchestra
On 19 April, Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Dominique Rouits and a number of soloists performed works by the French…
Islamists on Art – Egypt’s arts and culture scene hanging in the balance
When Asran Mansour, a Salafi lawyer, filed a case against Adel Imam, renowned Egyptian actor, for “defaming Islam” in his…
‘When you believe in what you’re doing, doors open,’ says pianist and arts manager Ahmed Abou-Zahra
Ahmed Abou-Zahra is one of Egypt’s most unique talents in the arts, being both an accomplished master pianist and a…
Picasso’s engravings anger Russian clergy
‘The Temptations’, an exhibition of Pablo Picasso’s engravings that opened recently in Novosibirsk, provoked controversy and angered the Russian Orthodox…
Rasputin performance to showcase creative skills of young ballet dancers
On 18 April, dancers form the Cairo Opera Ballet Company will perform ballet Rasputin. Directed by Hany Hassan, the ballet…
‘Sing Egyptian Women’: Popping the rules
A women’s empowerment programme that wrapped up on 5 April discovered several talented Egyptian singers despite a number of serious…
“I am not political,” Nermine Hammam comments on a decade-long body of her work
Prior to the opening of her exhibition Anachrony on 27 March at Safar Khan Gallery in Zamalek, Ahram Online explores…
Hip Hop with Rennie Harris Puremovement: The brothers at the Opera
Rennie Harris Puremovement, a hip hop dance company from the US, took Cairo’s Opera House by storm on Thursday 15…
Restoring Egypt’s Splendor: After the years of mis-management, can Cairo Opera House restore its artistic splendor?
It was funded by Japan, as a result of Hosni Mubarak’s 1983 visit to the country, and was the first…
Celebrating spring in Egypt and across the world
People across the world have begun to celebrate spring, rebirth and rejuvenation on 21 March; Egypt’s celebrations begin in mid-April…
I think and I feel
Published in Al Ahram Weekly It was not the first time for Jiri Petrdlik to conduct the Cairo Symphony Orchestra.…
Procession of giant SCAF characters steals the show in Tahrir Square
Downtown Cairo bubbled with creative energy on Friday, with large personifications of Egypt’s ruling military marching around Tahrir making a…
From Violence and Barricades to an Open Air Gallery
Not far from Tahrir Square Cairo’s Mohamed Mahmoud Street is an artistic testament to the region’s past and ongoing struggles.…
Links between drama and democracy stressed at Cairo conference
Scholars discuss the relationship between drama and democracy from Ancient Greece through to the modern day at Cairo University. Published…
Al-Gezira Club photo exhibition at Hanager puts in question artistic priorities
A photography exhibition by members of Al-Gezira Sporting Club that opened Saturday at Hanager Arts Centre fails excite and begs…
Africa in search of sustainability
Published in Contemporary Practices Road to the highest artistic podium The brainchild of two French photographers. Françoise Huguier…
Ati Metwaly 