Latest news with #Photopia
Vogue
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue
The Egyptian Creative Community Came Alive at Cairo Photo Week
For ten days last May, the streets of Cairo pulsed with creative energy. Cairo Photo Week, now a cornerstone in the visual culture calendar of the region, returned with its most expansive and ambitious edition yet. On its 4th edition, and held every two years, 'Finding The View' gave name to this year's theme. From Downtown Cairo's heritage venues to the galleries and institutions of New Cairo, the festival transformed the city into a living, breathing celebration of photography and visual storytelling. Organized by Photopia, the independent platform led by Marwa Abu Leila, Cairo Photo Week 2025 unfolded with an impressive breadth of programming: 25 exhibitions featuring the work of 120 artists, over 100 talks and panels, 16 workshops, 6 exhibition tours and photowalks, 53 portfolio reviews, and a rich lineup of networking events. In total, more than 600 hours of programming reached an audience of over 25,000 attendees—including 2,000 students and early-career creatives—making this edition a resounding affirmation of Egypt's vibrant and growing creative community. What makes Cairo Photo Week unique is not just the scale, but its soul. Throughout its many venues—14 in total across two districts—one could feel a palpable sense of connection and momentum. From the bustling energy of the exhibition openings to the quiet intensity of portfolio reviews, the festival felt less like an event and more like a movement. In the exhibitions, established names were shown alongside emerging voices, creating powerful juxtapositions that captured the multiplicity of the region's visual culture. Local photographers documented the nuances of daily life in Cairo with intimacy and urgency, while international artists added new dimensions to the conversation, enriching the global context without overshadowing the local. As a guest, speaker, and portfolio reviewer, I had the privilege of engaging directly with many of the artists and attendees. The hunger for dialogue, mentorship, and community was evident at every turn—from packed panel discussions to spontaneous debates between generations of image-makers. Cairo Photo Week is more than a platform; it is a catalyst. The Fashion Feed: Virality, Burnout & the New Visual Economy panel at the Cairo Design District (One-Ninety, New Cairo). From left to right: Abdallah Sabry, Daniel Rodríguez Gordillo, Bassam Allam, Ämr Ezzeldinn and Farida El Shafie. PhotoVogue: The Power of Community. Daniel Rodríguez Gordillo in Downtown Cairo. Egypt's creative scene is alive, and thriving. Thanks to the tireless work of Photopia and the many artists, educators, and institutions involved, Cairo Photo Week is fostering a space where ideas can take root and visions can evolve. It is not just reflecting the current state of photography in the region—it is actively shaping its future.
Al-Ahram Weekly
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Not to be missed: From Angham, Amr Diab, to Hiba Tawaji, Gaby Bishara
Ahram Online highlights a selection of do-not-miss events this week, 14-21 May in Cairo. Cairo Photo Week Until 16 May – Cairo Design District, New Cairo Until 18 May – Several venues across Downtown Cairo Curated by the Photopia photography school, the 11-day Cairo Photo Week returns for its fourth edition under the theme Finding the View. The programme features 26 collective and solo exhibitions with more than 150 exhibitors. Alongside the exhibitions, over 70 talks, 25 masterclasses and workshops, and 25 discussion panels are taking place at venues across the capital. Additional highlights include artist talks, photowalks, art tours, live demos, book discussions, and portfolio reviews. For updates and full details, check the festival's Instagram or Facebook page. The National Ensemble for Arabic Music Thursday 15 May, 9 pm – Main Hall, Cairo Opera House, Zamalek Conducted by Mostafa Helmy, the National Ensemble for Arabic Music presents a night of songs by the legendary Lebanese singer Fairouz. The evening features guest vocalist Souma and soloists Ahmed Effat, Mai Hassan, and Ashraf Walid. Founded by the Cairo Opera House in 1989, the ensemble has performed with prominent Arab musicians including Wadih El Safi, Souad Mohammed, and Lotfy Boshnaq. The group has represented Egypt at major festivals such as Carthage in Tunisia, the Silk Road Festival in Japan, and Um Kulthoum's centennial celebration in Paris. Hiba Tawaji – Music Thursday 15 May, 8 pm – Hyde Park, New Cairo Lebanese singer, actress, and director Hiba Tawaji rose to fame in 2015 through The Voice France. She later made history as the first woman to perform publicly in Saudi Arabia (2017). With a career spanning over 120 performances, Tawaji has released multiple albums, including Baad Sneen (2023), Hiba Tawaji 30 (2017), and the Christmas-themed Hallelujah (2017). She recently participated alongside international stars in the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Angham – Music Friday 16 May, 9 pm – Fountain Theatre, Cairo Opera House, Zamalek A household name in Arab music, Angham began her career in the 1980s under the guidance of her father, composer Mohamed Ali Soliman. With over 25 albums to her name, including Shayfak (1992), Bahibbik Wahashteeny (2005), and Mazh (2020), she is known for her powerful voice and artistic versatility. A Cairo Conservatory graduate, Angham remains a dominant figure on the regional music scene. She is celebrated for her emotional depth and stage charisma. Amr Diab – Music Friday 16 May, 8 pm – AUC Campus, New Cairo Egyptian pop legend Amr Diab, widely known as El-Haddaba, continues to captivate fans with his dynamic performances. With a discography of more than 30 albums and a Guinness World Record, Diab remains one of the most streamed Arab artists globally. This concert will feature a selection of his most beloved hits, with thousands expected to attend. Abu Shaar Brothers – Music Friday 16 May, 8:30 pm – Wisdom Hall, El-Sawy Culturewheel, Zamalek The Abu Shaar Brothers, formed in Syria in 1983, are renowned for their Islamic Nasheed repertoire praising the Prophet Muhammad. Beginning as a family quartet, the ensemble has grown across generations and now enjoys a strong following in Egypt and the Arab world. Currently based in Egypt, the group frequently performs to packed audiences and has a strong online presence, particularly on Facebook and Instagram. Reham Abdel-Hakim – Music Wednesday 14 May, 9 pm – Main Hall, Cairo Opera House, Zamalek Reham Abdel-Hakim first gained fame for portraying a young Um Kulthoum in the 1999 TV series Um Kulthoum. She has since built a career performing classics by the legendary diva and has become a beloved figure in contemporary Arabic music. Backed by an ensemble led by conductor Mohamed El-Mougy, Abdel-Hakim will present a selection of Um Kulthoum's masterpieces, joined by soloists Rehab Omar and Hanan El-Khouly. Alexers – Music Saturday 17 May, 8 pm – Room Art Space & Café, Garden City The Alexandria-based rock band Alexers brings together Omar Abouelsouad (vocals), Abdelrahman Selim (drums), Nader El-Gazairly (guitar), Omar Abdel-Fattah (keyboard), and Khaled Mohamed (bass). Known for their energetic style and local following, the band continues to perform original music across Egypt's indie scene. Gaby Bishara – Concert Wednesday 21 May, 9 pm – Boom Room, Open Air Mall, Madinaty Singer Gaby Bishara leads a jazz-influenced ensemble performing classic melodies and golden-era standards. The group features Mimi Ayad (drums), Basem Mamdouh (keyboards), Martin Yaacoub (saxophone), and Toni Habeeb (bass guitar). Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Today
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
Randa Shaath Launches "Al-Qāhirah 90" Exhibition Within the Proceedings of Cairo Photo Week
For the first time, Palestinian-Egyptian photographer Randa Shaath launches an independent exhibition within the proceedings of the fourth Cairo Photo Week (CPW) under the slogan "Finding the View", organized by Photopia. It is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and Tourism Promotion Authority, Ministry of Cultural between (8-18) May. "Al-Qāhirah 90" exhibition is to be held in Beit Babelouk at Sheikh Reyhan street at Downtown and showcases 20 photographs documenting different aspects of life in Cairo during the nineties in order to highlight defining moments in the capital, Cairo, before the great urban expansion since the beginning of the millennium. Shaath worked as a photographer for Agence France-Presse in Egypt and Gaza during the nineties, as well as Al-Ahram newspaper. Additionally, she was the first to hold the position of photo editor-in-chief at Al-Shorouk newspaper. Shaath noted that selecting "Al-Qāhirah 90" as the key theme of her exhibition is linked to her connection to the nineties which highlights the peak of her career in journalism. At that time, she witnessed multiple changes in the Egyptian capital and captured them through her lens, like the excavation of the subway and the construction of the second phase of October Bridge. Her work documents life in places no longer exist, such as the area located behind the ancient El-Oyoun stream wall -including "Al Jaiarah", sugar, lemon, and gypsy monsters- and the Maspero area which has changed now. Shaath added, "The photos I selected for the exhibition don't highlight nostalgia for the nineties, for each era has its merits and demerits. As for Cairo Photo Week, I wanted to highlight different themes about Cairo and document the place where I live, particularly during that period. People are the same. Changes occur in places, clothing, professions, and everyday life details. This is what I was keen to capture, document and display in the exhibition". Photopia's founder and executive director, Marwa Abu Leila, stated, "The participation of artist Randa Shaath in 'Al-Qāhirah 90' exhibition is a significant addition to Cairo Photo Week. Shaath has previously participated in symposiums and workshops. Her exhibition will grant audiences the opportunity to get to know her photographic vision that combines artistic and human documentation". Shaath is a Palestinian-Egyptian photographer. She holds a BA in Middle Eastern Studies from the AUC and a MA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Minnesota in the USA. She took part in multiple international exhibitions and institutions and published four books, such as "My Homeland is but a Stone's Throw Away" (1989), which presents daily life in the Canada Palestinian refugee camp in Rafah. She also published "Egypt, the Mother of the World" (1990), which explores the history and culture of Cairo over 1300 years, and "Under the Same Sky" (2003), which documents scenes from life in Cairo. In 2020, she published her autobiography; "Sand Mountain", through which she tackled her personal and professional journey and experiences in photography and identity. It is noteworthy that the fourth Cairo Photo Week includes over 20 individual and collective exhibitions for professional local and international photographers. They also include international institutions, such as World Press Photo, Vogue, National Geographic, and Getty Images, in 14 locations in Downtown. Furthermore, Cairo Photo Week is to host over 100 discussion sessions, workshops, and live demos, with the participation of international experts and artists, in collaboration with multiple embassies, such as the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, and Denmark, along with the British Council and the European Union.
Egypt Today
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
The ‘Nile Surfers' Exhibition Within the Framework of the Fourth Cairo Photo Week
Photographer Coucla Refaat is preparing to launch her photography exhibition; "Nile Surfers", within the proceedings of the fourth Cairo Photo Week, organized by Photopia, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Tourism Promotion Authority, and Ministry of Culture. The exhibition, which is held between (6-18) May at Cairo Design District (CDD), presents a documentation, through photographs, of children singing on surfboards to entertain people on the Nile in Aswan. Basically, it is an extension of Coucla's artistic project, through which she presents documentary photography of people's customs and traditions, as well as a record of human activities in traditional communities. Coucla stated, "Since ancient times, people have been interested in documenting memorable and special moments in their lives. That's what we see on temple walls and in old documents in Egypt and worldwide. Thus, photography events are so important in encouraging artists to express their visions and document events that reflect the identity of communities". Coucla added, "In my works, I focus on highlighting the peculiarity of culture in communities and capturing the expressions of people's presence in various occasions. That's what I present in the 'Nile Surfers' exhibition, including photos of Aswan children skating on the Nile and singing in a way that we may not see anywhere in the world. These photos are regarded as an opportunity to enrich cultural dialogue and create a space for humanitarian and cultural relations between peoples, so that one can learn more about each other in remarkable moments". Photopia's founder and executive director, Marwa Abu Leila, noted, "At Cairo Photo Week, we focus on presenting diversified photography trends to achieve a single goal; documenting rare and true moments that contribute to understanding different events and cultures. 'Nile Surfers' exhibition sheds light on different aspects of Aswan's cultural uniqueness and children's ability to communicate and show their excellence to others in a delightful way. Artists capture these moments and focus on sharing them with the world. That's what we seek to present at Cairo Photo Week". Coucla is keen on telling stories and documenting cultures through photography. During her career, she has captured multiple special experiences and diversified rituals in countries like India, Indonesia and Thailand. Hence, she earned the title "Ambassador of Arts in Egypt" in 2010 for her artistic and documentary project, through which she presented the cremation rituals in Bali. It was displayed at the Embassy of Indonesia in Cairo. In 2012, she published "Dance of Life", assigned by the Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo. The book documents, through photography, the journey of a young photographer in Thailand, with the aim of highlighting human relations and cultural communication between Thailand and the Middle East region. It is noteworthy that the fourth Cairo Photo Week includes over 20 individual and collective exhibitions for professional local and international photographers. They also include international institutions, such as World Press Photo, Vogue, National Geographic, and Getty Images, in 14 locations in Downtown. Furthermore, Cairo Photo Week is to host over 100 discussion sessions, workshops, and live demos, with the participation of international experts and artists, in collaboration with multiple embassies, such as the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, and Denmark, along with the British Council and the European Union.
Identity
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Identity
The 'Nile Surfers' Exhibition Within the Framework of the Fourth Cairo Photo Week
Photographer Coucla Refaat is preparing to launch her photography exhibition; 'Nile Surfers', within the proceedings of the fourth Cairo Photo Week, organized by Photopia, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Tourism Promotion Authority, and Ministry of Culture. The exhibition, which is held between (6-18) May at Cairo Design District (CDD), presents a documentation, through photographs, of children singing on surfboards to entertain people on the Nile in Aswan. Basically, it is an extension of Coucla's artistic project, through which she presents documentary photography of people's customs and traditions, as well as a record of human activities in traditional communities. Coucla stated, 'Since ancient times, people have been interested in documenting memorable and special moments in their lives. That's what we see on temple walls and in old documents in Egypt and worldwide. Thus, photography events are so important in encouraging artists to express their visions and document events that reflect the identity of communities'.
