Dahab has always been a favourite spot with divers for its affordable prices, impressive diving spots and pleasant atmosphere. Now the Dahab Festival organisers have pooled local resources to bring other visitors to the spot for a large-scale cultural experience by the Red Sea.

Starting with the Dahab Festival on 14 April, Dahab will enjoy a week-long programme including dance, art and music workshops, live concerts, exhibitions and a programme run by the Bedouins of Sinai. There is also a water sports programme and desert safaris, along with yoga, meditation, and alternative healing. Among the more notable events are daily modern and belly dancing classes, the “making art out of trash” workshop and sand sculpture.

The local Bedouin culture will figure on 16 April, starting with Bedouin bread baking. Visitors can enjoy Bedouin food throughout the day. The afternoon session will be dedicated to traditional Bedouin medicinal plants and the evening session to Bedouin history and culture.

All through the festival,  supported by workshops on the same subject, an underwater photography competition will be taking place. On 19 and 20 April there will be the Great Gig in the Square, where live performances by Egyptian bands will take place starting at 4 pm and going on till the end of the night.

In addition to the Dahab Festival, starting on 15 April, an exhibition featuring the work of 12 Egyptian and foreign artists, curated by Enas El Sadeik, will be on show in El Sahara Gallery. The Dahab Divers Hotel by the lighthouse will be offering a 25 percent discount for guests during that week to promote the exhibition.

Both initiatives are run and sponsored by local businesses in Dahab, in an effort to promote domestic and international tourism.

Detailed programme of the Dahab Festival can be found on their website here.