The festival’s programme focuses on women’s creativity in various artistic disciplines including music, dance, film, theatre and stand up comedy.
Starting on 30 September and continuing until 4 October, the second edition of She Arts will provide a selection of performances, film screenings, seminars and lectures, and a photography exhibition; all presenting creativity of women from Egypt and the international scene.
On the opening night, Egyptian mezzo soprano Farrah El-Dibay will be accompanied by She Arts Orchestra led by Magdalena Klein (Germany) featuring Magda Makowska (Egypt, Germany) on violin.
Born in Alexandria in 1989 El-Dibany has become one of the most well-known Egyptian singers of her generation while establishing herself on an international scale.
Following her education in Egypt and Germany, the mezzo soprano performed in many prestigious venues internationally. She won top awards from competitions in Athens, Rome, Thessaloniki, Istanbul and Germany. In 2013, she received the third-place prize at the Guilio Perotti International Singing Competition in Germany.
In 2021, El-Dibany was honoured at the National Youth Forum by Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and was the first ever to receive the prestigious Hassan Kamy Award at the Manial Palace Festival, presented by Prince Abbas Helmy and renowned pianist Ramzy Yassa.
Earlier this year, she was awarded France’s Order of Arts and Letters.
In the following days, She Arts will feature the play Del Moanth Salem by Sudoku, Egyptian Dance with Amie Sultan, alongside other acts from Egypt: Bahgaga band, Tablet El-Sitt band, harpist Manal Mohei Eldin’s Anamel Sharkeya Ensemble and singer Dalia Farid, among others.
The international women artists include singers Jasmine El-Bash (Switzerland), Simona Severini (Italy), Toldya (France), as well as Amara Quartet (Portugal) and Iroko Trio (Brazil), the dance show by Canaan Folklore Dance Troupe (Palestine) and a stand-up comedy show by Comedy El Sett.
The closing night will start with Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra, an ensemble consisting of visually impaired women musicians, followed by a performance by the UAE singer Almas.
The schedule of seminars and lectures includes a talk with Egyptian film director, producer, and screenwriter Hala Khalil. The film programme will screen movies by women from the series Because She Created.
Following its success in the first year (2021), the festival will also hold a music competition that encourages emerging artists to launch their music careers. Female singers, musicians and composers are welcomed to submit their work, and the jury will selects two winners on the festival’s fourth day.
Founded and managed by Neveen Kenawy in 2021, She Arts Festival will take place in Tahrir Cultural Centre in Cairo. Fully dedicated to women’s creativity, the festival highlights the importance of providing equal opportunity and creating new spaces for female artists to showcase their work and exchange experiences, inspire others and gain a wider fan base.
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