Running under the slogan "The Message of Peace to the World," this year, the festival takes place between 22 and 28 September with activities held at El-Ghoury Dome Creativity Center in old Cairo and Bayt El-Sinnari (Sinnari House).

Following years of success, the festival's 16th edition will bring  about 30 troupes: several from Egypt alongside guests from Congo, Algeria, Djibouti, Pakistan, Romania, Greece, Indonesia, among others.

The festival, which is being held under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and is organized by the People’s Cultures Arts and Dialogue Foundation in cooperation with the Ministries of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities.

The festival, the brainchild of director Intesar Abdel-Fattah, aims to show how music uplifts the soul and how it is the true language of humanity.

The festival will also honor the memory of South African bishop and theologian, Desmond Mpilo Tutu (1931-2021) and the American monk, writer, theologian, and social activist, Thomas Merton (1915-1968).

It will highlight the importance of institutions such as The Museum of Memory and Tolerance (Mexico City) and St. Catherine Monastery (Egypt).

The Republic of Congo is the country of honor of the festival's 16th edition.