The Goethe-Institute Cairo and the French Institute of Egypt are joining forces to energize the Egyptian music scene with the third edition of La Grüne Fête de la Musique, taking place at Antoniades Park in Alexandria and the Greek Campus in Downtown Cairo.
This unique event, at the crossroads of French, German, and Egyptian cultures, celebrates music in all its diversity, promoting encounter, creativity, and sustainability—true to the “green” DNA of this environmentally conscious festival.
This edition will spotlight an eclectic lineup of Egyptian, French, and German artists, blending contemporary music, electro, folk, jazz, and sound experimentation. Free concerts, open to all, will be held at iconic venues in both Cairo and Alexandria.
This year’s theme, “The Community as a Driver of Change”, explores how every citizen can act daily in concrete ways to support more environmentally responsible practices. A series of workshops and talks in both Alexandria and Cairo will raise public awareness and showcase numerous Egyptian initiatives through dedicated stands.
La Grüne Fête de la Musique also places sustainability at the heart of its production: scenography using recycled materials, waste reduction, public education about carbon footprints, and promotion of eco-friendly mobility will all be emphasized.
In parallel with the festival, Egyptian arts and culture professionals, particularly festival organizers, are invited to take part in two days of discussions, on 20 and 21 June, aimed to develop common tools for implementing eco-friendly practices in their events.
The festival's musical program will also feature a wide range of artists and bands from Egypt, France, and Germany, including: Too Fuse, Stranded Horse & Boubacar Cissokho, Jamila & The Other Heroes, and Lella Fadda.
Antoniades Park
Qism Sidi Gaber, Alexandria, Tel 03/424 3325
From 5pm to midnight (Festival entry is free of charge. However, visitors will need to pay the entrance fee to access Antoniades Park)
Thurs 19, 8pm- 8.45pm: Stranded Horse & Boubacar Cissokho.
(9pm-9.45pm) Jamila & The Other Heroes, (10pm-10.45pm) Too Fuse, (11pm-11.45pm) a joint performance features the four bands, and (12-1pm) Lella Fadda.
Greek Campus
28 Falaki St, Bab Al-Louk, Downtown, Cairo, Tel 010 90322400
From 4pm to midnight
Sat 21, 8pm- 8.45pm: Stranded Horse & Boubacar Cissokho.
(9pm-9.45pm) Jamila & The Other Heroes, (10pm-10.45pm) Too Fuse, (11pm-11.45pm) a joint performance features the four bands, and (12-1pm) Lella Fadda.
Jamila & The Other Heroes, is a Berlin-based band from several venues that combines psychedelic desert rock with militant content. Jamila al-Yousef, who named the band after her Palestinian grandmother, was born in Berlin the day the Berlin Wall fell. Absorbing the revolutionary energy of that period and being greatly influenced by the life story of her Palestinian father, Jamila composes with her musical heroes from within the Palestinian diaspora her songs about liberation, empowerment and healing. Jamila's libertarian message in Arabic and English supports Jamila's libertarian message with strong live music: guitar (Leon Sanchez), bass guitar (Paul Hoyle), percussion (Ayman Mabrouk), drum (Samo Tawil).
Stranded Horse & Boubakar Cissokho band from Normandy, France began recording in 2001 under the name Encre, a project that combines samples of strings, pianos and vocals. After a series of album releases and CDs under this name, and upon his return to his original instrument, the classical guitar, Yan embarked on a new experiment with the kora instrument commonly played in West Africa. Over time he developed his own style of playing and soon formed his own lighter and more compact version of the instrument.
Lalla Fadda is an Egyptian-Italian singer, songwriter and rapper who has caused a stir in the Egyptian music scene with her unique blend of synthetic voices, Arabic poetry and hip-hop singing.
Arab Music Institute
22 Ramsis St, Tel 02 2574 3373
Sun 22, 9pm: The Cairo Opera House celebration of the new Hegira year.
Arab Oud House (Beit Al-Harrawi)
Mohamed Abdu St, behind Al-Azhar Mosque, Tel 02 2510 4174
Every Sunday, 8pm (Free entry): The Nile Troupe for Folk Instruments, founded by artist Zakariya El-Hagawy, performs dances and songs from Upper Egypt on mizmar, tabla and other traditional musical instruments.
Beit Al-Seheimi
Al-Moez St, Al-Darb Al Asfar Alley, Al-Gamalya District, Tel 02 2787 8865
Every Friday, 8pm (Free entry): “Alaragouz wa Khayal Al-Zel” (The Karakouz and The Shadow Puppet), a free public performance by clowns in Al-Muaaz Street, presented by Wamda and directed by Nabil Bahgat.
Thurs 29, 8pm: Banat Alhilaliya troupe features artist Nehal Elhilaly.
Cairo Opera House
Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Tel 02 2737 0602/2736 0361, box office 02 2739 0132/0144
Main Hall
Thurs 19 and Fri 20, 9pm: The Cairo Opera Ballet Company and the Cairo Opera Orchestra present late legendary ballet dancer Abdel-Moneim Kamel Gala. Artistic director Erminia Kamel and directed by Mohamed Saad Basha.
Sat 21, 9pm: The Cairo Symphony Orchestra.
Tues 24 and Wed 25, 9pm: Pianist Omar Khairat and his orchestra.
Open-Air Theatre
Thurs 19, 9pm: Percussionist Nesma Abdel-Aziz plays on marimba.
Fri 20, 9pm: The Talents Development Centre (drums class).
Small Hall
Fri 20, 9pm: Harpist Mona Wassef.
Sat 21, 9pm: The Cairo Opera Company performs international musicals featuring pianist Greig Martin and directed by Hazem Roushdy.
Tues 24, 9pm: Jazz Quartet (Italy).
Al-Ghouri Dome
111 Al-Azhar St, Al-Ghouriya, Tel 02 2506 0227
Al-Tanoura whirling dervishes perform to live Sufi music
(Performances every Sat and Wed, 7pm).
Al-Gumhouriya Theatre
12 Al-Gumhouriya St, Abdin, Tel 02 2390 7707
Thurs 19, 9pm: The Arab Music Heritage ensemble performs classical Arab songs.
Tues 24, Wed 25, Thurs 26, 9pm: The Modern Dance Theatre Company performs Frida show.
Italian Cultural Institute
3 El-Sheikh El Marsafy St, Zamalek, Tel 02 2735 5423/2735 8791
Sun 22, 8pm (Free Entry): cLOCK, a captivating contemporary dance performance by renowned Hungarian artist Erika Vasas.
This immersive dance experience explores the concept of time through expressive movement, directed and performed by Erika Vasas.
Makan
1 Saad Zaghloul St, Al-Mounira, Cairo, Tel 2792 0878
Every Tuesday, 8pm: Mawawil features vocalists Hend and Sara in a repertoire of traditional music of the Nile Delta, Al Jaafra music played by Arab Tribes from Aswan and Nass Makan band.
Every Wednesday, 8pm: Zar music and songs by Mazaher ensemble featuring Umm Sameh, Umm Hassan and Nour Al-Sabah.
Room Art Space & Café
10 Etihad Al Mohamin, Garden City, Tel 01000 068 159
Tues 24, 8pm: Karaoke night.
The Spot mall, infront of AUC Gate 4, New Cairo
Thurs 19, 9pm: Karaoke night.
Wed 25 and Thurs 26, 9pm: Karaoke night.
Rawabet Art Space
5 Hussien Pasha El-Meaamar St. ext. of Mahmoud Bassiouny St, Maarouf, Qasr El Nil, Downtown
Mon 23, 8pm: “ADHD” interactive comedy show by Mahmoud Konafa.
El Sawy Culturewheel
End of 26th of July St, underneath the 15th of May Bridge, Zamalek, Tel 2736 8881/6178/2737 4448
River Hall
Sat 21, 8pm (standing): A rock night features Ghoyoum x 4 El Fagr.
Mon 23, 8pm (standing): Sky Post in a rock night.
Wed 25, 9pm: Ali El-Haggar in a classical Arab songs concert.
Thurs 26, 8pm: Singing recital by Wael El-Fashny.
Wisdom Hall
Thurs 19, 8pm: El Sawy Culturewheel Puppet Theatre show presents Mohamed Mounir concert.
Fri 20, 8pm: Folk songs by Tablet El Sitt band.
Sat 21, 8.30pm: Religious chanting by Abu Shaar Brothers band.
Wed 25, 8pm: Hafez & Boustan
Teatro Arkan
Arkan Plaza, El-Sheikh Zayed, Giza, Egypt
Fri 20, 8pm: A stand-up comedy show by Ali Qandil.
Thurs 26, 8pm: Syrian-Armenian singer and songwriter Lena Chamamyan will give a magical concert titled Sohab (Mates).
On this special night, she will launch her new album, Sohab —her first release in nearly 10 years.
ALEXANDRIA
Alexandria Opera House (Sayed Darwish Theatre)
Fouad St, Mahatat Al-Raml, Alexandria, Tel 03/486 5106
Thurs 19, 9pm: The Alexandria Opera Company for Arab music and singing.
Sat 21 and Fri 27, 9pm: The Alexandria Opera String Orchestra, conducted by maestro Sherif Mohie Eldeen celebrates the World Music Day performing great works for strings. Sweet Sound band, conducted by maestro Mounir Nasr Eldeen, performs selections of the most famous melodies and songs.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 4839999
Conference Centre Small Hall
Sat 21, 8pm (Free Entry): cLOCK, a captivating contemporary dance performance by renowned Hungarian artist Erika Vasas.
Conference Centre Main Hall
Fri 27, 8pm: Closing ceremony of the artistic season 'Beethoven's Ninth Symphony Classification 125 (Choral Symphony) presents a concert by Bibliotheca Alexandrina Orchestra, Bibliotheca Alexandrina Youth Orchestra, and Bibliotheca Alexandrina Choir, conducted by maestro Ahmed Farag.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 19 June, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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