The 13th Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF)
(1-26 October 2025)
Shourbagy Building
Adly St entrance, Downtown, Cairo
“Thorns and Cactus” the cactus is not just a plant; it is a symbol of endurance and the power to adapt to adversity. In this edition of Mazg’s annual exhibition, Artistic Director Migo, invited comic artists from across the Arab region and the diaspora to create stories inspired by the theme of adaptation—whether rooted in real experiences or imagined worlds. The artists were encouraged to reflect on humanity’s ability to cope with the social, economic, and political shifts that make life increasingly complex
(18-28 October).
Beit Tulun
Cairo
“Reminiscence: From Memory to Matter” exhibition of abstract ceramic and wood artworks exhibition witnesses the role of reminiscence in shaping cultural identity–the often-unconscious process by which significant memories are integrated into the present. In the context of immigration, reminiscence acts as a vital link that allows cultural identities to not only be preserved, but to also evolve. This exhibition draws a broader connection between cultural heritages and achievements, aiming to reproduce and pay tribute to the landscapes, scenes, textures, and symbols that marked Basma Osama’s childhood in Egypt and have, unconsciously, influenced her artistic practice and aesthetic choices
(A free shuttle bus will run on Fridays and Saturdays from Downtown Cairo to the exhibition) (4-26 October, 6-10pm).
Aisha Fahmy Palace
1 Aziz Abaza St, Zamalek, Tel 02 2735 8211
The Complex of Arts
“Egypt’s Voice” exhibition showcases the works of 25 Egyptian artists from different generations, influenced by the voice of the Umm Kolthoum, who created works of art that spanned photography and sculpture. It also explores the life of Umm Kolthoum through Egyptian journalism spanning nearly 100 years, and includes original newspaper and magazine pages from throughout her artistic career. In collaboration with the Fine Arts Sector and the Cultural Development Fund, the exhibition showcases many of Umm Kolthoum's belongings from her museum in El Manial (18 August- 15 November).
Art Linx
Karma 3, Palm hills side, Sheikh Zayed
“Golden Years: Pioneers of Egyptian Art” landmark exhibition is bringing together more than 50 of Egypt’s most celebrated artists and featuring over 100 rare artworks, this inaugural exhibition pays tribute to the visionaries who laid the foundations of modern Egyptian art. Paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works from masters such as Salah Taher, Abdel-Ghaffar Shedid, Abdel-Hadi El Gazzar, Inji Efflatoun, Omar El-Nagdi, George Bahgory, Ragheb Ayad, Effat Nagi, Seif and Adham Wanly, and many others are on view, offering a sweeping journey through the richness of Egypt’s 20th-century artistic legacy
(closing 19 October).
Cairo Opera Complex
Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Zamalek
Salah Taher gallery
Tel 02 2739 0132/0144
The Arab Music Festival and Conference exhibition
(16-25 October).
Music Library (Ziad Bakir) gallery
Arab calligraphy exhibition by young calligraphers
(19-23 October).
Difaf
37 Mohammed Mazhar, Zamalek
Difaf Gallery, a new space that specializes in publishing and exhibiting limited-edition art prints in its spaces in Cairo and Beirut. Difaf’s first exhibition in Cairo named “Sutoor” (Lines) features Lebanese artist Samir Sayegh. Sayegh’s work explores his unique approach to haiku poetry. Using a Chinese inkstone, he liberates language and reveals the space between what is visible and what is hidden (1 October- 2 November).
Goethe Institute
5 El-Bustan Street, Downtown, Tel 02 2575 9877/ 219/ 01288711134
Takhshena gallery
“Inside the Studio: Electronic Music Spaces in Berlin and Cairo”
this photo exhibition and the release of the accompanying book raise a fundamental question: where is this music actually made? While artists' studios and writing rooms have received research attention, electronic music production spaces have remained largely out of sight. Photographer Giro Caccatore and music researcher Matthias Bazderny provide a visual and research documentation of this rich creative landscape in Berlin and Cairo, revealing the hidden worlds in which these sounds are formed (1-31 October).
Italian/Egyptian Centre for Restoration and Antiquities (CIERA)
31 Al Suyuffeya St, Al Helmeya, Cairo, visitors are welcomed by appointments so contact the manager Mr. Salah Ramadan 0100 8716067
Architectural complex of the Mevlevi Dervish “Samaa Khana, Restorations and Restorers” permanent exhibition of the activities of the working/formation sites for the restoration and recovery of the monuments. Visitors are welcomed during the opening hours determined by the Ministry of Antiquities.
Al Mashhad
23 b Ismail Mohamed St, off Abu El-Feda, Zamalek, 01211100727
“Third Scene” group exhibition is curated by Ehab Ellabban
(24 September- 25 October).
Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art
15 Mahmoud Bassiouny St, Downtown, Cairo, Tel 02 2578 4494, open daily from 11am to 8pm except Fridays
“By Someone” solo exhibition by Ahmed Yasser. Yasser’s work begins with his shoe, a poster showing his own burned New Balance shoe, a sarcastic and ironic image from which a coal-like flower grows (12 October - 6 November).
Misr
4A Ibn Zankai St, from Hassan Sabri, Zamalek, Tel 02 2735 0604
“Maqam Al-Nour (The Sanctuary of the Light)” exhibition of painting by Gamal Elkheshen (12 October- 6 November).
Picasso
30 Hassan Assem off Brazil St, Zamalek, Tel 02 2736 7544
Hall I
“A Journey into the Frontiers of Identity and Modernity” painting exhibition by Omar El-Nagdy presents works from different stages and using various media and techniques, reflecting the depth and diversity of his art and confirming his position as a distinctive voice in Egyptian and international art (5-22 October).
Hall II
“Harmony” exhibition of sculpture by Mahmoud El-Dwehey (5-22 October).
Picasso East
Villa No 39 Al Narges 35th settlement, 90's St, in front of Lake View Compound, New Cairo, Tel 0122 0000035
“Folds of Stillness” exhibition of painting by artist Mahmoud Hamed (12 October- 5 November).
Safarkhan
6 Brazil St, Zamalek, Tel 012 70169291
“The Soul Print” an exhibition of painting by Kinda Adly
(closing 18 October).
“Ephemera” a painting exhibition by Ashraf El-Zamzami, one of the country’s foremost contemporary figurative artists
(22 October-12 November).
TAM
District 5, Marakek, New Katamya, Cairo Sokhna Road, before Master Express Gas Station, entrance from Gate 3, weekdays (Sun-Thurs),10am-6pm, Tel 01000773860
“Branches” a solo exhibition by Egyptian artist Khoshoua El-Gohary (closing 19 October).
UBUNTU
20 Hassan Sabry St, (entrance from Ibn Zinki St), Zamalek, Tel 0100 2792223
First Floor & Ground Floor
“The Collector’s Eye XII” exhibition is showcasing a selection of contemporary artworks. In collaboration with "Sherine Mina Design" and "Covea", this year’s edition also features a special collection of contemporary furniture and handpicked antique pieces (closing 18 October).
ALEXANDRIA
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Port Said St, Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 4839999
Archaeological Museum
A permanent exhibition on the results of the Archaeological Mission of the University of Turin in Nelson Island.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 14 October, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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