Following it's last edition in 2009, the 26th Alexandria Biennale for Mediterranean Countries returns to the coastal city.

The biennale is held between 10 June and 6 July, showcasing works by artists from Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Greece, Malta, Slovenia, and Turkey, among others.

The opening ceremony took place on 10 June at the Fine Arts Museum in Alexandria, where works will be on display until the biennale ends.

The opening was attended by the biennale's president and head of the Fine Arts Sector, Salah El-Meligui; the biennale's artistic director and commissioner, Mostafa Abdel-Wahab; the head of the jury, Olu Oguibe (Nigeria), the governor of Alexandria, Tarek El-Mahdy, among many other officials, jury members and artists.

This year the grand prize of the biennale was granted to Egyptian artist Hoda Lutfi.

Paralleling this year's event, Alexandria's Atelier has organised a display of many works by Egyptian artists. The exhibition opened on10 June and will close along with the biennale.