Amir Taz Palace
27 Al-Syoufiya St, off Al-Salebiya St, Al-Khalifa district, Tel 02 2514 2581
Tues 21, 8pm: Salon of Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities and Heritage presents a lecture titled “The Illegal Trade of Antiquities” by Mohamed Hammada, a tourist guide.
Beit Al Sett Wassila (House of Arab Poetry)
Al Azhar district, behind Al Azhar Mosque, Al Aini St, Tel 02 2510 3171
Sun 19, 8pm: Salon of Poet Ahmed Abdel-Moati Hegazy presents a night dedicated to the poetry of Ahmed Antar Mustafa.
French Institute in Egypt
Madrasset Al-Huquq Al Frinseya St, Mounira, Tel 02 2791 5800
Media Library
Fri 17, 11am-12.30pm: Interactive workshop for children on discovering the world’s animals and games revolve around animals.
Al-Hanager Arts Centre
Cairo Opera Complex, Gezira Exhibition Grounds, Zamalek, Tel
Tel 02 2735 6861
Al-Hanager Cinema Hall
Sat 18, 7pm: A cultural evening presented, in cooperation with the Story Writing Club.
Sun 19, 6pm: A seminar for people with special abilities organized by Albalad Alyoum (the country today) Society.
House of Egyptian Architecture
4 Darb Al-Labana St, infront of Sultan Hassan Mosque, Al Darb Al Ahmar, Tel 012 6296 5078
Sat 18, 7pm: Between Place and Possibility” seminar will feature architect Islam El-Mashtouly.
Naguib Mahfouz Museum
Tekkeyet Mohamed Bek Abul-Dahab, next to Al-Azhar Mosque, Al-Darb Al-Ahmar, Tel 0122 723 1573
Sun 19, 7pm: The launch of the second round of “Naguib Mahfouz Reading Season” via a round table discussion with the participation of an array of literati, authors, thinkers, and artists. It will be moderated by journalist Tarek El-Taher.
ALEXANDRIA
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Chatby, Alexandria 21526, Tel (03) 4839999
Plaza of Civilizations and the Conference Centre
Thurs 16 - Mon 20, (open daily from 10am-10pm, except Fridays from 2pm-10pm, admission is free): The 21st Alexandria International Book Fair 2026
opens its doors to reading and culture enthusiasts of all ages. The fair features a
rich programme of events and enriching cultural seminars and discussions, led by
BA Director Ahmed Zayed.
The cultural programme taking place on the sidelines of this — which runs
from 6 to 20 July— is rich and diverse, featuring 410 events, with the
participation of more than 1,000 speakers, prominent thinkers, writers, and creative figures in literature, arts, and sciences from Egypt such as ambassador Mervat El-Talawy, writer Mohamed Salmawy, novelist Reem Bassiouny and various countries around the world.
The programme also includes 21 additional events and seminars at BA’s Beit Al-Sinnari in the Sayeda Zeinab district, Cairo and Princess Khadega Palace in Helwan. Late gifted filmmaker Dawoud Abdel-Sayed is remembered in this year’s edition as the programme is comprising several events highlighting his artistic career. For more information and the full programme go to https://www.bibalex.org/
* A version of this article appears in print in the 16 July, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
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