(Photo: Instagram of Salah Eldin Citadel)
The Festival will feature more than 20 concerts spanning Arabic music, classical, jazz, international performances, and emerging artists, alongside stars from Egypt and across the Arab world.
Cairo Opera chairman Reda El-Wakil described the edition as "exceptional at every level," saying it continues the festival's more than three-decade mission of promoting high-quality music and elevating public awareness and artistic taste.
Following its long-established tradition, the diverse line-up is designed to appeal to audiences of different ages, social backgrounds and musical tastes.
The festival will also honour several cultural figures who have made significant contributions to Egypt's artistic movement and supported the festival over the years. The names are yet to be announced.
Throughout the years, the festival has attracted audiences from middle- and lower-income backgrounds thanks to its affordable ticket prices and substantial public support. Remaining true to its long-running "Art for All" slogan, it has succeeded in taking performances beyond enclosed concert halls and bringing them to wider audiences.
El-Wakil said ticket prices will remain at a symbolic 100 Egyptian pounds, with tickets available online through the official booking platform.
Preparations underway
Preparations for the festival are already underway. Earlier this week, El-Wakil chaired a coordination meeting at the Citadel attended by Mohamed El-Menshawy, Director-General of the Citadel Antiquities, Yasser Shaalan, head of the Opera House's music, opera and ballet division, alongside artistic, technical and administrative specialists.
According to the Opera House, the meeting reviewed organisational, artistic and logistical preparations, including operational plans, security measures, audience services and technical arrangements ahead of the festival's opening.
Shaalan said the Mahka Theatre has undergone a comprehensive technical upgrade, including new sound and lighting systems and giant LED screens to enhance the audience experience. The venue has also been prepared to accommodate approximately 5,000 spectators daily.
The Opera House has also arranged a range of logistical services, including environmentally friendly electric vehicles to transport visitors from the Citadel gates to the Mahka Theatre, in addition to cafés and improved crowd management measures designed to facilitate smooth entry and exit.
Cultural landmark
El-Wakil described the Citadel Festival as one of Egypt's oldest and most prominent state-supported artistic festivals, providing a platform for diverse musical traditions and generations of performers while making high-quality arts accessible to broad audiences.
He also said the festival has become an important attraction for cultural tourism and reflects cooperation between state institutions in presenting cultural programming that combines creativity with heritage preservation.
To oversee the event, the Opera House has established a central operations room that will monitor preparations around the clock and coordinate all relevant departments throughout the festival.
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