Directed by Mayye Zayed, the Egyptian feature-length documentary Lift Like a Girl had its world premiere during the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival (10 - 19 September).
The film scored positive reviews after its first screening on 12 (...)
News of David Hales passing at the age of 63 sent shock waves through the ranks of Egyptian classical musicians. Though more likely to be recognized by his serious face, grey hair and beard than his name, the British pianist who shied away from the (...)
With Ludwig van Beethoven's 250th birth anniversary falling in 2020, music venues around the world prepared to celebrate the birthday of the decade, showing their appreciation for one of the greatest composers of all time. But with the current (...)
Among world musical's gems is Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, the musical with lyrics by Charles Hart. It premiered in London'd West End in 1986, and with its captivating story and the abilities that enabled the composer to give us (...)
The lockdown on all artistic venues and the recently imposed curfew drove ROOM Arts Space & Café to step in with a different approach to reach audiences.
ROOM Arts Space & Café, known simply as ROOM, is among most popular independent creative (...)
Introducing Egyptian bassist Samer George is long overdue. An established independent musician, George's name is celebrated among fellow musicians who recognise his skills, knowledge and musicality. He has collaborated with such Egyptian names as (...)
The title of this book by the Italian scholar Paolo Petrocelli sounds self-explanatory, yet the topic has deeper implications. As Petrocelli reveals in the first few pages of the book, this is the first attempt to summarise in as concentrated a form (...)
It was in 2012 that I first heard of the Indian embassy's plans to launch a new festival. A big celebration was organised in the garden of India House, in the presence of then ambassador Navdeep Suri, his wife, and representatives of the new (...)
Take electronic instruments as a base (Nord keyboard, Novation keyboard, Roland keytar), one Sufi chanter, Jalal Al-Din Al-Rumi's poems, rich modern visuals. Top them with a lot of details, creativity, ambition, and a few surprises.
The result you (...)
Egyptian soprano Fatma Said announced on her Facebook page last week that she has signed a recording contract with leading classical label Warner Classics.
The label shared the news on their Twitter account, writing:
“Welcome to the Warner Classics (...)
“After the last depression in Argentina in 2001, 40 per cent of people live below the poverty line. In cities like Buenos Aires, people started to scavenge for recyclable material to earn their living. Since then the so-called Cartoneros have fought (...)
One of Egypt's greatest works, the famed marionette musical El-Leila El-Kebira (The Grand Night) will be staged within the 34thNeapolis International Festival for Kids Theatre, Tunisia, an event which takes place between 15 and 22 December.
The (...)
On Saturday, a panel discussion titled “Development of cultural industries” took place at Alexandria's Grand Plaza Hotel. The discussion is part of the events organised within the inaugural audition of the ongoing Alexandria Arab Theatre Festival (...)
Michelangelo is one of the world's greatest artists. Whenever his name is brought up, we are immediately taken to the Sistine Chapel, one of the crucial papal conclaves in Vatican City.
It is there that the famed fresco – known as The Last Judgement (...)
In the opening day of the Cairo Industry Days segment, the Cairo International Film Festival's (CIFF) management confirmed that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has awarded the festival with the Oscar qualifying privileges.
This (...)
The 41st edition of the Cairo International Film Festival, presided over by producer Mohamed Hefzy, opened on Wednesday evening, gathering Egypt's renowned actors, actresses and filmmakers at the Cairo Opera House's Main Hall.
Hefzy announced the (...)
The history of the Cairo Opera goes back to the second half of the 19thcentury when the gem of architecture known as the Khedivial Opera House was inaugurated in the heart of Cairo.
Unfortunately in 1971 the opera burned down and it took 17 years (...)
Over the past few years, Yemen made headlines mainly due to political turmoil and humanitarian crises. A large segment of population found refuge in the neighboring countries, some settling across the Arab peninsula, others heading further to the (...)
Egypt's internationally renowned tabla (darbouka) player Said El Artist will give two shows in Paris on 29 and 30 June.
Staged at the Hall de la Chanson (The Hall of Song), El Artist is accompanied by a troupe of 12 players including tabla players (...)
Led by the well-known Egyptian saxophonist Nour Ashour, the independent band Nour Project teamed up with musician Mahmoud Badrawy for the single “Al-Rezzq” (Blessing), releasing a video on YouTube on 12 June 2019. Following “Sina” (released on (...)
Among the numerous activities of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) – a large network that has improved lives in many communities across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia – the most recent is the Aga Khan Music Awards (AKMA).
Part of (...)
Among the numerous activities of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) – a large network that has improved lives in many communities across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia – the most recent is the Aga Khan Music Awards (AKMA). Part of (...)
Taking place across three cities, the seventh India by the Nile festival (5-17 March) took Egypt by storm. Over seven years the annual event — launched in 2013 — has become known to a large segment of the Egyptian population.
A one of a kind, (...)
Taking place across three cities, the seventh India by the Nile festival (5-17 March) took Egypt by storm. Over seven years the annual event — launched in 2013 — has become known to a large segment of the Egyptian population. A one of a kind, (...)
Egyptian oud player, composer and music educator Mustafa Said was announced winner of the inaugural Aga Khan Music Award in Performance this week, reports Ati Metwaly from Portugal. Said was the only Egyptian among 14 musicians from Iran, Pakistan, (...)
