Egypt’s D-CAF to kick off on October 1

After its COVID-induced hiatus, D-CAF announced its return to the stages and streets of Downtown! With works from over 50 artists hailing from all corners of the world, this year’s line-up promises to deliver the best and brightest that the contemporary arts scene has to offer. 

This year marks the festival’s 9th edition, which will take place between 1 and 22 October. Those three weeks will bring forth an enthralling selection of performances, concerts, exhibitions, virtual reality films and more.

This year’s Performing Arts program is a patchwork of cultures and artistic disciplines, with performers from Egypt, Syria, France, Denmark, and Chile. The program features an enchanting mixture of theater, chaabi music, contemporary dance, poetry, puppetry, and more.  

The Music program spotlights the diversity of contemporary genres: from rap, trap and techno to traditional eastern strings, fusion and everything in between —you don’t want to miss any of it. 

The festival’s New Media and Visual Arts program, which was launched in its seventh edition, showcases six works conceived at the intersection of art and technology. Wander into a 16th century painting, watch a doodle come to life, or take a stroll through a magical woodland —with stunning VR films, games, interactive installations and photography from Egypt, Denmark, Hungary, and France, this dazzlingly innovative program is sure to puzzle and enchant audience members. 

International performers and creators will bring art to Downtown’s every street corner in D-CAF’s unique Urban Visions program. In line with our belief that art permeates every aspect of life, the program showcases Cairo’s distinctive architecture and mesmerizing soundscape in a world-class selection of artistic projects born from the rifts of the urban fabric. 

Because D-CAF believes that we all have a part to play in securing our planet’s future, and that the arts can do much to raise awareness, this year’s Special Events program will focus on the pressing issue of climate change. A series of workshops and talks will teach artists and cultural practitioners new ways to create sustainably, and brave the unprecedented global storm wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Last but not least, building on the existing Arts for All initiative, this year D-CAF is introducing the Art of Sharing campaign. With the support of our partners, collaborating NGOs and private donors, in 2019, D-CAF was able to provide free tickets to 1620 audience members who otherwise would not have had access to the festival. This year, when booking your own tickets, you can purchase an additional ticket for someone less fortunate, and help them share in the magic of the festival.