Arabic Music Festival

Arabic Music Festival

November

The Arabic Music Festival is an annual event that celebrates classic, traditional Arabic music. The main venue for the event is the Cairo Opera House, which was opened in 1988 after the original building was destroyed by fire in 1971. Located on Gezira Island in the Nile River, the Opera House is part of a cultural district that includes the Museum of Egyptian Modern Arts and the El Hangar Theatre. The Arabic Music Festival was first held there in 1992.
Since then, the festival has been an occasion when the top Arabic instrumentalists, singers, and ensembles from around the world gather to perform. Homage is paid to established performers, and upcoming new talent is frequently introduced here. A cash prize is given to the musical act judged to be the best in the festival. Awards are also given to those who have made significant contributions to the field of Arabic music in the previous year. A conference to discuss topics related to Arabic music is another part of the event. In 2007, the festival lasted 10 days, during which 41 concerts were staged at five different theaters, some in Alexandria as well as in Cairo. Participants included musicians from 20 countries. Some of the best-known performers included Mohamed Tharwat, Mohamed Al-Tokhi, Sherien Abdul Wahab, Carole Samaham Molhim Zein, and Maded Al-Mohandes.

CONTACTS:
Cairo Opera House
P.O. Box 11567
El Borg Gezira
Cairo Egypt
Egypt State Information Service
3 Al Estad Al Bahary St.
Nasr City, Cairo
www.sis.gov.eg