As Egypt’s most anticipated international art exhibition, Forever is Now, returns for its 4th edition at the iconic Pyramids of Giza, the country’s art scene is set to dazzle this October. Alongside this monumental event, Cairo will come alive with a host of must-see exhibitions, offering a blend of history, innovation, and contemporary creativity. With Forever is Now featuring 12 renowned artists from around the world, including the debut of Asian participants, and several other key exhibitions unfolding across the city, October promises to be an extraordinary month for art in Egypt—from the ancient majesty of the Pyramids to the bustling streets of Downtown Cairo.

Photo: Installation view of Jwan Yosef's Vital Sands sculpture at Art D’Égypte. Credit: Brianna Bakke; courtesy of the artist

FOREVER IS NOW | THE PYRAMIDS OF GIZA | 24TH OCTOBER – 16TH NOVEMBER, 2024

This year’s highlight is the focus on cutting-edge technology, with two AI artists participating for the first time. American-Egyptian Hassan Ragab and Saudi artist Daniah Saleh, supported by Meta, will present immersive, interactive pieces that blend ancient history with futuristic innovation. The fusion of tradition and technology promises an awe-inspiring experience set against the timeless backdrop of the Pyramids.

Marwan Sabra - Umm El Shou’or (Folk Tale), 2021

CAIRO INTERNATIONAL ART DISTRICT (CIAD) | DOWNTOWN CAIRO | 10TH – 30TH OCTOBER, 2024

Coinciding with Forever is Now, the annual CIAD arts festival returns for its fourth edition across historic sites in Downtown Cairo. Organised by Art D'Egypte, this year's theme, 'Chronicles of Cairo,' features 100 local and international artists who invite audiences to engage with the city's rich tapestry of spaces—from old cafés steeped in stories to abandoned houses and hotels that have witnessed diverse lives. At its heart, 'Chronicles of Cairo' highlights the vital role of artists as documentarians of Cairo's dynamic art scene.

Photo: Dina Danish, Launching Soon (Head of Wisdom), 2024, khayamiya hand-sewn appliqué, embroidery, and akhmin hand-woven cotton, 186 x 128 cm. Credit: Gypsum Gallery 

DINA DANISH: TODAY IN HISTORY | GYPSUM GALLERY | DINA DANISH | 17TH SEPTEMBER – 30TH OCTOBER, 2024

Known for her ironic and humorous reflections on historical events, Danish’s latest work features appliqué tapestries created in collaboration with artisans from Old Cairo’s Khayamiya district. The tapestries, resembling mediaeval banners, blend mismatched textiles and cultural references to comment on how repeated signs and media images shape our perception of power and history.

Photo: courtesy of Egypt Today. 

TALE OF TWO CITIES | BIBLIOTHECA ALEXANDRINA | 15TH OCTOBER – 4TH NOVEMBER, 2024

Following its success earlier this year in Athens at the Acropolis Museum, Tale of Two Cities travels to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria. CulturVator / Art D’Égypte presents the deep historical and cultural connections between Greece and Egypt with this collaboration with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria. By showcasing the works of contemporary artists, including Mahmoud Said and Danae Stratou, it bridges the gap between the ancient past and the present, highlighting the enduring cultural connections that inspire today’s artistic landscape.