AUC’s CultureFest is back for its second consecutive year, this time celebrating Cairo not just as a historic city, but as an ever-evolving multicultural landscape. During this edition, you can attend book fairs, bazaars, and art exhibitions, take part in activities, panels, and performances, and chow down on some good food that all reflect the rich global heritages that found their homes in Cairo.

Doors open today and tomorrow at 12pm. You can register on the AUC website or at the door for no charge.

PERFORMANCES-

#1- CAIROBI: MUSIC BEYOND BORDERS is a cross-cultural performance featuring Egyptian singer Nadya Shanab, Kenyan songwriter Fadhilee Itulya, and percussionist Bouda Yazeed. Their music combines Afro-Egyptian elements with global influences, showcasing our diverse African musical traditions.

DATE: Friday, 11 April

TIME: 8-9pm

LOCATION: Outdoor stage

#2- RHYTHYMS OF JAPAN is a presentation of Japanese dance featuring both classical nihon buyō classical techniques and contemporary Japanese styles. The performance demonstrates Japan’s traditions while connecting them with other forms of international dance.

DATE: Saturday, 12 April

TIME: 4-4:30pm

LOCATION: Outdoor stage

#3- SALUTE TO GAZA: A CHOIR OF HOPE AND RESILIENCE is an initiative by the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, performed by 31 displaced Palestinian children from Gaza. The choir sings Palestinian and Arab heritage songs as a means of cultural expression and healing.

DATE: Saturday, 12 April

TIME: 6-7pm

LOCATION: Outdoor stage

#4- CAIRO STEPS: MYSTIC MELODIES OF EAST AND WEST is a fusion of traditional Egyptian music with jazz, classical, and contemporary sounds. Known for their album Flying Carpet and their international performances, the ensemble creates competitions that combine Eastern and Western musical traditions. You can find tickets for this performance on Ticketsmarche.

DATE: Saturday, 12 April

TIME: 8-10pm

LOCATION: Ewart Memorial Hall

ACTIVITIES-

#1- FLAVORS OF THE WORLD is a global food festival featuring international cuisine from various vendors including Pasqua, El Makhbaz El Lenani, Gracias, Balady Grill, Panda House, Koffee Kulture, and Mandarine Koueidar.

DATE: Friday, 11 April to Saturday, 12 April

TIME: 12-10pm

LOCATION: Outdoors

#2- AWAKEN YOUR INNER PEACE WITH YOGA is a yoga session led by a professional instructor from the Indian Embassy. This class is suitable for all skill levels and focuses on physical and mental wellbeing through traditional yoga practices.

DATE: Friday, 11 April

TIME: 1-2pm

LOCATION: Hill House 603

#3- THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: A MAGICAL CAIRO ADVENTURE is a kid’s musicalperformance that follows Osman, a kiosk owner who considers leaving Cairo until his customers remind him of the city’s value. The show includes African dance, Mediterranean themes, and historical tidbits about Cairo in a format that makes for a fun family activity. Attendance is first-come, first-served.

DATE: Friday, 11 April

TIME: 5-6pm

LOCATION: Ewart Memorial Hall

#4- PAINTING ON THE EGYPTIAN OLA is an art activity for both adults and children that focuses on decorating traditional Egyptian pottery.

DATE:Friday, 11 April to Saturday, 12 April

TIME:2-8pm

LOCATION: Main Garden

PANEL DISCUSSIONS AND TALKS

Access to talks is on a first-come, first-served basis.

#1- REFLECTIONS ON THE NILE: SUSTAINABILITY, INNOVATION, AND ACTION is a discussion on protecting water bodies from plastic waste through education, technology, and entrepreneurship. Hosted by AUC’s Urban Studies Lab and Enactus AUC, this session showcases student projects tackling the issue, including transforming recycled plastic into 3D printing filaments for prosthetics. The conversation covers environmental challenges, local sustainability efforts, and youth involvement in waste management solutions.

DATE: Friday, 11 April

TIME: 11am-12pm

LOCATION: Historic Palace Room 215

#2- EGYPTIAN STARTUPS GOING GLOBAL hosts Egyptian entrepreneurs and investors to discuss expanding business internationally. Topics include designing technology for global markets, building cross-cultural brands, product exportation, and international investment. Panelists will share experiences entering new markets and discuss Egypt’s position as a foundation for global startups.

DATE:Friday, 11 April

TIME:6-7pm

LOCATION:Oriental Hall

#3- FOREIGN EGYPTIANS AND EGYPTIAN FOREIGNERS is a historical presentation by Mahmoud El Tamimi, founder of the Cairo My Address project, discussing foreigners’ influence on Egyptian society. Based on his Arwah Fil Madinah series, the talk covers cultural exchange from the French invasion to the 1926 Egyptian Nationality Law. It features stories of figures like Boghos Nubar, Baron Empain’s partner, architect Ernesto Ferrucci, educators Signor Nallino and Miss Couvreur, Dr. Keating and journalist Scott Watson.

DATE: Saturday, 12 April

TIME: 2-3:30pm

LOCATION: Memorial Hall

#4- CAIRO’S ARCHITECTURE: A COSMOPOLITAN CANVAS examines colonial, postcolonial, neoliberal influences on Cairo’s urban development and architecture. The discussion covers Cairo as an international laboratory for urban planning since the 19th century, the exchange of architectural ideas, and the contributions of international architects and Egyptian professionals educated abroad.

DATE:Saturday, 12 April

TIME: 6-7:30pm

LOCATION:Oriental Hall

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