The curtain fell on the twelfth edition of the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF) last Sunday, marking the end of a vibrant celebration that lit up Cairo with creativity and innovation from October 17. Over three dynamic weeks, the festival showcased 26 eclectic performances spanning performing arts, new media arts, music, and special events, drawing together 124 artists from 21 countries.
This year, D-CAF made its mark with a rich program that included premieres in the Middle East, attracting an audience of 5,000 attendees to twelve unique art spaces across the city. These venues, ranging from theaters to modern galleries and open-air settings, became the backdrop for nine insightful workshops across various fields.
Ahmed El Attar, the festival’s artistic director, emphasized the focus on nurturing young creatives from the Arab region. “This edition was pivotal in spotlighting emerging talents, which are vital for the region’s evolving art scene,” El Attar stated. The festival facilitated training programs for directors and cultural managers, fostering a global dialogue among cultural figures from Egypt and beyond. “We are preparing for the next edition by reviving the Arab Arts Focus (AAF) and aim to host an African cultural event for the first time,” he added.
One of the standout achievements of this year’s festival was its success in engaging audiences beyond its traditional base, expanding its reach across various age groups and social backgrounds. This was further enriched by the launch of the “Cairo Calling” program, in collaboration with the British Council. This initiative welcomed 13 directors and choreographers from the Arab world, featuring eight debut performances and showcasing projects by young directors at Beit El-Sennari, a venue linked with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
The festival’s international dimension was underscored by the presence of over 90 cultural figures from countries such as Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, France, Tunisia, Mozambique, and more. Esteemed representatives from notable festivals and institutions, including the Avignon Festival, Mophradat Foundation, Marseille Festival, and MBC Academy, as well as Egyptian entities like Dawar Arts and Medrar, participated in this cultural exchange.
D-CAF remains unique in Egypt as a festival dedicated to contemporary art forms, running annually in the heart of downtown Cairo. With its diverse array of performances—from theater and visual arts to digital art and cinema—D-CAF continues to be a pivotal platform for Egyptian, Arab, and international artists to converge and collaborate.
As D-CAF looks to the future, its commitment to fostering artistic dialogue and pushing creative boundaries promises to keep Cairo at the forefront of the global contemporary arts scene. The festival’s evolution reflects a broader cultural renaissance, poised to enrich the region’s artistic landscape for years to come.
