Downtown Cairo is buzzing with creative energy as Cairo Photo Week returns for its fourth edition, running from May 8 to 18, under the theme “Discovering the Scene.” This year, the festival takes on a powerful emotional tone—dedicated to the resilience of the Palestinian people and the memory of 230 martyred photojournalists. A striking memorial wall stands in their honor, making this not just a visual event, but a deeply human one.
Organized by Photopia and supported by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Tourism Promotion Authority, and Ministry of Culture, the festival stretches across 14 venues in downtown Cairo. It features over 20 exhibitions, partnerships with global names like National Geographic, Getty Images, Vogue, and World Press Photo, and includes participation from numerous professional local and international photographers.
Founder Marwa Aboulaila moved the crowd at the opening by highlighting an image from Gaza by photographer Mohammed Salem, symbolizing hope amid destruction. Meanwhile, Sami Al-Rumayan, of Photography for Humanity, launched an exhibition focused on Gaza’s untold daily life, spotlighting ten powerful humanitarian photo projects.
Notably, Cairo Photo Week also features more than 100 lectures, workshops, and live demonstrations, offering a rare opportunity for direct learning from global artists and photography experts. These programs are made possible through collaborations with the Dutch, Italian, Spanish, French, Swiss, and Danish embassies, alongside the British Council and the European Union. Beyond downtown, exhibitions like “A Touch of Magic” and “Sons of the Nile” are hosted at the sleek Cairo Design District (CDD) in New Cairo, expanding the festival’s reach and diversity.
This year also marks the first-ever participation of EUNIC (European Union National Institutes for Culture), bringing together cultural institutions from seven European countries, underscoring photography’s power to bridge generations, cultures, and perspectives.
From vintage musical archives in the “Music Box” exhibition to a deep dive into Egypt’s photojournalistic legacy in “Her Majesty”, Cairo Photo Week offers a sweeping journey through visual storytelling. It celebrates memory, identity, and creativity—while giving emerging talent space to shine alongside the world’s finest.
