Egypt: She Arts fest announces dates and line-up

The festival will present various activities including concerts, workshops, seminars and film screenings. It has programmed female artists from around the world who ply their trade in music, performance, visual arts, poetry and other popular cultural activities.

Artists representing Egypt include Nesma Mahgoub, Amie Sultan, Maryam Saleh, Nouran Abu Taleb, Women of Fabrika, Auc Alumni Folklore Group, the Egyptian Harp Ensemble, Heba Soliman and Sabreen al-Hussamy.

Artists from countries outside of Africa include Angelica Richmont (France), Jasmina Huguenet (Switzerland), Susan Trafsus (Portugal) ​​and Bana (Palestine).

“The establishment of this event in the first place is to provide an arena for female artists from all over the world to display their arts and exchange experience, as well as to inspire others and encourage them to work in the cultural field in general and in the field of arts in particular, to spread awareness and create an appropriate environment in order to promote art and culture,” festival founder and director Neven Kenawy told Egypt Independent.

“Women have been creative and innovative and have contributed greatly to many artistic expressions. However, many women and artists who target feminist issues around the world do not have sufficient support and resources to express themselves. They rely only on limited resources … and also do not know about each other.”

She added: “Through this event, we seek to create a space for female artists to share their stories through the arts, spread knowledge and enhance the public perception of the women who strive to make art as their livelihood – while promoting the work of women artists and feminist art projects, and providing an opportunity for women artists to collaborate, meet each other, promote their work and express themselves.”