Nahla Zayed • Minister of Culture: “Alexandria is a city born to be a cradle of knowledge, culture, and art.”
• Minister of Culture: “We hope 2025 will be dedicated to introductory events leading up to the Biennale in September 2026.”
• The media is a key partner in spreading the Biennale’s message and strengthening its societal impact.
• The Biennale returns after 12 years, transforming Alexandria into an open-air art exhibition.
• A milestone in reinforcing culture as a bridge for human connection and a new beacon for Mediterranean and global creativity
• This edition of the Biennale comes under the theme: “This Too Shall Pass,” a message of hope, trust, and the power of art to overcome challenges and revive life with greater humanity
Alexandria, Egypt – 7 September 2025 – Dr. Ahmed Fouad Heno, Minister of Culture, and Ahmed Khaled, Governor of Alexandria, held a press conference announcing details of the 27th edition of the Biennale d’Alexandria for Mediterranean Countries, scheduled for 2026 after a 12-year hiatus. The announcement marks a significant step in restoring Alexandria’s central role on the global cultural map.
The press conference took place at the Alexandria Center of Creativity, under the Cultural Development Fund, headed by architect Hamdy El-Setouhy, Assistant Minister of Culture for Cultural Projects. It was attended by visual artist Mohamed Talaat, Advisor to the Minister of Culture for Fine Arts and a member of the Biennale Committee, Hosna Rachid, committee member, ministry and governorate officials, as well as a large gathering of artists and cultural figures.
“As a son of this ancient city, I learned from its arts that beauty is a power that shapes awareness and builds the future. I feel deep pride and joy as we announce the return of the Biennale d’Alexandria after more than 12 years,” shared Dr. Heno during his speech. “This comeback reflects the true spirit of Alexandria, a city that has always believed art to be part of its identity and a cornerstone of its soft power. From its great ancient library that housed the world’s knowledge, to its streets that gave birth to artistic and literary schools, Alexandria has been a crossroads of civilizations and a harbor for thought, art, and human exchange. It remains today a city of inspiration, capable of renewal and reclaiming its rightful place.”
Dr. Heno went on to add: “The 27th Biennale will break free from traditional halls and museums, expanding into the city’s historic buildings, public gardens, and streets, turning Alexandria into an open-air exhibition where residents and visitors alike become part of the artistic experience.”
The Minister emphasized that 2025 will be dedicated to introductory events leading up to the Biennale’s opening in September 2026. He noted that the chosen theme, “This Too Shall Pass”, carries a message of hope and confidence in art’s ability to overcome challenges and inspire a more humane future. Established in 1955, the Biennale d’Alexandria remains one of the world’s oldest art biennials, third after Venice and São Paulo, and the first in the Arab world and Africa.
Highlighting the Biennale’s broader vision, Dr. Heno described it as a living laboratory for art, reconnecting creativity with society, breathing new life into heritage buildings, reviving traditional crafts, supporting tourism and the local economy, and reaffirming Alexandria’s position as a global hub of creativity.
The Minister extended appreciation to the Biennale’s High Committee, chaired by Dr. Waleed Kanoush, and members, including Prof. Mustafa Adel Moati and artist Moataz Nasr, as well as the international partnerships with Italy, Spain, France, and Turkey that bring unique value to the event and reinforce Alexandria’s place on the international cultural calendar.
“The media is a vital partner in carrying the Biennale’s message and ensuring its societal impact. The beauty of art achieves its true value only when it reaches public awareness through capable platforms,” stressed Dr. Heno.
Governor Ahmed Khaled welcomed the Minister of Culture, expressing his delight at the Biennale’s revival after 12 years of absence. He affirmed Alexandria’s readiness to ensure the success of this major cultural event, describing it as a revival of a long-standing tradition that reflects the city’s identity and its renewed role as a bridge of dialogue among nations.
He added that the 2026 edition will mark a milestone for Egypt and the wider Mediterranean, underlining the political leadership’s commitment to cultural and artistic development as a cornerstone of building public awareness, preserving national identity, and positioning Egypt as a regional and international beacon of creativity.
Dr. Waleed Kanoush, Head of the Fine Arts Sector and Chair of the High Committee, emphasized the Biennale’s role in reshaping the place of art in society, noting that Alexandria’s rich history and urban fabric offer an exceptional stage for interactive works that will attract both local and international attention. He also reinforced its commitment to heritage preservation, traditional crafts, community engagement, and sustainable practices, making the event inclusive, free, and open to all.
Biennale Commissioner-General artist Moataz Nasr described the revival as both a responsibility and a challenge, but also an opportunity to restore Alexandria’s rightful status as a lighthouse of creativity and cultural exchange. He confirmed that artist selection will include Mediterranean countries while welcoming international participation, with cultural partnerships from Italy, Spain, France, and Turkey serving as pillars of success.
The High Committee includes a distinguished lineup of artists and experts such as Waleed Kanoush, Mustafa Adel Moati, Mohamed Talaat, Moataz Nasr, Hosna Rachid, Amal Nasr, Aliaa Elgready, Hisham Elleithy, Gamal Hosni, Mai Eldib, Rashid Kamel, Ahmed Shaboury, Lamia Kamel, Hisham El Khazindar, Waleed Arafa, Omniya Abdel Barr, Salwa Hamdi, Aly Said, Amani Yousef, Yasmine El Gharably, and Noha Diab, along with a representative of the Alexandria Governorate.
This announcement of the Biennale’s return is a historic step in reviving this major event after more than a decade of absence. The 2026 edition is expected to leave a lasting cultural mark on Egypt and the world, much like the economic and cultural impact of the Liverpool Biennale in the UK.
Advisor Mohamed Talaat noted that the Biennale will feature leading artists and extend beyond art venues to embrace the entire city. He confirmed that the program will present a comprehensive artistic experience worthy of the Biennale’s legacy.
The 27th edition, under the theme “This Too Shall Pass”, represents a new departure for the Biennale d’Alexandria. Expanding into streets, historic sites, and public gardens, it will become a dynamic urban and artistic experience, reflecting Alexandria’s identity as a bridge of artistic and cultural exchange and reaffirming its timeless spirit of renewal and resilience.
