The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

While March marks the start of spring across Cairo, the month also marks the beginning of something special for one particular part of the city – Downtown. Starting proper on Friday 17th March, the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival, aka D-CAF, brings together a variety of local and international artists from all fields to celebrate the cultural aspects one of Cairo’s oldest areas.

Be it literature, film, music or visual art, nearly all forms of contemporary art are covered by D-CAF, which will take over, not only the many cultural venues spread around downtown, but also in some of  its streets.

Here are 5 acts you don’t want to miss on this round of D-CAF:

Cairo Museum of Contemporary Art  (CAMOCA)

While art enthusiasts sit and daydream about a Cairo that has a contemporary art museum, the 6th edition of D-CAF puts this dream into action, by setting up a live proposal of what a Cairo Museum of Contemporary Art would look like, what it would show and to whom it would open its doors to. CMOCA will also reflect on the interaction between the city and art, through a number of sub-events, including lectures, art talks and film screenings.

When? From the 23rd of March till April the 12th, weekdays from 5PM to 9 PM and weekends from 3PM to 9 PM.

Where? Kodak Passageway – The first floor of 29 Huda Sharaawy Street and Windsor Hotel.

Made in Egypt: Contemporary Egyptian Bands Lineup

In the years following the revolution, many local bands and acts have emerged and found a place on the Egyptian music scene. Made in Egypt, which takes place at the Greek Campus, brings a number of these bands together; from the popular pop band, Black Thaema, and world music group, Hawas, to more experimental acts such as like Ritza and Finord, whose music meddles with an electronic approach.

When? Friday 24th March.

Where? The Greek Campus.

Public Reading of Bashir Lazhar by Sayed Ragab

While attending a play/book reading session may sound boring to many, Sayed Ragab, with his husky voice and storytelling abilities, is sure to gather everyone around him like a group of attentive children in a nursery. For those who don’t know, Ragab is a critically-acclaimed actor, who played the role of ‘Bahr’ in the TV show, Asia. In this session, Ragab is reading the translated text of Evelyne de la Chenelière’s Bashir Lazhar, the French play, on which the movie Monsieur Lazhar is based.

When? Saturday 1st April.

Where? Windsor Hotel.

LookOut by Andy Field

Proving that wisdom can be found in the strangest of places, Andy Field, the director of LookOut, invites one and all to join his interactive show, where you can have a one-to-one talk with some of Cairo’s children and ponder over the future of the city. This could be a great chance to leave the luggage of cynical thoughts at the doors of Jameel Centre Rooftop, and take a fresh look at the city seen through the bright eyes of the future – too poetic, isn’t it?

When? 24th, 25th, and 31st of March, 1st, 7th, and 8th of April. From 2PM to 8PM.

Where? Jameel Centre Rooftoop at The Greek Campus.

Clôture de L’amour by Pascal Rambert

Clôture de L’amour, or The End of Love, is a play by French writer and choreographer, Pascal Rambert . The play, which will be presented for the first time in Arabic, follows a confrontation between two lovers, where each has his own monologue on how his/her love to the other ends. Though the plot may somewhat comes off as recycled, this play, ever since its creation in 2011, has been performed around the world, in over ten different language – so clearly, it has something to say.

When? Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th March, from 8PM to 1PPM.

Where? AUC Falaki Theatre.

These are just a few of the events taking place at this year’s D-CAF – check out the Cairo 360 events calendar for more.