Nadine Abdel Ghaffar: A new chapter for Art D’Égypte with its first cooperation protocol with Egypt’s Foreign Ministry.
Assistant foreign minister for cultural relations: Art is the best bridge between Egypt’s ancient culture, rich heritage and the world — the mission of “Forever Is Now”.
“Forever Is Now” returns for its sixth edition beside one of the surviving wonders of the ancient world, under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Egyptian Tourism Authority and UNESCO. Art D’Égypte announced that the exhibition will run at the Giza Pyramids from November 4 to 28, 2026, featuring eight international artists: five women and three men.
The press conference was attended by Ambassador Wael El-Naggar, Assistant Foreign Minister for Cultural Relations; Paul Coustère, Director of UNESCO’s Regional Office in Cairo; the French Embassy’s attaché in Egypt; Dr Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of the Grand Egyptian Museum; Sawsan Mourad, Editor-in-Chief of Al Beit magazine; and Arab and international artists, partners and media representatives.
Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, Founder of Art D’Égypte and “Forever Is Now”, announced the participating artists, representing China, Egypt, Jamaica, the United States, Turkey, France and the United Kingdom:
Chinese artist Jiang Qiong Er, co-founder of Shang Xia with Hermès, whose work is held by the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Egyptian artist Riham Abu El-Azm brings a Cairene voice to the plateau through works combining painting and sculpture.
British-Jamaican artist Rachelle Webster-Nembhard creates performance and sculptural works using earth, clay and stone as living carriers of memory.
British-French artist Charlotte Colbert, an award-winning filmmaker whose work has been shown at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Frieze and Art Basel.
French-American artist Raphaele Shirley, whose work has been presented at the State Hermitage Museum and Queens Museum.
French artist Bernar Venet, described as the most internationally exhibited living French artist, creator of the 60-metre Arc Majeur, described as the world’s largest public artwork.
French artist Geoffrey Pithon, whose immersive painterly environments have entered the collections of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and Chengdu Museum of Contemporary Art.
Turkish artist Seçkin Pirim, whose work draws inspiration from Rumi’s philosophy and has been exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery and Istanbul Museum of Modern Art.
Beyond the Giza Plateau, the 2026 season extends across Cairo. Abdel Ghaffar announced the sixth Cairo International Art District (CIAD), running October 11–November 8 at three downtown venues: The Factory, Kodak Passage and Access Art Space.
This year also features the “Geography of the Unseen” competition for digital artists, launched with artist Hany Mahfouz in collaboration with Tradeline. Artists were invited to transform downtown Cairo’s tangible memory into original works created entirely on iPad. Ten selected works will be displayed during CIAD, with three winners announced. First prize is a scholarship for an artificial intelligence course supported by Tradeline.
At the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, the second edition of “Formed Through Dialogue” will take place November 5–14, 2026, bringing together heritage, art, design, fashion and jewellery.
The project explores how design traditions evolve through intercultural exchange, inviting designers and artists worldwide to reflect on design and create dialogue.
Dr Ahmed Ghoneim, head of the Grand Egyptian Museum Authority, said “Forever Is Now” addresses the creative economy, with the experience economy at its core: transforming heritage attractions into enjoyable experiences while connecting culture, heritage, art and historical places.
Art D’Égypte in Historic Cairo
In Historic Cairo, Art D’Égypte will launch the first “Crafts Reimagined” exhibition at Bayt Al-Suhaymi from October 23 to November 8, 2026, building on the “Reimagined Narratives” exhibition held on Al-Muizz Street in 2019.
The exhibition brings contemporary artists and designers together with skilled craftspeople to develop a sustainable collaborative model rooted in heritage and innovation. Woodwork, stone carving, glassblowing, weaving and khayamiya tentmaking are presented as living, evolving arts. Joint works aim to open new markets for craftspeople and strengthen the local creative economy.
Ambassador Wael El-Naggar said there is no better means than art to connect Egypt’s ancient culture and rich heritage with the world. He said “Forever Is Now” achieves this by bringing together artists and collectors from across the globe through Nadine Abdel Ghaffar’s pioneering initiative, which the Foreign Ministry is keen to support and share in its success.
French-Egyptian Nadine Abdel Ghaffar founded Art D’Égypte as a multidisciplinary platform supporting Egyptian arts and cultural heritage. Its flagship annual exhibition, “Forever Is Now”, held at historic sites such as the Giza Pyramids, bridges Egypt’s past and contemporary art.
Since 2019, Art D’Égypte has expanded internationally through major art fairs featuring Egyptian artists, overseas exhibitions and initiatives including podcasts, lecture series and community programmes. Operating under UNESCO’s patronage, its projects prioritise sustainability, accessibility and cultural dialogue.
