Egypt’s Alexandria Biennale will open its 27th edition in September 2026 after a hiatus of 12 years.
The biggest art event in Egypt, the Alexandria Biennale, was started by Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1955 to promote Egypt’s regional culture and local artists. It soon expanded as a focal point of artists across the Mediterranean, eventually becoming a global event. However, after running smoothly for over half a century, the Alexandria Biennale was suspended in 2011 due to the ongoing political unrest in the country. It resumed for the 26th edition in 2014, but had to be prematurely closed due to deteriorating political conditions in Egypt. Since then, it had remained in limbo.
Now, after 12 years, the Alexandria Biennale is returning. The main exhibition, titled “This Too Shall Pass”, would be curated by artist Moataz Nasr. Nasr had previously represented Egypt at the Venice Biennale in 2017. The exhibition will reportedly feature 55 artists across the Mediterranean. Speaking about the event, Nasr said: “If you want to return, you have to do it to a high standard. The art scene in Egypt is like a lake that has been still for a long time, with no oxygen able to reach the bottom. We want to throw a big stone into the lake and make waves. It is a time for change.”
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The 2026 edition would put the limelight on Alexandria, which was both the commercial and cultural capital of ancient Mesopotamia. The venues would include the Qaitbay Citadel, the Alexandria Library, and the Roman Amphitheatre. Apart from the main exhibition, smaller exhibitions would be held to promote emerging Egyptian artists. According to Nasr, the biennale would focus on regional artists, but some global artists might be accommodated as well.
