The Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF) is finalizing preparations for its 12th edition, scheduled to take place from October 17 to November 10 across various theaters and artistic spaces in Cairo.

This edition will feature 12 unconventional artistic spaces, from theaters and exhibition halls to multipurpose venues and open spaces in the heart of Downtown Cairo–showcasing the neighborhood’s social and architectural richness with groundbreaking art from across the world. This comes as part of the ongoing collaboration with Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment, which has been a supporting partner of the festival since its beginnings in 2012.

The Performing Arts Program kicks off with “Taste Me”, a unique interactive performance by Mohand Qader, co-produced between Egypt and France, an interactive performance blending culinary arts with live theater. Hosted at Rawabet Art Space, this venue will feature seven performances as part of this year’s festival, including productions from Egypt, France, Hungary, Italy, and the Czech Republic. Highlights include “Insectum K.” by Jan Komarek and “I Fell in Love” by Egyptian artist Ossama Helmy – OzOz.

Rawabet Art Space was founded in 2005, and in March 2021, Orient Productions for Film and Theater announced the resumption of its artistic activities following significant renovations and updates. Today, Rawabet Art Space stands as one of Egypt’s most prominent independent theaters, hosting over 200 performances annually. Its vital role in fostering and supporting the country’s cultural and artistic scene is widely recognized, making it a cornerstone of Egypt’s contemporary arts landscape.

As part of the ongoing collaboration between Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment and D-CAF festival, the company—specialized in restoring heritage buildings in Downtown Cairo—offers new spaces for a variety of D-CAF events, especially in the New Media and Visual Art programs. Kodak Passageway and Kodak Corner Shop will host several performances, including “Table Top Shakespeare” by the UK’s Forced Entertainment and “Nazeh’s Lexicon: The Language of Displacement” by Palestinian artist Hala Alnaji. These unique venues provide an inspiring backdrop for the fusion of heritage and contemporary art.

The Warehouse will host the UK production “Of All the People in All the World” by Stan’s Cafe, while Victoria Rooftop will showcase the Egyptian visual and new media arts performance “Where Do Dreams Go?” as part of the Visual Arts and New Media Program.

Additionally, Studio Emad Eddin and the Cairo Contemporary Dance Center will offer several workshops, including “A Territory of Worry and Loneliness” by French artist Philip Bolay and a contemporary dance workshop titled “Partnering and Repertoire” led by Lotte Sigh from Denmark. Meanwhile, the historic Studio Nasbian Theatre at El Nahda Jesuit, newly restored and reopened, will present a single performance: “Dressing Room”, a joint Palestinian-French production.

D-CAF also continues its partnership with the American University in Cairo, where AUC Falaki Theater and Gallery will feature three productions from France, Jordan, Germany, and Lebanon, including “Transit Tripoli” by director Caroline Hatem. The Institut Français will present “On Cherche l’Amour”, a joint Egyptian-Syrian production. Moreover, Bayt Al-Sinnari, under the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, will host a special event showcasing emerging artists projects as part of the “Cairo Calling” initiative.

For the first time, the Greater Cairo Library , part of the Cultural Production Sector of the Ministry of Culture, collaborates with the festival to host three dance performances in one night, featuring artists from Egypt, Denmark, and Sudan at its venue in Zamalek.

This year also introduces a unique experience as several restaurants and cafes join the lineup of performance spaces. Among them, these venues will host “No Such Thing” by the UK’s troupe Quarantine from October 17 to November 10.