Cairo is preparing to host the 7th edition of the "Solar Boats" International Symposium and Exhibition for Visual Arts at the Regency Pyramids Hotel in Al-Haram. Scheduled for October 10–16, 2026, the event will feature approximately 25 visual artists from Egypt and around the world, representing some 20 countries.
The symposium is part of an artistic and cultural initiative aimed at fostering connections among artists from diverse backgrounds and showcasing Egypt as a hub for art, civilization, and cultural tourism. The program combines artistic creation with opportunities to explore Egypt’s rich cultural heritage.
The event takes its name, "Solar Boats," from the symbolism associated with solar boats in ancient Egyptian civilization—representing journeys, light, and renewal. In this contemporary project, that symbolism is transformed into an artistic journey that brings together artists from across the globe in Cairo
"Sun Boat" International Symposium – 7th Edition
Cairo: October 10–16, 2026
7th International Sun Boats Art Symposium
ARTIST
Maria Cristina Ríos Íñiguez (Argentina)
Yosser Halloul (Tunisia)
Jafer Taoun (Iraq)
Houria Gmati (Tunisia)
Sahar Alsayegh (Saudi Arabia)
Naser Elkharji (Saudi Arabia)
Joseph El Jamous (Greece)
Hervé Bolonge (Congo)
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Artist Egypt
Anees Elzoghpy
Ahmed Selim
Yassin Harraz
Moataz Kamal
Yasser Eid
Ashraf Abdelhafiz
Sahar Nouman
Sarah Hussein
Emad Omar Elfarouk
Sameh Alfons
Douaa ElBeik
Raouf Abdelhafiz
Mona Fathy
Sara Tawfik
Kerolles Ragay
"We congratulate all the artists participating in the October 2026 edition and take pride in the presence of this distinguished group of creatives, as we shape together a new vision of cultural and artistic cross-pollination on Egyptian soil."
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**Three Days of Artistic Creation**
The program includes an international art workshop held on October 12, 13, and 14, during which participating artists will create works reflecting their personal experiences and cultural backgrounds, all within an atmosphere of dialogue and artistic exchange.
Additionally, the program features various cultural and tourism-related activities—including visits to the Grand Egyptian Museum and the Giza Pyramids, as well as a Nile cruise—allowing artists to experience firsthand aspects of Egyptian civilization and the country's contemporary cultural landscape. **A Grand Finale Exhibition in Cairo**
The event series culminates in an international exhibition on October 15, 2026, showcasing the artworks created during the symposium. The event will bring together participating artists, figures from the visual arts community, media representatives, and prominent cultural and artistic personalities.
This exhibition marks the final stage of the artistic journey, as the works transition from the workshop and production phase to a space dedicated to display and public engagement.
**Art as a Bridge Between Cultures**
Ismail Bakr, founder and organizer of the "Solar Boats" (Marakeb Al-Shams) Symposium, emphasizes that the project is rooted in the concept of art as a means to foster closer ties between peoples. By hosting artists from diverse cultural backgrounds in Egypt, the symposium offers them the opportunity to explore Egyptian civilization and create artworks that reflect their unique perspectives on the experience.
Bakr notes that "Solar Boats" aims to do more than simply organize an art exhibition; it seeks to establish an ongoing platform for dialogue among artists, link visual arts with cultural tourism, and promote Egypt as a hub for creativity and cultural exchange.
**Cairo: A Hub for Artistic Convergence**
This seventh edition builds upon the legacy of previous "Solar Boats" symposiums, which have successfully brought together artists from Egypt and around the world, fostering a network of artistic and cultural connection.
By combining workshops, exhibitions, and cultural and tourism excursions, the symposium offers an experience that transcends the traditional format of art events. Art becomes part of a holistic experience, allowing artists to immerse themselves in the local setting, civilization, and people. The program is set to conclude with the participants’ departure from Cairo on October 16, 2026, following a week of artistic and cultural activities that blend creativity with cross-cultural exchange.
"Solar Boats" continues its journey from Egypt to the world, carrying a message that art is a shared language capable of uniting diverse cultures around a single concept: humanity, creativity, and dialogue.
