10/01/2026
Cairo Launches Second Edition of International Forum "Interwoven Voices"
Featuring a Global Elite of Creatives and High-Level Diplomatic Partnerships
Cairo, the capital of culture and history, prepares to host an exceptional event cementing its status as a beacon for civilizational dialogue. The High Organizing Committee, represented by Atyaf Publishing House (Egypt) and Sulfur Editions (International Cooperative), has officially announced the launch of the second edition of the "Cairo: Interwoven Voices 2" forum. Scheduled to take place from January 19 to February 2, 2026, this event serves as an international platform for literary residency and artistic dialogue, adopting "Cultural Diplomacy" as an approach to strengthen bonds between peoples, running in parallel with the Cairo International Book Fair 2026.
This edition is distinguished by its transformation into a major diplomatic initiative, driven by the concerted efforts of prestigious institutions. The forum is organized by Atyaf Publishing House and Sulfur Editions, in strategic partnership with:
The Embassy of Romania in the Arab Republic of Egypt (Celebrating Romania as the Guest of Honor at the Book Fair).
The Ministry of Culture of Romania.
The Ministry of Culture of Malta.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Cultural Outreach Sector – Bayt Al-Sinnari).
Zidul de Hartie (Romania).
Sia Cultural Center (Egypt).
Kaczynski Editions (Italy).
La Belle Inutile Editions (International Cooperative).
The forum gathers under its umbrella a high-level delegation of 25 creators—including prominent writers, poets, translators, cultural producers, visual artists, and musicians from around the world—forming an intellectual symphony that transcends borders. The announced list includes:
China: The world-renowned poet and Nobel Prize nominee Yang Lian, and the novelist YOYO.
Malta: Professor and poet John P. Portelli, and the writer and historian Aleks Farrugia (Director of the Culture Directorate in Malta and Manager of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malta).
Romania: An elite group of contemporary literary voices including Luminita Amarie, Calin Danila, Dan Cristian Iordache, Matei Hutopila, Florin Dan Prodan, and Simona Nastac.
France: The surrealist writer and researcher Pierre Petiot.
Czech Republic: Visual artist Zuzana Hola.
Germany/Syria: Poet and journalist Ahmed Klij.
Egypt: Egypt: The Egyptian author DR. Safaa El-Nagga, artist and poet Mohsen Elbelasy, artist and writer Ghadah Kamal, poet and researcher Dr. Marwa Nabil, and the Egyptian poet Ramy Yehia.
Italy (Music): The experimental ensemble K*T (Kaczynski Unexpected Trio), represented by cellist Alice Chiari and electronic sound artist Niet F-n, alongside a host of other international creatives.
The forum’s activities range from poetry evenings and book signing ceremonies to intellectual seminars held at the Cairo International Book Fair and the historic Bayt Al-Sinnari, offering a unique blend of historical heritage and modern avant-garde arts.
At the heart of this movement lies the Strategic Roundtable, to be hosted at the Embassy of Romania in Cairo under the title "The Future of Activating Literary Translations between Egypt, Romania, and Malta." This roundtable aims to launch the "15 Interwoven Voices" project—an ambitious initiative to translate and publish exchanged literary works between Arabic, Romanian, Maltese, and English—culminating in the signing of the "Cairo Declaration for Translation."
The Opening Ceremony:
The historic "Bayt Al-Sinnari" in the Sayeda Zeinab district prepares to host an exceptional evening on Monday, January 19, 2026, marking the official launch of the forum. The reception ceremony begins at 7:00 PM in the historic courtyard, where Mamluk architecture blends with the spirit of artistic modernity. The event will witness high-level diplomatic presence, including ambassadors and representatives of participating missions, alongside the forum’s delegation.
The highlight of the opening is an artistic program reflecting the forum's goal: "A Bridge of Arts and Letters." It features a special musical performance by the Italian band K*T, delivering a unique sonic experience merging classical Cello with experimental Electronics, harmonizing with live literary readings. The evening also includes a musical performance by Egyptian artists Mohsen Elbelasy and Ghadah Kamal, creating an artistic dialogue that reflects the fusion of cultures.
The ceremony will include inaugural addresses from organizers and partners, most notably by the Romanian Embassy celebrating its Guest of Honor status, and the Maltese Ministry of Culture reaffirming the depth of Mediterranean relations. Additionally, speeches will be delivered by Pierre Petiot representing La Belle Inutile Editions and poet Florin Dan Prodan representing the Romanian side.
"In a live critical approach to the concept of 'Contemporary Ekphrasis,' the pre-opening phase witnesses a radical experiment in 'Intersemiotic Translation.' Here, poets abandon the position of passive reception to engage in a dialectical clash with the visual compositions of artist Hossam Sakr. This experiment seeks to deconstruct the chromatic codes of the visual text and reconstruct them linguistically, establishing what is known as the 'Third Text'—that liminal space where the sovereignty of the visual frame dissolves before the flow of linguistic metaphor. It is an attempt to transcend the traditional 'Silence/Speech' duality between painting and poetry, moving towards an open interpretative space that simultaneously re-questions the boundaries of artistic representation and the dialectic of the visible and the readable."
This forum confirms that culture is the secure bridge for human connection, and that Cairo remains the eternal meeting point for civilizations and creative voices from every corner of the globe.
