By Dina Yehia
The 34th Citadel International Festival for Music and Singing officially kicked off in Cairo on August 15, 2026, at the Mahka Theatre inside the historic Salah El-Din Citadel.
The opening night featured a performance by the Egyptian Harp Ensemble, followed by celebrated Egyptian singer Reham Abdel Hakim, who performed with a musical ensemble led by maestro Mohamed El-Mogui.
Abdel Hakim, a prominent Egyptian singer and actress, first gained widespread recognition for portraying the young Umm Kulthum in the 1999 television biopic series Umm Kulthum.
She has since established a successful musical career, performing works from the Arabic heritage repertoire, releasing singles and albums, and participating in tribute concerts dedicated to Umm Kulthum.
Led by Manal Mohie Eldin, the Egyptian Harp Ensemble brings together more than a dozen female harpists, including established musicians and students.
The ensemble has performed at the Cairo Opera House and other theatres, presenting a diverse repertoire spanning classical and heritage music, Egyptian, Spanish and Mexican works, contemporary music and jazz.
The ensemble also seeks to showcase the harp, an instrument with ancient Egyptian roots and a rich musical tradition that has evolved across cultures and musical forms.
All festival events are being held at the Mahka Theatre at the Cairo Citadel. Organised by the Cairo Opera House, the Citadel Festival is among Egypt’s oldest and largest state-supported artistic events, offering audiences a unique blend of music, history and heritage.
The festival reflects the enduring role of culture in bringing people together while keeping historic sites at the centre of contemporary cultural life.
Its open-air setting at the Citadel also provides visitors with distinctive summer evenings combining Egypt’s architectural heritage with its vibrant modern music scene.
This year’s edition features a broad range of musical genres and traditions, including Sufi chanting, traditional Arabic music, rock, heritage music, Palestinian dabke, electronic music and indie rock.
The programme brings together established artists, emerging musicians and diverse ensembles, creating a meeting point for different generations of performers and audiences.
