Interview to Zeta Tzioti  

Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, a Franco-Egyptian curator with a deep love for Egyptian arts and culture, dedicated herself to promoting and developing the connection between Egyptian art and the rest of the world. As an admirer of Egypt’s rich cultural heritage, she sought to bridge the gaps between her country’s traditions and the global artistic community.  

She established a privately owned multidisciplinary firm that aimed to support Egyptian arts and cultural initiatives. Her company soon became a powerhouse on the Egyptian cultural calendar with diverse initiatives across many disciplines.  

«Culturvator» was born out of a need to extend the reach of Art D’Égypte and bring all these initiatives together under one umbrella. It is a multi-disciplinary cultural platform that works with private and public entities to activate spaces for cultural promotion across all creative disciplines, spanning everything from visual arts and film to heritage, design, and music.  

Art D’Égypte’s flagship event is its iconic yearly exhibition in a historic Egyptian location to shed light on the country’s abundant cultural heritage and connect the art of Egypt’s past with that of the 21st century. This commitment to inclusivity and accessibility aligns with UNESCO’s Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and has resulted in Art D’Égypte operating under UNESCO patronage since 2019. 

«Forever Is Now» a contemporary art exhibition that brings together artists from throughout the region and the world to contemplate the wonder of an ancient civilization through the lens created by their practices. The annual exhibition takes place at the 4500-year-old UNESCO world heritage site, the Pyramids of Giza, and the surrounding plateau. The exhibition envisions echoes of ancient rituals, bustling civilizations, and the whispers of buried tales that are yet to be discovered. It is designed to trace the continuity of themes that stretch from the storied past to the present day – emphasizing that our understanding of the world is an ever-evolving tapestry and questioning the transformative power of storytelling.   

The fourth edition of “Forever is Now” seeking to blur the lines between past and present, tradition and innovation, creating dynamic spaces where discovery is not a passive act but a participatory experience. This exhibition serves as a space where artists and the audience become modern-day archaeologists, wielding creativity as their tools. The use of unconventional materials further reinforces the idea that art, like archaeology, requires a keen eye for the unexpected and the ability to celebrate the mundane. Inviting viewers to reconsider the familiar, elevating the ordinary and finding the treasures hidden in plain sight.   

Bringing together people from around the world, the exhibition includes cross-cultural exchange with local communities, encouraging a high level of engagement with different publics, not just visitors but also craftspeople, students, and laborers, thus providing new ways of accessing contemporary art for the uninitiated.   

“Forever Is Now.04” is an ode to the enchantment of ancient Egypt’s cultural heritage while the contemporary installations are a testament to the continual evolution of art. Forever is Now.04 is not simply a revival of this history, however, for the past can never be complete in the present. Rather, it is a contribution to a contemporary artistic legacy in a place of worldwide historical significance.  

 -Mrs Ghaffar, how does this year’s Art D’Égypte exhibition and the parallel events use its unique setting to highlight the connections between contemporary art and Egypt’s ancient cultural heritage? 

-This year’s Art D’Égypte exhibition takes full advantage of Egypt’s historical landmarks to bridge the ancient and contemporary. By hosting Forever Is Now the significant location like the Pyramids of Giza and Cairo International Art District in Downtown Cairo to renovate the. 

This newly restored district, steeped in 19th-century architecture, stands as a testament to the world-renowned architects who left their mark when Khedive Ismail sought to transform Egypt’s capital, and Tale of two cities in bibliotheca Alexandrina to regenerate the history and culture bond between Greece and Alexandria  the exhibition draws a direct line between the artistic innovation of the past and the present, creating a powerful dialogue that resonates with global audiences. 

-In what ways do the exhibited artworks explore themes of preservation, cultural identity, or national heritage in modern Egypt? 

-The exhibited artworks reflect deeply on themes of preservation and cultural identity by drawing on Egypt’s rich historical narratives while addressing modern-day issues. Artists use the backdrop of iconic landmarks like the Pyramids to embed traditional elements into their contemporary works, questioning the meaning of heritage in an evolving world. 

 Through innovative mediums and thought-provoking concepts, the artworks not only pay homage to Egypt’s past but also explore its present challenges, offering insights into how cultural heritage can inspire national and global dialogue. These pieces reimagine historical identity through a modern lens, preserving the essence of Egypt while envisioning a future informed by its legacy. 

Art D’Égypte team is specialized in Art Acquisition, Collection Management, Residential Collection Curation, Art Valuation, Heritage Revival and Consulting 

-How does the exhibition balance between international contemporary art trends and the rich historical narratives specific to Egypt? 

-The exhibition masterfully balances global contemporary art trends with Egypt’s historical narratives by inviting a diverse roster of international and local artists to engage directly with Egypt’s cultural heritage.  

This year’s lineup includes 14 international artists and, for the first time, participants from Asia, such as Indian and Korean artists, expanding the exhibition’s global reach. The invited artists are encouraged to respond to the environment, using Egypt’s historic settings to inspire their creative interpretations.  

This approach ensures that the exhibition resonates with universal artistic movements while remaining deeply rooted in the cultural and historical fabric of Egypt, bridging the ancient with the modern in meaningful ways. 

-What curatorial decisions have been made to engage viewers with the ancient and modern aspects of Egyptian culture? 

-The curatorial team for “Forever is Now” made intentional decisions to juxtapose contemporary artworks with Egypt’s ancient heritage sites. By situating modern art within the Pyramids of Giza and other iconic landmarks, they created an intersection of past and present, inviting viewers to reflect on the continuity of Egypt’s cultural evolution.  

The artists are encouraged to respond to these historic settings, allowing their contemporary narratives to resonate with the timeless significance of the monuments. This approach bridges traditional heritage with current artistic expression, fostering a dialogue that redefines the relevance of ancient culture in the modern world. 

–How do participating artists interpret the concept of legacy and memory through their work, especially in a setting filled with historical significance? 

-Participating artists interpret legacy and memory by embedding their creations within the layers of history surrounding Egypt’s landmarks. Their artworks often serve as reflections on how history informs present identities and future aspirations. By leveraging the monumental backdrops of sites like the Pyramids, the artists explore themes such as preservation, the passage of time, and the collective memory of humanity.  

Their contemporary interventions highlight the duality of legacy—both as something inherited and something reimagined—and invite audiences to engage with the monuments as living witnesses of human creativity. 

“Forever Is Now.04” is an ode to the enchantment of ancient Egypt’s cultural heritage while the contemporary installations are a testament to the continual evolution of art. 

-What is your cultural bond with Greece and other countries in the MENASA area? 

-Art D’Égypte’s initiatives reflect a shared cultural heritage and exchange with Greece and the MENASA (Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia) region. This bond is rooted in the historical interactions and shared artistic influences that have shaped the region’s civilizations over centuries.  

The exhibition builds on these connections by involving artists from these areas, emphasizing a collective dialogue on legacy, cultural memory, and the fusion of diverse creative traditions. Such collaborations underscore the interconnectedness of regional histories and contemporary art practices. 

-Tales of Two Cities was a valuable addition to the program at Biblioteca Alexandrina. Why was it important for Art D’Égypte to activate both Cairo (Giza) and Alexandria? Are the two cities in constant cultural dialogue? 

-Activating both Cairo (Giza) and Alexandria was vital for Art D’Égypte as it emphasized the multifaceted cultural identity of Egypt. Cairo, with its iconic Pyramids, represents Egypt’s enduring legacy as a cradle of ancient civilization, while Alexandria, historically a hub of knowledge and cross-cultural exchange, highlights the country’s cosmopolitan dimensions. 

For me, this project had an even deeper significance. As an Alexandrian by origin with roots in Greece, she found this to be the perfect opportunity to celebrate her personal connection to the city and its rich heritage. Her vision was to bring Alexandria into the cultural spotlight, reflecting its historical importance as a center of intellectual and artistic innovation. 

The inclusion of “Tales of Two Cities” at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina underscores the continuity of intellectual and artistic dialogue between these cities. Together, they form a cultural bridge that showcases the richness of Egypt’s heritage while fostering a modern narrative of collaboration and innovation. This dialogue reinforces the importance of preserving Egypt’s dual identity as both a historical treasure and a contemporary cultural leader. 

Photo credit : Georgia Kotretsos