Sawiris Cultural Award Announces the Full Program for its 20th Edition Ceremony Held at AUC’s Tahrir Cultural Center on January 8th
Cairo, January 4, 2025 – The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development has revealed the program details for its highly anticipated annual ceremony, which will announce the winners of the 20th edition of the Sawiris Cultural Award. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Ewart Memorial Hall, Tahrir Cultural Center, at the American University in Cairo.
The ceremony will be attended by ministers, ambassadors from both Arab and foreign countries, distinguished public figures, and a prominent group of artists, media professionals, and jury members. Their presence underscores the significance of this event as one of Egypt’s most prestigious cultural gatherings.
Laila Elwi, the iconic actress whose career has left a lasting imprint on the Egyptian entertainment industry, will attend as the guest of honor. The esteemed media personality Jasmine Taha will host the evening, reflecting the award’s longstanding support for literary and artistic innovation while highlighting emerging talent that enriches Egypt’s cultural landscape.
The ceremony will showcase an exceptional artistic program that highlights both excellence and diversity. “El Masreyeen” Band, founded in 1977 by the renowned musician Hany Shenouda, will perform a distinguished set that takes the audience through the most iconic moments of Egyptian music. Emel Mathlouthi, the internationally acclaimed Tunisian artist, will enchant the audience with her unique musical performance, blending authenticity and innovation. Additionally, the Cairo Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Maestro Ahmed El-Saidi, will present a selected collection of classical compositions that embody the brilliance of high art and demonstrate the depth of musical creativity.
The 20th edition of the Sawiris Cultural Award witnessed remarkable participation, with over 900 submissions this year across its diverse categories. This remarkable response underscores the award’s growing stature as a trusted platform that celebrates creative diversity and amplifies the voices of talent across generations.
This annual celebration goes beyond recognizing outstanding achievements; it stands as a tribute to the arts and a call to action for younger generations to harness the power of creativity. By celebrating the written word and artistic expression, the award reaffirms its role in driving impactful progress and a more promising future.
About the Sawiris Cultural Award:
The “Sawiris Cultural Award” is one of the most important programs of the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development in supporting efforts to promote cultural enlightenment, enrich the spirit of the nation, and foster its renaissance. Launched in 2005, the award aims to select outstanding literary works by senior and young Egyptian authors to encourage artistic creativity, highlight promising new talents, and honor the elite of writers and authors for their creative works in the fields of novel, short story, film screenplay, theatrical script, literary criticism and narrative, and children’s literature. Over the past 20 years, the award has formed an ideal platform for enriching cultural life in Egypt by crowning many genuine creative experiences, and has managed to achieve a prominent position among Arab and local awards.
