UNESCO Celebrates Egyptian Cinema at Cairo's Taz Palace
Mohamed Mandour
As part of the promotional activities for the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture, UNESCO is pleased to host a special cultural event at the historic Taz Palace in Cairo on 22 May 2025, celebrating Egyptian cinema as a vibrant medium of artistic expression and a powerful tool for intercultural dialogue.
Established in 1998, the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture recognizes individuals, groups, or institutions that have made a significant contribution to the development, dissemination, and promotion of Arab culture in the world. By highlighting creative achievements across disciplines—from literature and visual arts to cinema and performing arts—the Prize underscores the role of culture as a bridge for mutual understanding and peace.
Under the theme 'Egyptian Cinema: A Catalyst for Cultural Diplomacy & Intercultural Dialogue', the evening will highlight the enduring influence of Egyptian cinema across the Arab world and beyond. The event will bring together filmmakers, artists, cultural leaders, local authorities, and representatives of UNESCO to explore how cinema shapes collective memory, fosters innovation, and builds bridges between cultures.
The program will feature a special screening, panel discussions on the cultural and societal role of cinema, and artistic performances paying tribute to Egypt's rich cinematic heritage. A number of distinguished guests will be present, including members of the international jury of the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture, former laureates, and leading figures from the film industry, who will bring in-depth knowledge and insight into Egyptian cinema.
This initiative aligns with UNESCO's ongoing commitment to promoting cultural diversity and recognizing the arts as a driving force for dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect among cultures
The UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture established in 1998 at the initiative of the United Arab Emirates, the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture honors two outstanding laureates each year—whether individuals, groups, or institutions—for their remarkable contributions to Arab art and culture, and for helping to share and promote it beyond the Arab world.
The Prize supports UNESCO's broader mission to foster inclusive, resilient, and peaceful societies through cultural understanding and dialogue. Valued at USD 60,000, the Prize is equally divided between the two laureates.
Over the years, the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize has honored a wide range of influential figures and institutions from across the Arab world and beyond. Past laureates include renowned poets, writers, scholars, filmmakers, and cultural organizations whose work has enriched global understanding of Arab culture.
Among them are Egyptian novelist and screenwriter Bahaa Taher, Algerian publisher Abdelkader Djemaï, the Arab British Centre in London, and the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC), reflecting the Prize's commitment to celebrating both established and emerging voices that shape contemporary Arab identity and promote intercultural exchange.
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