The Alexandria Biennale will return in September 2026 after a 12-year hiatus, with its 27th edition curated by Egyptian artist Moataz Nasr under the title “This Too Shall Pass.” The exhibition will feature 55 artists from across the Mediterranean, with a main program complemented by smaller shows in Alexandria museums focusing on emerging Egyptian artists. Venues include the Roman amphitheater, the Alexandria Library, and the Qaitbay Citadel. The biennale was originally established in 1955 under Gamal Abdel Nasser, suspended in 2011 amid the Egyptian revolution, briefly reopened in 2014, and then shuttered again due to financial and political instability.
The return of the Alexandria Biennale matters because it restores one of Egypt’s marquee art events to the global calendar, reconnecting the region’s contemporary art scene with its historical role as a Mediterranean cultural hub. Nasr’s emphasis on high standards and regional solidarity signals a revitalization of Egypt’s art ecosystem, which he describes as a stagnant lake needing disruption. The event also highlights the resilience of cultural institutions in the face of political and economic challenges, and its expanded international scope could strengthen cross-Mediterranean artistic dialogue.