The Alexandria Biennale, the third-oldest biennial in the world after Venice and São Paulo, is relaunching in September 2026 after a 12-year hiatus. Curated by Egyptian artist Moataz Nasr under the title "This Too Shall Pass," the event will feature artists mainly from the Mediterranean basin, along with performances, music, and lectures. In a shift from its previous state-funded model, the biennial now operates as a private-public partnership, with seed money from the Egyptian and Alexandria governments and pledges from local businesses. The exhibition will take place at historic venues across Alexandria, including the Roman amphitheatre, the Alexandria Library, and the Qaitbay Citadel.
This relaunch matters because it signals a potential revitalization of Egypt's stagnant art scene, which Nasr describes as "a lake that has been still for a long time." By combining state support with private patronage and international curatorial ambition, the biennial aims to restore Alexandria's cultural relevance and counter the city's brain drain. The event also represents a test case for independent, high-standard contemporary art programming in a region where state funding has often limited artistic freedom. If successful, it could inspire similar models across the Middle East and North Africa.