Art in the Heart of Civilization
Aswan International Painting Symposium – February 2025
In February 2025, under the patronage of Aswan Governorate and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, the Aswan International Painting Symposium was held at the heart of Upper Egypt, within the Nubian villages of Aswan.
The symposium took place inside the living fabric of Nubian communities, where artists engaged directly with the landscape, architecture, traditions, and daily life of Nubia. The vibrant colors of Nubian houses, the harmony of architectural composition, and the deep-rooted social traditions became the core visual language of the artworks produced during the symposium.
Thirty artists from 11 different nationalities, representing Egypt alongside Arab and European countries, gathered for ten days in Aswan. Each artist carried their own cultural identity while responding to the place, creating a dialogue between their homeland and Nubian heritage. The result was a collective yet diverse artistic narrative that reflected cultural exchange, coexistence, and respect for local identity.
The symposium concluded with an unprecedented exhibition held on Philae Island, directly in front of Philae Temple. For the first time, a contemporary visual art exhibition was presented on the land of Philae Island itself, embraced by ancient Egyptian civilization. The setting carried a profound symbolic meaning where modern artistic expression met sacred history, order, and the spiritual legacy of the ancient Egyptians.
This unique experience positioned art not as a separate activity, but as a continuation of Egypt’s long standing cultural and civilizational narrative. Over ten days, Aswan became a meeting point for identities, histories, and artistic visions rooted in place, respectful of heritage, and open to the world.
