Cavafy Festival Reignites Greek-Egyptian Culture

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni attended the Cavafy Awards ceremony in Cairo, marking the dynamic return of the Cavafy Festival 2026 after a seven-year hiatus. The festival, revived through coordinated efforts by the Greek Embassy, aims to strengthen Greek-Egyptian cultural ties.

In her address, Mendoni highlighted the festival’s historical significance, noting that the Ministry of Culture has supported the Cavafy Awards since 1983. She credited Kostis Moskov, Cultural Advisor of the Greek Embassy in Cairo, for expanding the festival and establishing it as a key cultural reference point. Mendoni emphasised that the festival’s revival reflects ongoing governmental efforts to enhance bilateral relations, particularly in culture, rooted in a shared heritage and modern creative collaboration.

During the ceremony at the Cairo Opera, Mendoni presented awards to Egyptian poet Imam Mersal and novelist Adel Esmat, alongside Greek poet Nasos Vagenas and novelist Alexis Panselinos. Professor Dimitris Daskalopoulos received a special award for his contributions to Cavafy studies and the festival’s organisation since 1984.

The festival began with Mendoni unveiling a statue of Constantine Cavafy in the embassy garden, created by Egyptian sculptor Nathan Doss and donated by Antonios Kazamias, president of the Greek Centre in Cairo. Mendoni described the unveiling as a symbolic act, honouring Cavafy’s legacy as a Greek of Egypt and celebrating cultural dialogue between the two nations.

During her visit, Mendoni toured the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, guided by CEO El Tayeb Abbas, and explored the Church of Saint George in Old Cairo, a historic site with paintings by Konstantinos Parthenis. She emphasised opportunities for mutual museum exhibitions and cultural exchange between Greece and Egypt.

Mendoni conducted her two-day official visit alongside Greek Ambassador Nikolaos Papageorgiou, General Director of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage Olympia Vikatos, and Ministry of Culture officials. The visit underscored Greece’s commitment to nurturing long-standing cultural relations with Egypt through events, heritage preservation, and collaborative initiatives.

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Cairo Opera, Cavafy Festival 2026, Constantine Cavafy, cultural diplomacy, Egyptian literature, Greece news, Greek City Times, Greek culture, Greek Embassy Cairo, Greek heritage, Greek literature, Greek news, Greek-Egyptian relations, international cultural exchange, Lina Mendoni