Ali El Haggar at El Sawy Citadel Festival 2026: A Special Night of Egyptian Classics and Bollywood
The 34th edition of the Citadel International Festival for Music and Singing continues with a highly anticipated night on Sunday, August 23, featuring Egyptian star Ali El Haggar, “On” Choir and an Indian Bollywood troupe. The evening promises a unique combination of Arabic music, Egyptian classics and Indian performances at the historic Al-Mahky Theater. 🎶✨
The 34th Citadel International Festival for Music and Singing continues its 2026 program with a special evening on Sunday, August 23, bringing together Egyptian music, Arabic classics and international performances at Cairo's historic Citadel of Saladin.
The evening features Egyptian singer Ali El Haggar, “On” Choir led by Mahmoud Saber and an Indian Bollywood troupe, creating one of the most diverse nights of the festival. 🎤🏰
🎶 Ali El Haggar headlines the evening
Ali El Haggar is scheduled to close the evening with a major concert at 10 p.m., performing a selection of songs that represent important milestones throughout his long artistic career.
His appearance is highly anticipated because his music has connected with several generations of Egyptian and Arab audiences.
His repertoire includes romantic, dramatic, patriotic and heritage-inspired songs, many of which have become strongly associated with Egyptian television and cultural memory. ❤️🎼
The concert is expected to feature popular works such as “Al Mal Wal Banoun,” “Ala Ad Ma Habina,” “Risha,” “Masalet Mabda 2,” “El Hob Leih Sout,” “Fi Alb El Leil” and “Men Gheir Ma Tetkalemy.”
Other songs expected as part of the program include “Ana Kont Eidik,” “El Arousa,” “Enta El Madad,” “Ma Temnaosh El Sadeqeen,” “Aho Da Elly Sar,” “El Leil We Akhro,” “El Zein We El Zeina,” “Gowa Hodni,” “Eskandarany,” “Zay El Hawa,” “Bent We Walad,” “Tegish Naeesh,” “Arafa” and “Bawabet El Helwanny.” A patriotic medley is also included in the program.
⭐ “On” Choir opens the night
The evening begins at 8 p.m. with “On” Choir, led by Mahmoud Saber.
The choir will perform a selection of well-known Arabic songs representing different generations and musical styles.
The program includes “Ya Masr Betemeliha Ezay,” “Lola El Banat,” “Alf Leila We Leila,” “Betwannes Beek,” “Ama Barawa,” “Albi Eshaha,” “El Hob Nadany,” “Eh El Youm El Helw Da,” “Come Back to Me” and “Sahr El Layali.” 🎵✨
The choir will also perform a medley featuring songs associated with major Arab stars such as Abdel Halim Hafez, Amr Diab and Fadel Shaker, alongside selections from Egyptian films and traditional folk music.
🇮🇳 Bollywood brings an international flavor
Following the choir's performance, the audience will enjoy a special appearance by an Indian Bollywood troupe.
The performance, presented in cooperation with the Central Administration for International Cultural Relations, combines music, singing and choreography inspired by Indian folk and popular traditions.
The Bollywood performance adds an international dimension to the evening and gives Egyptian audiences an opportunity to experience elements of Indian culture through a live musical and theatrical presentation.
🏰 Music meets history at the Citadel
One of the defining characteristics of the Citadel Festival is its historic setting.
Concerts are held at Al-Mahky Theater inside the Citadel of Saladin, creating a unique atmosphere where music and history come together.
Over the years, the festival has developed into an annual event that attracts audiences with its wide range of musical styles and performers.
The 2026 edition features a broad selection of Egyptian, Arab and international artists, giving audiences opportunities to experience both familiar favorites and different musical traditions. 🎼✨
🎤 Why Ali El Haggar's concert stands out
Ali El Haggar's appearance is particularly significant because of the breadth of his artistic career.
His songs have been connected to Egyptian television dramas, patriotic occasions, romantic stories and traditional musical themes.
His performance at the Citadel therefore offers audiences the chance to revisit songs that have remained part of Egyptian cultural memory for years.
The combination of El Haggar's concert with the “On” Choir and Bollywood troupe also gives the evening a clear multi-cultural identity.
📅 Ali El Haggar concert date
Ali El Haggar will perform on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at Al-Mahky Theater inside the Citadel of Saladin.
The evening begins at 8 p.m. with “On” Choir, followed by the Bollywood troupe at 9 p.m., before Ali El Haggar takes the stage at 10 p.m.
The concert comes shortly before the closing night of the 34th edition, scheduled for Monday, August 24, featuring Nesma Abdel Aziz and Medhat Saleh.
🌟 A night connecting generations and cultures
Sunday's program reflects the festival's approach of combining major Egyptian stars with international performances.
The audience will move from Arabic classics performed by “On” Choir to the colorful rhythms of Bollywood before enjoying Ali El Haggar's Egyptian repertoire.
This combination makes the evening one of the most distinctive events in the current festival program. 🎤🔥
🕊️ Conclusion
The Citadel Festival 2026 is preparing for a memorable evening on Sunday, August 23, bringing together Egyptian music, Arabic classics and Indian performance traditions.
Ali El Haggar will headline the night with some of his most recognizable songs, while “On” Choir will open the program and the Indian Bollywood troupe will add an international touch to the historic Al-Mahky Theater. 🎶🇪🇬🇮🇳
It is a night designed to bring together music, memories, generations and cultures in one historic setting. ✨
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