🌟 Ten years of art and inclusion
The 10th edition of the Oladna International Forum for Arts of People with Special Abilities continues in Cairo under the leadership and founding of Soheir Abdel Kader, bringing together art, culture and social inclusion in a wide-ranging program.
Running from September 17 to September 24, 2026, the event is being held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and features delegations from 54 Arab and foreign countries.
The 10th edition carries particular significance as it marks a full decade since the launch of Oladna.
🎨 Across several venues at the Cairo Opera House, participants are taking part in theatrical performances, workshops, cinema screenings, cultural discussions and folkloric presentations.
🎨 Creative workshops for young participants
One of the highlights of the program has been a series of artistic workshops at Sala Salah Taher at the Cairo Opera House.
The workshops introduced children to different creative forms, giving them opportunities to experiment, participate and express their ideas through art.
Among the activities was a pottery workshop led by Russian artist Olga Aleksandrovna, alongside a puppet storytelling workshop presented by artist Nirvana Haseeb from Alaa Al Din Magazine.
The program also included an interactive storytelling workshop in cooperation with the Misr Public Library, the “Life on the Nile” activity with participation from Sudan, a three-dimensional sculpture workshop led by artist Dalia Khalifa, and the “Butterfly and Fingerprint” workshop by artist Mona Ahmed.
🖌️ These activities go beyond entertainment. They provide participants with practical opportunities to explore creativity, make choices and communicate through artistic expression.
🎭 Theater creates space for inclusion
Theater remains a central element of the festival program.
The Small Hall of the Cairo Opera House hosted several theatrical performances, including the Jordanian production “The Gift”, as well as “Aged Hoz,” presented by Caritas Egypt.
🎭 These performances demonstrate how theater can become an effective platform for inclusion, allowing people with special abilities to participate directly in artistic experiences rather than simply watching from the audience.
The stage becomes a space where different personal experiences can be communicated through performance, movement and storytelling.
🎬 Cinema adds another dimension
Cinema is also an important part of the 10th edition.
The festival program includes a selection of films created by university students from Egypt and other countries, giving participants and audiences an opportunity to explore different cinematic approaches.
📽️ Film can provide more than entertainment. It can encourage conversations about inclusion, diversity and the experiences of people with special abilities, while offering filmmakers a visual language through which they can communicate ideas and personal stories.
🌍 A major international presence
One of the defining features of this year’s festival is its international participation.
Delegations from 54 countries are taking part, creating opportunities for young participants, artists and cultural representatives from different backgrounds to meet and exchange experiences.
Folkloric performances have added another cultural dimension to the program.
During the opening celebrations, traditional groups appeared in Egyptian and Sudanese costumes, highlighting the cultural diversity that has become part of the festival’s identity.
💃 Folklore therefore serves two purposes: artistic performance and cultural dialogue.
🗣️ Discussions addressing inclusion
The festival also gives significant attention to intellectual and cultural discussions.
The Small Hall hosted a discussion focusing on special needs, as well as a separate session dedicated to the festival’s honorees.
Such discussions expand the festival’s mission beyond artistic performances.
💡 True inclusion involves continuous conversations about education, culture, employment, accessibility, creativity and opportunities for people with special abilities.
🏆 Honoring influential figures
The 10th edition also recognizes a number of prominent artistic and community figures.
Among the announced honorees are Egyptian actors Khaled Zaki, Reham Abdel Ghafour and Hamza El-Ayli, alongside other figures from Egypt and abroad.
The honors recognize artistic careers as well as contributions to social and humanitarian causes.
🇨🇳 A cultural occasion alongside 70 years of Egyptian-Chinese relations
The 10th edition coincides with the celebration of 70 years of Egyptian-Chinese diplomatic relations, adding another international dimension to the festival.
With participants arriving from different cultural backgrounds, art becomes a natural language for communication.
🌍 Music, theater, visual art and folklore can create connections that go beyond language and nationality.
❤️ Art as a tool for empowerment
Over the past decade, Oladna has built its identity around the idea that art can be a powerful tool for empowerment.
A child who steps onto a stage, joins a workshop or contributes to a creative project is given an opportunity to present their talent before a wider audience.
Such experiences can have an impact far beyond the performance itself, strengthening confidence and encouraging greater participation in cultural and artistic life.
✨ This is why the continuation of the festival represents more than an annual cultural event. It creates an environment where young participants can experiment, learn and connect with others.
📱 The festival reaches social media audiences
The diversity of activities has also generated significant interest online.
Images and videos from workshops, theatrical performances and folkloric presentations allow audiences outside the venues to experience the festival’s atmosphere.
📸 A photograph from an art workshop, a moment of applause after a performance or a traditional dance can communicate the festival’s central message in a single frame:
Art belongs to everyone.
🎉 A 10th edition that goes beyond performance
With activities continuing through September 24, the 10th edition of Oladna brings together theater, cinema, music, visual arts, storytelling, folklore and cultural discussions.
After ten years and with broad international participation, the festival continues to place artistic talent and people with special abilities at the center of the cultural scene.
🌟 Ultimately, one of the festival’s strongest messages extends beyond the stage: talent has no limits, and art can become a genuine path toward inclusion, self-expression and confidence.
