DUBAI: Art Cairo 2026 is being held under the theme “Arab. Art. Here,” inspired by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish’s words, “This is my language, my miracle, my magic wand.” 

The art fair is set to run from Jan. 23-26 at the buzzed-about Grand Egyptian Museum.

According to organizers, the theme explores the Arabic language as a living cultural force shaping artistic expression across the region.

Participating galleries hail from across the region, with a heavy showing from Egypt, the Levant and beyond.

From Egypt, galleries include Zamalek Art Gallery, Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art, Gallery Misr, Villa Azad, and Le Lab. by Mark Hachem, Maya Art Space, Arame Art Gallery, ZAAT. KAF Art Gallery will represent the Lebanese art scene, while Jordan’s participating galleries include Wadi Finan Art Gallery and Orfali Art Gallery.

Gulf-based galleries taking part in Art Cairo include Salwa Zeidan Gallery from Abu Dhabi, Fann A Porter from Dubai and Folk Art Space from Bahrain, while northern Europe’s showing includes Galerie SANAA from the Netherlands and Quartum Galleri  from Norway.

As part of the fair’s seventh outing, Art Cairo will stage a solo museum exhibition dedicated to pioneering artist Inji Efflatoun, drawn from the collection of the Egyptian Museum of Modern Art. The Egyptian painter, who died in 1989, was also an activist in the women’s movement.

The Hiwar Programme — meaning “dialogue” in Arabic — returns as a core component of Art Cairo 2026, offering a curated series of panel discussions examining artistic practice, institutional responsibility and the evolving regional art market.

Topics include the relationship between galleries, auction houses, artists and collectors; the shared responsibilities shaping artistic legacy; collaboration between designers and galleries; art’s role in building communities; and reflections on modern Egyptian art as a lens for cultural memory.

Speakers include representatives from Christie’s, artists, academics, entrepreneurs and cultural leaders from Egypt and the wider region.

Beyond the halls of the Grand Egyptian Museum, the fair is hosting a cultural and social program including curated visits to historic landmarks. Highlights include Aisha Fahmy Palace, Amir Taz Palace, and the Mahmoud Khalil Museum.