Cairo’s 34th Festival of Arab Music faces severe administrative turmoil as prominent Egyptian and Lebanese artists withdraw over low budgets, contractual disputes, and alleged unprofessionalism, prompting the Cairo Opera House head to temporarily resign before returning to office.
Mass Withdrawals and Financial Disputes Over the 34th Festival of Arab Music
The 34th Festival of Arab Music, scheduled from October 20 to October 30, 2026, encountered immediate turbulence following its introductory press conference (according to reporting in regional outlets). Veteran Egyptian singer Ali Al Hajar initially announced his withdrawal, citing what he described as an insulting budget allocated by the Cairo Opera House for the musicians accompanying him. Al Hajar stated that the financial provision was weak and unacceptable.
The boycott expanded quickly as fellow veteran artist Mohamed Tharwat also pulled out of the festival. Tharwat issued a public statement clarifying that his decision stemmed from concerns regarding professional etiquette, the preservation of veteran stature, and contractual terms rather than basic compensation.
I will not accept or participate in the insult of Egyptian art or Egyptian artists.
Mohamed Tharwat, via social media statement
Tharwat revealed that he had not signed a final contract for the 2026 festival, noting that a disputed contract clause would have assigned him legal liability for heritage musical works performed by other artists, such as Abdel Halim Hafez and Mohamed Abdel Wahab. He added that he had offered a substantial reduction in his performance fee before withdrawing.
Marwa Naji and Ahmed Jamal Detail Administrative Chaos
Additional artists stepped forward to explain their departures, pointing to disorganization and scheduling conflicts. Singer Marwa Naji revealed that the financial figure offered to her was less than half of what she earned during the previous festival edition. Despite this pay reduction, Naji agreed to participate and even offered to perform a concert in Alexandria without any payment.
Naji stated that the core crisis involved administrative chaos rather than money. Festival organizers scheduled a Cairo concert date that conflicted directly with her pre-existing travel obligations to the Sultanate of Oman. When she attempted to coordinate adjustments with management, she was met with complete silence and discovered her name listed alongside a repertoire of Baligh Hamdi compositions that were never mutually agreed upon.
Meanwhile, singer Ahmed Jamal announced his withdrawal after Cairo Opera House head Reda El Wakil characterized Jamal’s participation as a courtesy gesture stemming from family ties. Jamal, who is married to the daughter of festival head and maestro Mohamed El Mougy, criticized the remarks after 13 years of regular participation in opera events, stating that the description undermined his professional independence.
International Cancellations and the Temporary Resignation of Reda El Wakil
The backlash widened to include international acts. Lebanese singer Assi El Hallani cancelled his appearance to avoid becoming entangled in administrative disputes at the opera house, despite having previously volunteered to waive his fee entirely. Egyptian singer Rami Sobri also rescinded his participation following statements made by opera leadership.
Facing mounting criticism and a wave of high-profile departures, Cairo Opera House President Reda El Wakil submitted his resignation. El Wakil stated that he could no longer function under external pressures dictating his artistic choices regarding Egyptian performers. However, following discussions and expressions of support, El Wakil reversed his decision and resumed his duties.
Ali Al Hajar Reverses Boycott to Perform
By early October, the administration addressed core grievances raised by participating musicians, leading to a major breakthrough for the festival’s schedule. Ali Al Hajar reversed his decision to boycott and confirmed he will perform two concerts: on October 24 at the Cairo Opera House Grand Theater and returning for the closing ceremony on October 29 at Sayed Darwish Theater in Alexandria.
Opera house officials confirmed that the 34th edition will proceed as planned with local artists and opera personnel, while additional artists such as Bahaa Sultan, Ahmed Saad, and Jannat remain absent due to prior scheduling conflicts.
