"The Magic of Letters" Unfolds at the Museum of the "Prince of Poets": An Exhibition Bridging the Authenticity of Arabic Calligraphy and the Splendor of Contemporary Visual Art Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, the Fine Arts Sector—led by Dr. Mahmoud Hamed—launched an exhibition dedicated to Arabic calligraphy on the evening of Wednesday, October 21, 2026. The event is being held at the Karma Ibn Hani Cultural Center, located within the museum of the "Prince of Poets," Ahmed Shawqi. The exhibition drew a significant audience, all gathered to celebrate the beauty and authenticity of the Arabic script. It features a distinguished group of prominent artists and calligraphers, each presenting their own unique creative vision: Islam Ramadan, Ismail Abdo, Hassanein Mokhtar, Khaled Abdel-Alim, Rasha Qasim, Reda El-Anwar, Somaya El-Rifai, Salah Abdel-Khaleq, Taha Abdel-Nasser, Essam Khairy, Mohamed El-Gergawi, Mohamed El-Arabi, Mohamed Shafei, Mohamed Mortada, Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz, Mustafa Omri, and Mohanna Mohamed. The works displayed throughout the halls of the Karma Ibn Hani Cultural Center reflect a visual synthesis between the traditional, foundational rules of Arabic calligraphy and contemporary artistic concepts. Some pieces incorporate precise architectural and geometric compositions—such as those utilizing "square" or "constructivist" Kufic script—where the letters intersect to form structures reminiscent of domes, lending the script both an architectural and a spiritual depth. The artists relied on subtle, carefully considered contrasts—most evident in paintings with dark backgrounds (black or deep brown)—incorporating striking gold and yellow inks that lend a sense of luxury and radiance, drawing the viewer’s eye toward the focal point of the work.
