Saturday, 18 July 2026
‘Cairo on the Rhine’ unites women artists from Egypt and Germany
After a two‑year cultural journey between Cairo and Bonn, Egypt’s ARTODAY Foundation and Germany’s Women’s Museum are set to conclude their joint project “WE – Women in Exchange” with an international exhibition that aims to transcend the traditional gallery format and become a platform for human dialogue and cross‑cultural exchange.
The project, titled “Cairo on the Rhine,” marks the first partnership of its kind between ARTODAY and the Women’s Museum Bonn. It seeks to build sustainable dialogue between female artists in both countries, driven by a shared belief that art remains one of the most powerful tools for bridging cultural divides and addressing global fragmentation.
Marianne Pitzen, director of the Women’s Museum in Bonn, said the initiative is now reaching its third and final phase as the German city hosts Egyptian artists in a residency ahead of the opening of the “Kairo am Rhein” exhibition on July 19. The show will run until mid‑August.
Shereen Badr, founder and CEO of ARTODAY, said the project stands out for going beyond traditional art showcasing. She explained that the initiative is built on a philosophy of continuous cultural exchange that begins with meeting, followed by dialogue, collaboration, joint production and ultimately audience engagement.
The program brings together seven Egyptian and seven German artists, along with three German guest artists, working in painting, photography, sculpture, installation and multimedia. Curator Yasemin Yilmaz said the exhibition’s conceptual framework, “Cultural Codings,” explores the idea that every society develops its own system of symbols, gestures, values and visual languages shaped over centuries. These codes, familiar at home, become spaces for discovery and reinterpretation when viewed abroad.
The initiative also includes a residency, workshops, public sessions and artist dialogues, and will be documented in a catalogue intended to preserve the project as an ongoing cultural exchange.
Participating Egyptian artists include Weaam Ali, Shereen Badr, Weaam El Masry, Gehan Fayez, Amira Parree, Hoda Ragaa and Omnia Salah. The German group features Consuelo Méndez Burneo, Daniela Flörsheim, Andrea Isa, Lucia Meurer, Marianne Pitzen, Karola Teschler and Yasemin Yilmaz, along with guest artists Nicole Günther, Eveline Mürlebach and Ellen Sinzig.
The title “Cairo on the Rhine” carries symbolism beyond geography. Organizers say it reflects a meeting between two civilizations shaped by two historic rivers: the Nile and the Rhine. The project seeks not comparison but a shared space for dialogue built on respect for difference and the search for common ground.
The exhibition explores cultural symbols through themes of identity, memory, womanhood, language and heritage, presenting intertwined perspectives rather than isolated national viewpoints.
At the heart of the “WE – Women in Exchange” initiative is the belief that women play a central role in fostering cultural dialogue, bringing personal and social experiences that enrich artistic practice. The program encourages artists to embrace difference as a source of inspiration and to discover how personal narratives can become a visual language that speaks to diverse audiences.
One of the project’s most distinctive components, “Artists in Dialogue,” invites artists to communicate exclusively through images. One artist sends a visual work to her partner, who responds with another artwork, creating a silent chain of visual conversation that transcends language. These works will be displayed in the exhibition.
Shereen Badr: An Egyptian Vision Leading the Project
From the Egyptian side, the project is led by artist and curator Shereen Badr, CEO of ARTODAY, who has built the foundation’s mission on cultural dialogue and global artistic partnerships. Her work through the Empower Her Art Forum (EHAF) has positioned ARTODAY as a global platform for creative exchange. In “Cairo on the Rhine,” she acts as coordinator, co‑curator and exhibiting artist, integrating cultural leadership with artistic practice.
A Partnership with One of the World’s Leading Institutions for Women’s Art
The collaboration with the Women’s Museum Bonn, the world’s first museum dedicated to women’s art, elevates the project to an international cultural platform. Founded by Marianne Pitzen, the museum is recognized globally for its support of women’s visual art and cross‑cultural exchange.
Marianne Pitzen: Four Decades Supporting Women’s Art
With more than 40 years of cultural leadership, Pitzen has championed women artists through international exhibitions and initiatives. She leads the German side of the project, guided by her belief in art as a universal language of human connection.
Bonn Hosts the Final Chapter
Bonn will host the participating artists from July 11 to 21 for a residency at the Women’s Museum, featuring workshops, cultural visits and open dialogues. The exhibition “Cairo on the Rhine – Cultural Codings” opens on July 19 and runs until August 15, accompanied by public programs and a catalogue documenting the two‑year collaborative journey.
Organizers describe “Cairo on the Rhine” as a model of contemporary cultural diplomacy built on long‑term collaboration rather than temporary shows. They say the project demonstrates how art can open new spaces of understanding and create visual records of shared human experience across borders.