Habiba El Shaer: SUNRISE is Redefining Tourism in the City of Peace Through Culture and Art
As part of its continued efforts to position Sharm El-Sheikh as a global cultural destination, SUNRISE Resorts & Cruises will host the second edition of Art Sharm Festival 2025 from September 21 to 29, at Tal Avenue—one of the city’s most prominent lifestyle and entertainment hubs. The event will bring together over 60 artists from more than 20 countries across the Arab world, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The festival is being organized in close collaboration with Ostraka Foundation for Art and Development, and is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority, reaffirming the private tourism sector’s growing commitment to supporting the arts and expanding the horizons of cultural tourism in Egypt.
Participating artists hail from a wide range of countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, Romania, Montenegro, the UK, the Netherlands, South Korea, Japan, India, and the United States. Their works will be showcased in a large-scale exhibition hosted at Tal Avenue, whose expansive layout and diverse facilities make it an ideal venue for hosting visual art exhibitions, sculpture installations, and interactive performances.
The festival, curated by SUNRISE, will feature prominent names from the international art scene. Among the distinguished guests is Dezdarević from Montenegro, Vice President of the Committee on International Relations and Diaspora—adding a significant political and cultural dimension to the event. Also attending is well-known Albanian media figure Linda Lupi, reflecting the synergy between art and media influence. Adding a contemporary edge to the festival, global Kazakh rap sensation Jah Khalib will headline a special performance at Vibe Club, part of the SUNRISE entertainment complex.
Held under the theme “When the Red Sea Meets the Canvas”, the festival captures the harmony between Sharm El-Sheikh’s breathtaking natural landscape and the vibrant colors, ideas, and creativity of the participating artists. The slogan goes beyond the visual, embodying a broader vision of Sharm El-Sheikh as a cultural bridge connecting the world through art and creativity. A press conference is scheduled for September 22 at SUNRISE Remal Resort, the official accommodation for the artists, in the presence of local and international media representatives and all participating artists.
In addition to the main art exhibition, the festival program includes a series of specialized workshops and live art sessions, where visitors can watch artists create in real time—offering a rare opportunity for audiences to engage with the artistic process from inception to completion. “Art Sharm 2025” aims to deliver a unique blend of art, hospitality, and entertainment, transforming Sharm El-Sheikh from a traditional tourist destination into a hub for inspiration and cross-cultural exchange.
Children’s art workshops will also be hosted at SUNRISE Remal Beach Resort, alongside a range of musical evenings, including a Turkish Night on September 24, featuring live performances by Turkish artist Orhan Jibrael Oglu, followed by a themed dinner at Ortaköy Restaurant in Tal Avenue. The festival will culminate in a grand closing ceremony on September 28, coinciding with World Tourism Day, where the artworks will be presented alongside traditional cultural performances. The festival will be open to the public throughout its duration, except for the closing event, which is reserved for SUNRISE guests.
Commenting on the festival, Habiba El Shaer, Vice Chairwoman of SUNRISE Resorts & Cruises and a member of the General Assembly of the Egyptian Hotels Association, stated:“Supporting cultural and artistic festivals is a core pillar of SUNRISE’s strategy to promote Egyptian tourism. This event reflects our commitment to transforming Sharm El-Sheikh into a platform for contemporary art and attracting a new audience of fine art enthusiasts from across the globe.”
She CONTINUED: “SUNRISE believes that tourism is no longer just about beaches and natural landmarks; it is an integrated experience that includes culture and art. Art Sharm Festival is a testament to this vision, offering our guests a seamless blend of luxury and creativity.”
Highlighting the strategic location of the festival, she said:
“Tal Avenue is situated in the heart of the luxury hotel and resort zone, directly opposite our White Hills and Meraki properties—providing an all-in-one experience for our guests, combining high-end accommodation with deep cultural immersion.”
