For the first time in Egypt, Creative Dialogues arrives during Cairo Design Week 2025, exploring “Uncharted Territories: Rethinking Creative Futures” with leading regional creatives and cultural practitioners.
Powered by YVT Consultancy, the two-day event will be held on 23–24 November at the beautifully restored Tamara Haus in Downtown Cairo, a project by Alchemy Experience and a building owned by Al-Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment.
Co-curated with Lamees Abdelaziz, Curator and Cultural Manager at Alchemy Experience, the edition brings together regional creative leaders, cultural practitioners, and emerging voices for immersive experiences, inspiring dialogue, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
In partnership with Cairo Design Week and Alchemy Experience, the Cairo edition marks a key step in Creative Dialogues’ regional journey. It emphasizes collaboration across borders and sectors, showing how creativity can bridge heritage and innovation, experimentation and tradition, and people and place. This edition builds on the success of the acclaimed Beirut edition earlier this year, expanding the platform’s mission to foster meaningful conversations across the region.
The two-day program explores how creativity shapes communities and drives collaboration, with Day One: “Human-Centered Creativity” focusing on engaging with Cairo’s urban identity and heritage through design and art, and Day Two: “Collaboration and Co-Creation” examining how shared creativity and cross-disciplinary exchange can inspire innovation and inclusive growth across the MENA region. The Cairo edition will also include live recordings of Creative Chats, hosted by Alaa Sawaf, featuring 20-minute conversations with leading regional voices.
Key speakers include: Waleed Arafa, Founder & Principal of Dar Arafa Architecture (Egypt); Karim Shafei, Chairman of Al-Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment (Egypt); Omar Nagati, Principal and Co-founder of CLUSTER (Egypt); Nawaf Nassar, Interior Architect and Public Speaker (Saudi Arabia); Karim Mekhtigian, CEO and Founder of Alchemy Group (Egypt); Mohamed Fares, Co-founder of Alchemy Group (Egypt); Emy Hussein, Art Director and Partner at Alchemy Group (Egypt); Aliaa Al Shamsi, Art Consultant and Writer (UAE); Tarfa Al Saud, Artist (Saudi Arabia); Mashael Al Yahya, Creative Director (Saudi Arabia); Gabriele Cavallaro, Founder of ISOLA Design (Italy); Mona El Hallak, architect, heritage preservation activist, and Director of the Neighborhood Initiative (Beirut); and Mona Helmy, architect, urbanist, educator, and founding director of the “Sustainable Public Spaces” unit (Egypt).
“Creative Dialogues is more than a platform; it is a regional movement empowering creatives to shape their own narrative,” said Yasmine Vanda Trofast, Executive Director of Creative Dialogues. “With the Cairo edition, we’re building bridges between heritage and forward-thinking creativity, celebrating Cairo’s cultural depth and vibrant energy.”
Karim Mekhtigian, Founder and CEO of Alchemy Group, added: “Partnering with Creative Dialogues and Cairo Design Week aligns with our vision for Tamara Haus, a living platform for collaboration and creative experimentation in the heart of Cairo.”
Lamees Abdelaziz, Curator and Cultural Manager at Alchemy Experience, said: “Tamara Haus was created as a space where design, art, and storytelling come together to spark meaningful dialogue. Partnering with Creative Dialogues for Cairo Design Week strengthens our mission to connect creative voices across Egypt and the wider region.”
Creative Dialogues Cairo 2025 is presented in collaboration with Cairo Design Week, Alchemy Experience, Tamara Haus, Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment, and Elevate Art School, bringing together key partners shaping Cairo’s creative and cultural landscape.
This edition welcomes the region’s creative community to connect in a curated, intimate environment. Attendance at Creative Dialogues is complimentary, with entry granted upon securing a district ticket to downtown.
Registration link: https://cdw.ticketsmarche.com/event/7451
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About YVT Consultancy:
YVT Consultancy is a regional strategic consultancy operating across the GCC and MENA, dedicated to cultural intelligence, experience design, and purposeful growth. With offices in Riyadh, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, and Beirut, YVT works with governments, institutions, and brands to create strategies that move people, places, and possibilities forward.
For more information, please visit our website and follow us on social media.
We are a MENA Creative Platform
· Follow us on Instagram →https://lnkd.in/dAjfUjMq
· Connect with us on LinkedIn → https://lnkd.in/dTZv2vk4
· Website → www.creativedialogues.co
Video Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEZRbQArsMw
For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:
Yasmine Vanda Trofast - Executive Director
[email protected]
+971563102721
Additional Information about each partner
Cairo Design Week: Egypt’s leading design and culture festival, Cairo Design Week transforms the city into a hub of creativity, dialogue, and innovation. Spanning multiple districts, CDW highlights design excellence across architecture, interiors, furniture, graphics, and cultural experiences that connect local craftsmanship to global vision.
Alchemy Experience: Founded by Karim Mekhtigian, Mohamed Fares, and Emy Hussein, Alchemy Experience curates immersive design experiences rooted in culture and collaboration. Alchemy Experience creates multisensory experiences spanning cross-cultural dialogue through design, art, and craft.
Tamara Haus: Located in Downtown Cairo, Tamara Haus is a beautifully restored heritage space and a home for contemporary design, cultural gatherings, and creative exchange. Its architectural legacy and atmosphere make it an ideal setting for Creative Dialogues’ Cairo debut.
Al Ismaelia Real Estate Developers: A Cairo-based development firm dedicated to revitalizing urban spaces through design-led projects. As a supporting partner, Al Ismaelia champions innovative cultural and real estate collaborations that blend history, modernity, and community engagement.
Elevate Art School: An independent design school and creative incubator in Cairo, Elevate nurtures young designers through mentorship, skill development, and real-world experience. As a partner, Elevate is onboarding volunteers and emerging talent to support the Creative Dialogues Cairo Edition.
