The Driving Force Behind D-CAF
Ahmed El Attar
Ahmed El Attar by Ämr Ezzeldinn
Egyptian director and playwright Ahmed El Attar is the founder and director of D-CAF Contemporary Art Festival. Born and raised in the heart of Cairo, he grew up embracing values of reading and learning, influenced by his father, who placed great importance on these aspects. El Attar spent his childhood in a time without the internet and with limited television channels, leading him to immerse himself in the world of books and sports. His love for reading, particularly poetry, marked the starting point of his journey into the arts and cinema, especially in Downtown Cairo, where diverse films were regularly shown. In this interview with DIVAZ, he shares his love for theater, his upbringing, and academic background, along with many of his thoughts and perspectives.
How have your cultural experiences shaped your artistic journey?
My father was a Nasserist, passionate about reading and culture, which had a significant impact on my life. I read extensively as a child, especially since there was no internet and television was not as varied as it is now. Reading became my sole companion, alongside playing sports and watching films in Downtown Cairo cinemas. My connection to theater began in school. I read Mustafa Lutfi Al-Manfaluti’s translation of Cyrano de Bergerac, a remarkable poetic play, and I tried to stage it in school, but I couldn’t manage to pull it off.
How did your practical interest in theater begin?
At the American University in Cairo, I was studying computer science. By chance, in the second semester of my first year, someone asked me to be an assistant stage manager for the student play. I agreed immediately without even understanding the role. I just wanted to be involved. After that, I left my major and decided to study theater, and that was the beginning. Everyone thought it was a crazy step. Some suggested that I study something else and keep theater as a hobby, but I had already made up my mind.
Tell us about D-CAF.
In 2012, we founded the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF), where we work on developing the creative sector in Downtown Cairo. We also launched the “Technical School” in September, which focuses on lighting, sound, video, and safety in performing arts. The goal is to train and develop skills in these fields, whether for theater, dance, or music. The school operates in Arabic.
Are you involved in other projects? What is your role in them?
Yes, we also work on translating contemporary plays from Europe and America to present them in Egypt and the Arab region. In most of these projects, I take on an administrative role, focusing on organizing and developing the projects rather than directing artistic participation. We also organize a contemporary arts exhibition in Cairo, which has been running since 2014. We host prominent programmers to view new performances from the Arab world. Next year, we plan to organize an African dance showcase, a major event for contemporary African arts. It will feature 20 African contemporary dance performances over a week, alongside various other disciplines.
Is there something you’re particularly proud of in your life?
Yes, my sons, Taimour and Hussein. I feel that they are the greatest achievements of my life.
Talk to us about your upcoming projects.
A theater performance with the great Egyptian artist Sayed Ragab, set to premiere at the beginning of 2025, as well as the revival of one of my earlier plays, Kol Haga Helwa (Everything is Beautiful).
Who is your diva?
That’s a tough question. I don’t have a specific role model in life, but I consider Cairo to be my diva. I’ve travelled extensively and lived in other cities, but Cairo is the only place where I feel I never want to leave.