As part of the second day of the SHE ARTS Festival, Spanish singer Lela Soto will take the stage on October 3 at 6:00 PM in the main garden of the American University in Cairo – Tahrir Campus. The concert is held in collaboration with Instituto Cervantes in Cairo, within the framework of the festival’s annual celebration of women’s artistic expression from around the world.
This performance is funded by the European Union’s Next Generation package and Spain’s Ministry of Culture – Instituto Nacional de las Artes Escénicas y de la Música (INAEM), under the Spanish Government’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. It is organized in coordination with Instituto Cervantes as part of its ongoing mission to support female creativity and foster cultural dialogue between Spain and Egypt. The institute has facilitated Soto’s participation and provided technical and logistical support for the event. A special discounted ticket rate is available for Instituto Cervantes students, who can collect their promo code from the center’s reception desk.
Lela Soto, heiress to the legacy of the renowned Sordera family and niece of flamenco legend José Mercé, is one of the most compelling rising voices in contemporary flamenco. With her distinctive vocal style, Soto blends the deep-rooted traditions of flamenco with influences from jazz, blues, and R&B, offering a forward-looking interpretation of this Andalusian art form. Over the course of her career, she has collaborated with prominent artists such as Alejandro Sanz, Niña Pastori, and Pitingo.
Now in its fifth edition, the SHE ARTS Festival continues its legacy as the first international festival in the Arab region dedicated exclusively to supporting and empowering women in the arts. This year’s events run from October 2 to 5, 2025, across three Egyptian cities: Cairo, Alexandria, and the New Administrative Capital. The program features music and film performances, workshops, a handicrafts bazaar, and visual arts exhibitions, with participating artists from ten countries and an expected audience of over 15,000 attendees.
