Introduction
Why ECCA – Makan
Because the value of cultural diversity to the human community, like that of biological diversity to the continued life of this planet, cannot be underestimated. As the world shrinks, dominant ideologies, religions and cultural expressions overwhelm the margins, and we lose essential elements of the creative process: our appreciation of difference, our freedom to choose, to experiment and to dream of alternatives.
Makan’s Goals
Preserving People’s Memory
Recording and documenting Egypt’s musical heritage at risk of loss and disappearance, and contributing to the preservation of the people’s memory.
Tradition Bearers & Living Ensembles
Re-forming musical groups and ensembles from tradition bearers, presenting them to the public, and contributing to keeping this heritage alive and active in the present.
Renewal Through Assimilation
Renewing heritage through understanding and fully absorbing the old, reworking its elements into new musical experiences, while keeping it alive and connected to its contexts and natural environments.
Cross-Cultural Living Bridges
Opening up to the new, the different and the diverse in other musical cultures, and building living bridges between cultures through musical encounters, dialogue and exchange.
Transmission to New Generations
Contributing to educating new generations and passing this heritage on to them, so that they may discover it, draw from it, and carry it forward.
“If we continue to allow the erosion of our cultural forms, soon there will be no place to visit and no place to truly call home.”
— Alan Lomax
Next Event
Upcoming at Makan
Mazaher Ensamble (Zar) next Wednesday November 11th, 2026
First Concert – Thursday Ticket price: 300 EGP including all taxes and fees until full capacity Dear audience, due to the small space of Makan and the limited number of seats,...
Video Archive
Explore recordings of our past concerts and rare Egyptian folk rituals.