Illustration by Shiroug Idriss for The Girl Who Spoke to the Nile

© Illustration by Shiroug Idriss

opening new pathways

Connecting a fragmented field

Illustrated Arab is the programme of the Swiss Arab Cultural Alliance supporting the development and circulation of contemporary Arab visual narratives.

Artists, publishers and cultural initiatives already bring valuable knowledge to this field, but often work across separate networks, languages and markets. Illustrated Arab creates focused connections around selected projects to bridge these gaps.

Launched in 2025, the programme is being developed through an initial selection of three artist-led projects from Sudan, Egypt and Syria/Germany.

Discuss a collaboration
Discuss a collaboration

PROGRAMME LAUNCH · 2025–2027

First Edition · 2025–2026

Second Edition · 2026–2027 - Launching October 2026

Selected Artists

Illustration by Shiroug Idriss for The Girl Who Spoke to the Nile

Shiroug Idriss

Shiroug Idriss is developing her first book as both author and illustrator. Rooted in Nubian heritage and Sudanese folklore, the story follows the bond between two sisters through a contemporary narrative.

Sudan · The Girl Who Spoke to the Nile
Portrait of Egyptian illustrator Sohila Khaled

Sohila Khaled

The Road We Walk is an illustrated story for young children developed by Egyptian illustrator Sohila Khaled, whose visual language draws on everyday life and rural landscapes.

Egypt · The Road We Walk
Portrait of Syrian illustrator Haya Halaw in her studio

The Little World Inside is an illustrated project by Syrian artist Haya Halaw, based in Germany. Her work spans children’s books, comics, editorial illustration and painting.

Syria/Germany · The Little World Inside

Haya Halaw

  • Fantasy illustration of an ornate tea party in a whimsical forest setting with fairy-like characters, mushrooms, and fairy houses.
  • Colorful drawing of two women in traditional clothing, sitting cross-legged on a blue patterned mat, with a black cat between them. They are in a desert landscape with palm trees, stylized buildings, and a bright yellow sun in the sky. There are birds flying, pink fish in a blue water area, and decorative patterns surrounding the scene.
  • A stylized illustration of a giant green face with large eyes and striped black and gold hair, with a tiny girl standing in front of it, holding hands and looking up.