Egyptian authorities have cancelled the scheduled appearance of German-French DJ Marie Montexier at the Sandbox Festival in El Gouna, which is set to take place from May 8 to 10, Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafy told Al Manassa on Wednesday.
Security agencies made the decision to cancel Montexier’s performance, informing her that she is banned from entering the country, the governor said.
"Even if she lands at the airport, she will be denied entry," he added.
The festival, which focuses on electronic and DJ music, is held every year from May 8 to 10. According to promotional materials, Montexier had been scheduled to perform on the second day of the festival.
The move follows a letter sent by BDS Egypt, a local chapter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, to Nacelle, the private company organizing Sandbox.
The group demanded the removal of Montexier from the lineup, accusing her of not only supporting Israel but of "actively promoting the Israeli narrative" following the events of October 7, 2023.
In a statement, BDS Egypt claimed Montexier had described Palestinian resistance as "terrorism" and had repeated "lies by the occupation" about the killing and rape of children.
The group also accused her of participating in an October 2024 campaign that marked the one-year anniversary of the Hamas-led attack by promoting Israeli talking points and ignoring the ongoing war in Gaza, which they said has claimed the lives of over 50,000 women and children.
Minister of Culture and head of the Permanent Committee for Organizing Festivals and Celebrations, Ahmed Hano denied issuing any licenses for the Sandbox Festival, saying his ministry had only authorized the Gouna Film Festival.
"We were not approached about this event, and it might be a tourism-related festival," Hano told Al Manassa.
He also affirmed that the Ministry of Culture is the only official body authorized to license festivals. "I don’t know anything about this event," he said.
However, Governor Hanafy told Al Manassa that Sandbox had obtained the necessary approvals from all relevant security agencies.
Sandbox Festival, launched in 2012 by the private Egyptian events company Nacelle, takes place annually in El Gouna, a resort town owned by businessman Samih Sawiris.
