An Introduction to Nile Pop

Abstract The event “Nile Pop: Music, Poetry, and Stories on a Shared River,” held at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden on February 22, 2022, explored the influence of the Nile River and its infrastructure on popular culture in Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Organized as part of the “Open Water Diplomacy” project, the event examined how cultural narratives shape the political and social dimensions of water disputes, particularly in the context of the ongoing negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The event emphasized the relevance of cultural hydro-hegemony, a concept that integrates Antonio Gramsci’s theory of cultural hegemony into hydropolitics. The discussions underscored the fluid and contested nature of water narratives, showing how popular culture both reinforces and challenges national interests. Three key propositions emerged: (1) cultural hegemony should be considered in the study of hydro-hegemony to deepen understanding of transboundary water conflicts; (2) cultural hydro-hegemony is dynamic, evolving, and contested; and (3) researchers must acknowledge their active roles in shaping water-related narratives. The event highlighted the importance of inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration in analyzing the symbolic and political dimensions of water, emphasizing the need for inclusive and dialogic spaces in water diplomacy. Ultimately, Nile Pop illustrated how culture, politics, and technology intertwine in shaping our perceptions of water and international disputes. https://nilepop.bridginghumanities.com/emanuele-fantini-introduction-nile-pop/