Zahi Hawass on Ancient Aliens CairoScene 2016-12-25 | Zahi Hawass tells CairoScene why he believes 'new age' people who believe aliens built the pyramids are idiots and why they send him daily hatemail. Follow us on: Instagram: instagram.com/cairosceneFacebook: facebook.com/CairoSceneTwitter: twitter.com/CairoScene
Cairoscene x Botit: Episode 03: Palma CairoScene 2024-10-15 | Cairoscene teams up with @botitapp for a new series spotlighting the hottest homegrown brands in Egypt. Episode 03: Palma.Featuring fashion, food, homeware, beauty and much more, @botitapp is revolutionizing the shopping experience in Egypt with single screen shopping across hundreds of the biggest brands, all with same day delivery when you shop before 2pm.Downalod the @botitapp now on iOS and android.
Cairoscene X Botit Episode 01: Areej Aromatherapy CairoScene 2024-10-01 | #SceneAD: @cairoscene teams up with @botitapp for a new series spotlighting the hottest homegrown brands in Egypt. Episode 01: Areej Aromatherapy. Featuring fashion, food, homeware, beauty and much more, @botitapp is revolutionizing the shopping experience in Egypt with single screen shopping across hundreds of the biggest brands, all with same day delivery when you shop before 2pm. Downalod the @botitapp now on iOS and android.
WATCH: Esaad Younis Spills the Tea on Her Latest TV Show CairoScene 2024-09-24 | It seems like NO ONE is catching any break from the weather this summer. Having premiered on the Egyptian streaming platform ‘WatchIt’ on Saturday, September 21st, we caught up with the cast of ‘Teta Zozo’ days before and got our dose of behind-the-scenes tea. From heat-induced breakdowns to secret crew missions, it seems a lot was happening on set.Starring Esaad Younis alongside Mohamed Kelany, Nour Mahmoud, and Hamza El Eily amongst others, ‘Teta Zozo’ is a family drama that follows Younis’ titular character - a mother of four and grandmother to seven - as she struggles to keep up with her family’s shenanigans.
WATCH: Rising Actor Mostafa Shaker on TIFF & Refusing Terrorist Roles CairoScene 2024-09-08 | The Egyptian actor is making his debut at the Toronto International Film Festival with his short film, ‘One Day This Kid’.
WATCH: The Woman Behind the Wheels of Cairo Metro’s Third Line CairoScene 2024-08-14 | While many would be content driving cars, Cairo’s Hend Adel would not settle for anything less than a train.
WATCH: A Decade of Downtown Cairo’s Zawya Cinema CairoScene 2024-08-12 | Ten years later, co-founder and managing director of Zawya Cinema, Youssef Shazli, reflects on the journey.
WATCH: Poet Mosab Abu Toha on Writing for Palestine CairoScene 2024-08-09 | ACCLAIMED PALESTINIAN POET MOSAB ABU TOHA ON LEAVING GAZA, & AVOIDING POETIC SYMBOLISM FOR THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE “Must a Palestinian person be martyred to be heard? Must they be tortured? Beaten? Exiled?” With these questions, our conversation with acclaimed Palestinian and Gazan poet, writer, and essayist begins.Abu Toha was kidnapped by Israeli occupation forces following the October 7th ‘Toufan Al Aqsa’. On November 20th, his name made headlines worldwide after his family and the global literary community called for his release. His words became a testimony, and his poems a lifeline—both for him personally behind bars and for millions of Gazans in Palestine witnessing the escalated genocide perpetrated by the occupation.Nearly a month before his kidnapping, he published an essay in The New Yorker titled ‘The View from My Window in Gaza,’ a vivid, personal account of his life in Gaza post-October 7th. In the viral essay, he writes, “One idea in particular haunts me, and I cannot push it away. Will I, too, become a statistic on the news?” Shortly after he becomes a headline. In this exclusive @CairoScene interview, filmed during Abu Toha’s first public poetry reading in Cairo at @auc_egypt’s Culture Fest, arts and culture editor Farah Desouky talks with Abu Toha about his writing style—short, sharp, and defiant—his journey from Gaza to Cairo, and his desire to reach global platforms with a language that is both accessible and focused on Palestinian struggle and personhood.
Startup Soundbites - Abdallah Sallam, President & CEO of Madinet Masr CairoScene 2024-07-12 | TV ‘Shark’ Sallam shares his wisdom on the source of true innovation in the MENA’s entrepreneurial scene.
An Exclusive Look Into The Van Leo Photography Collection at The AUC CairoScene 2024-07-09 | In this exclusive interview, Ola Seif, the Curator of Photography and Cinema Collections at the AUC’s Special Collections Library, and renowned scholar of Egyptian-Armenian photographer Van Leo, takes us on a journey through many yet publicly unseen photographs housed at the AUC’s Van Leo Collection. Explaining the intricacies of the photographer’s life, and giving insight into the society, identity and setting which created the artist and the art, the photographer’s works are given a new life and meaning.
You in Human Episode 4 Sarah Taibah CairoScene 2024-07-01 | As a part of Saudi Arabia’s booming creative space, Sara Taibah is intimately familiar with the sometimes unavoidable connection between self-worth and one’s creative output. In this special SceneNowSaudi x Creative Industry Mena produced episode of the popular podcast ‘The You in Human’, actress, writer and filmmaker Sara Taibah talks to host Deana Shaaban about her love for her work, whilst also stressing the importance of maintaining a healthy distance between projects and self-perception.
You in Human Episode 3 Tarek Atrissi CairoScene 2024-06-24 | Across his vast, globe-encompassing portfolio of work stretching back decades, Tarek Atrissi has always strived to marry the deep history behind Arabic calligraphy with innovative new approaches to the art and craft behind typography. In this special SceneNowSaudi x Creative Industry Mena produced episode of the popular podcast ‘The You in Human’, Tarek Atrissi, Founder and Creative Director of Tarek Atrissi Design, talks to host Deana Shaaban about the challenges in balancing the traditional with the contemporary, and his main sources of inspiration - from seemingly mundane street signs to wondrous ancient texts.
Designing Saudi’s Creative Renaissance with Princess Nourah Alfaisal CairoScene 2024-06-17 | In a period of paradigm shifts and tidal changes in Saudi Arabia’s creative industry, HRH Princess Nourah Alfaisal is championing the creativity and passion endemic to the Kingdom’s design space. In this special SceneNowSaudi x Creative Industry Mena produced episode of the popular podcast ‘The You in Human’, Princess Nourah, Founder and Creative Director of Adhlal and CEO of Art of Heritage, talks to host Deana Shaaban about the importance of failure, and embracing learning regardless of age or status.
You in Human: Khaled TashIII CairoScene 2024-06-11 | As the Group Chief Marketing Officer of Saudi Airlines, Khaled Tash is on a mission to ‘Bring Saudi to the World’. In this special SceneNowSaudi x Creative Industry Mena produced episode of the popular podcast ‘The You in Human’ the ambitious brand-builder talks to host Deana Shaaban about what it takes to take off, literally and proverbially.
Award-Winning Visual Storyteller Heba Khamis On Capturing ‘Banned Beauty’ CairoScene 2024-03-28 | A photojournalist turned visual storyteller, a two-time winner of the World Press Photo, an Alexandrian woman, but most importantly: a cautious researcher and speaker, Heba Khamis. Born and based in Alexandria, Egypt, Khamis began her career covering the 25th of January Revolution, documenting on-ground protests and conflicts. Years later, she delved into long-term projects, viewing them as a journey of connecting with people and centring their voices before her lens.As part of Alex Photo Week 2024, Khamis showcased a photo series shot in Cameroon, titled ‘Banned Beauty’. The project, shot in 2018, remains one that Khamis reflects on to this day, as she sifts through images and questions her attempt at capturing a violent practice without vilifying the procedure or sensationalising the young girls subjected to it.The project addresses breast ironing in Cameroon, a procedure widely practised in rural areas. As Khamis entered family homes and spoke to mothers and young girls, she came to understand their fear of sexual violence and teenage pregnancy. "Out of every 1000 girls in Cameroon, 127 are teenage mothers. Mothers opt for the procedure to provide them with better opportunities in life; it’s a protective measure," Khamis tells CairoScene.During @alexphotoweek, World Press Photo displayed the project as part of the ‘Resilience’ exhibition, which selected award-winning World Press stories from across the globe, showcasing and spotlighting the struggles of womanhood in different contexts. We had the opportunity to speak to Khamis about her project and her visual approach at large.
Egyptian Star May El Ghety On Hit Ramadan Series ‘Masar Egbari’ CairoScene 2024-03-27 | A blend of suspense and social drama, May El Ghety or Khadija in ‘Massar Egbari’, held Egyptian audiences spellbound throughout the first half of Ramadan. With its gripping storyline intertwining estranged brothers, a blossoming romance amidst a murder mystery, and stellar performances by May El Ghety, Essam Omar, Ahmed Dash, Sabrine, and Basma, the series delved into the investigation of the tragic death of Habiba, Khadija’s cousin. In this CairoScene & El Fasla interview, we caught up with El Ghety where she spoke about her experience working alongside a cast of young actors, her preparations for the role and why she believes her character's fringe hairstyle was essential. Stay tuned for more exclusive interviews with the stars behind Ramadan 2024’s series.
Asmaa Galal on Her Comedy Debut & Hit Ramadan Series Ashghal Shaa CairoScene 2024-03-26 | While she’s known for compelling roles in poignant social dramas that have moved millions to tears, Asmaa Galal takes a comedic turn this year. Portraying Yasmine, a new mother of twins married to Dr. Hamdy (Hesham Maged) in 'Ashghal Sha’a', Galal dives into her first comedy role. The series features 15 episodes filled with the comical trials of parenthood and the challenges of finding the ideal babysitter, as suggested by its satirical title. Directed by Khaled Diab and penned by Shereen Diab and Khaled Diab, the show blends situational humour with an authentic portrayal of love and parenthood. Galal and Maged strike a delightful balance between comedy and heartfelt moments. In this exclusive interview with CairoScene & El Fasla, Galal shares her initial apprehensions about exploring new genres, the dynamics on set, and whether she’s up for another comedy project.
Asmaa Galal Brings 90s Classic Friends to Ramadan 2024 CairoScene 2024-03-25 | Just in: Comedy star Hesham Maged hasn't seen the 90s classic, Friends. We had a chat with the comedy genre's freshest face, Asmaa Galal, following her series Ashghal Sha’a's success, where she revealed to us how 'The Routine' found its way into the hit series.Will Galal venture into another comedy project? Keep an eye out for our full interview with her to find out! أسماء جلال صممت تحط رقصة فريندز في أشغال شقة من كتر حبها فيهكنت عارف الرقصة ولا زي هشام ماجد اتفاجئت بيها؟🎥 @cairoscene
Veteran Egyptian Cinematographer Mohamed Bakr Opens His Archive CairoScene 2024-03-19 | 50 years of cinematic portraits, 1,500 films and countless stories. Raised amidst the magic of film sets, Egyptian cinematographer Mohamed Bakr's childhood excursions consisted of visits to his father, Hussein Bakr's enchanting world—a realm where storytelling and imagery reigned supreme. Inspired by the boundless potential of visual storytelling, Bakr emerged as a key protagonist in the annals of Egyptian cinema, leaving an indelible mark on its history.As part of Cairo Design Week, Photopia, the photography hub for and school, hosted an exhibition paying homage to Bakr's distinctive lens. Titled '50 Years of Cinematic Portraits', the showcase featured 80 photographs chronicling pivotal moments and iconic figures from Egyptian cinema. From classic masterpieces to contemporary gems, each frame provided a peak into Bakr's unique visual language.Initially slated to conclude on February 23rd, the exhibition's resounding success prompted Photopia to extend its duration until April 6th. On this special occasion, we had the privilege of catching up with Mohamed Bakr himself at the exhibition, where he graciously shared the narratives behind his most memorable frames, offering a glimpse into his meticulously curated archive and the captivating stories it holds.🎥 @cairoscene
Egyptian Artist Omar Gabrs Latest Exhibit: A Tribute to the Ugly CairoScene 2024-02-23 | Egyptian artist Omar Gabr brings out his toys in his latest exhibit, ‘Rembrandt's Brit Milah’. Amid a packed Ubuntu Art Gallery in Zamalek, visitors walk into an overwhelming space filled with colour, texture, and sound—a satirical take on what Gabr and the curator, Farida Youssef, refer to as a re-examination of the origins of fine arts."This project started as an examination of identity," Gabr tells CairoScene, "I was trying to find the Egyptian identity in our art because we’re always accused of having a similar approach to Western artists." While Gabr believes this search for the Egyptian identity isn’t resolved per se, it is what pushed him to look deeper within his context and has thus become the guide and inspiration for this visual language. The people and spaces Gabr inhabits, namely Shubra his hometown, are the protagonists in a portrayal that intentionally breaks any normative forms of aesthetic or ‘beauty’.To Youssef, Gabr’s strokes, striking yet almost subversive at times, are a deeper look into exposing a harsh reality, which to her is where the beauty lies. In "Rembrandt's Brit Milah", beyond aesthetics, the unsettling nature of these pieces confronts our moral compass. Gabr invites us to look inwards while adding a bumper sticker on what has long been perceived as untouchable sacred pieces of ‘fine art’. The exhibition is running till March 9th at Ubuntu Art Gallery in Zamalek.
Wael Abed’s ‘Of Pyramids and Stones’ Revives Egypt’s Ancient Heritage CairoScene 2024-02-21 | The classic Cairo scene of jostling traffic and the constant cacophony of the ‘kalaks’ - ringing out from every car, bus, lorry, motorbike, scooter and even horse carriage - has been described an uncountable number of times.But the ever-present backdrop of Egypt’s ancient history and timeless landscape has faded into abject unimportance or irrelevance for most drivers passing by every day. It is this fact that photographer Wael Abed dreams of changing, through any medium available to him. His latest photographic exhibition at the CLEG Gallery, titled ‘Of Pyramids and Stones’, is part of what has become his mission; to get Egyptians interested in the history and landscapes of their own country. Abed kindly took us on a tour of the exhibition, explaining his process, his vision, and his connection with the subject: Egypt. His Egypt. Our Egypt.With an extended run lasting until February 22nd, Abed’s exhibition is a marriage of the very old and the very new. The centrepieces of the exhibition are of course his photographs of the Pyramids of Giza and their surroundings. With a tasteful dose of sepia tone, and an aversion to capturing any tour buses or garish modern billboards, the images take on a timeless character, in harmony with their ancient subjects. “This exhibition is about paving the way for people to start generating interest in their heritage once again,” Abed tells #CairoScene. “I hope that these images, this exhibition, encourages people to read about their history and to proceed with further research.”
New Comic Book Inspired by Actress Yosra El Lozys Daughter CairoScene 2024-01-29 | As an actress and mother, Yosra El Lozy brings a personal touch to the discussion on diversity and representation in media. Her daughter, Daleela, inspired the creation of a new comic book titled ‘Lama Raqaset Daleela’ that puts the spotlight on children with hearing impairments.In this book, the protagonist is a young girl diagnosed with the same hearing impairment that Daleela has. Through her story, audiences can see the world through her lens, making space in public media for people who were often sidelined from mainstream media, their conditions unseen and unheard.El Lozy shared the news on Instagram, emphasizing the significance of showcasing the experiences of differently-abled individuals and encouraging children to understand each other’s perspectives. “It’s so important for children with different abilities to see themselves represented and to feel like equal members of society,” El Lozy wrote.
Mourning Dodi Fayed: Nourhan Tewfik on Netflix’s The Crown CairoScene 2024-01-16 | #SceneArts: ON MOURNING DODI Al FAYED & THE POWER OF AUTHENTIC ARAB REPRESENTATION ABROAD: IN CONVERSATION WITH EGYPTIAN CULTURAL CONSULTANT FOR NETFLIX’S ‘THE CROWN’ NOURHAN TEWFIK“It’s as if Diana died alone.” With those words, almost two decades after his untimely death, the story of Dodi Al Fayed once again occupies global screens and headlines. A name and a legacy marked by controversy, conspiracy, forbidden love and most importantly, racism. This well-known love saga, etched into the hearts of every Egyptian, is the story of Dodi and Diana. In seasons five and six of Netflix’s ‘The Crown,’ the series veers off its usual course to explore the shores of Alexandria and the family of Egyptian business tycoon Mohamed Al Fayed. Navigating this journey is the series’ Egyptian cultural consultant, Nourhan Tewfik, who speaks to us about her role in the series, the power of authentic Arab representation abroad and what it means to mourn Dodi Al Fayed on screen after years of marginalisation of his character. Initially a journalist and academic, Tewfik stumbled upon an ad seeking a cultural consultant for an undisclosed project—someone skilled in film and research. Eventually, she found herself recreating the streets of Alexandria in Britain, capturing the essence of its chaotic soundscapes and ensuring the Egyptian characters authentically sounded... well, Egyptian.لما شفنا الموسم الخامس والسادس مسلسل The Crown شفنا جانب تاني خالص من قصة موت ديانا.بعد سنين من تعامل الإعلام الغربي مع ديانا إنها ماتت وحدها وإن دودي الفايد ماكنش شخص مهم، جه المسلسل واعترف بوجوده وبأحقيته في الحياة وفي الزعل عليه بعد الموت. شفنا شوارع الإسكندرية وبيوتها ولعب العيال وصوت الآذان وسمعنا سيد درويش وكانت من المرات القليلة اللي نشوف في مسلسل أجنبي مصر حقيقية.ده كان دور المستشارة الثقافية للمسلسل نورهان توفيق، اللي كانت بتراقب كل تفاصيل العمل عشان تضمن إن كل الأجزاء المصرية حقيقية. قابلنا "نورهان" عشان نعرف أكتر عن شغلها وكواليس العمل في مسلسل نتفليكس الشهير.
Lanalous New Childrens Book Shares Palestines Beauty CairoScene 2023-12-11 | For years, parents have asked themselves a recurring question: how and when should I tell my child about Palestine? At Lanalou, an Egyptian brand catering to parents of young ones, the answer is as simple as it is creative: read them a children's book.
Exclusive First Look Inside Saqqara’s First Museum CairoScene 2023-12-05 | Against the backdrop of the Saqqara necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site south of Cairo, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities invited us for an exclusive tour of the venerated site’s first museum. The Imhotep Museum, which spans 1,500 square metres, offers visitors an immersive journey into the ancient legacy of Imhotep, an esteemed ancient Egyptian architect and physician known for pioneering stone construction with the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the oldest complete stone building complex in known history.
Gliding Through Decades: Egyptian Skateboarder Mo is Taking on Gen Z CairoScene 2023-11-30 | On one of our impromptu strolls amidst the peaceful lanes of Maadi’s streets, a symphony of raucous cheers intermingled with resonant grinding sounds, somewhere between a rattle and a rumble, seized our attention. Nearing the shelter of lush foliage, we encountered a cluster of budding skaters, gracefully gliding with their wooden boards across sleek grey flooring in what seemed to be a concealed skatepark.Among this group of youngsters in baggy pants and oversized shirts, stood Mohamed Kamel, a 57-year-old man, exuberantly manoeuvring his skates and executing kickflips, akin to a 90’s old-school skateboarding pro from the streets of Chigaco, proving that age is just a number. Intrigued, we approached Kamel to uncover his story and how he mastered the meticulous art of this adrenaline-bumping dynamic street sport.“I know I am way older than you guys, but I still love this sport, and I still skate. I am better than some of you,” Kamel tells CairoScene, chuckling lightly as he caresses his custom-made caramel-coloured wooden skateboard.To read the full feature on this 57-year-old skateboarder, his involvement in the global skateboarding scene and his collection of self-customised boards, head to www.scenenow.com or download the #SceneNOW app (link in bio) available on Android and iOS
A free Palestine, from the heart of Cairo’s ancient Darb El Ahmar neighbourhood. CairoScene 2023-11-24 | ...
World Renowned Tutankhamun - The Immersive Exhibition Debuts at The Grand Egyptian Museum CairoScene 2023-11-21 | Coinciding with the historic discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb over a century ago, the exhibit provides an immersive experience through cutting-edge digital art, spanning 3,400 years of history. From Tut's ascent to power as a child Pharaoh at age 9 to the momentous discovery of his tomb in 1922, the show unfolds through a cinematic odyssey, immersing visitors in the young pharaoh’s legacy.
Gazas streets echoed with the laughter of children, and Palestines landscapes. CairoScene 2023-11-06 | Before October 7th, there existed a Gaza that bore no association with the desolation of rubble, and a Palestine that retained its identity without the haunting scent of death. In those precious moments of fleeting serenity, Gaza's streets echoed with the laughter of children, and Palestine's landscapes spoke of resilience and heritage.
Inji Efflatoun: art, activism & legacy CairoScene 2023-11-04 | “I still paint a lot, with determination and inspiration; the subjects are always the same but with a new vision, a purer and more sober vision; for me, it’s about constantly renewing myself in this world of the unrenewable and the complete banality in which we find ourselves,” wrote Egyptian painter Inji Efflatoun in 1963 from her jail cell. Efflatoun's journey began in her teenage years when she joined the surrealist group "Art et Liberté" (Art and Liberty). She was an active participant in Egyptian feminist and Marxist circles during the late 1940s, and it was in this context that she started to explore the potential of painting as a means of expressing her political and social convictions. As her convictions evolved, particularly during her four-year imprisonment under the Nasser regime, Efflatoun departed from the surrealistic style that had initially characterized her work and transitioned to realism. She was also a vocal writer and made regular contributions to newspaper columns.Efflatoun passed away in 1989, yet her legacy endures as a testament to her lifelong commitment to both art and social change.
The Forever is Now exhibition by Art D Egypte is running at the Great Pyramids of Giza CairoScene 2023-10-30 | ...
Egyptian rapper Wegz roars Free Palestine in a resounding anthem at his concert in Toronto. CairoScene 2023-10-26 | The rapper had recently announced that a portion of the proceeds from his global ‘Live Nation’ tour will be donated to relief efforts to aid Palestinians in Gaza. “I want you to chant with me, free, free Palestine.”
Hundreds are chanting inside of Al-Azhar Mosque in solidarity with Palestine CairoScene 2023-10-21 | 📽️ Mahmoud ElKhawas
Journey through true Emirati culture at Abu Dhabi’s Al Fanar restaurant CairoScene 2023-10-15 | A rustic interior evocative of the 1960s transports you to the bygone era of small town Abu Dhabi in Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe, a restaurant at Yas Mall that immerses you in the pleasures of Emirati hospitality. Small portions of Arabic coffee invite you to sit down and take in the local culture and the aesthetics that have dominated the Arabian peninsula for a millenia, before you embark on a journey through Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisines.Traditional Arabian dishes share the menu with Indian and Persian-inspired fare, from saloona stew to minced baby sharks. Recalling old towns and their souks, the authentic Emirati cuisine in Al Fanar Restaurant reflects Abu Dhabi’s history as a trade centre that celebrates heritage and modernity in equal measure.
Keep The Meter Running Cairo - Part 2 CairoScene 2023-10-12 | Kareem continues his journey in Cairo with Faisal, navigating the hectic streets that are notorious for their chaotic traffic. As they inch through the city, Kareem asks about the valuable life lessons Faisal’s father gave to him during his youth, lessons that continue to influence him to this day. Surprisingly, they discover that Faisal lives in Imbahba, the very same neighborhood where Kareem was born.🚕🚕🚕🚕🚕🚕@CairoScene teamed up with @Kareem to shoot a special episode of ‘Keep The Meter Running’ in Cairo, where he heads back to his family’s birth Neighbourhood of Imbaba, gorges on Koshary and gets up close and personal (in his best Arabic) with straight-shooting Faisal who takes Kareem to some of his favorite hang out spots around the city. Think Anthony Bourdain’s ‘Parts Unknown’ meets Khaled Al Khamissi’s ‘Taxi’. Stay tuned for the episode three nextCreated by Produced by @cairoscene
Keep The Meter Running Cairo - Part 3 CairoScene 2023-10-12 | Kareem and Faisal drive past the Great Pyramids of Giza before arriving at El Caesar Cafe, a charming spot nestled in the heart of Cairo. There, they enjoy a leisurely evening, savoring some hookah flavors and engaging in spirited games of dominos, a popular pastime in the bustling streets of Cairo. 🚕🚕🚕🚕🚕🚕Stay tuned for episode four.Created by KareemProduced by @cairoscene / @mo4network387
Keep The Meter Running Cairo - Episode 1 CairoScene 2023-10-12 | “Since the day I started this show, I've dreamt of filming an episode in Cairo. I was born in this city and have been visiting throughout my life. I spent many summers there as a kid and my entire extended family still lives there. Yet, as I grew older, I began to take Cairo for granted. I’d visited so many times that I really forgot about the magic that it offers. The experience of shooting here changed that perspective and gave me a newfound appreciation for the place I was born.”🚕🚕🚕🚕🚕🚕CairoScene teamed up with Kareem to shoot a special episode of ‘Keep The Meter Running’ in Cairo, where he heads back to his family’s birth Neighbourhood of Imbaba, gorges on Koshary and gets up close and personal (in his best Arabic) with straight-shooting Faisal who takes Kareem to some of his favorite hang out spots around the city. Think Anthony Bourdain’s ‘Parts Unknown’ meets Khaled Al Khamissi’s ‘Taxi’. Created by KareemProduced by @cairoscene / @mo4network387
Hijabi Basketballer Jamad Fiin: Finding Footing & Breaking Barriers CairoScene 2023-09-29 | When Canadian rapper and singer Drake followed basketball player Jamad Fiin on Instagram, she followed him back. On Fiin's 17th birthday, her cousin bestowed her with the gift of internet fame. There were no ribbons to untie or cards to tuck away in bedside tables; instead, just a video snippet of the teenager executing a smooth left-handed drive through a crowd of men. For Fiin, it was a routine pastime. Yet, to the wider audience, it emerged as something quite notable – a brief, four-second defiance of stereotypical expectations concerning the behavior of a girl wearing a head covering. The following morning, she watched in awe as the video's viewership soared, eventually reaching millions.Fiin’s fame gradually made its way into Somali and Muslim communities worldwide. Some couldn't help but pause at her unconventional choices, grappling to reconcile her actions with the traditions they were raised with. Others found themselves consumed with pride, gravitating towards Fiin’s ability to strike a balance between her faith and greatest passion in life. It wasn’t long before girls in her community followed suit. The more Fiin’s family and friends publicly advocated for her, the more parental stigma in her tight knit community unraveled. Years later, Fiin founded ‘Jamad Basketball Camps’ and subsequently pioneered a space where girls can pursue their passion outside the glaring gaze of societal norms.
Surf Camp Egypt is Making Waves With International Surfing Association CairoScene 2023-08-28 | Surf Camp Egypt, the country’s leading surfing community, has joined the International Surfing Association (ISA), the official organisational entity for the sport of surfing worldwide. Famed for their frequent outings on Egypt’s North Coast, Surf Camp Egypt has been nurturing the surfing community with trips around the country, as well as in vibrant destinations like Bali, Sri Lanka and Portugal.“The ISA has already been in communication with the Egyptian government to create an official surfing body in the country,” Omar Sobky, the founder and managing director of Surf Camp Egypt, tells CairoScene. “This would allow Egypt to compete in the sport of surfing at the Olympics in the future. This is the first step that will allow us to compete in international competitions.”The camp provides surfing lessons and daily practices all year round. The beaches of Hacienda Red and White have become the hub for Surf Camp’s community. “The aim of Surf Camp has always been to give back knowledge of surfing to people, and to create a community who live the surfing lifestyle,” says Sobky. “We have become very popular in Sahel, and already have over 19 thousand followers on our Instagram page. This shows how hooked people get to the surfing lifestyle and culture we are promoting. They get hooked to the community.”.
Midday Stroll Amidst Downtown Cairo’s Endless Hidden Treasures CairoScene 2023-08-24 | Budget-friendly pastime activity? We don’t know about you but Downtown Cairo’s timeless stores, some of which have endured for decades, will always beat an upscale mall. Whether it’s the charm of a passionate shop owner’s craft or an irreplicable item finding its way to your home, the stories nestled inside these spaces can fill a library.
Imagine The Future of Living Spaces With AI Engine Sodic/Imagine CairoScene 2023-08-22 | Whether it’s homes that cater to our moods, or invite us to change views from desert oases to megacities in a moment, we all dream of life in the future. SODIC/Imagine, is giving us the ability to peer forwards in time and actualise our wildest aspirations.The campaign is a demonstration of SODIC’s intentions of becoming the first developer in Egypt to use AI in its future projects, blending the real and dream worlds together. A handful of Egypt’s most architecturally experimentative minds have already answered that question. Film director Mark Hanna took inspiration from Sci-Fi movies, spreading holograms throughout his abode. Founder of That Really Cool Studio, Alya Surour, dreamed of a home that reacts to her body, adjusting its openings and temperature in accordance to her moods and needs. When architect-artist Karim El Hayawan first viewed his results, it seemed evocative of the architecture of ‘Ex Machina’. As for Timmy Mowafi, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of MO4 Network, it was more ‘Tarzan 2080’.As part of their campaign, SODIC invites anyone and everyone to visit their website, imagine.sodic.com, where you will be able to type in your ideal living space as a prompt and watch as the AI creates a vivid image of it before your eyes. So, how do you imagine living in the future?
New Cairo Reports Infestation of Aggressive Flying Shells And an Epidemic of Slippery Banana Peels! CairoScene 2023-07-30 | No, not really. But Auto Vroom ‘s professional go-karting track is the closest you’ll get to stepping right into the iconic racing game with a few mad-dash laps around the track.With locations in New Cairo and Obour, plus the option to ride in two-seater karts, Autovrooom could be the perfect spot for a romantic date with the Princess Peach to your Mario. Or the Daisy to your Luigi. Or the Birdo to your Yoshi. Or…the Toadette to your Toad? Ok we’re done.New Cairo Reports Infestation of Aggressive Flying Shells And an Epidemic of Slippery Banana Peels!
This New Cairo Candy Store is a Wonka-esque Wonderland CairoScene 2023-07-25 | Where do our deepest, most insatiable sweet-tooth episodes go for transcendent satiation, you may ask? The answer is somewhere in the aisles of Cairo-spanning sugar monger Candy Store, where you can ride purple Milka cows, relish in the shade of candy cane trees and hide away in an en vogue Barbie box. Besides hard-to-find imported snacks, and an in-store creamery and bakery, the Candy Store also offers a wide range of spices, frozen goodies and Asian treats that make it the perfect spot for our so-called weekly grocery run (that will inevitably consist mostly of Cold Stone ice cream and fruit roll-ups).
This Downtown Cairo Pharmacy is Reminiscent of an Alchemist Lab CairoScene 2023-07-23 | In the 20th century, London-based pharmacy Stephenson brought its imported wood and individually brewed antidotes and set up shop on Downtown Cairo’s heavily trodden streets. The pharmacy adopted an alchemist approach to the science, brewing all of the medicine inhabiting its glass cabinets in-house. Today, Agzakhana Stephenson has been passed down to the heir of Dr Ehsan Samnan, a dedicated pharmacist who took over the pharmacy in the late 1930s, but was intent on preserving the space’s potion-brewing integrity. Curious wanderers as well as hurried shoppers can now stop by for a breath of the pharmacy’s aged air and stacked potion bottles.
