Community Times Magazine April 2017

April 2017

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Contents April 2017 tOWN tAlK 06

38

18

Talk of the Town News

Culture 12

Books Eight Books to Read during Spring Break

MiNd, BOdy & SOul 14

Psychotherapy and Alternative Healing

14

SCeNeS 42

Gawhar Al-Lala Mosque

COMMuNity

FeAtureS 18

Extracting Gold from Electronic Devices

38

Twist and Rock 2017 Neo-Futurist Twisted Skyscrapers and Buildings

44

EntrEprEnEur The Rise of Gourmet Street Food

48

rEal EstatE A Talk with the Chairman of Mountain View iCity

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21

CuiSiNe 54

SpeCiAl FeAture 21

Rising Egyptian Haute Couture Designers Spring/Summer 2017 Fashion An Interior Designer’s View on this Year’s Trends

COVER Photo Courtesy of Mountain View iCity Chairman Mr. Amr Soliman

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Architect Dalia Sadany Projects Card Structuring by Ahmed Refay

Easter & Sham El Nessim Ideas Restaurant Review

CAleNdAr 60

April Culture Events

SOCiety 64

Social events and gatherings

Publisher Live Colors, Nicosia Managing Partner Najla Riad Associate Partners Ahmed Samy Mohamed Maher

Editorial Department Editor-in-chief Moguib Roshdy Acting Editor Najla Riad Assistant Editor Rawan Abdel Latif

Writers Rehab Saad, Layal Al Rustom, Rana Kamaly, Selma Koehn, Ahmed Kafafi, Soha Khater and Imane Tarkhan

Art Department Art Director Khadiga El Badan

Senior Graphic Designer Marina Raafat

Sales Department Sales Director Rania Halim

Production MANAGER Enas Adly

Editor’s Note

Administration Department Distribution Manager Rana Ezzat Office Manager Magda Adib

During the spring months, many people like to renovate their homes, so we opted to have this issue of Community Times be on design and this season’s fashion.

On that basis, we interviewed one lady we are proud to feature, architect Dalia Sadany, an award winner and president of the International Association of Designers, who has told us about the many projects established and to be implemented around Cairo. We also talked to architect Ahmed Bakr about his opinion on the latest trends in interior design.

Our yearly weird design concept is back this issue, featuring different types of twisted building structures around the world. This is a pictorial article for you to enjoy.

On style, we scanned the Internet for the latest in the Spring/Summer 2017 fashion trends and we are also introducing three upcoming talented Egyptian designers.

Legal Consultant Ashraf Soliman Financial Consultants Hazem Abdel Tawab Ahmed Abbas

Office Clerk Mahmoud Abdel Aziz Office Custodian Ismail Othman Distribution Al Ahram, Al Akhbar, Next Media Mohandessin, Zamalek, Heliopolis, Maadi, Nasr City, New Cairo, 6 October City, Sheikh Zayed City

CTP & Printing by Sahara Printing Company

We also interviewed Engineer Amr Soliman on Mountain View’s latest projects that we find innovative and futuristic in the sense that the projects are primarily concentrated on being environmentally friendly.

Last, but not least, as Sham El Nessim is coming up, we always love to give you some ideas for recipes to help you set a menu for the occasion.

Wishing you all a Happy Easter and Sham El Nessim!

The Editor editor@live-colors.com

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Address: 48 Abdel Moneim Hafez Street, Midan El Sabaa’ Emarat, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt Tel/Fax: (+202) 2290 8127 - 2415 8762 Mobile: 0100 005 2322 - 0100 005 2323 E-mail: editor@live-colors.com Website: www.communitytimes.me © Copyright 2004 Community Times is a monthly publication published by LC Live Colors Nicosia, Cyprus

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TownTalk

Mastaba Restaurant Opens Mastaba held its first exclusive tasting event on February 18th in the heart of Point 90 Mall in New Cairo.

In attendance were food bloggers and some of Cairo’s lifestyle editors, who enjoyed hearty Egyptian dishes while listening to oriental music. Guests were entertained by taking part in a mini food styling and photography competition that they had set up for a chance to win a Canon camera, and left the event with a gift-basket holding Mastaba’s signature feteer meshaltet.

Mastaba is a restaurant that aims to alter the perception of Egyptian food, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Big on flavor, taste and being cheap to produce, the local homemade plates are presented in a way that puts the Egyptian cuisine in the global scene. p

Mazaya Make-Up Academy Opens in Cairo Mazaya celebrated the opening event of its professional academy “Mazaya Make-Up Academy” on February 22nd, inviting many of their VIP customers along with the media. Guests were given a briefing on all the course details as well as free make-up application sessions.

Mazaya’s Makeup Academy, located in Nasr City, provides professional make-up courses presented by Mazaya’s Training Manager Hana Zahr Eldin. The duration of the course is twelve hours; ranging from four to six sessions. Students are awarded a certificate from Mazaya upon completing the course. p

Single, Secure Mobile App for All Digital Transactions Launches in Middle East and Africa One Global has launched a mobile app as a single, secure platform for all digital financial services across the Middle East and Africa. The Og Money platform, formerly known as PayIt, already has 900,000 customers across the region.

Og Money is the next evolution of digital financial services, going beyond digital payments to provide users with mobile wallet capabilities, banking, merchant and checkout facilities, virtual stores and turnkey dealer solutions.

A September 2016 report by the McKinsey Global Institute quantifying the economic and social impact of digital finance in emerging economies found widespread adoption and use could increase the GDP of all emerging economies by six percent or $3.7 trillion by 2025.

Og Money opens up a world of opportunity for people without credit facilities, while also connecting businesses with vast, untapped customers in emerging markets. That’s why Og Money was engineered to be the most secure, reliable, user friendly and convenient one-stop-shop app for facilitating digital transactions and boosting the cashless economy.

Og Money consumer is available for download from the Apple iTunes App Store and Google Play Android market. More information is available at www.oneglobal.co. p

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Majid Al Futtaim Opens the Doors of Mall of Egypt Majid Al Futtaim, the leading retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia opens the doors of the eagerly anticipated Mall of Egypt on March 2nd. With an investment of $722 million, the mall, located in 6th of October City on Al Wahat Road, is expected to attract a great fanfare from crowds eager to experience Egypt’s latest shopping and entertainment hub.

With the unveiling of Mall of Egypt, Majid Al Futtaim is bringing its unique retail mix as well as its world-renowned leisure and entertainment brand portfolio that includes; Ski Egypt, which brings snow for the first time to the city and the African continent, VOX Cinemas that houses a total of 21 theatres including one 4DX screen, four Gold, one IMAX, two screens for kids and 13 regular screens and the latest version of the family edutainment centres: Magic Planet and Little Explorers.

The mall’s environmentally friendly design and innovative architectural concept is an excellent example of Majid Al Futtaim’s leading sustainability model and the progress the company is making towards fulfilling the vision of meeting international standards. p

Reviving the History of the Sandwich Sweet Boutique, one of the Nile Ritz-Carlton’s ‘on the go’ restaurants has created an entire pharaonic inspired menu offering starters, sandwiches, desserts and juices inspired by the Egyptian history. The first sandwich in the world was launched by a renowned Egyptologist to recognize it as the first of its kind sandwich in history.

The Egyptian museum’s proximity to The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo regularly inspires the hotel and its offering. Most recently, the rich Egyptian culture and the museum prompted The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo to recreate the Pharaoh’s historic sandwich using the exact same ingredients – creating the perfect dish for tourists and guests to enjoy, completing their Egyptian Museum tour.

Commenting on this new menu, Executive Chef, Khaled Ibrahim said, “Most of the ingredients we use to create our cuisines and the vision behind them is primarily derived from the inspiration we seek from the rich Egyptian cultural food that our ancestries used to prepare. We are extremely excited to offer a small piece of history through our sandwiches that mimic a prehistoric way of living.” p

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TownTalk

A New Era for Nokia Smartphones HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, unveiled a new generation of Nokia smartphones, setting a new standard in design, quality and user experience throughout the range.

Cairo Marriott Supports Tour n’ Cure and Messi’s Visit to Egypt!

Cairo Marriott was a proud supporter of the Tour n’ Cure Initiative as part of Marriott International’s “Spirit to Serve” activities and the on-going #Activ8Egypt campaign to support Egypt’s tourism.

Lionel Messi is now officially the face of the Tour n’ Cure campaign which provides hepatitis C affordable treatment packages for patients from all over the world.

This is Egypt’s latest initiative in medical tourism, offering the opportunity to treat hepatitis C with the most recent, advanced therapies worldwide without any waiting time.

The highly anticipated global portfolio features three new smartphones – the new Nokia 6, delivering performance and immersive entertainment in a premium and extremely robust design; Nokia 5, an elegant smartphone that fits perfectly in your hand; and Nokia 3, which delivers an unprecedented quality at an affordable price point. The new range of Nokia smartphones all run Android™ Nougat and offer a pure, secure and up to date experience and will all feature Google Assistant. Over and above, is the return of a modern classic – the iconic Nokia 3310, reborn with a modern twist on design.

The new Nokia smartphones feature Google’s most recent innovation, the Google Assistant, building further on a great Android experience. It was also announced that the world-renowned game Snake will be making its way back into people’s hearts with a new version available to play on Messenger, part of Facebook’s Instant Games cross platform experience. The new free Snake game is designed to be played with groups of friends making it even more playable than the first time around.

The new Nokia range of Android smartphones unveiled ahead of Mobile World Congress includes:

During the one-week program, patients will meet up with highly qualified hepatology doctors to perform all necessary check-ups, lab tests and administer the course of treatment that is ideal for the patient’s case.

Nokia 6 is going global – Distinctive design with immersive audio and an impressive bright and colourful 5.5” full HD screen. The smart audio amplifier with dual speakers allow consumers to experience a deeper bass and unmatched clarity, whilst Dolby Atmos® sound delivers a powerfully moving entertainment experience.

Tour n’ Cure has collaborated with Pharco corporation, one of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturers in the Middle East and Prime Pharma.

Nokia 6 Arte Black Limited Edition – With 64GB storage and 4GB RAM, this special edition combines the best features of the Nokia 6 family in a stunning black high gloss package.

This Egyptian program received high recognition worldwide including the World Health Organization, which celebrated World Hepatitis C day in Cairo back in 2015.

Nokia 5 – Powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 430 mobile platform and the Qualcomm® Adreno™ 505 graphics processor, the Nokia 5 brings robust structural integrity, attention to detail and the quality of a high-end flagship to everyone.

Cairo Marriott will be curing 100 patients as part of it’s strong support to the cause. p

Nokia 3 – The Nokia 3 packs a truly premium quality smartphone experience into its compact and elegant form.

Also announced were: Nokia 3310 – Thin, light and incredibly durable, it boasts an incredible 22-hour talk-time and month long stand-by.

Accessories – also introduced was a portfolio of Nokia accessories that follows iconic design philosophy. As perfect companions to these smartphones, the full Nokia accessories portfolio includes a range of headsets, portable and Bluetooth speakers, in-car chargers, cases and screen protectors. p

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International Women’s Day at Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah organized an International Women›s Day event and invited all Accor Egypt’s ladies to spend a full day at the hotel. The event started with a speech by Mr. Laurent Betourne, Area General Manager of Sofitel Egypt, followed by a yoga and zumba session and ended with a dance party at Le Duplex and raffle prizes from our SoSPA. p

Credit Agricole Egypt Supports Egyptian Women Credit Agricole Egypt bank has actively participated in the Conference of “Perspectives of the Francophone Women North and South” held during March in the Library of Alexandria and organized by the Center of Francophone Activities of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the French Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, and the Senghor University.

Vichy Workshop Encourages Cairo Women to Sustain Healthy Lifestyles Vichy held a workshop in honor of the month of International Women’s Day, to promote their philosophy on the importance of sustaining a healthy lifestyle, coming from Vichy core mission to inspire women to live healthy lives.

In order to motivate the community to make positive changes to their lifestyles, Vichy brought together several prominent figures from various fields to introduce skin health. Present at the workshop was esteemed dermatologists who gave a talk on the factors that can negatively affect skin health and how to combat them through a comprehensive skin care routine.

Another speaker at the event was nutritionist Amy Mortagy, who gave attendees inspiration speech on proper nutrition and how to maintain healthy diets with minimum efforts. Vichy also selected Dalia Hashish— health enthusiast, co-founder of Raw Republic, to give a brief session on her personal experience with adopting a healthy lifestyle and the impact it can have on your daily routine.

Mrs. Pascale Bohn, Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Executive Committee of Crédit Agricole Egypt, addressed during her speech, in the panel titled “Francophone Women and Economy”, the important role carried out by women in the banking sector, especially in Credit Agricole Group. She also highlighted the bank’s participation in different initiatives aiming for women empowerment and raising their abilities to occupy leading positions in Egypt and around the world.

Mrs. Mona Nasrallah, Head of Private Banking in Crédit Agricole Egypt, said that the development of women and young girls is at the top of the priorities of the CSR initiatives adopted by Credit Agricole Egypt. She also added that the conference represents a remarkable opportunity to view and understand the experiences of other women who come from various backgrounds.

Crédit Agricole Egypt will be providing a number of young ladies from the program an internship for three months. They will be given the chance to work in the different departments to acquire the knowledge of banking operations, as a first step to their professional careers. p

The event aimed to push the community to adopt healthy routines through proper nutrition, exercise and the use of products by Vichy that nourish and protect the skin. p April 2017 | Ct

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Towntalk

Happy Easter

Photo compliments of Dusit Thani LakeView

Photo compliments of The Nile Ritz-Carlton

Photo compliments of InterContinental Citystars

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Photo compliments of Soma Bay

InterContinental, Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars Easter Activities At InterContinental Citystars, the chefs and restaurant staff will put a ‘spring in their step’ to make sure the day goes with a swing.

From noon until 5 pm, Al Khal, Pool Bar and The Lounge will feature live music and belly dancer, a special ‘Sham El Nessim’ buffet with live cooking stations and traditional delicacies, plus a children’s buffet.

Fayruz will be a children’s venue from noon till 5 pm, where they can enjoy their exclusive kids’ buffet, followed by an afternoon of fun and games with face painting as well.

At Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars the celebrations continue with authentic treats spicing up the sumptuous buffet spread at Windows from 12:30 pm until 11 pm.

The Pool Garden is the hot spot to aim for when you are bringing the ‘young ones’ to make a special fuss of them for a fun-filled day.

From noon until 6 pm there is a BBQ buffet with a DJ and kids’ games.

Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars sees plenty of fun for kids on Sham El Nessim. The fun will start after breakfast and include face painting, play dough and drawing with an Easter theme among other activities.

Bunny Up: Easter at Cairo Marriott Bask in the beauty of Easter and surround yourself with family and friends for a much needed day out in the sun. Unwind as you get pampered at Cairo Marriott on April 17th with delicious meals and fun surprises! A breakfast buffet will be served at Omar’s Café from 6 am until 11 am, including classic holiday recipes. If you are not an early riser, both Omar’s Café and Promenade Café will offer a brunch buffet for “Sham El Nessim” from 1 pm until 5 pm.

Promenade Café will accompany guests with the catchy beats of “Our Waves” jazz band.

No Easter is complete without some chocolate bunnies! The Bakery will have special holiday treats of chocolate bunnies, cakes and many more Easter inspired desserts.

Celebrate this Easter Holiday at The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo is excited to open its doors to families for a warm and festive Easter family vacation. In celebration of Easter, the hotel showcases an endless selection of family activities and events, from a lavish Easter brunch at ‘Culina’ restaurant to an exciting Easter Kids Festival at ‘The Garden City’ or even a special family day at the pool, it’s all there this Easter at The Nile RitzCarlton, Cairo.

The celebrations kick-off on Monday 17th of April as the all-day dining restaurant ‘Culina’ hosts a lavish Easter brunch, offering a wide variety of culinary creations. This specially enhanced buffet features extensive carving and seafood stations, paired with Easter inspired dishes and delicious desserts.

During brunch, children are invited to take part in an exciting Easter festival at ’The Garden City’ right across from Culina, where they will enjoy a special brunch themselves. Children will enjoy fun activities including an egg hunt, Easter-themed games, arts and crafts, and will be delighted when they receive a special visit from the Easter Bunny.

Families can also choose to enjoy Easter under the sun with the ‘Surf and Turf’ family pool package. Each family can indulge in an exclusive pool cabana with a succulent selection of ‘all you can eat’ poolside BBQ, perfect for enjoying flame grilled premium quality meats and seafood delicious sauces and condiments, a fresh salad bar, tasty side dishes, and mouth-watering desserts.

The poolside fun will include a full schedule of activities at the pool.

For those who wish to celebrate Easter in style, Nox will be hosting a luxurious ‘Easter Oyster’ rooftop dining and party experience along with luxurious seafood platters, champagne, wine and spirits as you dance the night away with the finest entertainment in town.

Experience a Matchless, Flamboyant and Extravagant Easter Holiday in Soma Bay Staying at Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay for Easter enables you to have easy access to some of the most exciting and colorful events the destination has to offer.

Enjoy a unique blend of traditional flamenco styles with Western pop and Latin rhythms by the famous Gipsy Kings; the finest rock compositions ever produced by Dire Straits; enjoy dancing to the finest tunes of Freestay, the winner of the 2013 Romanian X-Factor night concert, and their morning concert on the beach for the little ones.

While your children enjoy an array of fun games such as water activities, egg hunting, egg coloring and balloon shows at the beach and Kimo Kids Club, you can also watch the daily live entertainment shows, stroll along the promenade and marina, attend the music festival, or you may choose a game of tennis, aqua gym or diving and snorkelling.

Relish the rich breakfast and dinner buffets in the View restaurant and choose from a variety of traditional dishes and Easter favorites.

Try their famous selection of spices and sauces on your favourite charcoaled dishes at Beachcomber Bar’s BBQ and taste fresh catches of the day in the Fish Market served in Almar restaurant, in addition to the popcorn and ice cream stations by the beach.

Sham El Nessim the Dusit Way Family and friends don’t need to look any further for a special place to come together this Easter. Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo delivers an enchanting line-up of festivities and goodies to delight guests and give them a truly memorable and authentic experience.

Celebrate an ultimate Easter and Sham El Nessim and enjoy great food, heartwarming Thai hospitality and World Class facilities with your whole family. p

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Culture

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Books to Read During Spring Break If you are a book lover, we know you will be making your way to as many bookstores as possible these days to stock up on some great reading material for the holidays!

Here are a few titles to look for.

Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder and One Man’s Fight for Justice

By Bill Browder A New York Times Bestseller, this memoir tells the story of an American financier, Bill Browder, living in Russia who is determined to expose the Kremlin’s corruption.

This thriller reflects the lows of politics, and the extremes political figures would go to. After a theft in Bowder’s office, his tax attorney reveals a criminal enterprise when looking into the case, which lead to his murder. Browder goes against the odds to seek justice for his attorney and to put an end to the dog-eats-dog world.

A Million Little Things

By Susan Mallery This story takes us through the lives of Zoe Saldivar, a single woman who found herself completely alone after a break up with her long-term boyfriend, Pam, a widowed mother and Jen, Pam’s daughter and the mother of a child she is worried is not developing properly. Eventually forming a very close friendship, their lives take a turn for the complicated when certain lines that should not be crossed by family and friends become blurred and uncertain.

Susan Mallery is the bestselling author of The Girls of Mischief Bay and The Friends We Keep.

We Were the Lucky Ones

By Georgia Hunter Based on a true story about a Polish family who were separated during World War II and fought to reunite, this inspirational book shows that in spite of how impossible things may seem, there is always hope for survival and happiness.

We Were the Lucky Ones takes us through the tribulations of the Kurc family, while some are exiled and others flee the country, this book follows them through five continents in six years, where they all are driven by their need to escape death and eventually reunite. From jazz clubs to prisons, readers get a glimpse of how this family perseveres.

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Vagabonds in France

By Michael A. Barry This light-hearted, humorous book highlights the different sides of France, following the lives and adventures of the author and his wife after losing their home and picking up their bags to travel around with no return date.

Vegabonds in France gives you a fast-paced glimpse at the history, culture and monuments of the country, allowing the reader to get a personal look into the lives of this couple; travelling with them and witnessing their encounters and experiences.

All the Light We Cannot See

By Anthony Doerr Another book set during World War II, All the Lights We Cannot See follows the lives of a blind French girl, who escaped with her father with a valuable jewel from the Museum of Natural History, and a German boy, who join paths to try and survive the destruction. This book portrays the kindness of people towards each other even through the darkest times.

A New York Times Bestseller, this novel also won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, both in 2015.

This is How it Always Is

By Laurie Frankel This novel is about how change is constant throughout the human life.

Frankel highlights the importance of parenting in this book when Claude, Rosie and Penn’s son, grows up deciding he wants to be a girl, and how the entire family comes together to try and keep this secret that eventually explodes.

A Man Called Ove

By Fredrik Backman This New York Times Bestseller is a heartwarming novel about unexpected friendships.

Ove is a short-tempered but loveable old man who needs solid, strict structure and principles around him. If he meets anyone he dislikes, he is not afraid to show it. Follow his life turn upside down when a noisy young family moves in next door, and you get to see glimpses of the sadness behind his grumpy exterior.

The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit

By Michael Finkel The Stranger in the Woods is a true story of solitude and survival that shows readers the life of a man who escaped the fast-paced, modern life and has opted to live alone in the woods for 27 years.

Christopher Knight left his home when he was 20 years old and had not talked to another human being for around three decades, until he was caught stealing food. Readers follow his time in the forest, getting to witness how he survived, stored his food and stayed alive through tough winters, in spite of the fact that he was living in a tent.

Finkel answers fundamental questions about life, community and success through this book. p

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MIND, BODY & SOUL

Human energy field

aura

7 chakras

energy flow

ClassiCal PsyChotheraPy Meets alternative healing Methods

By Selma Kรถhn and Dr. Imane Tarkhan

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There is a natural healing force within each one of us that is the main cause of our health; a statement that is far from being a modern discovery. Hippocrates, a 5th Century Greek physician seen as the father of Western medicine, was aware that the human body is an energy vessel with the innate capacity to heal itself.

He incorporated this knowledge successfully into his practices, and as progressive as he might have been at his time, this notion has somehow been lost in the development of medicine.

T

oday, quantum physics has proven what ancient civilizations already knew; that everything is and relates to energy, and hence, there is a unified energy field around the body, which corresponds to objects, thoughts, emotions, light, sound and the space between objects.

Therefore, if this energy field is re-aligned, the whole body will follow.

The Human Energy Field This unified field is called the human aura and is part of the bioelectromagnetic field that surrounds the physical body. It is the body that contains energy centers called chakras of which 12 of them have main functions. They are located at different points on the frontal and back part of the body from the top to the base of the spine.

The aura absorbs energy and sends it through the physical body via the meridians, the energy vessels of the body, to the organs, glands, muscles etc. The reason why alternative healing methods like energy healing treat the energy body first is due to physical ailments appearing first as energetic blockages in the aura before manifesting as diseases in the physical body. The self-healing process is then accelerated by cleaning, un-blocking and aligning any energy flow on the respective part of the physical body.

Alternative Healing Methods Complete Psychotherapy Given that treating thoughts and emotions are equally important to cure the majority of our illnesses, psychotherapy is a great area to incorporate alternative healing methods such as hypnotherapy, energy psychology or neuro linguistic programming (NLP). These fields of psychotherapeutic interventions focus on the inner psyche of the individual, their aim being to dig deep into the individual’s personality and personality dynamics to be able to achieve the desired goals in curing him or her.

In traditional psychotherapy methods, we often come across clients who are stuck in their own context, lacking the ability to see that they possess the freedom and the ability to change.

Hippocrates, the Greek physician, was aware that the human body is an energy vessel that has the capability of healing itself.

Since everything is energy, our thoughts and emotions are the root cause of around 70% of all our illnesses, according to medical doctors. Science has proven that thinking positive thoughts and emotions promotes healing while negative thoughts and emotions create diseases.

Ancient Wisdom in Modern Times Today, ancient healing methods are gaining explosive popularity in Western societies that include practices like meditation, yoga, energy psychology and hypnotherapy, among others. They come in all the different forms and variations, which all address the physical, mental and emotional component of the human body and accelerate its self-healing processes.

What is now called a holistic approach to medical treatments – seldom still without a critical eye from Western doctors – this distinction was foreign to ancient civilizations of Egypt, Babylonian, Roman, Greece, China and India. Back then, their doctors embraced the energetic part of the human body and included ceremonies like chanting, drumming or dancing in their medical practices to create a certain vibration in the body that enables a shift of energy where healing could begin.

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MIND, BODY & SOUL

In my experience, however, even though this process yields seemingly effective results, it only works on the surface. I have noticed through my work that clients struggling with anxiety have underlying and deeper issues and concerns that need to be explored and addressed Usually, they get stuck because of something that is blocking their capacity for change, which we often refer to as “resistance”.

Psychotherapists usually work on the process of inner search within the individual, an occasionally long and challenging process. In that case, alternative healing methods could be integrated or combined with the process of traditional psychotherapy to ensure the best outcome.

When clients undergo alternative therapy and then resume traditional psychotherapy, psychotherapists often notice that a deeper level of insight is gained; an insight that is both valuable and crucial to eliminate blockage and incite change.

This gain makes the process of psychotherapy more effective.

“I personally recommend that clients combine both forms of therapies in order to maximize the benefits of each, and to ultimately achieve the best possible outcome toward the change desired,” says Dr. Imane Tarkhan, a clinical psychologist and founder of the Counseling Unit for Psychological Development.

In general, clients’ engagement with therapy expresses their desire for a better and different life. A therapist focuses on what clients bring into therapy, in terms of anxiety and pain, therefore becoming crucial to learn the ways they formulate their situations and share their experiences. However, this process is rarely smooth or easy, because clients oftentimes tend to remain trapped in their own circumstances: hating what is happening to them, they are unwilling to grasp their role and assert their freedom in changing the situation.

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Alternative Therapies and Anxiety Clients are often convinced that if they open up their awareness to their limitations, the resulting change will be less bearable than their present circumstances. Resistance and reluctance are the real challenge in therapy when helping clients with their subjective inward quest. For example, a client struggling with severe anxiety manifested in an obsessive compulsive behavior could improve through cognitive behavioral techniques such as challenging their obsessive thoughts, teaching them to calm their anxieties down through distraction techniques and breathing, and helping them to behaviorally postpone their compulsion.

“In my experience, however, even though this process yields seemingly effective results, it only works on the surface. I have noticed through my work that clients struggling with anxiety have underlying and deeper issues and concerns that need to be explored and addressed,” Dr. Tarkhan adds. Obsessive compulsive behavior is but a particular manifestation of deeper anxieties. In many cases, a person who exhibits obsessions revolving around themes of cleanliness and harm to others often struggles with a debilitating sense of responsibility and guilt. Therefore, when exploring those senses, most of the clients become blocked, and fear that the process of introspective quest will be hard to manage. In such cases, alternative therapies, like hypnotherapy or NLP, help to explore and eventually eliminate the blockage that hinders the therapeutic process.

“I believe that in-depth existential therapy opens up a whole new explorative level that clients find difficult to face. Therefore, pairing alternative therapy with existential therapy enables the client to be more responsive and accepting of change, thus facilitating the therapeutic process,” Dr. Tarkhan concludes.

Putting this into account, this combination provides a more wholesome and sustainable way to ultimately affect the change that the client desires. It not only addresses a person’s psyche but treats their being as a whole where his or her life force is fully embraced. p

FEATURE

extraCting gold from deviCes to make a living

By Ahmed Kafafi

Radios, computers, laptops and cell phones all contain a fraction of gold, sparking a gold recovery business with the aim of selling the gold imbedded in them.

C

ollectors gather these elements and send it to large, hi-tech recycling centers in Europe, Asia and the United States in order to reproduce bulks of metals like gold, aluminum and copper, among others. This industry is estimated at $50 billion, gaining interest among the youth, especially after the increase in the price of gold in the last few years, and is now emerging as a worthwhile enterprise. However, until now, Egypt exports these materials rather than gaining from the benefits of mass production.

Can it Provide an inCome?

Those who are familiar with the process find it challenging to acquire a small piece of gold out of complex circuits. The major issue is that many people refuse to believe that there is any gold worth the effort required to extract. On the contrary, science reports reveal that 43% of the total gold production worldwide is used in the electronics industry.

In 2016, Apple announced that one ton of gold had been recycled out of used gadgets that produced crude gold estimated at $40 million, as well as metals like aluminum, copper and silver, in addition to glass and other substances, that together were valued at $61 million. Around 30 milligrams of gold are used in the manufacturing of each smart phone, but old electronic machines produced during the sixties and seventies were equipped with heavier gold content to ensure higher transmission and resistance.

To further understand the situation, I paid a visit to the Gold Market in Gamaliya. Passing by every gold outlet, I asked shopkeepers whether they accept gold pieces extracted from electronics. While many claimed that they had not heard about this, others mentioned that some youth do occasionally offer gold pieces that they had accumulated

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by disconnecting the circuits of computers and cell phones’ boards.

“Why not take the risk if 100 grams of gold can get them LE5,000? It is definitely worth the effort,” said Ali Abdel Hakim, a gold shop owner. “The value of gold has drastically increased. Some people show up with pieces taken from electronics, which we call ‘dahab kasr’ (broken gold). We send them to experts in the market to assess the amount of real gold content. I wish many young people would take up this business instead of low-paying jobs.”

requirements and aCCessibility “I do not think that today’s youth are keen to have this as a career,” frowned Ahmed Radi, owner of a gold handrecycling workshop in Gamaliya, who has been doing this for a few years. “Initially, many people were attracted to it, lured by the high gold prices, but the actual task involves a lot of learning, let alone the health hazards involved in using the necessary chemicals to extract the gold,” he informed.

Radi has launched a special course for interested groups on Facebook, inviting them to come and learn about the intricacies of acquiring metals from electronic material. To his disappointment, the very few who registered did not show up again following the first two classes.

“To recover gold, people need to have specific qualifications, the first being knowledge of metals, as the inexperienced could mistake aluminum for gold and white metals for silver.

Secondly, the learner must have experience when it comes to dealing with chemicals. Quality chemicals are expensive because they are not locally manufactured,” Radi explained.

“People with no experience in the field would need no

less than two years to learn the job, but nobody has the time nor the patience. The majority who deal with us are recovering gold as a part-time occupation; they are working in related fields like computers and smart phone maintenance or in repairing TVs and radios.”

Exporting With limited modern recycling technology, Egypt is left with the option of collecting then exporting its e-waste. Hand recycling can’t develop the business into a local industry and this is why e-waste collectors send the materials to big local suppliers who provide the electronic junk to heavyweight recycling centers in Asian countries like China, India or Pakistan that possess the required hi-tech equipment, cheap labor and limited environmental restrictions.

American researcher Jennifer Namias of Columbia University, who has conducted an extensive study on the subject, underlines that even the United States is lagging behind when it comes to extracting metals from e-waste. This is due to the absence of a federal legislation concerning the issue that is perceived as an environmental hazard. In the last few years, Egypt has realized the importance of exporting its electronic waste, a step that has been taken in line with environmental policies aimed at ecological protection rather than industrialization.

A nAscEnt initiAtivE Recyclobekia is perhaps the only successful company in that field, which was founded in 2011. After watching a documentary on recycling electronic materials, Mostafa Hemdan, a Tantabased engineering student, decided to launch his company that now generates considerable gains every year out of supplying these materials to major recycling lines around the world. He has cooperated with organizations like Oracle, InfoFort and Speak Ink, among others, for e-waste supply, and encourages the public to send their electronic remains to his company’s dumping centers.

By 2013, he was eager to get into the business of dismantling and sorting out parts in an attempt to reduce shipping costs and make better gains. He signed a contract with a German company that specializes in dismantling, but unfortunately missed his target due to the political tensions that hit the country that year.

The initiatives of Recyclobekia show that Egypt is standing at a crossroad in e-waste management: its efforts are mostly focused on acquiring the junk, dismantling the gadgets and opening supply channels to dealers with the aim of exporting the mass waste.

Shredding, the final process of turning the parts into metal powders, remains the most technology-sensitive stage of e-recycling that has not yet been introduced in Egypt.

thE DifficultiEs of MAss rEcycling “From thousands of device parts that enter into the recycling machines, only a fraction of gold, copper or aluminum is extracted from each,” said Hatem Essmat, an expert in e-waste management.

Essmat also stresses that the project’s prohibitive cost remains the biggest deterrent for investors.

“There is nothing called a small electronic recycling business; it is usually large as it has high requirements, and so relies on

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FEATURE partnership or state-initiative. However, I do not recommend the latter due to high chances of embezzlement.”

While Essmat dismisses the export of local e-waste as a kind of dissipation of one of Egypt’s resources, some believe otherwise.

Experts from Recyclobekia argue that to be able to achieve a mass number of production to cover the cost of one recycling line, you need a lot of electronic parts. There are only four or five stations worldwide that carry out metal recovery on a large scale. Unless there is sufficient input, which is usually ensured through the purchase of a big part of the world’s e-waste, those stations will fail to operate.

All countries in the region, including Turkey, Iran and the Arab Gulf States remain exporters to Europe, Asia and the United States.

Egypt’s e-waste does not account for mass production.

Provided the line is launched, experts argued on how we could then get the required amount of e-waste with the right specifications. Hand processing is not the answer, as not only does it present health threats, but it also focuses mostly on gold and disregards other metals and plastics. The point of recycling is to make use of every single component in each electronic gadget.

Investments “The problem in Egypt is that not many investors are informed about the industry, so it is not a lack of clientelle, but rather a lack of awareness,” Essmat refuted.

The minimal number of input does not sound plausible when environmental reports state that the total amount of e-waste worldwide is 50 million tons, only 13% of which is processed. The rest is dumped in less environment-friendly wastelands.

The United Nation’s studies on this issue predict that the world’s e-waste will reach 65 million tons by the end of 2017, which drives many Egyptian experts to believe that input is not the problem.

What goes for e-junk goes for other resources in Egypt, which are exported as crude materials including rocks, wood and plants, just to name a few, stressing the necessity of introducing mass e-recycling here.

Some people show up with pieces taken from electronics, which we call ‘dahab kasr’ (broken gold). We send them to the experts in the market to assess the amount of real gold content. I wish many young people would take up gold recovery instead of lowpaying jobs.

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Future Plans and Projects In spite of statements stressing the difficulties in technology, cost and the lack of a sufficient input of e-waste, news headlines highlight prosperous upcoming projects. One project includes a permanent center with the cooperation of the Swiss government and Egypt’s ministries of communication and environment. The other is “Eco-Integrated Industrial Solutions” that has launched in the UAE by Egyptian investor Essam Hashim. There are also a large number of Egyptian technologists who have invented their own recycling machines.

The interest in launching a large company in this field has grown, but the concern of whether this is a long-term industry was put into question. “In a few years, the metals in electronic gadgets might be replaced with fiber glass and other more environmentfriendly materials, and that will be the end of e-recycling. Let us strike while the iron is hot,” Essmat concluded. p

&

Style design

SPECIAL FEATURE

Three rising egypTian Haute Couture Designers The fashion scene in Egypt has recently welcomed a large number of prosperous designers, each combining their incredible skills with their passion for diversity and for providing their clients with avant-garde, one-of-a-kind designs that represent their brand. Because of this competitiveness, upcoming haute couture is bolder than ever, each label trying to make a distinct name for themselves. Among these rising couture designers are Abdelhak Mohamed, Norine Farah and Mohanad Kojak.

By Layal Al Rustom

AbdelhAk mohAmed

The 36-year-old Alexandrian designer Abdelhak Mohamed grew up in Ismailia before graduating law school from Alexandria University. Abdelhak’s dream was always to be an haute couture designer. He would regularly accompany his mother to her clothing factory as a child to get acquainted with all kinds of fabrics and tailoring machines.

Having been in the field for 14 years now, he is becoming one of the very few exceptional designers who both tailors and designs all of his pieces. Abdelhak’s atelier is in Ismailia, but he goes to Cairo on a weekly basis to meet with customers, hoping to open up his atelier there soon.

Inspiration and Early Career As a child living in Egypt during the 1980s and 1990s, Abdelhak’s main exposure to the fashion world was through television, magazines and books. “During my childhood, Sherihan was a fashion icon. I was amazed by the outfits she wore in her show ‘Fawazeer Ramadan’ that were designed by the Lebanese fashion designer Fouad.” His passion grew as he began sketching Sherihan’s garments and drawing entire window store displays.

As a teenager, he was a regular reader of “Snoop ElHasnaa,” one of Lebanon’s premium women’s fashion magazines that were available in Egypt. Upon his parents’ frequent travels to Europe, he was able to keep up with fashion trends and with Europe’s latest designers through the magazines they brought back for him. “It is through these magazines that I became familiar with all the couture pioneers like Christian Dior, Nina Ricci, Christian Lacroix, Madame Carven and JeanLouis Scherrer, among many others. Studying their designs and work is the foundation of any couture designer.”

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Abdelhak could identify fabric compositions from photographs, further educating himself by reading books on 17th and 18th Century fashion, an inspiration that is apparent in his designs. “I am more knowledgeable of the older designers, considering myself from the school of Christian Lacroix, who for me is the symbol of haute couture, and is who I look up to.”

His first encounter with tailoring and designing was with the women’s French community in Ismailia, an experience that gave him a sense of the French culture and its appreciation for fashion. “I learned that, in France, going to a designer for a special fit is a sign of wealth and luxury. The Egyptian customer usually prefers readymade clothes because it is less timely and more reliable, as they can see the quality of what they are buying. In my opinion, if designers managed to gain the trust of their clients, more people would look to design their own clothes in order to stand out from what is available in the market.”

Designs What distinguishes Abdelhak as a designer is that he is self-taught and works entirely on his pieces from buying the fabric, to sketching, tailoring and finishing.

The duration of this process is surprisingly short compared to the quality of his work, “I can complete a dress in one day if it does not include embroidery, whereas the most complicated dresses can take me up to three days!”

For Abdelhak, haute couture is not related to fashion trends, but rather, “It relies more on taste, imagination and awareness. In order to create an innovative collection, you must have a source of inspiration and a background in haute couture’s history. The designer must also know how to approach the design he has in mind, and this is where experience comes in: to make the image realistic and wearable.”

Collections Abdelhak sold tens of garments after presenting his April and Winter 2016 collections. The latter is his latest, mostly composed of black and red colors with traces of peacock and ostrich feathers, as well as animal fur. “Black is my favorite color, where each collection must include at least one black garment. I prefer using primary colors like red, yellow and blue in my designs.”

Today, because of the amount of customer orders and time-sensitive deadlines, he works directly onto the mannequin. “I put the fabric on the mannequin and start cutting and the fabric begins taking a shape, giving me the inspiration I need,” and from here he creates his innovative masterpieces.

Challenges According to him, the challenge facing fashion students in Egypt is the lack of exposure after completing their degree. “Yes, they learn to draw and create patterns, but they do not get the experience that fashion houses provide their interns abroad. I would love to eventually open up my own fashion house and provide talented students with internships.”

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SPECIAL FEATURE NoriNe Farah

The 28-year-old haute couture fashion designer was born and raised in Alexandria, where she completed a degree in hotel management from the Arab Academy for Science and Technology.

Inspiration and Early Career During summer vacations, her passion for design took her to various cities in Italy to study fashion. An artist of various interests, Farah tried studying interior designing, painting and singing before settling into fashion design. Her enthusiasm and love for what she does makes her a rising Egyptian designer. “I always wanted to be a fashion designer, so after I completed my degree, I decided overnight to transfer my drawing studio into an atelier.”

Farah’s favorite designers include Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino. She also described Elie Saab as a role model who did it his way, explaining that the different styles of each designer reflect the many colors of their personalities.

Farah has been in the business since April 2014, and has sold over a thousand garments. She moved her atelier from Alexandria to Cairo in 2015, where her garments are currently displayed. Her office room is actually a closed glass balcony, which gives the same impression of a store window, designed artistically to reflect a space of creativity and beauty.

Designs Although originally a painter, Farah does not sketch her designs beforehand, but rather allows the fabric she buys to inspire her drawing. “I believe everyone has their personality and style. I think what makes me different is that I play with a lot of textures in one dress, using up to five different fabrics.”

PHoToGrAPH By ABDElrAHMAn GABr

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Collections With her daring style, she creates specific themes for each collection. Her Spring/Summer 2016 collection was composed of floral chiffon designs intertwined with soft satin. Farah describes her winter 2016 collection as “more beaded”, which she personally did not favor, but chose to challenge herself by experimenting with a new look.

In her Spring/Summer 2017 collection, Farah is continuing to surprise her fans by making her own nature-inspired fabric. “Nature is a constant reminder that art and beauty are everlasting. Each piece is unique, handmade and expresses a character of its own.” In this collection, Farah turned eight of photographer Abdelrahman Gabr’s photos into fabrics, including alluring sky images of twilight and twinkling night stars, reflections of nature on water and mountains.

Farah is also contemplating a new line of ready-to-wear men and women’s collections in order to expand her business and target audience.

“I like to try and do everything,” and with this she takes her talent to another level with her limited edition jewelry line.

Inspired by the 1920s architecture Art Deco, the collection is in collaboration with Alexandrian jeweler Tony Vengelli.

Competition and Challenges Farah is happy with Egypt’s rising fashion scene and believes, “The more we are, the better the competition.”

However, there still remains some challenges that she faces as a designer in Egypt and that is the availability of raw materials and professionals in the field.

International Exposure Farah is reaching the international market with her designs.

In 2015, her garments were displayed in Tiffany’s Fashion Week in New York. Mid-February 2017, she participated in the International Fashion Showcase at London Fashion Week with the British Council. This year’s theme was “Local/Global”, in which six Egyptian designers from various artistic fields participated, including Okhtein, Tara Emad, Nour Omar, Maram Abou El Enein, the designer duo Sabry Marouf and Reem Jano.

Farah’s advice for women choosing their garments is not to follow trends, but to ,”Wear whatever makes you look good and makes you comfortable. The confidence behind the dress is what is important.”

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SPECIAL FEATURE Mohanad KojaK

The 22-year-old Mohanad Alaa, known as Mohanad Kojak, is one of the youngest haute couture designers in Egypt. Born in Cairo, Kojak studied graphic design at the German University in Cairo for three years before switching to fashion design at the Modern Sciences and Arts University.

Inspiration and Early Career As part of a course project, students were assigned to make a movie on a subject of their choice, in which Kojak chose fashion. “I began sketching since I was three, collecting together all my ideas and concepts. I felt that this was the perfect time to make them real.

I bought the fabric and prepared my designs before completing the film. We then held a photo shoot for the garments and I posted them on my social media, receiving many likes. Here I was creating my first collection out of a school project.” Kojak used sofa and drapes’ fabric to reflect the theme inspired by MarieAntoinette.

Kojak is inspired by the French traces of architecture in Cairo’s downtown, and he continues to get his inspiration from culture and history, modernizing it through the choice of rich fabric and the shooting theme.

His favorite designer is Alexander McQueen, whom he shares with the same romantic, gothic and dramatic feel.

In 2016, he participated in the Middle Eastern version of Project Runway, a competitive TV show for rising fashion designers. Kojak remained in eight episodes out of eleven. “The experience helped me with sewing and pattern making, which is the ‘backstage work’, and it motivated me to experiment with my work by reflecting the key elements of my design aesthetic and what makes me different, then applying it to the challenge.”

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Designs Kojak’s designs are sketched before the fabric is cut, as he explains, “Sketches are the middle ground of reflecting what designers have in mind to both their client and their team.” Another important element for Kojak is fabric, which he regards as a very inspiring element in his designing process. He uses both imported and local fabric, explaining that the designer’s interaction with fabric is a necessary step to reach the best outcome.

Kojak’s artistic vision reflects his philosophy: “It is not about standing out or being different, it is about having a purpose. I am a very experimental person and I see that in the Middle East in general we lack getting out of our comfort zone. We replicate each other, losing our identity under the umbrella of traditions and culture.”

Kojak’s mother appears in a number of his shoots. “Kojak Dolls” is the name given to his customers and friends shooting as his models. They include the veiled and the pregnant, hence speaking to every woman.

Collections Kojak launches two to three collections annually, completing a total of ten collections. His current focus is on haute couture and ready-to-wear clothing, occasionally creating bridal special occasion lines. In every collection, there are a couple of men’s designs to reflect his abilities.

The Spring/Summer collection is out this April and includes haute couture and ready-to-wear clothing as well as a new line called “casual-couture”, which is a mixture of both. The collection is inspired by Renaissance architecture, reflected through his choice of colors, patterns and shapes.

Kojak’s garments are displayed in his atelier in Garden City. His aim is for his brand to reach the international market. “I am continually working on quality, concepts and brand image. It is not just my aim, its every designer’s vision, especially when you have an ideology that you want to reflect and have it reach more people.”

Challenges For Kojak, the challenges faced as a designer in Egypt include the increase in the price of material and labor. Most of the fabric is imported, while the embroidery and patterns are established in his atelier. Another challenge is, “As an industry, we are not provided with all the elements we need. We have limited schools where tailors, pattern makers, and designers can learn professionally,” he concludes.

Kojak believes that what you wear reflects your lifestyle, and so his message is, “Even if it is not common among others, reflect your own personal style, because this is what makes you unique.”p April 2017 | Ct

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SPECIAL FEATURE

2017 Fashion Trends

Top Spring and Summer

KhaKi

Commonly used for street and casual wear, this year designers have found a way to add an edge to this practical material and turn it into a more trendy, bold look.

From oversized pants and jackets to fitted shirtdresses, khaki is making a more fashionable comeback to the runway.

ShadeS of Yellow

This is usually not your go-to color when picking out an outfit. Designers have experimented this year with different shades of yellow in order to suit all skin colors and be wearable to all kinds of occasions. Dresses and jumpsuits were the most popular choice to compliment this unique color.

AltuzArrA

Kenzo

emilio PuCCi

lACoSte

Colorful StripeS

Although stripes commonly make an appearance on the runway every year, bolder and brighter stripes took over this year, with designers adjusting the trend in their own way, whether by presenting outfits with thin or broad stripes or vertical or horizontal stripes. The one common feature seen throughout though is the bold choice of colors, making it perfect for the warmer months.

waiSt CinCherS

elie SAAB

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A surprising addition to the runway, waist cinchers have made their way back into the fashion scene after decades of disappearance. Bringing back a more 80s, high-fashion look, this trend will definitely add a little DiAne Von FurStenBerg edge to an outfit.

Antonio BerArDi

tiBi

FlowErs

Floral patterns were seen extensively this year, mainly on dresses and skirts, and often times were paired with fruits or other shapes to create an effortless, colorful and chic outfit. These patterns were seen on everyday outfits to evening gowns.

sailor-inspirEd

A perfect theme for the spring and summer, sailorinspired patterns and colors on jackets, pants and skirts all added a bold, elegant and unique look to the runway, one that was highly evident in Tommy Hilfiger’s 2016 collection.

PrAdA

MicHAEL KorS

ProEnzA ScHoULEr

Tory bUrcH

oFF-thE-shouldEr

This trend does not seem to be going anywhere soon. Alternating between bearing one shoulder or both, this look goes well with any occasion, and looks great on blouses, dresses and jumpsuits, and in any material with any pattern.

whitE shirt drEssEs

With the approach of summer, a perfect white dress is what everyone will be looking for. This trend can stand out more with colorful shoes and large accessories, or if you want a more laid back look, opt for black or brown pumps.

ALTUzArrA

Erin FETHErSTon

MAriSSA WEbb

ziMMErMAn

ExtrEmEly largE accEssoriEs

Statement accessories have been evident throughout all runway shows this year, and are paired with almost anything. Large sized bags, earrings and necklaces all made an appearance, gaining more attention than the outfits themselves. For those who are not fans of bold patterns or cuts on clothing, choosing a simple outfit with bold accessories will definitely do the trick.

robEs

cELinE

PETEr dUndAS

A strange trend that made an appearance last year has also been seen on the runway in 2017. Usually in the form of a bathrobe, some designers have strayed away from the too laid back look and opted for a wrap dress or coat that combined EScAdA comfort with elegance. p

KEnzo JanaPRIL / feb 2017 | Ct

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SPECIAL FEATURE

One Interior Designer’s

Opinion on Current Trends

W

By Rana Kamaly

ith the summer season coming up, many people are looking to design or redesign their homes. We all dream about that glamorous house that feels comfortable, classy and modern. We tend to consider the budget and durability when considering a trend, as many can be very costly. To help you create the most stylish and modern home, Community Times talked to Ahmed Bakr, design manager and partner at Dar Group; a design, construction and project management company.

Home Automation

Automating your home and controlling everything from a single switch or even through a mobile app has become very popular. From lights, to air conditioners, to water heaters, to curtains and doors … the list is endless. Other than watching movies at a click of a button, controlling garden lights from your bed, heating the pool from your office or turning on security cameras from the bathroom is all convenient.

“It is also fairly cost efficient, as you will save on electricity. It is the future of home design because of how fast it is evolving and how adequate it is. However, the initial installation costs may be quite expensive,” Bakr says.

Eco-Friendly Appliances “This is not necessarily becoming a trend because people really want to preserve the environment, but mainly because of how expensive electricity has become and is going to be.

Five years ago, we started offering people solar heaters, and at the time they would frown upon it, but today they have seen how essential it is.

Putting the eco-friendly label on anything makes people assume two things: for one, it is more expensive in the short term, but cheaper along the line, which in my perspective is actually true.”

Lightings The mix of indirect and statement lighting pieces are a major trend in 2017. “This allows you the flexibility of directing and focusing your light wherever you need without drawing too much attention to the source, while on the other hand it gives you the elegancy of directing all the attention to one master piece in your home, be it a an artistic chapeau or a painting. Warm lights are also popular now, because they are easier on the eyes and bring out the real colors in everything, unlike the white lights which make everything appear cooler.”

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Velvet or Fabric Wallpaper Wallpaper with velvet or fabric texture is this year’s fashion.

“The old sixties patterns and colors are also back. Wallpaper is a great way to cut the plain color of the walls and add some texture to it, if done correctly. If you decide to use wallpaper then make sure your furniture is mostly plain, so the room does not feel too busy.”

Bakr warned us about applying wall tattoos. “They are just like stickers that peel off very quickly, leaving you with an unappealing wall. This trend started appearing this year after the rise in wallpaper prices. My advice is to disregard this trend as it is risky.”

Wood Solid wood and laminated HDF are this year’s craze, especially in kitchens. “Even though wood prices are tripling, some people still go for it. However, those with a smaller budget turn to the more modern choice that offers them a wide variety of colors and designs. You will find that most new kitchens are either solid wood with the raw texture visible, or laminated HDF with its colorful variations.

HDF is the practical, stylish and more affordable choice, while wood is the authentic and more durable choice.”

Dark Colors Dark walls and dark glazed doors are also very ‘in’, especially with colors like grey and emerald green, that sometimes are accompanied with colorful accessories if people are looking for a more refreshing, bold look.

Velvet and Silk Furniture and Contrasting Accessories Unusual fabrics are becoming very popular. “This is actually a highly innovative trend, as they add a luxurious and warm feeling to your home. Plain sofas and colorful or plain cushions are also many people’s go to this year. The mixture of a dark sofa along with colored or patterned armchairs is a trend that is spreading very fast.”

General Advice “Make sure that your home is evident with your own taste and not a mix of only what is trending.

Apply what you love and feel comfortable with, as you will be living with this home for longer than what is fashionable now. Pick what feels right for you, and make sure all your family members are comfortable with the choices.

Capitone Capitone is back, especially in sofas. Especially when you mix this old-fashioned trend with other modern furniture.

I also encourage hiring an architect or designer to inform you on what suits your space, and what would fit in harmony together. One shade of color can make all the difference, one wall brought down can open up space and one piece of lighting can bring a room to life.” p April 2017 | Ct

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SPECIAL FEATURE

InItIatIves Headed by desIgner dalIa sadany

By Rehab Saad

D

alia Sadany, is a creative Egyptian architect and interior designer. She is the recepient of 11 International awards including the Silver “A” award, and a recognition for designing “Mowraj - Black 2 Seats”, that was named one of the most influential Gothic pieces. Sadany is also the founder and president of Dalia Sadany Dezines LLC. that was established in 2005, president of the International Association of Designers (IAD) in Italy and founder and president of ASDA Sustainability Development Association.

Sadany believes that architecture is an expression of values – the way we build is a reflection of the way we live, and this belief is reflected in all her designs and projects. Driven by her sound initiatives and ambitious future plans, we talked to Sadany about her own visions and opinions, not only in the fields of architecture and interior design, but in education and youth.

Early lifE and ExpEriEncE Receiving her high school diploma in Abu Dhabi, Saadany came to Alexandria, Egypt where she realized her passion for architecture from admiring the old heritage buildings in the city, later graduating as an architectural engineer from Alexandria University.

“D ARCH was my first private business company that I established when I was just 18 years old, starting off with two

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employees and a construction engineer,” mentioned Sadany.

“My first project was my family’s villa in the North Coast which was to be built from scratch. After completing the architectural drawings, landscaping and interior design, leaving the civil drawings and construction supervision for the engineer, I was highly praised by everybody.

Feeling that I still needed more experience and a wider technical background to create a successful private company, I later decided to close D ARCH. I believed that if I wanted to become a master builder and not just a designer, I should implement projects from A to Z,” she presumed.

After completing further studies in Italy, Sadany worked for more than ten years in one of the biggest real estate companies in the region, facing many challenges during the process.

“Everyone has to balance between being a boss and being diplomatic. You need to give your team the encouragement they need while maintaining a solid structure,” advised Sadany. “However, many workers in Egypt are not punctual or committed, and the quality of their work is not of high standards. But, by training and guiding them, they do improve.

This is what I always advocate in ASDA: commitment, respect, motivation and dealing with diversity. I am happy that many females have joined the architecture field recently,” she added.

After having a broad international background and gaining wide experience in architecture and interior design, she established her company Dalia Sadany Dezines LLC.

SPECIAL FEATURE

El Hegaz Square Renovation

Future Plans

This project will be implemented under the auspices of the Cairo Governorate, which has an active role in the participation of civil society institutions and companies in the development of the Egyptian society.

Inspired by the AUC Greek Campus experience, Sadany offered to remodel governmental schools. “I want to redesign classes to be tailored to students’ needs and help them enjoy their studies in a positive environment to develop their devotion to their school,” she mentioned. “It is not about increasing the number of classes, but about making good use of the space available. Great designs are reflective of cultural identities, heritage and how these affect people’s attitude and spirit in a given space,” continued Sadany. “We should deliver architecture that is not only functional and creative, but that is also comfortable.” Her initiative is still under study with governmental authorities, however, she is going to approach the Cairo governor again soon.

El Hegaz Square is the largest in Heliopolis, and the second largest in Cairo. The total budget of the project is estimated at 65 million Egyptian pounds, and consists of pedestrian yards, a park, a cinema theater, an open space for poets, sculptures of famous Egyptian poets, a Roman theater for art performances, fountains, a ball yard with a large globe sculpture, a swing yard and a sculpture yard for talented sculptors to present their work.

Tahrir Square Renovation Sadany’s vision behind designing and planning the renovation of Tahrir Square goes back to the historical background of this significant area, which reflects the periods since the 1919 revolution.

The plan includes turning some areas of Tahrir to a touristic place, which would generate revenue for the country. The project will include a pedestrian area, a memorial wall that illustrates the history of Tahrir, coffee shops, a fountain with “Liberty” engraved on it, in addition to arcades, seating areas and public gardens.

Tahrir Square was previously renovated by a public company, however it did not include any of the historical, touristic or even commercial values that is intended in Sadany’s vision.

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Sadany is willing to develop and renovate old Egypt, including Islamic and historical monuments. She is also planning on presenting a TV program soon where she would discuss interior design.

Motivational Sessions and “Future of Young Egyptians” In celebration of Women’s Day, Sadany has been invited to give a talk in Algeria about motivation in architecture and her experience as the founder of ASDA, and also about the concept of Arab identity in architecture. This event is organized by the Institute of Architecture and Geology’s Scientific Club in collaboration with the Institute L’architecture au Féminin.

“I met a lot of frustrated youth who do not have a specific vision, and do not know the needs of the market,” she explained.

“Our mission in the association is to guide these youth, giving them orientation courses related to the market needs, and giving them a chance to do onthe-job training,” added Sadany.

ASDA played a significant role in introducing a youth initiative called “Future of Young Egyptians” (FYE) to assist governmental entities in the field of design in schools and universities,” said Sadany. “As for the Arab Identity session, I believe that every nation has its own history, architecture and design that should reflect each nation’s culture. Actually, I am not a fan of globalization and mass production, because each country has its own character and should be the mirror of society,” mentioned Sadany.

“Internships for architects and youth in general has to be become an obligatory service in all companies, where a fixed number of internships should be decided annually, and companies who do not commit should pay a certain fine,” she suggested.

Opinion on Alexandria’s Architecture Scene As Sadany is originally from Alexandria, she gave her opinion about the current condition there and her contributions in improving them. She was a guest at the concert held at the Syrian Club, which was her first meeting as the first Arab woman president of the World Association of Architects.

“I am concerned about Alexandria’s deteriorating conditions now. I can’t believe what happened in Alexandria. The face of civilization and history is threatened to collapse,” said Sadany. “During this event, we agreed that each of the Inner Wheel Club women should be prepared for the problems that Alexandria faces. The work will be carried out in accordance with a plan and study in cooperation with ASDA, in order to protect them from the urban violation and destruction it is faced with,” concluded Sadany. p

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Card Artist Ahmed Refay

By Rehab Saad

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laying cards when we were young was a hobby for most of us, but Ahmed Refay used the cards in a different kind of hobby which is building unique sculptures out of them.

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Playing cards when we were young was a hobby for most of us, but Ahmed Refay used the cards in a different kind of way by building unique sculptures out of them. He built these structures without using any adhesives to hold them together, a factor that made him unique, but also made it difficult to display his artwork in exhibitions, later encouraging him to resort to presenting his work on social media.

Facebook page to showcase my work and expose it to as many people as I could. I felt my success in the number of reviews and comments I received,” mentioned Refay. “Many people claimed that I must have used glue to form these structures, which were comments I enjoyed,” said Refay. “I then decided to make a video of myself during the process to prove to them that I was not using any adhesives,” clarified Refay.

Nineteen-year-old Refay is a Saudi-born Egyptian, and an undergraduate at the Faculty of Law, Tanta University. He did not realize his real enthusiasm towards this art until his father saw Refay making pyramid shapes with the cards, and encouraged him to create more difficult forms and shapes. Since then, Refay started to search the Internet to learn more and develop his talent.

“It usually takes me about 20 hours to complete a structure, depending on the height and diameter,” said Refay. “Most of the time, I create imaginative shapes, however, I did the coliseum of Italy, which was published in Al Ahram, as well as Rhode Island,” added Refay. “For the Roman Stadium – which was my idea and design – I used 8000 cards, the structure having a height of 103 cm and width of 201 cm x 105 cm.

Refay participated in the “Helwa Ya Baladi” art exhibition for the first time in Kafr el Sheikh last February, as a sketch artist, but he lost his sketches right before the exhibition and decided to take his cards and make a small structured shape, which took him around an hour and half. Worried about the consequences, he was delighted when Kafr El Sheikh Governor praised his work, as well as receiving a positive reaction from visitors.

“I am following in the footsteps of Prine Berg: the American engineer first in this technique worldwide. I hope that I would be like him one day,” aspired Refay. “I am working hard, already reaching the maximum height of my room on a structure, but I am capable of reaching up to five meters, and I am working on breaking the seven meter Guinness World Record one day,” added Refay.

Although Refay gained positive feedback from the media and several other organizations, he unfortunately started facing the problem of exhibitions not accepting in this kind of art as it is risky. “I never took photos of my previous work, however after being rejected several times, I started to think about creating a

Refay has great hopes for the future. He is eager to develop himself in this art, hoping that the skepticism towards it would change in Egypt soon. He plans on continuing his education, but if he succeeds in making a career out of this art, he would love to follow his passion. p

April 2017 | Ct

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Let’s TwisT and Rock

in 2016, in our special design issue, we featured some of the weird buildings found all over the world. This year, we are featuring global modern, unconventional, highly evolved twisted or crooked buildings and skyscrapers.

Cayan Tower, is located in dubai. Known as Infitinity tower. It’s height is 306 metres with 73 floors and 7 elevators.

Turning Torso is located in sweden. It is the tallest building in scandinavia, the roof is 190 metres tall and the top floor is 178.79 metres tall. It has 54 floors and 5 elevators.

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Fun FaCT: turning torso is based on a sculpture by Calatrava, called twisting torso, which is a white marble piece based on the form of a twisting human being.

Norddeutsche LaNdesbaNk is located in Hannover Germany. It is one of the largest commercial banks in Germany. The building measures about 40,000 square metres.

soumaya museum is located in Mexico City. It is designed by the Mexican architect Fernando Romero, The building is a 46 metres high, six floor building covered by 16,000 hexagonal aluminum tiles.

ac hoteL beLLa sky copeNhageN, is located in Denmark. It is the largest hotel in Scandanavia.

The hotel consists of two towers which reach 76.5 metres up with an inclination of 15° in opposite directions. It has 23 floors and 814 rooms

FuN Fact: The museum received an attendance of 1,095,000 in 2013, making it the most visited art museum in Mexico

april 2017 | Ct

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SPECIAL FEATURE moDe Gakuen Spiral TowerS is located in Japan. It is one of the tallest educational facility buildings in Nagoya.

It is 170 metre tall with 36 floors above ground and 3 floors below ground.

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DiamonD Tower is located in Saudi Arabic. It is under construction. Once completed it will become Saudi Arabia’s secondtallest building and one of the tallest residential buildings in the world. It’s 432 metres tall, with 93 floors.

shanghai Tower is located in China. As of 2015, it is the world’s tallest building, by height to highest usable floor.

It also has the world’s highest observation deck within a building or structure and the world’s fastest elevators at a top speed of 20.5 m/s. It’s 632 metres tall and consists of 128 floors above ground 5 below grade. It has 106 elevators.

Turning Torso is located in Ontario, Canada.The first tower is 179.5 metres tall and the second tower is 161.2 metres. The first tower has 56 floors and the second has 50 floors.

Both have 6 elevators.

Fun FacT: The taller building had ed been nicknam the “Marilyn er Monroe” tow due to its curvaceous, ure hourglass fig

aqua (skyscraper) is located in Chicago. The building is 13,000 square metres, base is topped by a 7,669 square metres terrace with gardens, gazebos, pools, hot tubs, a walking/running track and a fire pit. Each floor covers approximately 1,500 square metres.. It 87 floors and 24 elevators. The Aqua was awarded the Emporis Skyscraper Award as 2009 skyscraper of the year.

FolkarT Towers is located in Turkey. The towers are 200 metres tall with 40 floors.

The towers were the 5th tallest twin towers in Europe. april 2017 | Ct

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DESTINATIONS Scenes

Gawhar Al-Lala Mosque Written and Photographed by Soha Khater

Cairo is known for housing hidden architectural gems that have miraculously survived, but are incredibly underrated, if noticed at all.

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any people have passed by or visited the citadel along with its nearby mosques, like Sultan Hassan and Al Refai, but very few have paid due attention to Gawhar Al-Lala. This grand mosque reflects the beautiful work and design of the Turkish and Mamluk eras, balancing its style perfectly between wood and stone.

If you are not familiar with it, I would highly recommend you pay it a visit during prayer times, as the mosque is only open then.

Location Off of Salah Salem, towards the citadel, Gawhar Al-Lala is situated near the mosques of Sultan Hassan and Al Refai. In the midst of many unique buildings, the mosque’s strategic location on top of a hill provides a beautiful, panoramic view of nearby monuments.

History Al-Lala is a Turkish title given to the private tutors of the sultans’ sons. Gawhar was a freed Mamluk slave who served Sultan Barsbay, then became his son’s chief tutor. Al-Lala was highly esteemed and known for his benevolent heart and good actions. However, he was imprisoned during the rule of Sultan Gaqmaq.

The Mamluks established many impressive monuments including palaces and houses, and were granted their freedom upon terminating a series of religious education and military service trainings. The two periods that distinguished them were the times of the Baharis and Burgis. The former were Kipchak Turks from the steppes of the Volga River near the Caspian Sea who ruled from 12501382, and were named Bahari as they lived in barracks on Roda Island. The latter ruled from 1382-1517 and were Circassians from the Caucasus Mountains, getting their name from the towers they resided in called burgs.

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Architecture And design The mosque’s complex includes a madrasa, a mausoleum, a sabil and a kuttab. To approach the mosque, you have to climb an elevated flight of stairs and pass through a passageway that leads to a large terrace in front of its entrance, where you have the opportunity to take pictures of the mosque’s exterior structure and take a look at the view of the area. The mosque dates back to the Circassian-Mamluk era, and was constructed in the 15th Century. It covers an extremely small area of around 2,000 square feet.

Regardless of its small structure, the mosque is well decorated with Circassian-Mamluk ornamental features, presenting a charming and unique setting. The building’s façade is decorated with irregular ensembles of red and yellow limestone; whereas the original mosque’s wooden entrance was exquisitely made from copper. Now, the entrance escorts you into a rectangular hallway, on the right of which is a doorway leading to the mosque’s sahn, or inner courtyard, embodying a cruciform-style madrasa common at that time, which is supported by a cupola and surrounded by four iwans or halls covered with marble.

The largest is the qibla iwan that includes the prayer niche, also called the mihrab, which is colored and decorated with marble.

The qibla iwan is supported by gypsum windows that are placed facing Mecca to represent the prayer direction. The opposite iwan is currently covered with a curtain, so women are able to pray.

Adjacent to the mihrab is the pulpit, also called a minbar, which is considered to be different from other minibars of the era, because the inlaid geometrical additions have disappeared and are currently replaced with plain forms. The mosque’s minaret portrays the Al-Qulla style minaret, which includes a single balcony.

Also evident in the mosque are the sabil and kuttab; the former being where anyone passing by can have a drink of water, while the latter is a school that provides religious teachings and Quranic recitals. One of the striking features of the mosque’s kuttab is the presence of a superbly carved mashrabeya surrounding its balcony, where anyone would be able to climb up and enjoy a view of the area surrounding the citadel, but is unfortunately not accessible now.

The mausoleum that houses the tomb of Gawhar Al-Lala is preceded by a wooden door with copper embellishments. The mosque also has quarters used as storerooms and lodgings for the students and civil servants. The current ablution area, where people get purified before prayers, is a new addition.

On a final note, Islamic Egypt’s beautiful buildings and monuments mostly reflect the work of the Mamluk era. Their unique style, design and architecture are evident throughout the city, creating a beautiful look into this country’s history. p

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COMMUNITY Entrepreneur

The Rise of GouRmeT sTReeT food in CaiRo

By Rehab Saad

Food carts have been around for a very long time, making their first appearance as a chuck wagon in 1866 in the United States that sold kitchenware, easily preserved food and medical supplies.

Later, more mobile canteens were established in the 1950s, introducing ice cream as the first street food business accompanied with recorded jingles and colorful signs. This then sparked the trend that grew to include large trucks selling tacos, burgers, pizzas and different native food.

Food trucks were a great business, not only because it catered to the needs of ‘on the go’ customers, but also because it was less costly than a restaurant, and now represents a $1.2 billion industry. Nowadays, with social media, it has become easier to track food trucks’ locations. This trend grew throughout Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East where local authorities then issued a series of special regulations to legalize this emerging food business.

The mobile food business was not new to Egypt as our modern food trucks stem from some traditions. The invention of pushcarts goes back to the fifties where it used to serve poor people and urban workers’ popular food like fava beans, falafel, liver and kushari at cheap prices.

Amidst the economic conditions in Egypt and the limited job opportunities, some youth began taking matters into their own hands by enhancing the food cart idea. During the last couple of years, street food popularity rocketed all over, making appearances in El Gouna, the North Coast as well as in Cairo and Alexandria.

We decided to talk to some of these food cart owners to learn more about their projects, motivations and challenges.

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ShockS “Shocks” is a burger caravan located in New Cairo’s Waterway. “The caravan’s name is derived from my husband’s nickname ‘Shok’,” explained Maha Moustafa, a mother of three and co-owner of the truck along with her husband, Ahmed Shawky. Moustafa employed 15 men for operations after providing them with the necessary training and ensuring that they all had health certificates.

Shawky was an accountant in Abu Dhabi for 14 years, meanwhile Moustafa was working in a nursery and decided to come back to Egypt to start a food cart project, supported financially by her husband. “I really wanted to come back to start this project here, and although I love kids, I decided against opening a nursery in Egypt as it is very costly,” she said. “I graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in 2002 majoring in animation, which was unfortunately inconvenient as an occupation as it would take a lot of time away from my kids,” she adds.

Her brother, who also worked as an engineer in a private company, fully supported her in managing the project, dividing the working hours amongst themselves. Purchasing the car, getting the license and sorting out all the necessary documentation took her a year and a half to finalize, officially opening up her business to the public around a month ago.

“I do not mind paying large sums of money for the sake of placing my truck at a location like Waterway,” Moustafa explained. In spite of the location’s cost, her prices are very reasonable compared to other restaurants. “My main target is to serve people with food that I feel is safe to provide to my own kids. I buy all the ingredients, like minced meat, bread, chicken and hot dogs from sources I know personally, and I change the cooking oil regularly as per OHS regulations. Pepsi, water and ice cream fridges are cleaned daily,” she adds. “I am looking forward to making ‘Shocks’ a brand name recognized across Egypt.”

SuShi Bike Mark Abdel Shehid and Andrew el Dairy, owners of the Sushi Bike in front of El Rehab City, graduated from the German University in Cairo and had already begun working in the private sector before deciding it was not as fulfilling as starting their own business. Abdel Shehid, a sushi lover, came up with the idea of a mobile bike to serve sushi at reasonable costs, however, his partner was worried that the project would not be successful.

“We began our marketing campaign through social media, and although initially most people found the idea of serving sushi on a bike strange, we received a lot of positive reviews shortly after, which supported and motivated us to keep going. After receiving a lot of orders, we added a delivery service to our business,” Abdel Shehid explained.

Their sushi is freshly made on a daily basis by professional chefs in a nearby flat. “We have three chefs, two assistants and two operating staff,” he said. The two working on the bike are post-graduates who decided to support themselves financially to complete their studies.

“All the staff including Andrew and myself have received health certificates, however, we are facing many issues when it comes to getting a license. We have approached the municipality and the local council, but all our endeavors failed, and so we are hoping to soon receive support from the government to help us overcome these obstacles and facilitate the procedures,” concluded Abdel Shehid.

BeatleS Grill Beatles Grill in Egypt is a highly innovative food cart created by Ahmed Hisham, a graduate of computer science. As Hisham was a member of the National Party, he was highly affected by the January revolution when all the employees were given an open vacation. With the scarcity of job opportunities that offer fair salaries, Hisham was obliged to stay home for a long period of time.

“I am a VW Beatle lover who is fascinated with modifying cars, and so in 2012, I decided to modify my Beatle by turning it into a cabriolet.

However, after being disappointed with the results, I came up with the idea of making it into a grill. I drew a sketch of the equipment I would use, and after finalizing the dimensions, I went to a specialized metal shop and bought grills similar to those used in restaurants,” he explained. “Then I started to manufacture each piece myself and painted the car. After finishing the final stages, I decided to serve homemade sausages, chicken, burgers and potatoes.”

Hisham also opened a Beatles Grill restaurant in Mega Mall in New Cairo, and he hopes to legalize his mobile food Beatles car and expand it across Egypt.

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Entrepreneur Mocha hot Drinks In Almaza, Helopolis, you can find a Jeep Cherokee with the name “Mocha Hot Drinks”. Nour el-Din Shaaban, one of the partners in the project, is a 21-year-old law student. “I have two other partners, Ahmed, the original owner of the car, and Moataz,” explained Shaaban. “Both Moataz and Ahmed were working in the public sector, however, due to low salaries, we decided to transfer this car into an immobile kiosk café. We are open 24-hours, each one of us with his own shift,” he resumed.

“There are a lot of people who need a cup of coffee on the go, as it is sometimes difficult and time-consuming to park in front of coffee shops and restaurants. Our prices are also reasonable compared to other places,” explained Shaaban. “It was easy to get the license, as we bought it from the kiosk placed in the same location.”

Shaaban wishes that one day they would be able to own more than one Jeep café car in various locations.

FaMily FooD A Renault car stationed in front of El Rehab City is owned

by Hany Mostafa; founder of “Family Food”. Mostafa is a lawyer who started this project four months ago. “I was in need of financial support besides my profession as it was not enough income to cover my family’s expenses,” explained Mostafa. According to him, his main target is to make homemade food that is safe, clean and healthy. “The maximum cost of a meal is 38 EGP,” declared Mostafa.

Everyday, he creates a new menu that he sends to a WhatsApp group gathering together his clients, where meals are usually prepared within three hours by Mostafa’s relatives. “The meals offered include lasagna, jack potatoes, chicken, fish, oriental and Mexican food and desserts. We also custom-make food for clients upon request.” He added, “I dream of organizing a huge event serving international cuisine.”

With the rise of the food carts business in Egypt, this industry will soon represent a large percentage of the economy, but unfortunately, the lack of regulations is an obstacle that hinders its growth. p

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NOW IN EGYPT

Find it...Like it...Enjoy it

Wernli Egypt

www.confecegypt.com

Advertorial

Mountain View Ups its Game with the Launch of Central Park in “iCity”

Following the unprecedented turnout of phases one and two of iCity, Mountain View is upping the game with the launch of their latest phase, the much anticipated “Central Park”, which will include spacious greenery and a garden that spreads over 800 meters. This phase will further build on Mountain View’s philosophy of providing a peaceful and safe community.

Talking about the launch, Mountain View’s CEO, Engineer Amr Soliman, said: “Central Park has the largest green areas within iCity. It is also strategically located in the heart of iCity, making it accessible to all its residents, as well as key communal areas such as the social club, the lake and many more services, adding an additional element that meets the needs of the family based community.” The latest phase will also feature passages that are specifically designed for pedestrians as well as a huge underground parking space for cars.

Eng. Soliman went on to add, “We are committed to listening and addressing the needs of our clients and consistently strive to provide solutions that help them in overcoming the frustrations and stress of everyday life. That is why, following the unprecedented demand from clients, Mountain View established a new booking method, where customers can book their units ahead of time on www.mountainviewegypt.com, which has helped us provide a unique service to offer our clients and the market.”

The iCity project offers a fully integrated residential city and community, combined with modern and authentic touches. A major part of the project’s mandate has been to address the growing demand for unique housing units in Egypt, which features modern designs and are based on international standards of quality. iCity is the first project to have been implemented following the economic conference that resulted from a partnership between the Official Egyptian Residential Committee and Mountain View. iCity is the latest in Mountain View’s projects that focus on creating better lives for their residents.

Presenting modern authenticity is making Mountain View the leading developer in the Egyptian real estate sector.

A Talk With Mountain View iCity’s cHairman mr. amr soliman How would you say tHe real estate market Has reacted to egypt’s current economic situation, and How would you forecast tHe cHange?

As with all sectors in the country, the real estate market has undoubtedly been affected by the flotation of the pound. Of course purchasing power has taken a hit, yet despite this, the real estate sector continued to flourish in 2016 and still continues to this year.

If anything, developers have taken the situation as a challenge, which has benefited buyers because we have been forced to be more innovative and truly focus on addressing the needs and overcoming the challenges that clients look to when choosing their home. This is something that Mountain View has been very successful at doing; the perfect example being iCity, where we were able to create a community that has reduced cars within the compound.

As for my forecast, I believe that the market will continue to grow in maturity as developers become more astute in listening to and addressing the needs of their clients.

wHat opportunities and tHreats do real estate developers face in egypt, wHicH are not evident in tHe arab world?

Egypt is a unique country in the Arab World and I think it would be almost impossible to fairly compare this market to any other country in the region. Firstly, Egypt is home to the region’s largest and fastest growing population. This of course offers a great opportunity, since demand is constant and whilst the market is maturing, new opportunities are consistently available.

Additionally, the diversity of the Egyptian population presents multiple opportunities for developers to work competitively within the market without having to worry about market monopolies or saturation.

In terms of threats, reduced purchasing power is a concern, and this is something that has affected society at all levels. Yet at Mountain View, we always see threats as opportunities and new challenges. At the end of the day, every buyer is looking to receive value for money, so it is all about innovating to create products that satisfy the customers.

How different is mountain view icity to competing projects in new cairo?

We have two mega projects, one in New Cairo and the other in 6th of October; each standing at 500 feddans. When we started to consider the development of these communities, understanding what our clients really wanted from their home became a priority and we now spend more than a year studying the market.

Mountain View iCity is built according to world-class environmental standards, with smart solutions to separate people

from cars and traffic, whilst ensuring that residents are still easily connected to the surrounding environment. Through this, we have succeeded in providing a community that truly offers what residents are looking for and this has been reflected in the massive demand we have already seen in phases one and two.

The average residential area uses about 35% of its land for roads. By removing intersections and roundabouts and focusing on circular streets that separated cars, houses and facilities on different levels, we were able to reduce this to just 10%. We effectively solved problems of accessibility, overcrowding and traffic whilst increasing security and peace of mind, in one allencompassing solution.

wHat after-sales services do you provide your clients in and out of icity?

Our connection with our clients is constant and we pride ourselves in providing an open door policy that allows our residents to raise concerns, ask questions and even suggest possible improvements.

Mountain View iCity, like all of our projects, is run by a team of professional customer care employees who are able to meet the needs of buyers as well as providing constant updates on construction progress and unit delivery dates to ensure that our clients are always in the loop.

wHat future projects is mountain view looking to establisH? We are currently releasing a new phase in iCity in New Cairo called Central Park this October also consisting of 500 feddans that should be one of the largest projects established that month.

We have also seen an increased demand from our clients to open up more sales offices across Egypt. To meet these requests, we will be opening a new branch in 6th of October to serve clients within this location.

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Real Estate

TaTweer Misr

Works to Speedy Construction

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atweer Misr, the Egyptian real estate developer, announced recently the rapid progress in the construction of phase I of their flagship project IL Monte Galala, the touristic development in Ain Sokhna, and Fouka Bay resort on the North Coast. The company has tendered out various construction works with a total cost of over EGP 2 billion in 2017 of which 1.5 billion has been allocated towards construction of the highly anticipated mountain resort of Il Monte Galala and nearly 500 million towards the beautiful destination of Fouka Bay. The work is progressing rapidly at both construction sites with land leveling, bearing walls and road construction in progress. The 700 units, at a total cost of EGP500 million, for phase 1 in Il Monte Galala will be followed by a tender, during this year, for another 800 units at an estimated EGP 800 million, allowing for the on time delivery of phase 1 scheduled in 2019. In addition, the first man-made lagoons in Sokhna Mountain are currently under construction as are the lagoons in Fouka Bay, as well as four million square meters of land leveling, bearing walls and road works, in addition to the completion of concrete work in 25 units from phase I with work progressing on fully finishing the units.

Dr. Ahmed Shalaby, the CEO and Member of the Board of Tatweer Misr, said: “The construction work at both IL Monte Galala and Fouka Bay is progressing at a fast pace. We are currently in the process of building the units and are aiming to deliver six fully finished mock up units in IL Monte Galala and one in Fouka within the year, allowing our visitors a real life example of our final products in both resorts. “ p

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Real Estate

Wadi degla developments Announces the Development and Delivery of 10000 Units & Pledges to Continue its Expansion Plans

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he company announced during a press conference that it has successfully developed and delivered 10,000 units throughout its project portfolio so far.

Engineer Magdy Helmy, Chairman and CEO of Wadi Degla Developments, has shed lights on Wadi Degla Developments’ 20 projects that occupy a total area of 8 million m2 all over Egypt, providing an overview of Egypt’s real estate scene, and the company’s expansion plan throughout the rest of 2017 and years to follow. Most recently, the company has launched its newest project, Promenade New Cairo, which occupies a prime location in New Cairo, with a total area of 140,000 m2, hosting 1000 units.

Wadi Degla Developments is a leading real estate developer supported by a strong yet flexible financial structure, with a prominent track record of projects and deliveries without any delays, proving its integrity and credibility.

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In 2017, the company will develop a number of residential and resort destinations, to meet the growing demands of its customer base. These projects include Neopolis in Mostakbal City, a huge mixed use development spanning over 545 acres and comprises a total of 15,000 residential units. The company is also developing five other projects including Tijan Maadi, Murano, Blumar Sokhna, Blumar Hurghada, and Blumar Hills, in addition to Mada, the company’s latest project in Ain Sokhna.

Wadi Degla Developments has been extraordinarily busy over the past 12 years. Since its establishment in 2005, the company has completed the development and delivery of seven projects, including Tijan Maadi, which includes 30 residential buildings with a total of 1728 units, River Walk in the 5th Settlement with a total of 100 villas, Canal Residence in Sarayat Maadi, Pyramids Walk in 6th of October, Blumar Dome & Marina Wadi Degla in Ain Sokhna and Blumar project at the North Coast.

The company has taken exceptional strides in the Egyptian real estate market by providing elegant yet affordable housing units, with the help of a successful business model, which enables the company to operate in many real estate sectors including residential and resort destinations, infrastructure and utilities. p

Cuisine

Easter and Sham El Nessim Recipes

Mushroom and Onion Quiche Ingredients: • Pie dough enough for one bottom crust (can be found at the supermarket) • 2 tablespoons olive oil • ¼ cup thinly sliced onions • ½ kilogram mushrooms, quartered or sliced • Salt and black pepper • ½ cup milk • ½ cup heavy cream • 3 large eggs • Pinch of nutmeg • 1½ cups cheddar cheese, grated (or of your choice)

Directions: • Roll out dough onto a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle and line it into a tart pan. Trim the edges. Chill in the freezer for 30 minutes.

• Preheat oven to 175C. • Line the crust with aluminum foil, pushing into the bottom edge. Fill two-thirds with rice or any other dry ingredient.

• Bake first for 15 minutes, and then remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Carefully remove foil and weights.

• Poke the bottom of the pie with a fork and return to bake for an additional 10 minutes or until lightly golden.

• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large pan over medium high heat.

• Sauté the shallots for a minute, then add the mushrooms. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are browned, about 10 minutes.

• Sprinkle half of the grated cheese over the bottom of the crust. Spread the mushrooms and shallots over the cheese in an even layer, and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

• Whisk together the cream, milk and eggs in a medium bowl. Stir in nutmeg, salt and pepper. Pour the egg mixture over the mushrooms and cheese in the crust.

• Bake in the oven until the center is just set, about 30 to 35 minutes.

• Remove to a rack and let cool for 20 minutes before slicing.

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Tomato and Basil Baked Eggs Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • •

Vegetable oil 4 large eggs Salt and black pepper 70 grams cherry tomatoes 3 kilograms tomatoes, without skin and crushed 1 sprig of fresh basil Parmesan cheese (optional) ½ white onion, diced 1 large clove of garlic, minced ½ teaspoon paprika

Directions: • Preheat the oven to 250C. • Lightly grease 2 small baking

dishes with a little oil.

• Sauté onions over hot oil until translucent, then add garlic for another 2 minutes before adding the tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper and paprika.

• Simmer for 10 minutes then add to the bottom of the baking dishes.

• Quarter the cherry tomatoes and finely chop the basil.

• Place your filling into the prepared dishes; crack the eggs on top and season with salt and pepper.

• Place in the hot oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, then sprinkle on some cheese 2 minutes before.

• Serve straight away.

Mediterranean Feta Cheese Salad Ingredients: Salad • 4 cups mixed salad greens (lettuce, parsley, rockets, dill), chopped • 1 cup tomatoes, chopped • 1 cup olives, chopped • 1 avocado, chopped • 120 grams feta cheese, cubed • ¾ cup rinsed canned chickpeas • ½ cup red onions, sliced Dressing • ½ cup olive oil • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar • 1 teaspoon honey • 1 teaspoon mustard • 1 onion, minced • 1 clove of garlic, minced • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: • Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.

• Place all dressing ingredients in a closed jar and shake vigorously.

• Add dressing to taste just before serving; mix lightly.

Creamy Pasta Salad Ingredients: Salad • 250 grams fusilli or elbow pasta • 1 cup small broccoli florets • ½ cup diced cucumber • ½ cup finely diced red pepper • ½ cup sliced black olives • ¼ cup very thinly sliced green onion Dressing • ½ cup mayonnaise • 2 teaspoons vinegar • ½ teaspoon salt, adjust to taste • ½ teaspoon black pepper • ½ teaspoon sugar

Directions: • Cook the pasta according to package directions.

• Just before the pasta is done cooking, add the broccoli to the pot. Let the broccoli boil for about 30 seconds and then drain everything into a large colander. Rinse well with cold water.

• Stir together the mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, black pepper and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the bowl and stir well to coat.

• Add the cucumber, red pepper and onions and stir again.

Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed.

• Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

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Cuisine

Roasted Salmon with Herbs Ingredients: • • • • • • • •

1 kilogram skinless salmon fillet Salt and black pepper ¼ cup olive oil 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice ½ cup minced green onions, white and green parts ½ cup minced fresh dill ½ cup minced fresh parsley Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions: • Preheat the oven to 220C. • Place the salmon fillet in a baking dish and season it generously with salt and pepper.

• Whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice and drizzle the mixture evenly over the salmon. Let it stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.

• In a small bowl, stir together the onions, dill and parsley. Scatter the herb mixture over the salmon fillet, turning it so that both sides are generously coated with the green herbs.

• Roast the salmon for 10 to 12 minutes, until almost cooked in the center at the thickest part.

• Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.

• Cut the salmon crosswise into serving pieces and serve hot with lemon wedges.

Tomato-Mint Lamb Chops Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • •

1 cup fresh mint, chopped ½ cup breadcrumbs ¼ cup olive oil 2 cloves garlic (1 minced, 1 whole) 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes Salt 8 center-cut lamb chops ½ kilogram tomatoes, halved 1 tablespoon lemon juice ¾ teaspoon sugar

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Directions: • Combine ¾ cup mint, the breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium bowl.

• Add the minced garlic, 1 teaspoon rosemary, the red pepper flakes and ½ teaspoon salt and mix until combined.

• Season the lamb with salt, and then press with the crumb mixture. Cover the chops with

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•

plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.

Preheat the oven to 220C. Remove the lamb chops from the refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking.

Meanwhile, make the tomatomint paste by tossing the tomatoes, whole garlic clove, 1 tablespoon olive oil and the remaining 1 teaspoon rosemary on a baking sheet.

Transfer to the oven and roast, 15 to 20 minutes; let it cool slightly, then transfer to a medium bowl.

Add the vinegar and sugar and mash with a fork until somewhat smooth. Stir in the remaining ¼ cup mint and season with salt.

Heat a pan over mediumhigh heat. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil; sear the lamb chops until browned, about 3 minutes per side.

Turn the chops onto their sides and sear until the fat browns, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet; roast in the oven for about 15 minutes for medium-well.

Let it rest 5 minutes and serve with the tomato-mint paste.

Lemon Cake IngredIents: • 230 grams (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature • 2½ cups sugar, divided • 4 large eggs, at room temperature • ¼ cup grated lemon zest • 3 cups flour • ½ teaspoon baking powder • ½ teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon salt • ¾ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided • ¾ cup buttermilk, at room temperature • 1 teaspoon vanilla Frosting • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted • 3½ tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

dIrectIons: • Preheat the oven to 175C. • Grease and flour 2 loaf pans.

• Cream the butter and 2 cups sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

• With the mixer on medium

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speed, add the eggs, one at a time, then add the lemon zest.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.

In another bowl, combine ¼ cup lemon juice, the buttermilk and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour.

Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Combine ½ cup sugar with ½ cup lemon juice in a small pan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves.

When the cakes are done, allow to cool for 10 minutes.

Remove the cakes from the pans and set them on a rack over a tray; spoon the lemon syrup over them. Allow the cakes to cool completely.

For the frosting, combine the confectioners’ sugar and the lemon juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth.

Pour over the tops of the cakes and allow the glaze to drizzle down the sides.

Peanut Butter Easter Eggs IngredIents: • • • • • •

2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 cup creamy peanut butter ¼ cup butter 1 tablespoon milk 8 squares semi-sweet chocolate 1 tablespoon margarine

dIrectIons: • In a mixing bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, peanut butter, butter and milk until blended.

• Shape mixture into two 250-gram eggs or make a bunch of smaller eggs.

• Freeze eggs for 1 hour.

• While the eggs are freezing, cut semisweet chocolate into small pieces and place in a pot (placed in a water bath) with margarine.

• Melt over medium heat, stirring frequently until smooth. Stick a fork into the top of each peanut butter egg; dip it in melted chocolate to cover.

• When the eggs are cooled and set, decorate the eggs to your taste. p APRIL 2017 | Ct

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Cuisine

Dining at Le J.Z.

Le Pacha 1901

L

ocated on the award-winning Nile boat Le Pacha 1901, which was established in 1992 as a dining and entertainment venue, Le J.Z. is the recently refurbished version of Johnny’s that welcomes guests with their vintage atmosphere and daily DJ playing relaxing beats.

After being greeted by a friendly staff, we were given the choice between being seated at the bar, on high tables or lounges. All the tables were simply but beautifully decorated with a red candle and a small glass vase with a real red rose, complimenting the dim yellow and red lights and wooden design, all coming together to create a peaceful and cozy atmosphere. Most of the tables were spaced out to give privacy to each table, which was refreshing to see.

The separate food and drinks menus all offer a large variety of choices to satisfy all tastes, from oriental dishes to sushi and Indian plates, with a great selection of cocktails, imported wines, beers and fresh juices. Beginning with the “Le J.Z. Special Salad”, their pomegranate dressing was just the right strength, and the mix of lettuce, palm hearts, avocado, cucumbers and mango created a unique, refreshing dish. We also could not help but order the famous “Shrimp Konafa” appetizer that consisted of six jumbo shrimps accompanied with sweet chili sauce that was the right balance between sweet and sour.

For the main course, we ordered the “Goa Penne” with curry sauce and mango, and this Indian-inspired dish was surprisingly the highlight of the night’s dishes as it perfectly infused the unique flavors together to create an exotic dish, while the pasta was al dente, and the chicken was well marinated. The “Caruso Fillet” was one of Le J.Z.’s signature dishes, where the café du Paris butter greatly complimented the perfectly cooked steak with a side of crunchy sautéed vegetables. For refreshments, we ordered the virgin “Peña Colada” and “Cosmopolitan”, which were both fruity and sweet.

After soaking in the relaxed covers of well-known songs and admiring the old-fashioned vibe to the place, we finished off our meal with the “Chocolate Fondant”, which was rich in chocolate with a side of velvety ice cream.

The restaurant pays strong attention to little details, placing hangers at the bar for anyone wanting to keep their bags or accessories at arms’ reach without them getting in their way.

Le J.Z. is open from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. on a daily basis. If you are looking for a more laid-back outing, visit the restaurant during weekdays, where the music remains at a low volume. Whereas if you want more of an upbeat night, go there on Thursday or Friday after 11 p.m. where they fasten the pace and louden the music, ideal for guests looking to unwind and enjoy their weekend after a week’s work.

Making a reservation beforehand is recommended, as it gets quite busy during the weekend.

To make a booking call: 19982 p

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CALENDAR April 2017 April 8th

ART

April 3rd – MAy 15th

“half Way through the thread” Exhibition

Modern and contemporary textiles entitled “Half Way through the Thread”, showcases the diverse techniques and materials used in Egypt that are included under the umbrella of textiles.

Textiles are an important aspect of nearly every culture and society: the clothes that keep us warm, the quilt that comforts us or the knitting that calms us down.

Darb 1718 aims to create a space within where contemporary textiles related artworks will be discovered; the pieces that are made by artists as well as the craftsmen. There will be no distinction between art and craft in this exhibition.

Darb 1718, Kasr el Sham3 Street, Al Fakhareen.

Tel: 0122 468 4628 Daily from 11 am to 8 pm.

A Guide to the Orchestra – Cairo Symphony Orchestra B. Britten: The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra J. Brahms: Double Concerto for Violin, Violoncello and Orchestra in A minor op. 102 L. Bernstein: Symphonic Dances Soloists: Hassan Sharara, violin, Mahmoud Saleh, violoncello Conductor: Nader Abbassi Main Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 8 pm

April 11th

Carmen Soliman This Egyptian singer won the first season of Arab Idol in 2012 broadcast live on MBC, winning a recording contract with Platinum Records.

Must Opera House 6 October City Time: 8 pm

April 11th – 14th

Opera tosca April 22nd

Opera Eugene Onegin live from Metropolitan Opera

ClAssiC MusiC

OPERA

OPERA

Eugene Onegin is a lyrical opera in three acts composed

by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The libretto, organized by the composer and Konstantin Shilovsky, very closely follows certain passages in Alexander Pushkin’s novel in verse, retaining much of his poetry.

Tosca is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It premiered at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome in 1900. The work, based on Victorien Sardou’s 1887 French-language dramatic play, La Tosca, is a melodramatic piece set in Rome in June 1800, with the Kingdom of Naples’ control of Rome threatened by Napoleon’s invasion of Italy. It contains depictions of torture, murder and suicide, as well as some of Puccini’s best-known lyrical arias.

Small Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 7 pm

Main Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 8 pm

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April 1st – April 13th

ART

sculptor Exhibition

Works of late artist Gaber Hegazy.

The gallery is showing 15 sculptures for the artist in different materials; iron, bronze, wood and granite, in addition to oil paintings and sketches.

April 29th

ClAssiC MusiC

Olivier Messiaen’s 25th Commemoration – Cairo symphony Orchestra

Khan Maghraby Gallery 18 Mansour Mohamed Zamalek Tel: 27353349 - 01094005971

N. Rota: Divertimento Concertante for Double Bass and Orchestra O. Messiaen: Turangalila Symphonie pour Piano, Orchestre et Ondes Martenot Soloists: Nabil Shehata, double bass, François Weigel, piano Thomas Bloch, Ondes Martenot Conductor: Ahmed El Saedi In collaboration with French Cultural Institute Main Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 8 pm

April 10th - 20th

ART

imagination Exhibition features artists Assma Tag El Din & Wafaa El Nashashibi.

Opening Night: Monday April 10, at 7 pm Al Kahila Art Gallery, 15 El Batal Ahmed Abdel Aziz St. Mohandessin

April 27th

MusiC

FilM sCREEning April 30th

Mazzika x El sat7

the Mice room

“Mazzika x El Sat7” is a monthly musical night held on the roof. The special musical nights will present a unique experience embodied in the type of music performed, the ambiance and the limited number of seats.

Hend Bakr, Mohamad El Hadidi, Ahmed Magdy Morsy, Nermeen Salem, Mayye Zayed, Mohamed Zedan.

Year of Production: 2013.

Shahira Kamal band was established in October, 2016. They present their original songs collection in Arabic with a diversity of music styles falling under the Indie music genre.

Darb 1718 hosts a screening program curated by Zawya Cinema, which includes films by local filmmakers or films that shed light on local issues.

Screenings are held the last Sunday of each month, and are followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.

Darb 1718, Kasr el Sham3 Street Al Fakhareen Tel: 0122 468 4628 Time: 7 pm

Darb 1718, Kasr el Sham3 Street Al Fakhareen Tel: 0122 468 4628 Time: 7 pm

Band: shahira Kamal

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CALENDAR April 2017

ART

April 24th – MAy 4th

Beautiful Soul Exhibition features artists Deena Fadel, Tasneem El Mashed and Noha Diab.

Opening Night: Monday April 24 at 7 pm Al Kahila Art Gallery, 15 El Batal Ahmed Abdel Aziz St. Mohandessin

music April 27th

yehia Khalil Jazz Band A legend in his own time, Khalil is one of the most respected and talked about drummer, bandleader, creative producer, star maker and jazz musician, a phenomenon in the music scene today.

Small Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 8 pm

clAssic music April 22nd

russian Flair ii Cairo Symphony Orchestra

C. M. von Weber: “Freischütz” Overture D. Shostakovich: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1 in A minor op. 77 Symphony No. 9 in E flat major op. 70 Soloist: Kyoungjoo Sung, violin. Conductor: Jooncha Kim Main Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 8 pm

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April 22nd

music

Bazar Bla and Othman El Kheloufi (double bill concert) Bazar Bla Three master musicians from Sweden, who celebrated their 20th anniversary as a trio by releasing their sixth album titled “Twenty” and premiering a fully new repertoire after a seven year long pause. Using percussion, bass-guitars, mandola nd nyckelharpa an ancient Swedish folk instrument. Bazar Bla present world music whilst being loyal to their Swedish roots.

Othman El Kheloufi Self-taught Saxophone player from Morocco, Othman El Kheloufi started his own band in 2009. His music blends jazz and world music heavily influenced by rhythms of oriental music, gnawa and amazing music and jazz and blues.

April 27th

tarabband Formed in 2008, Tarabband is a six-member band founded in Malmo, Sweden. It is a cross-cultural attempt at creating a sound that fused Middle Eastern, Nordic folk, jazz, Persian and Latin music together. In 2014, Taraband won the ”Tradition Bearer” award.

El Geneina Theater, Azhar Park, Salah Salem Rd. Tel: (02) 2362 5057 Time: 8 pm

music

April 20th

Wave Jazz Band/Adham roushdy Being always inspired by jazz and blues artists like Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole, Adham decided to explore the world of jazz music more. In 2011, he organized a funky jazz project called Slick Mob. The show’s positive impact, motivated him towards taking more serious steps down that path. By 2013 he joined forces with a local jazz group called, Wave Jazz Band and together they formed the funky jazz project, “Adham Roshdy & The Wave Jazz Band”.

April 15th

clAssic music

Easter Concert Cairo Symphony Orchestra John Corigliano: Fantasia on an Ostinato S. Barber: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in A minor op. 22 Zoltán Kodàly: Háry János Suite K. Szymanowski: “Stabat Mater Dolorosa” for Soli, Choir and Orchestra Soloists: Victoria Kapralova, violoncello, Annika Gerhards, soprano, Gaia Petrone, alto, Reda El Wakil, baritone A Cappella Choir, Choirmaster: Maya Gvineria Conductor: Ahmed El Saedi In collaboration with American Embassy

The project gained quick recognition in the scene and has been performing across all reputable venues and stages, hosting live jazz music in Egypt. In 2016, the project officially participated in International Jazz Day. Small Hall Cairo Opera House Time: 8 pm

Main Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 8 pm

ART April 1St – 15th

South Egyptian passion Exhibition Artist Dr. Ahmed Selim Open daily except Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm.

6 Road 77c, off El Nadi St. Maadi Tel: 012-22322337

April 6th, 7th, 8th

DAnce

Women from Egypt Dance performance Forsan Al Sharq (The Knights of the Orient) dance troupe was established in 2009. The aim was to introduce Egyptian dance theatre performances that would revive gems of the popular heritage, competing with troupes such as Lebanese Caracalla Dance Theatre. With limited financial and artistic resources and limited logistical support, however, it has not been easy for the Knights to realise those dreams.

Today Forsan Al Sharq operates under the joint supervision of the Cultural Development Fund and the Cairo Opera House.

El Gomhouria, Abdeen Square, Downtown Time: 8 pm APRIL 2017 | Ct

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Society Lipton Celebrates Full Brand Revamp Lipton has now answered the needs of tea lovers, announcing a brand revamp of all Lipton products in addition to releasing a new dust blend along with its portfolio of unique quality products especially tailored to Egyptians’ tastes!

In a VIP event overlooking the pyramids, Lipton celebrated their successful viral campaign “Mazboot 3la Masr” before unveiling the highly anticipated new blend.

The event held on March 8 brought together a number of well-known names, including actors Amr Ramzy and Ola Roshdy, musician Hany Shenouda, in addition to media figures Essam Shaltout and Marwan Kadry, among others.

During the event, guests were entertained by the smooth sounds of musician Hisham Kharma who performed alongside his band. p

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