Community Times February Issue 2018

2Y2ears

February 2018

Since 1996

In tune with the Community SINCE 1996

Special issue:

old is gold

EL 3osba Comics:

Egyptian Superheroes

&

Exploring Aswan the Old Cateract

Saving Om Kolthoum’s Voice + Rare Photos

MICHELIN STAR CHEFS IN TOWN 16 TH - 17 TH FEBRUARY TOGETHER ON BOARD LE DECK

06 Hands 05 Hours music 04 Glasses of wine 03 Chefs 02 Days 01 Place

GIORGIO DIANA

LAURENT PEUGEOT

JORDAN PROT

FOR BOOKING CALL: 01141100012 Pantone Balck C C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:100

Pantone 123 C C:0 M:28 Y:100 K:30

Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah: 3 El Thawra Council St. Zamalek, P.O. Box 732 El Orman - Giza 11518 - Cairo - Egypt Tel. +202 2737 3737 E-Mail: h5307-sb2@sofitel.com www.sofitel-cairo-nile-elgezirah.com feb 2018 | Ct

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Contents FEbruary 2018 tOWN tAlK 04

BuSiNeSS

20

Talk of the Town News

38

Culture

Latest Business News

COmmuNity

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ART Nadim Industry Revives Traditional Crafts

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Books El3osba Comics: Where Egyptian Superheroes Exist

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EvEnTs Events You Do Not Want to Miss

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FIlm February Movie Releases

40

FIEldwoRk Inside-Out Counseling Center: A Safe Haven

deStiNAtiONS 42

scEnEs Exploring Aswan and the Old Cateract

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TRAvEl The Secrets of Edinburgh, Scotland

SpeCiAl FeAtureS Old iS gOld

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20

Saving Om Kolthoum’s Voice

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The Heliopolis Heritage Foundation

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Khotout West El Balad Preserves Downtown Heritage

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Significant Landmarks in Cairo

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The History Behind Al Gezira Palace

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CuiSiNe 2Y2ears

February 2018

Since 1996

In tune wIth the CommunIty SInCe 1996

42

spECiaL issuE:

old iS gold

Egyptian SupErhEroES

&

Cover Photo

by Myriam Trannet

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El Moslim El Seeny Review

58

India Along the Nile

60

44 Saving om KoLthoum’s voice + RaRe PhotoS

Delicious Dinner for Two Recipes

SOCiety

EL 3osba ComiCs:

Exploring AswAn thE old CAtErACt

52

42

Social Events and Gatherings

Editor’s notE Publisher Live Colors, Nicosia

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wenty-two years have passed since we first created our first publication “Helio Times” for the Heliopolis Community. But since readers were anxious to know more about the rest of Cairo’s community, we expanded our content and changed the name to Community Times.

Though we still maintain a paper publication, we are not forgetting that times change and social media is the “in” thing now, and on that basis we are developing a plan to upgrade our services. With that in mind, we know that many of our readers and subscribers like the feel of paper, so we will continue to publish in paper to please all clients.

This is also the month of love, and we are providing you with options that you can choose from in our Town Talk section.

Hope you enjoy our February issue and wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day experience with your partners, friends and family.

s r a e Y

Associate Partners Ahmed Samy Mohamed Maher

EditoriAl dEPArtMEnt

This month is our anniversary, and on that basis, we decided to add a special feature and called it “Old is Gold”. In this issue, we are tackling the history of some of the older buildings in downtown Cairo, and interviewed the Heliopolis Heritage Foundation that is dedicated to bringing the suburb of Heliopolis back to its former glory. Furthermore, the Arts and Culture Program of Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment has established a project called Khotout West El Balad to preserve Arabic calligraphy found in Downtown Cairo. Cairo Marriott has also provided us with a timeline editorial on the building that houses the hotel.

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Managing Partner Najla Riad

Editor-in-Chief Moguib Roshdy Acting Editor Najla Riad Assistant Editor Rawan Abdel Latif

WritErs Ahmed Kafafi, Mona Bassel, Myriam Trannet, Noha Kandil, Rehab Saad, Yasmine Mabrouk and Zeinab Abul Gheit

Art dEPArtMEnt Art director Khadiga El Badan

senior Graphic designer Marina Raafat

sAlEs dEPArtMEnt sales director Rania Halim

BusinEss dEvEloPMEnt dEPArtMEnt Business development director Sherif Anis

ProduCtion MAnAGEr Enas Adly

AdMinistrAtion dEPArtMEnt

The Editor editor@live-colors.com

distribution Manager Rana Ezzat Salem Salem

office Manager Magda Adib

FinAnCiAl ConsultAnts Hazem Abdel Tawab Ahmed Abbas

office Clerk Mohamed Adel office Custodian Ismail Othman distribution Al Ahram, Next Media Mohandessin, Zamalek, Heliopolis, Maadi, Nasr City, New Cairo, 6 October City, Sheikh Zayed City

Prepress & Printing: Sahara Printing Company

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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CommunityTimesEgypt

@CtimesEgy feb 2018 | Ct

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TownTalk

Wadi Degla Clubs Honors World Championship Winner Raneem El Welily and Ali Farag for the US Open Squash Champion The squash player Raneem El Welily was honored by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and awarded the State Golden Medal of Sport, being named the best player in December according to the Professional Squash Association PSA. She was also honored for her general accomplishments since she received the First Place title in the World Squash Championship held in Manchester, England.

Also attending was squash star Ali Farag, who won the US Open Championship and the Men’s World Teams Championship with the national team, and Marwan Tarek, World Junior Championship title holder and Dunlop British Junior Open champion.

During the conference, El Welily commented on the recognition by stating: “I am delighted to be honored

by Wadi Degla Clubs; the club that supported me from the start and provided me with all the necessary preparation and equipment. This tremendous support was one of the biggest contributions that led me to gain more international championship titles.

It was a long journey of preparation, and I am honored to share the success with Wadi Degla.

As for Farag, he said: “I am optimistic about 2018, especially with it starting

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with my honoring from the president and another honoring from my second home, Wadi Degla Clubs. These have encouraged me to thrive and win more championships and titles this year and do my best to put Egypt’s name on the sports map globally.”

President of Wadi Degla Clubs, Hassan Al-Mestikawy, added: “Wadi Degla Clubs and Darwish Squash Academy are continuing to pursue their goals of achieving full development in squash and to continue being the ‘Community of Champions’ which discovers talents throughout the country and works hard enough to let the players achieve their full potential and represent Egypt in international championships. This contributes to the development of the Egyptian sports sector in general.”

It is worth mentioning that El Welily has a number of championships and titles and is ranked second in the world according to the latest classification of the PSA. She has won the title of Best Player in the World in the 2004/05 season and held the World Junior Championship twice in 2005 and 2007.

She also managed to reach the top ten in the 2012 World Ranking, and in 2015, she was ranked first in the PSA World Ranking category. p

Hilton Recognizes General Manager Soha El Torgoman with the 2017 MEA President’s Award Hilton, one of the leading global hospitality companies, recently awarded Soha El Torgoman, Cluster General Manager for Ramses Hilton and Hilton Cairo World Trade Center Residences, with the MEA President’s Award at the 2017 Annual EMEA GM Awards.

Hilton’s annual internal awards ceremony celebrates the achievements of dedicated team members in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). El Torgoman received the award for her notable leadership and commitment to Hilton’s culture of superior customer service, and her efforts to continue driving a positive trend in Egypt.

This is the second time in just nine months that El Torgoman has received significant accolades from Hilton, following her receipt of the GM Leadership Award in March 2017.

During her nearly 40 years at Hilton, El Torgoman has served as a prime example of the hotel’s corporate culture and values where team members have the opportunity to build meaningful careers within the company. p

Erik Huyer New General Manager of Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino Cairo Sonesta Middle East Hotels and Resorts Management, LLC announced the appointment of Erik Huyer as General Manager of Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino Cairo.

An Australian national of Dutch heritage, Huyer began his career in hospitality with Hilton in Australia as the chain’s first management trainee and later spent ten

years working at hotels in Sydney and Melbourne before moving to Auckland, New Zealand.

After several years in Asia and Australia, working for both global hotel chains and independent properties, Huyer moved to the Middle East in hotel leadership roles in Bahrain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Huyer brings to Sonesta a wealth of diverse international experience, specifically throughout Asia/Pacific and the Middle East and with many outstanding hotel management companies, including: Hilton, Regent, InterContinental and Rosewood. p

Celebrating Valentine’s Day

Surprise Your Valentine With an Exceptional Romantic Dinner at Grand Nile Tower Grand Nile Tower invites you to the most spectacular restaurant, the Revolving Restaurant, where you can enjoy a memorable candlelit dinner with an overwhelming atmosphere of romance, alongside music that will help make it an exceptional night.

This entire exquisite experience with an astonishing 360-degree panorama of the Nile and the city, makes the Revolving Restaurant Cairo’s most romantic meeting place this Valentine’s Day. The Marquise yacht serves up an intimate dinner with live entertainment while cruising on the Nile. Make it an unforgettable night and book a luxurious Nile View room and enjoy the ultimate Valentine experience. p

Celebrate Valentine’s by the Sparkling Red Sea Shores of Kempinski Soma Bay Ignite the spark of love with a heavenly stay by the alluring Red Sea, surrounded by the picturesque landscape of pools, lazy rivers, waterfalls and lagoons flowing down to an immaculate golden sandy beach. A special offer will sweep everyone off their feet.

Experience being pampered at its best starting with a bed of roses upon arrival and a savoury strawberry cake. During your stay, a special breakfast will be served in your room and one romantic aroma bath specially tailored for your utmost relaxation.

Create a memory that will last a lifetime with a private dinner by the beach. The hotel will present an array of options for the romantic candlelit dinner, either by the pristine sandy beach, or in one of the luxuriously appointed suites. p

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TownTalk

Valentine’s Day Celebration at The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo Dine at OPIA Lounge & Bar at Ramses Hilton Hotel Dine at the OPIA Lounge & Bar and enjoy a fabulous panoramic view of the Nile River from the 36th floor.

For gastronomic satisfaction, treat yourself to a handcrafted candlelit four-course dinner, two glasses of wine or two nonalcoholic drinks, a special homemade chocolate giveaway box and signature Valentine’s drinks along with personalized flowers upon arrival. p

Give your Valentine’s dinner a vintage and elegant twist by finding inspiration in the fabulous 40s at Vivo; the Italian gastronomic restaurant. The five course dinner unfolds at a luxurious setting with plenty of intimate dining with romantic views of the Nile. Couples will dine and dance in black and white while reliving the magic of nostalgic music as they listen to the voice of love - Frank Sinatra - all night long.

At Nox, DJ Sam will be spinning the best soul and Motown love songs inspired by the 80s. Nostalgic music, dancing, bar bites, hot cocktails and a surprise performance are all in store.

An exclusive rooftop dinner is also an option. Couples can treat themselves to exclusive access to the terrace space, beginning with a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne, followed by an exquisite fivecourse dinner. The romance continues with a luxurious candlelit table setup, a professional photographer capturing the best moments while singer Malak El Husseiny performs your favorite love songs.

If you are looking for the ultimate idea, proposal packages are also available to make your dream come true, whether you already have something in mind or want to choose from one of the exquisitely put together packages.

Choose one of the luxurious spa experiences, where each package includes champagne and strawberries. p For more information, please call +202 25778899 Ext: 2002, or email rc.cairz.reservations@ritzcarlton.com.

A Valentine’s Date Crafted with Passion at JW Marriott JW Marriott will present their guests with a magical “feel good” experience this February 14. Their culinary professionals will curate engaging four-course set dinner menus that will be served at Cucina, JW’s Steakhouse, Plateau and Lemongrass or savour a Valentine’s dinner buffet at Mirage Café. La Patisserie is featuring heart shaped tarts to add to the delicious drama of the day.

Add a little delight to your Valentine’s Day by indulging in a special offer valid throughout the month of February at Mandara Spa. Enjoy a 90-minute Aroma Stone Massage with full access to the swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and relaxation area; nourishing both the mind and body. p

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Valentine’s Day at Sheraton Cairo Get the romantic getaway you need in the heart of the city at Sheraton Cairo hotel with a Valentine’s package for couples that includes a BB room, romantic dinner at Giannini’s and a Gift Box. If you are not looking for accommodation, you can also opt for a memorable romantic dinner at Giannini’s with a five course set menu, two glasses of sparkling wine and a gift box. p

Celebrate With Your Valentine at Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel Spoil your loved one on Valentine’s Day at Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel. Indulge your better half in a charming ambiance with a scrumptious dinner buffet at Citron, or Chinoix, the Chinese restaurant, with its inspired set menu complemented with live entertainment.

A Valentine’s party filled with divine romance will be held at Vintage Bar & Lounge. p

Valentine’s Day Highlights at Semiramis InterContinental Cairo 2018 Join The Semiramis InterContinental Hotel on February 14th with an exclusive fun-filled night of romance with Cairo’s premier crooner Ahmed Harfoush at Teeba Ballroom.

Love Stories at India along the Nile. The signature resto-bar and lounge, India along the Nile, brings you an unmatched romantic experience in a contemporary and modern setting.

Indulge in an exquisite a la carte dinner and dance along with the resident DJs tunes.

Enchanting Elegance at The Grill serenaded by the trio band.

Go to The Grill’s fabulous Valentine’s Gala dinner on February 14th and relish in a five-course dinner.

True Amore at Pane Vino, dancing along to your favourite jazz tunes and enjoy an Italian Valentine’s set dinner. p

Magnifique Romance at Sofitel Cairo Nile El Gezirah

Valentine’s Getaway at Sheraton Sharm El Sheikh

Enjoy magical moments during Valentine’s Day at Sofitel El Gezirah. Delight in the luminous glow at Le Duplex bar and Manipuri Indian restaurant, explore the Moroccan delights at La Palmeraie or relax near the soothing Jacuzzi with a one hour massage for two at SO SPA.

Sheraton Sharm El Sheikh offers a special accommodation package for couples in a sea view room including breakfast and a dinner buffet.

Discover Valentine’s packages at Le Deck or Casa Mia Italian restaurant and experience Sofitel’s perfect setting for romantic memories that will last forever. p

Enjoy a romance package that includes an upgrade to the corner suite, VIP amenities, a candlelit set menu dinner at the Italian restaurant Portofino on Valentine’s Day and breakfast served in the room the following morning, in addition to early check-in and late check-out. p feb 2018 | Ct

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Culture Art

Nadim iNdustry revives traditioNal Crafts

By Zeinab Abul Gheit

Although they live and work in small alleys, craftsmen represent a very important category in our society. This point was emphasized by the popular author Naguib Mahfouz in his famous novel “Zoukak El Madek”.

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ith the same views as Mahfouz, Dr. Asaad Nadim, who has worked with traditional arts and crafts since 1960, believed that the power of the country is in its economy. Nadim’s everlasting dream was to revive and develop our inherited crafts to prevent them from dying out.

To fulfill this dream, he established the Mashrabiya Institute, now called the Nadim Industry, which is a workshop that creates a new generation of craftsmen.

In 1978, the institute began as a production/training facility for traditional crafts. At the start, the project included a small workshop in Dokki, which then expanded and moved to Bein El Sarayat. Using the traditional apprenticeship system and through the

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dedication of the craftsmen to provide excellent production, a factory was added in Abou Rawash in Giza.

Nadim’s aim was to train a new generation of craftsmen by merging historic art with a modern style. In a span of 40 years, the project, which started with only four craftsmen working in a one-room workshop, expanded to a capacity that could accommodate 1,000 skilled workers.

Besides being trained on several crafts like traditional carpentry (now the industry’s main work), El Talli embroidery, restoration, brass work, carpet weaving and Arabesque art, literacy was also an important activity practiced in the institute, as 80% of the craftsmen were illiterate.

Continuing the Family Business Dr. Nadim’s wife, Dr. Nawal El Messiri, talked to Community Times about the management of the Institute after her husband passed away. “Our family has a strong belonging to the country, believing in the importance of Nadim’s noble project, my sons, grandsons and myself decided to continue the institute’s activities.” she says.

“We follow the same system Nadim used in training the students along with specialised craftsmen, but we do not enroll anyone under 18. Some of the craftsmen have worked in the institute since it was established and their products are displayed in exhibitions in Paris, Milan, Tokyo, Dubai, as well as in Sheikh Zayed and New Cairo,” she adds.

DemanD of ProDucts anD rePutation When asked about demand of their products in the past compared to now, El Messiri explains that there was a huge demand from the Arab World for Arabicstyle furniture and traditional crafts before the political unrest in the Middle East, which declined due to the unstable political situation.

However, the demand has recently started to grow again due to the government’s encouragement of small industries and traditional crafts in order to create job opportunities for the youth.

Nadim built a strong reputation for excellence and authenticity by using the institution’s history to inspire and enrich the design of the modern world. Magnificent models that reflected this were the modern chairs inlaid with Arabesque and Islamic styles displayed in Nadim’s exhibitions

ProDuction Similar to a beehive is the furniture factory, where each craftsman is fully immersed in his specialty: interlocking, joinery or carving.

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Culture Art When we asked an interlocking specialist on foreigners’ opinions of their work, he said, “Our production is showcased in some of the world’s most iconic buildings, museums and headquarters, which include the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Egyptian Parliament, the John Kennedy Center in DC and the Jordanian Royal Palace.”

A joinery specialist adds, “Our distinctive furniture and fixtures have maintained exceptional standards throughout our years of experience. I have chosen this specialization because it is a fine craft that was also practiced by my father.”

Anxious to know how the Mashrabiya is made, I watched the turnery and the cutting tool used in shaping a piece of wood while it turns on a lathe. Bit by bit, the artist shapes the piece that forms the Mashrabiya.

One of the artists explains that it consists of hundreds or thousands of these elements that are attached together by dowels and holes without the use of nails or glue.

Functionality nowadays Can the Mashrabiya be used nowadays?

The same artist says that with its geometric designs, it is far better than the materials used today to cover window openings. “The advantage of

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the Mashrabiya is that it prevents direct sun rays while allowing circulation of air through its openings to keep the room cool, even in the summer heat.”

Under Nadim’s leadership, the highest Mashrabiya in the world (over ten floors) was made by Egyptian craftsmen and is displayed at the entrance of the Arabic Development Fund headquarters in Kuwait.

wood carving Community Times talked to a craftsman who creates geometric and floral decorations in wood. “I use a wide variety of chisels of different shapes and sizes. Traditionally, interlocking joinery, frames and column bases were carved using this technique,” he says.

copper works The sound of hammering comes from the copper department where sheets are shaped to be used as decorative pieces on doors. Using a saw, the meticulous craftsman hammers and inlays the sheets into the wood.

wood Joinery “It is the most intricate of all traditional wood works,” says a joinery specialist, who mentions that it was traditionally used to make decorative doors, cabinets, mosque pulpits or screens for churches.

“We design and produce truly iconic artwork, such as the ceremonial throne for Pope Francis. Our dedication to providing unique and rich pieces is why we have worked across five continents with the most lavish names in hospitality,” he mentions.

restoration proJects The revival of traditional crafts was not the only project founded by Nadim to preserve our heritage. A school for teaching restoration of monuments was also established for the same purpose.

He began with the restoration of Bayt El Suhaymi in Azhar area, followed

by El Darb El Asfar project and the refurbishment of El Moez Street.

In Beit El Kharazati in El Darb El Asfar, Nadim also founded and documented an archive to provide aid to the researchers in this field and established a center for creativity in addition to the Egyptian Society for Folk Traditions. Through his projects, he, along with his meticulous craftsmen, had succeeded in preserving and developing our traditional crafts.

With the dedication of Nadim and his family, they have been able to successfully create a platform that not only preserves our history, but also present it around the world. p

ADVERTORIAL

MARAKEZ

INTRODUCES

AEON TOWERS AT WEST CAIRO

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ocated between 6th of October city and Sheikh Zayed, Central West, the new mixed-use development by Marakez, offers the perfect balance between urban and suburban living.

This serene location with its upbeat community caters to the many needs of the population, with easy access to the main roads, blending the line between residential and commercial districts. Central West brings together residential (AEON) Towers, a shopping center (Mall of Arabia), a Park and a Food Hall all in one place.

“Aeon Towers represent the next phase of the evolution of Cairo’s satellite cities with the development of more efficient city styled high rise buildings.” explains Ahmed D. Badrawi, Chief Executive Officer.

AEON TOWERS This 20 storey residential development presents everything from fully furnished penthouses to luxurious one/four bedroom apartments, serviced with many other essential amenities.

“We offer concierge services, double-height ceiling entrances, a gym, an indoor heated pool, VIP lounges and waiting areas,” notes Nadine Hashem, Sales Manager.

Designed by internationally recognized architects Machado Silvetti, the towers provide a new level of living experience to its residents.

Culture Books

: s C i m o C a b s o 3 l E n A i t p y g e e d Wher A Worl t S i x e S e o r SuperhByeNoha Kandil

D

ue to an era full of natural and man-made disasters, avoiding all the negativity surrounding us has become harder every day. Yet, thanks to fiction, we find a temporary escape from reality to a more hopeful world. El3osba does this by presenting a world of six superheroes who join forces to make Egypt a better place.

John Maher, Co-Founder of El3osba, gives us a look into the fictional world he co-created.

How did El3osba come to life?

El3osba first began in 2012 as a short stories series written by me and posted on Facebook. The stories discussed the adventures of six Egyptian superheroes fighting corruption in Egypt. In 2013, I pitched El3osba to Maged Raafat, one of my writer friends, who decided to join me and together we worked on developing and enhancing the characters and designs and turning it into a full script comic book. Ahmed Raafat also joined us in 2014, transforming our imagination into a reality by illustrating the characters and working on the artwork.

The first issue was released in 2015 during the first CairoComix event discussing the origins of the first three characters in the Egyptian superheroes league: Alpha, Horus and El Walhan. Since then, we have released four issues, completing one full story arc that is soon to be collected into a graphic novel format.

Who are the characters?

The six characters are from different historical backgrounds in Egypt, yet the events take place in the present. The characters include: - El Alpha: A being from a planet inhabited by an advanced race that monitors Earth, and decides to intervene and unite the superheroes under one team, “El3osba�. He chooses to mimic the aristocratic class from fifties Egypt as his disguise.

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- Horus: The ancient Egyptian god who has been incarnated to save modern day Egypt and bring back the glory of the Ancient Egyptian era. He represents the ancient Egyptian mythology that is part of our heritage.

- Microbusgy: A microbus driver with a shape-shifting superpower, as well as the ability to control dust and fire, after accidentally falling into a possessed lake. He does not have enough knowledge to use his powers effectively, so he just shape-shifts to historical characters that the streets are named after. He represents a large sector of the modern Egyptian society that is good-natured, but lacks the necessary education and resources to make an impact.

- Mariam: A doctor with healing powers who rejects the traditional notions that the society has for women. She dedicates all her time to medicine, and works towards bettering women’s role in Egypt.

- El Walhan: A skilled fighter brought up and trained in a mercenary Bedouin camp. He represents the underprivileged young men in the country who find it challenging to achieve love because of materialistic issues.

Falling in love with Mariam prevents him from executing a terrorist attack targeting the hospital she works in, and since then, he turns into a vigilante solely focusing on protecting her.

Are you targeting a certain segment of readers?

Is it suitable for kids?

Obviously the main demographic are the same people who enjoy superhero comics/movies in general, which are teens and young adults. However, our comics are really for anyone.

There is nothing that will stop a kid from enjoying them, but some of the themes might be more relatable to someone who is slightly more grown up and who is more aware of the social issues that we address.

With Mariam, we wanted to present a powerful female role model who challenges the set notions that the society has for women

- Kaf: An intelligence officer named “Kamal” with a split personality disorder. He creates an alter ego called “Kaf” who has the magical power of controlling Arabic letters.

Like the rest of El3osba, he wants to ultimately save the country, but he sees that the only way to do that is to destroy the current Egypt and rebuild a better one. After a confrontation with El3osba, he gains hope that Egypt can be saved, and agrees to join the team.

Keeping in mind that we are living in a women’s empowerment era, does Mariam present a fair portrayal of women?

With Mariam, we wanted to present a powerful female role model who challenges the set notions that the society has for women. As it is revealed throughout our first story, her skills as a doctor prove to be invaluable to the team. During a confrontation between El3osba members, she voices her disagreement that she needs protection, or that someone should treat her differently because she is a woman.

While initially Mariam’s powers are limited to healing, as the story progresses, there will be a secondary manifestation of powers. We are aware that at first glance readers may not see it, but as a matter of fact, Mariam is probably the most complex and well-developed character of the team. There is a very delicate balance between compassion and power. Readers are in for a surprise!

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Culture Books What types of issues do you tackle in El3osba’s storylines?

We have already dealt with social issues such as sexual harassment, terrorism, corruption and poverty, but of course, we are weaving them into our own fictional universe. For instance, El Walhan is initially part of a terrorist group that does not represent any specific group, but it mirrors real life ones.

Addressing social issues has always been a comic book tradition, which we plan to continue using our stories as a medium to address topics that are engrained in our society.

We do not set particular limits for ourselves, as we believe that “art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”

Do you offer solutions to the issues you present?

We do not have that simple happy ending, but rather look to create diverse pieces of writing. Personally, I love planting hope at the end of the story through offering a solution, whereas Maged prefers telling realistic stories regardless of the ending.

What was the most memorable issue in terms of feedback?

The first issue was the most memorable to us. It was the first time we debuted these characters and stories, and we had no idea how they would be received. Thankfully, we got great feedback from our readers.

We listen carefully to the feedback from both the people working in the comic book scene as well as our readers. With every new issue, there are lessons learned, and we try to incorporate those into the following one.

Are you aiming to distribute internationally in the future?

Comics are mediums that offer an insight into the culture of their place of origin. One of our long-term goals is translating El3osba and hopefully presenting it to an international audience.

We spoke to fellow creators and publishers at international conventions, and they were thrilled to know that we make comics in Egypt!

You have both print and digital versions of the comic. Do you believe producing a hard copy is essential?

We believe that the future is in digital platforms. However, there are two segments in the Egyptian market who seek hard copies: the old fashioned readers and the collectors, and so we won’t stop distributing the print version.

Will you be issuing on a monthly basis soon?

We are currently searching for investments that will help us create our own publishing house and be fully dedicated to releasing every month.

Where can readers get the issues?

El3osba is available at Diwan and Alef bookstores, Virgin megastore and on souq.com.

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How would you evaluate El3osba’s journey from the first issue until now?

It is a dream come true! None of us knew what to expect when we first started this. All we knew was that we grew up reading comics, and wanted to see ones that were derived from our own heritage.

We had no experience whatsoever when we first started, not just as writers or artists, but also when it comes to the logistics of publishing and distribution. Sadly, there is a lack of academia when it comes to comic books in Egypt, and so we are all self-taught. We have learned a lot, and were able to expand our team and add to our skills, which reflected on the scale of readership.

One of our hopes is to help establish some form of academic entity to help aspiring comic books artists. Therefore from where we stand, the future looks very promising! p

Facebook: El3osba.official Twitter: El3osba

Addressing social issues has always been a comic book tradition, which we plan to continue, using our stories as a medium to address issues that are engrained in our society FEB 2018 | Ct

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Culture Events

Events not to be Missed

Live from the Metropolitan Opera L’Elisir d’Amore Cairo Opera House – Small Hall 10 February

L’Elisir d’Amore is a two-act romantic and comic opera by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti, which premiered in Milan in 1832, becoming the most performed opera piece from 1838 to 1848.

Dokkan Theater of Solar Wind – Circus Show

The Marquee – Cairo Festival City 1 to 5 March

Set in a rural village in Italy, the piece tells the story of how a villager turns to a “love potion” after he is rejected by the woman he loves, the wealthy Adina.

The largest circus show is coming from Europe to Egypt for the first time to perform their latest techniques live on stage!

Time: 7 pm

Tickets available at Ticketsmarche.

Live from the Metropolitan Opera La Bohème Cairo Opera House – Small Hall 24 February

La Bohème is a four-act opera composed by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto, based on Henri Murger’s novel, and premiered in Turin in 1896.

This piece tells the timeless story of young artists’ love in the city of Paris, passionately depicting the emotions behind love and loss.

Time: 7:30 pm

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Darb 1718, Kasr El Shame’ St. Al Fakhareen, Old Cairo 22 February Mazzika x El Sat7 is a monthly musical night held on the roof. Their special musical nights will present a unique experience embodied in the type of music performed.

Time: 7 pm Tel: 01093766188

The Merry Widow Operetta

Cairo Opera House – Main Hall 22 and 23 February

The Merry Widow operetta presents the attempts of several countrymen to keep a rich widow’s money in the principality by finding her the right husband, and will be performed by the Cairo Opera Company.

The original piece premiered in Vienna in 1905.

Time: 8 pm

Happening

in February

omar Khairat ConCert Cairo opera house – main hall 27 and 28 February

2Be Continued Festival and laB auC Falaki Campus 13 to 15 February

Legendary soloist Omar Khairat will entertain the crowd with his piano masterpieces.

Time: 8 pm

The 2Be Continued Festival and Lab is a popular Egyptian theatre event that encourages and supports young directors and choreographers through a series of workshops.

vintaGe exhiBition picasso art Gallery 28 January to 11 February

Time: 6 pm to 9 pm

Artist Amina Salem dedicates an entire exhibition to reviving the beauty of the past, creating an aura of nostalgia.

GloBal leadership summit

Time: 10:30 am to 9 pm p

heliopolis evangelical Church 22 to 24 February This global event, hosted by the Willow Creek Association, is held in 140 countries worldwide and presents the participants with inspirational speeches by world-class speakers and authors.

Tickets available at E7gezly.

z standupxelsat7 aly el haGGar

darb 1718, Kasr el shame’ st. al Fakhareen, old Cairo February 15th at 8.30 pm

The popular vocalist Aly El Haggar will be performing live at the Cairo Opera House in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Al Hezb El Comedy is a local comedy movement dedicated to stand-up, sketch and musical comedy. They enjoy making people laugh and organize a monthly open mic to do so.

Cairo opera house 15 February

Tickets available at E7gezly.

Time: 8 pm

Tel: 01093766188

FEB 2018 | Ct

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Culture events

EmilE Béchard:

an Orientalist in Nineteenth century cairo

T

his collection is on loan from AUC Trustee Philip Maritz. The exhibit of 53 nineteenth century sepia photos is a selection from French photographer Emile Bechard’s Orientalist studies. It includes daily life scenes of street life, domestic life, market activities, sufi dervishes, women and an assortment of portraits of Shaikh al-Sadat, an important social figure of his time.

Emile Béchard was a photographer based in Cairo between 1869 and the 1870s. During his stay, he was the official photographer of the Egyptian Museum in partnership with another prominent French photographer, Hippolyte Délié, with whom he also operated a photographic studio at the Azbakiya gardens. Together they published an album of the Bulaq Museum.

Upon his return to France, he participated in the Exposition Universelle de Paris of 1878 where he obtained a gold medal (Médaille d’Or). Other than his albums commissioned by Khedive Ismail, gravures of his travel photographs were published by Palmière in 1888 under the title: L’Egypte et la Nubie (available on display at the RBSCL).

The Photographic Gallery is located at the AUC’s New Cairo Campus (Abdul Latif Jameel Hall, Plaza Level).

Gallery hours are Sunday through Thursday, from 10 am to 5 pm. p

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Culture Films

s e s a e l e R e i v o M y r a Febru

Molly’s Game Release Date: 14 February Genre: Biography, Drama Director: Aaron Sorkin Cast: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner Synopsis: The true story of Molly Bloom, a beautiful, young Olympic-class skier who ran the world's most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade before being arrested in the middle of the night by 17 FBI agents wielding automatic weapons.

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Early Man 2 Release Date: 14 February Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy Director: Nick Park Cast: Tom Hiddleston, Maise Williams, Eddie Redmayne Synopsis: Set at the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures and woolly mammoths roamed the earth, Early Man tells the story of Dug and his sidekick Hognob who unite to save their home from the mighty enemy Lord Nooth and his Bronze Age City.

Ct | dec 2017

Black Panther Release Date: 14 February Genre: Drama, Fantasy Director: Ryan Coogler Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o Synopsis: After the death of his father, T'Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T'Challa's position as king and as Black Panther is tested and he is drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk.

February 25th at 8.30 pm Film Screening

Den of Thieves Release Date: 1 February Genre: Action, Crime, Drama Director: Christian Gudegast Cast: Gerard Butler, Jordan Bridges, 50 Cent Synopsis: A gritty crime saga that follows the lives of an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff's Department and the state's most successful bank robbery crew as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank.

Winchester Release Date: 8 February Genre: Horror Director: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig Cast: Helen Mirren, Sarah Snook, Jason Clarke Synopsis: After the sudden death of her family, firearms heiress Sarah Winchester becomes convinced that she is haunted by the souls of those killed by guns.

Winchester then decides to build a mansion to keep the evil spirits at bay.

When skeptical psychiatrist Eric Price visits the estate, he discovers that her obsession may not be so far-fetched after all.

“Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim” is perhaps most surprising because it wants to be taken seriously, even if it is about a man in love with a goat, and another tormented by phantom sounds. Balanced in that nether-region between mainstream and art house, the film has occasional missteps but ultimately projects a refreshing degree of guilelessness, and could nicely slot into festival programs in need of a more upbeat fare.

Darb 1718 Contemporary Art and Culture Center Kasr El Shame' St, Al Fakhareen - Old Cairo Tel : 0109 3766188 p FEB 2018 | Ct

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Saving

om Kolthoum’s Voice Old Is GOld

Written by Ahmed Kafafi Photographs: photo album of Ahmed Khaki, late undersecretary of the Ministry of Education

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On the 43rd anniversary of Om Kolthoum’s death, people are still amazed by the late phenomena, and are interested to know more about some of the hidden episodes of her life.

Ct | feb 2018

The gland had grown in size, which caused her tension accompanied by sweating, exhaustion and depression. Her eyes had protruded and she had to hide them with dark eyeglasses

The Story of her Treatment and Recovery Taken aback by an acute disorder in the goiter that had been disturbing her for a few years, Om Kolthoum had been advised to remove the gland with an operation that threatened the safety of her vocal cords. The gland had grown in size, which caused her tension accompanied by sweating, exhaustion and depression. Her eyes had protruded and she had to hide them with dark eyeglasses.

Surgeons feared that 40% of her voice’s power would be lost as a result of the operation. According to her niece Sadiya El Desouky, when the symptoms increased, Om Kolthoum started to stay away from meeting people, stopped going to the radio station for rehearsals and allocated a special place in her villa to work with the musicians.

At the beginning, she tried to forget her illness through work, but eventually she had to choose between the ongoing suffering or a risky surgery, after which she opted for the surgery, recalled El Desouky.

The British surgeon who was selected to operate on her insisted to hear her voice before he could discuss details of the operation. He was taken aback, for he did not believe anybody could possess such a powerful and resonant voice. This was also the reaction of the second, third and fourth surgeons who examined her, and all denied the operation option.

Travelling to the United States The final positive step came with the outbreak of the 1952 revolution. After she took part in the celebrations marking the launch of a new era in Egypt, late president Gamal Abdel Nasser was informed that the diva was in pain and had to push herself to be able to sing for the army’s victory.

Nasser then contacted the American Embassy that offered to provide her with treatment at the Naval Hospital in Maryland. Only VIPs received treatment at this hospital, besides members of the American Navy, and Om Kolthoum was the first Arab to receive nuclear medication.

She travelled to the US, where she was prescribed pills to take whenever the symptoms arose. However, this was still a temporary treatment, noted El Desouky.

As it was announced in the Arab media, the diva had arrived in the US a few months earlier in search of medication for her thyroid problem. At that time, nuclear medicine was a new development that many people were unfamiliar with, and so many did not understand that it was a surgery-free treatment.

Following a few sessions with the nuclear remedy at the Naval Hospital, the diva began to show signs of improvement.

Entertaining the Expats On a humid summer night in August of 1953 in building number 15-25 located on K Street in Washington DC, which mostly housed Arab expats, one of the tenants had a gathering for his Egyptian and Palestinian friends. At the same time, the other residents were met with a loud resonant voice that was chanting well-known lyrics. The voice was very individualistic and the lyrics definitely belonged to Om Kolthoum.

When the door opened, they found her sitting before a traditional gramophone, where she sang to the tunes of a record. Her heated interaction with the song was interrupted by the rush of the excited expatriates who expressed their admiration and wished her luck with her treatment.

They knew that she was undergoing treatment in the US, but none could imagine that she resided in the same building, neither had it come to their minds that she was able to sing so flawlessly when it was rumored that she was going through a serious health problem that endangered her career.

Memories Reacting to the good news that she was recovering, she began to comply with the wishes of the Arab expats, who had been asking her repeatedly to sing. Although doctors warned her not to overdo it by singing loudly, she could not resist the temptation of performing to her small audience.

She was hosted by Ahmed Khaki, who was then the head of the Egyptian Embassy’s educational office. Memories of that night have been retained in the shape of photographs taken by Khaki, as well as in stories and anecdotes that continued to be related by the guests. According to their stories, Om Kolthoum was light-hearted, joyful, and fond of making jokes. She was also always grateful for her fame and wealth, which was evident when she would pick up all the breadcrumbs left behind on her carpet at the Windsor Park Hotel, where she later resided, so that no one would step on them.

feb 2018 | Ct

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SPECIAL FEATURE The Final Cure The absence of certainty on how she would be cured gave way to many rumors: while many thought that the operation would destroy her voice completely, others were told that she would not be able to sing as powerfully as she did. The Egyptian radio corporation began to look for other talents to replace her, and the circles of interest seekers around her started to disrupt.

Little did they know that across the Atlantic, Om Kolthoum was truly recovering. El Desouky recalled that after the diva was administered the treatment, the doctors asked her to sing after each dose to make sure that the medication did not affect her vocal cords. After several weeks, it became almost confirmed that the remedy was yielding fruit. Shortly, news of her recovery became the highlight of the media, and phone calls from fans to the Windsor Park Hotel continued to inquire about her health.

Returning to Egypt Crowds of Egyptians from different walks of life, led by elite artists, writers and musicians, welcomed her at Cairo Airport upon her return to Egypt. It was a crowd so large that it almost left no empty space at the airport’s hall.

In 1971, “Akhbar El Youm” reported that prince Abdulla El Faisal, who met Om Kolthoum in Paris on her way back to Cairo after her treatment in Washington, recalled that the diva began to sing “Gadedt Hobak Leih” to the sounds of the taped song. He then stopped the tape and asked her to sing without music. Crooning song after song, she burst into tears, for this was the first time she sang for hours following the treatment.

The newspaper also mentioned that the medication that saved Om Kolthoum had laid the foundations for the “Nuclear Research Institute” in Cairo, as well as the Eisenhower project aimed at using nuclear power for peaceful purposes in Third World countries. It noted that science saved Om Kolthoum twice; when it preserved her art in sound and image and when it spared her voice from the surgeons’ blades. p

Om Kolthoum was the first Arab to receive nuclear medication 22

Ct | feb 2018

YO U BR I NG TH E LOV E ... W E H AV E TH E “ VA LE N - D I N E”

Delicious temptation will lure lovers this Valentine’s with the promise of a night of starry-eyed affection.

If the exotic appeals, Torii teases with a Japanese twist to a dream evening with lobster and tenderloin. In the beguiling Saraya Gallery and captivating Ristorante Tuscany, candlelit tables and roses set the scene for romance and exquisite cuisine ... the perfect match.

Delight in the amuse-bouche, seafood platter with caviar dressing, consommé, fish or steak. But save room for our signature pistachio chocolate dacquoise ... because on Valentine’s night everyone should share love, devotion and wonderful food.

16 SARAY EL GEZIRA ST., PO BOX 33 ZAMALEK, CAIRO 11211, EGYPT. T: 00. 202.27.28.3000 CAIROMARRIOTTHOTEL.COM ARABIC.MARRIOTT.COM

feb 2018 | Ct

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SPECIAL FEATURE

The heliopolis heriTage FoundaTion: Preserving One Of CairO’s HistOriC gems Driving around Korba, one of the oldest districts in Cairo, a massive Christmas tree stands proudly. It is natural to stop and think: who did this? While the answer might be a mystery to those outside of Heliopolis, those living nearby are familiar with a group of people working tirelessly to bring Heliopolis back to its former glory. By Mona Bassel The heroes Behind The scenes

Mission

Sitting in a crowded Korba café on a Saturday morning, Choucri Asmar looks like a regular Heliopolis resident, but little do they know that he is the one behind the glorious Christmas display.

The foundation’s main goal is to protect the quality of life in Heliopolis and stop it from pushing its residents to newer areas of Cairo. “This can only be achieved through culture, theater, restaurants, galleries and art exhibitions,” Asmar notes.

Asmar is Head of the Board of Trustees of the Heliopolis Heritage Foundation, an initiative that was established in November 2011. “After the revolution, there were many demolitions of villas and buildings. We were a young group of people who felt that Heliopolis was fading away in terms of quality of life and heritage,” Asmar recalls. The founders’ initiative’s focus at the time was to preserve the buildings that were getting destroyed while no one intervened.

As the initiative grew, the members created the foundation, which is now a legal NGO body with the right to take part in deciding what buildings count as heritage.

“When we started, there were 15 members. We are now 25 active volunteers and are open for anyone to join,” says Asmar.

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Preserving heriTage In 2014, the foundation cooperated with the National Organization for Urban Harmony (NOUH) to issue special regulations in Heliopolis and treat it like the cultural landmark it is. “We handle everything related to heritage, like listing buildings as landmarks and [reporting] violations that affect both heritage and regular buildings,” he says.

Choucri Asmar

Before Asmar’s intervention, protection for heritage buildings existed, but there were no regulations pertaining to their management; like whether to demolish them, how to rebuild and if there was a maximum height when doing so.

We are firefighting every day to protect these regulations and the quality of life. We post signs to raise awareness of the buildings’ history, starting with Korba, and Roxy will follow Merryland Renovation Process - Photo by Khadiga Salem

Merryland Park in 2000, 2006 and 2014 - Photo by Omar Aboul Naga via thecairopost.youm7.com

“We are firefighting every day to protect these regulations and the quality of life. We post signs to raise awareness of the buildings’ history, starting with Korba, and Roxy will follow,” Asmar says. The objective is to help people understand the value of the area they live in. According to Asmar, people are beginning to appreciate the effort.

Preserving LandscaPe The foundation also works on environmental pillars, such as the Merryland Park. “The park used to have a zoo and a lake with ducks and paddleboats in the 1950’s, which were destroyed one day when they also cut down 45 historical trees,” Asmar recalls. That day, he decided to take action.

“We spent a year in discussions with the Ministry of Environment, the Heliopolis Company, the Cairo Governorate and the Merryland Park owner to come up with criteria to restore it. We reached several resolutions, and finally money was allocated for half of it,” he notes.

However, a lot of requirements set by the foundation were met. The restored area will be open to the public in February or March, which is a victory in itself. As for protecting trees, it is a fight they are still facing.

Asmar emphasizes that the foundation is now trying to beautify squares around Heliopolis. They have re-established Korba square, and are now working on Roxy and Ismailia squares. They will later renovate others such as the Beirut Hotel square, which was about to witness a violation that the foundation managed to stop in its tracks.

“We wanted to put a kids’ corners around Heliopolis; we had the financing but we faced problems about who would watch the kids and who would maintain the area. We are still thinking about how it will be done,” he mused.

Merryland 2018 - Photo by Khadiga Salem

feb 2018 | Ct

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Preserving Mobility Like most areas in Cairo, Heliopolis has become crowded and noisy. “Heliopolis is mentioned in universities around the world as a suburb that succeeded because of its innovative public transportation, especially the tram,” Asmar says.

Residents can’t help but notice how neglected this landmark has become, which could help with the traffic problem. While most would refer to it as a tram, Asmar calls it a metro, for heritage and technical reasons.

The foundation cares about protecting the tram not only for historical reasons, but for its mobility. “It is the cleanest and cheapest way to move within Heliopolis. Traffic is horrible now because people do not use the metro since it has not been maintained for the last ten years. There has been an undeclared war on the metro by other means of public transportation like buses and microbuses, which are a traffic hazard,” he says.

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The foundation previously managed to allocate a whopping 330 million euros to renovate the tram. However, the former Cairo governor who became the Minister of Transportation stopped it from happening. “It is sad because this funding was a grant worth 2.5 million euros, not a loan. While cities around the world are creating tram lines since it is the most economical way to move around, we are doing the opposite and removing the oldest tram lines in the African continent,” he says. Asmar, however, is not giving up any time soon.

The foundation will soon work on convincing the Presidency of the tram’s economic value.

Bike Tour - Image Courtesy of Choucri Asmar

Baron Palace - Image Courtesy of Choucri Asmar

Other actions are focused on improving mobility as well, such as easing traffic by creating one-way streets. The foundation is working on phase one from Korba to Salah Salem, posting signs saying that Heliopolis is a heritage area so people driving can respect the streets more and form an emotional bond.

Bike Tour - Image Courtesy of Choucri Asmar Ct | feb 2018

rtes y of Cho ucri Asm ar Bazi lliqu e Chu rch - Imag e Cou

The foundation also aims to create bike tracks so residents can be motivated to ride around Heliopolis instead of driving cars. On a regular basis, they create an event called “Helio Heritage by Bike” so people can embrace biking, not just as a sport, but also as a means of transportation.

Raising awaReness of HeRitage In its efforts to raise awareness and engage with the community, the foundation organizes walking and bike tours around Heliopolis, as well as publishing booklets on its hidden gems.

According to Asmar, the foundation’s biggest pride is that it managed to influence the system. “Six years ago we were speaking Chinese. Now the governor and Head of the Municipality use our language in terms of heritage protection,” he says.

Heritage Sign in Korba - Image Courtesy of Choucri Asmar

Managing waste One of the biggest challenges was working on waste management, where the problem was with the people not with an authority.

Cairo’s garbage district (Zabbaleen) used to collect both organic and non-organic waste, but now the garbage collectors only pick the non-organic, which results in a catastrophe around Cairo. “These garbage sorters open the garbage bags in the middle of the street and collect cartons and plastics, leaving organic waste on the ground,” Asmar mentions.

He adds that the problem is bigger with shops and restaurants, since they have large quantities of garbage.

“We created a community day for schools and placed 40 garbage bins around the area with messages about heritage protection, but half of them got stolen two months later. We tried creating a culture of waste separation at home, but people didn’t respond,” he explains.

m ar of Ch ou cr i As ag e Co ur te sy Im e om dr H ip po

Image Courtesy of Choucri Asmar

feb 2018 | Ct

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SPECIAL FEATURE Korba Buildings Renovation - Image Courtesy of Choucri Asmar

Inside Sultana Malak Palace - Image Courtesy of Choucri Asmar

Renovating Buildings in KoRBa With buildings reminiscent of that of old Paris, one of the foundation’s focuses is to renovate them whilst keeping their heritage intact. According to Asmar, the heart of the area was Roxy and Ahram Street, that became invaded by shops. He adds that the foundation doesn’t mind the shop’s presence as long as there are no violations.

“We started [renovating] buildings in Ibrahim El Lakkani Street with the help of the owners. We also did this with Korba, and the governorate got funding from Misr Bank to create a real estate fund law stating that [heritage] buildings should be renovated not demolished. Another solution is to bring businesses into the buildings so that they can protect them,” Asmar notes.

PRojects and activities In addition to these efforts, the foundation continually works on beautifying the streets. The annual Christmas tree tradition began in 2016, and it is believed to be the first of its kind in Egypt. The members then had to pay for the tree with their own money, but in 2017, the foundation engaged with nearby shops and encouraged the community to participate in the financing. It is decorated during other holidays as well, such as Ramadan.

There are also efforts to transform the synagogue in Heliopolis to a cultural center after being closed down for 40 years. The foundation held discussions with the Jewish community and worked for a year on opening it. Two days before the opening, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his decision to make Jerusalem Israel’s capital, so it was postponed to early 2018.

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Christmas Tree in Korba - Image Courtesy of Choucri Asmar

Asmar says the foundation is currently working on creating a museum in Heliopolis, potentially being the famous Baron Empain Palace. There are still negotiations on that matter with the Ministry of Antiquity. He also mentioned the Sultana Malak Palace, which is opposite the Baron, and its potential as a royal gallery museum.

Another victorious moment was when the foundation’s members were able to convince the Heliopolis Company to renovate the hippodrome, called the Granada Building, which will be transformed into a cultural theater with bazaars, restaurants and exhibitions.

“We want a museum that explains the city’s history,” he notes, adding that he would like it to be a transit destination for those visiting Egypt due to its proximity to the airport.

The term “firefighting” is an accurate description of the foundation’s efforts, as it has a good line of communication with a variety of entities, like the Cairo governorate, the Heliopolis Company, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Antiquity, NOUH and the Municipality of Heliopolis, but have problems applying the law and abiding by the regulations.

Regardless of whether it becomes a museum or a cultural hub, the foundation aspires to make the Palace accessible to the public, which they are well on their way towards, since it is being renovated after three years of negotiations. The foundation is also nearly done with renovating a 1933 tram wagon in Roxy, which was left completely damaged.

Challenges

We aim to achieve at least 50 to 60 percent of our goals by 2020. We dream big because we think of our children and how we saw Heliopolis and we want to bring this quality of life back

“We believe the support needs to come from the community, officials, the government and the private sector,” he states.

One-Way Street Project - Image Courtesy of Choucri Asmar

a growing Trend The foundation works with similar initiatives in Alexandria, Mansoura, Port Said and other governorates to help create an Egypt Heritage Network, which will establish a collective voice for protecting heritage in all communities.

With the new network’s help, those seeking to save their districts’ heritage managed to lobby for a constitution committee to add a protection clause of cultural diversity of both tangible and non-tangible heritage.

FuTure Plans While the foundation is yet to discuss its plans for 2018, it aims to arrange more biking and walking tours. It is also planning to launch a festival in May to celebrate the 113th anniversary of Heliopolis.

“We aim to achieve at least 50 to 60 percent of our goals by 2020. We dream big because we think of our children and how we saw Heliopolis and we want to bring this quality of life back,” Asmar concludes. p Madjar Synagogue - Image Courtesy of Choucri Asmar

feb 2018 | Ct

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SPECIAL FEATURE

Khotout West eL BaLad:

Celebrating Downtown's Heritage

By Noha Kandil

I

f you want to experience the essence of Cairo, Downtown is the place to go. Thanks to the renovation project led by Al-Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment, we can finally see hints of the rich downtown heritage; one that was blurred for years by negligence, disorder and chaotic modernism.

Not only does the project focus on restoring the architecture legacy of the area, but it also aims to reposition it as an arts and culture hub through promoting various projects and initiatives. Among those initiatives is “Khotout West El Balad”, an exceptional project celebrating the exquisiteness of Arabic calligraphy inspired by several Downtown spots.

In this interview, Racha Najdi, Arts and Culture Program Manager at Al-Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment, shares more about the project and the objectives behind it.

What was the main drive behind "Khotout West el Balad"?

Al-Ismaelia aims to maintain the identity of the downtown area as the city center by making it the destination to visit once again, in a way that caters to the modern generations’ needs.

“Khotout West el Balad” is a project that preserves Arabic calligraphy inspired from the old writings found everywhere Downtown from signage and shops to buildings’ facades. It offers six different new fonts to cater to the market needs on an open sources platform to promote the revival of the area by shedding light on one of the key elements that contribute to its charm. It also constitutes an integral part of the old stories told about this area.

The project was brought to life with the involvement and efforts of J. Walter Thompson Marketing Agency (JWT). developing the fonts used must have required a lot of research. Can you take us through the process?

For the execution, Al-Ismaelia partnered with JWT and brought a team of diverse specializations – research, typography, branding and advertising.

They were deployed with the aim of spending time in the main and narrow streets of Downtown, researching and documenting the different existing typefaces.

Filtration and selection came next, which included choosing four to five typefaces and turning them into full alphabetical fonts that were promoted

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through various forms and are available online for people to download and use.

Restoring those otherwise forgotten typefaces will contribute to the commemoration, celebration and revival of the everlasting Downtown spirit.

Almost all the designers involved in the project are students. Was this intentional to revive the new generations' interest in Downtown?

Yes. We had the full intention of having young talents be a part of the project, thus engaging students in the different phases of the project implementation.

There are names associated with the various fonts; can you elaborate on that? Were the designers free to choose their own inspirations?

It was all teamwork. The designers were working in groups and the names were a result of the creation process and were inspired by the signage of iconic shops around Downtown.

Designs, Ibrahim Badran Foundation Printed Journals, AL Shorouk Newspaper and Mantiqti Newspaper.

Also, the band Massar Egbari has used some of the fonts for their album cover as well as the ABn'G Department Store.

Will you be adding to the currently available fonts in the future?

In the long run, we are aiming to enlarge the scope of the project; however, in the short term, the work of JWT and Al-Ismaelia on this project is to promote the use of the existing fonts.

Will we be seeing more initiatives like this one from the Downtown Cairo Project?

A lot of distinguished projects are coming out in 2018. Stay tuned and follow our social media platforms for more initiatives. p Website: khotoutwestelbalad.com Facebook and Instagram: @downtowncairo

Madinet El-Bat was designed to discuss solemn issues of people and public space in a sarcastic way.

Nefertari was inspired by the signage of a tourism company called “Nefertari� located in the Downtown area.

Maktab Rita is a unique, custommade curvilinear kashidas to provide designers with more elegant options than the traditional ones.

Kabab typeface comes in a regular style and two decorative styles that interpret and complement the street-influenced nature of the font.

Seliman was inspired by Downtown's pop writings.

How is the feedback regarding the initiative so far?

The project received a number of awards and prizes in different platforms and represented Egypt in the Cannes Lions International Festival for Creativity in 2016, winning the silver award. We also won two gold and two silver awards in Dubai Lynx 2016, in addition to many other international ones.

For us, the real indication for success is the usage of the fonts by many established entities, like Noha Abbas

Feb 2018 | Ct

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SPECIAL FEATURE

&

y l l A r u t c e t i h Arc historicArklslinyCairo Significant Landma

C

airo before the 1952 revolution embraced pluralism, and was the city of tolerance and co-existence that supported all religions legitimately and equally.

The cafÊs hosted great intellectuals, politicians, artists as well as the public. During Khedive Ismail’s ruling between 1863 and 1879, his visits to Paris influenced the future of Cairo's architecture, where he was fully determined, after his return to build

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Paris on the Nile, with long broad roads and avenues, complimented by public gardens. With that in mind, the 19th Century and early 20th Century witnessed outstanding architectural designs of buildings.

He founded the School of Irrigation and Architecture in Abbasiya, which has become Cairo University's Faculty of Engineering. He also re-established the School of Arts and Crafts in Bulaq that later became the Faculty of Engineering at Ain Shams University, and since then, Cairo started to change

By Rehab Saad

demographically. He brought designers, architects and technicians from Europe (mainly Italian, French and Greek) who contributed to establishing many public and private buildings and a series of royal palaces like Kasr el Einy, Kasr el Dubara, Kasr el Nil Bridge and Kasr el Walda.

There are endless stories behind the establishment of each street and building, and so we mention some of the significant ones.

IsmaIlIa square (el TahrIr square)

The square, is known for being busy with shops, hotels, governmental and commercial establishments as well as museums and art galleries. Originally called "Ismailia Square", it was renamed “El Tahrir” after the Egyptian 1919 Revolution as a symbol of liberation.

Since then, El Tahrir has been the go-to for influential incidents in the course of history, like the 1952 Revolution which changed Egypt from a constitutional monarchy to an autocratic republic. It witnessed major protests like the 1977 bread riots and the 2003 protest against the Iraqi war as well as being the focal point of the January 2011 Revolution, before witnessing the June 2013 protests against Morsi.

The area around El Tahrir Square includes the Egyptian Museum, the Arab League Headquarters, Kasr el Dubara Evangelical Church and the old AUC Downtown campus.

Kasr el NIl BrIdge

The famous Kasr el Nil Bridge has two bronze lion statues bordering each entrance, which were designed during the late 19th Century by French sculptor Henri Alfred Jacquemart.

el Kasr el eINy

In 1827, a medical school was established and attached to a military hospital in Abu

Zaabal. The French doctor Antoine Clot Bey became the first director of the school and hospital.

In 1837, they were both moved to El Kasr el Einy Street in Cairo.

The building became one of the largest, oldest and most prestigious medical schools in the Middle East and Africa.

Kasr el duBara

Located on El Kasr el Einy Street in Garden City, the palace was originally an evangelical church school before becoming the Kasr el Dubara Experimental Language School.

Kasr el Dubara played a major role in modern Egyptian history as it witnessed many negotiations between Egyptian leaders and politicians on one hand, and the British imperialists on the other between the 19th and the 20th Centuries.

Kasr el Dubara Square, now known as Simón Bolívar, is one of the most honorable landmarks in Cairo.

VIlla CasdaglI

This villa was built during the first decade of the 20th Century by Austrian architect Edward Matasek, reportedly in account of Emanuel Casdagli, a British from the educated Levantine family of GeorgianCentral Caucasia who dealt in the lucrative Manchester trade.

Originally called "Ismailia Square", it was renamed “El Tahrir” after the Egyptian 1919 Revolution as a symbol of liberation.

Since then, El Tahrir has been the go-to for influential incidents in the course of history FEB 2018 | Ct

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SPECIAL FEATURE When the Casdaglis were not home, they leased their villa to senior diplomats or diplomatic agencies. In fact, one of Villa Casdagli's pre-World War II tenants was the American Embassy.

Abdeen PAlAce

One of the main landmarks is the Abdeen Palace, which was built in 1874 during the reign of Khedive Ismail. The extensive gardens were completed in 1921 by Sultan Fouad I. The palace consists of 500 rooms.

Currently, the upper floors that were the former living quarters of the royal family are reserved for visiting foreign dignitaries. The palace was structured as a national museum centre housing the Royal Family Museum, the Presidential Gifts Museum and the Historical Documents Museum, later becoming a royal residence. In 1952, it was turned into the official government headquarters.

SednAoui dePArtment Store Sednaoui is a famous department store built in the 1920s by an Italian architect.

This building contains a unique mixture of elaborate styles. It was the first time elevators were used in a store in Egypt.

egyPtiAn AntiquitieS muSeum

The neo-classical Egyptian Antiquities Museum was established in Boulaq in 1858 under the direction of Auguste Mariette. As it lies on the Nile’s banks, it was damaged in 1878 due to a flood. In 1892, the collection was then moved to a former royal palace in Giza until 1902, before being transferred to the current museum in Tahrir Square.

bellA Studio

This was one of the oldest and most notable photography studios in Egypt at that time, specializing in photographing international socialites, celebrities, performers and actors. The studio and gallery, located in the basement of a building inspired by the Neo-Renaissance style, were established by an Italian designer in the 1950s.

The facades were decorated with colored stone mosaics and the owner’s Italian name was written in Kufi script. The building was nationalized and is now owned by the Central Bank of Egypt.

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Ahmed KhAiry PAShA PAlAce

The palace was established by Khedive Ismail in the 1870s for his son-in-law Ahmed Khairy Pasha and was designed

by Max Herz Bek. After Khairy’s death in 1883, his son lived in the palace until he moved to Zamalek in 1899. It was then bought by the Greek merchant Naestor Gianaclis before he turned it into a cigarette factory, later becoming the Cairo University campus then the AUC Downtown campus in 1919.

omAr effendi

Originally named Orosdi-Back (after its Austro-Hungarian Jewish creators, Leon Orosdi and Hermann Back), the first Egyptian branch opened in 1856, when Egypt was under British and French control during the reign of Said Pasha. It was designed by architect Raoul Branden who got his inspiration from the Au Bon Marche in Paris.

tAlAAt hArb SquAre

Originally named “Soliman Pasha Street” after the French General born in Egypt during the reign of Mohamed Ali, the street was renamed in 1954 after Talaat Harb, the leading Egyptian economist of the early 1900s. The street received this name during Nasser’s rule as he wanted to eliminate all links to the Mohamed Ali Dynasty and the British occupation era.

The square houses many iconic places like the world famous chocolatier Groppi, the Greek Café Riche and Cairo’s oldest bookstore chain Madbouli. The street was the center of activity and social interaction for upper European classes in the past.

The story of these landmarks started after the Suez Canal opening in the 19th Century, when Egypt became the source of investment for many foreigners worldwide. Many of the Europeans left their footprints in Egypt, which is clearly reflected in the magnificent architecture of this square.

groPPi

Walking downtown and buying delicious ice cream from Groppi was a must at one point in time. Giacomo Groppi was born in Switzerland, where he learned how to make desserts at the age of 16, before eventually traveling to Egypt to start a new business. Groppi worked in Gianola’s chocolate factory in Azbakeya

and Alexandria for years, before he met his wife, Ajuni Pikalani, who owned a big restaurant in Alexandria, and supported him financially to buy Gianola’s plant.

At the age of 27, he established Groppi in 1909, introducing new desserts like whipped cream, Boule de Chocola, chocolate and milk balls and Maron Glasse’ among others.

Groppi also designed the first ice-cream delivery tricycle with a fridge. It was not just a French café, but became a cultural establishment for new tastes and traditions.

In the late 1920s, Groppi opened a shop on Soliman Pasha square. During the nationalization movement in 1952, Groppi’s glory slowly faded away, losing its original flavor both socially and architecurally due to dramatic social changes. In 1981, the shop was sold to Abdel Aziz Lokma.

mAdbouli booKStore

The bookstore was originally launched on Talaat Harb square in 1958. It was a surprise to learn that the owner was an illiterate man who used to distribute newspapers to hotels and tourists on his bike in the fifities.

Madbouli learned reading and writing from that bookstore, eventually being able to translate English books to Arabic ones.

cAfé riche

This Greek restaurant and pub founded in 1921 was the main spot that notable writers and artists like Naguib Mahfouz

The story of these landmarks started after the Suez Canal opening in the 19th Century, when Egypt became the source of investment for many foreigners worldwide

and Youssef Wahbi would visit. In December 1919, it became the site for an assassination attempt on Egypt's last coptic Prime Minister, Youssef Wahba Pasha.

Yaacoubian building

This unique building was established in the 1930s by Talaat Harb and owned by the American Nishan Yacoubian, before it was inherited by his son Dekran.

The grand conTinenTal hoTel

One of Cairo’s historic 19th Century hotels, The Grand Continental Hotel was located at a prime location overlooking the Azbakiya Gardens and old Opera Square. The hotel housed some of Khedive Ismail’s guests during their visits to Cairo for the opening of the Suez Canal.

The hotel underwent multiple renovations in the 1880s, 1890s and 1900s. The owners built Savoy, another hotel on Talaat Harb square, and together the two were known as “Continental-Savoy Hotels”.

During World War I, Savoy became the headquarters of the British troops. The property was purchased by Baehlar who destroyed the building and replaced it with the current structure overlooking the square, known today as the Baehlar Building.

The current building has a simple, modern, facade and is currently owned by a public company.

egYpTian diplomaTic club Formerly known as the Mohamed Ali Club, it is now the main spot for the

diplomatic community in Cairo as it holds their meetings and events. It was built in 1908 and designed by renowned French architect Alexandre Marcel. The club had only two floors but due to the increase in membership, French architect Michel Roux-Spitz added a third floor and cupola in 1930.

baehler passage

This arcade was named after Charles Baehler, who was born in Swizerland in 1868 and came to Egypt in 1885 to begin his business in the hospitality industry.

The arcade was a miniature version of Rue de Rivoli in Paris with premium boutiques.

Baehler worked on urban expansion in Cairo, especially the six semidetached buildings downtown and his last contribution was the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

l’americaine café

In 1930, Akili Giacomo (Groppi’s son) etablished "L’Americaine" on Soliman Pasha Street for those who could not afford going to Groppi, followed by branches several years later on Fouad Street and the 26th of July Street.

alaimobilia building

This famous building, established in 1940 by Max Arms and Gaston Rossi and owned by Aboud Pasha, was considered the largest in Cairo at that time. It was the favorite residence of famous society politicians, artists and athletes in the forties and the fifties. Established on an area of 5444 square meters, the u-shaped towers each consisted of 11 floors that included 370 apartments. The building

was named the fourth pyramid at that time, where its costs reached 200 million.

Many artists lived in this building like Naguib El-Rihani, Mohamed Fawzi, Laila Murad, Mohamed Abdel Wahab and Magda, in addition to several politicians like one of Egypt's previous prime ministers Ibrahim Abdel Hadi Pasha.

abou el ela bridge

Constructed in 1908 during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmy, the bridge connects upscale Zamalek to Boulaq Abou el Ela. It was designed by French engineer Gustave Eiffel who built the Eiffel Tower in Paris, while the American Company Scherzer implemented the mobile part of the bridge.

However, it was dismantled by the Arab Contractors in 1998 to build a new Zamalek bridge.

lippon building

Lippon Building, designed by Egyptian architect Antoine Selim Nahas, belonged to the French Charles Lippon and is located next to the Fish Garden in Zamalek.

It was established in the 1950s and consisted of 14 floors with more than 100 apartments. In 1961, the ownership was transferred to the Egyptian government after the nationalization of foreign property in Egypt.

For many years, valuable heritage had been neglected, but recently, the Egyptian authorities declared the launch of a development project in Khedival Cairo to give the city a cultural facelift by 2022. p

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SPECIAL FEATURE

The History Behind

Al GezirA PAlAce – MArriott

introduction Al Gezira Palace is one of the remaining beacons of beauty in Cairo, which was built by Khedive Ismail as a guest house to accommodate the Empress Eugenie and other European guests for the celebrations of the Suez Canal inauguration in 1869.

It took several years to build with the involvement of different architects at various construction phases. The making of Al Gezira Palace brought together a collection of engineers, artists and craftsmen from different nationalities. In 1868, the palace was established.

Khedive Ismail asked the architects of that time to make it resemble the Tuileries Palace in France, where Empress Eugenie used to stay.

the GezirA islAnd “le JArdin des PlAntes” Leading French landscape artist and head gardener of Paris, Jean Pierre Barillet-Des Champs, was engaged to create a suitable setting for Al Gezira palace. He was asked to transform the whole island into a formal park, a massive mission that entailed raising

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and reinforcing the banks of the river to protect the island from the annual floods.

It was called "Jardin des Plantes" (Garden of Plants) because of its great collection of exotic flora shipped from all over the world. Over one million species were planted in what amounted to 20 acres of empty land, subdivided into different categories. The royal gardens immediately around the palace were set with a decorative lake, several smaller ponds, waterways and pathways that passed through the exquisite semitropical vegetation.

because it was made to impress Empress Eugenie whom Khedive chose to be the ceremony’s guest of honor and the one to commence the inauguration of the canal.

One pavilion was built to house the royal park for 75 species of rare animals, another for 150 species of rare birds as well as a cave created with stone brought from Alexandria and a grand fountain representing the infant Nile, sculpted by Bonani.

Work on Al Gezira palace began in 1863.

The designs were created by the Austrian Julius Frantz, who, at one time, occupied the post of chief court architect. Because progress was slow, help was drafted in from French architect De Curel Del Rosso, who was simultaneously working on the Abdeen Palace. However, German Architect Carl Von Diebitsch was the reason behind the palace’s glamour as he introduced an exciting way to revive Moorish Spain.

the MAkinG of Al GezirA PAlAce Khedive Ismail returned from his visit to Paris in 1865, greatly impressed by its Haussmanian architecture. His promenades there convinced him of Cairo's need for such grand buildings.

Next to the Nile, he would create an entire district named after him.

One of those grand buildings is Al Gezira Palace, which was of huge importance

To ensure her utmost fascination, Khedive built the extravagant palace and carefully decorated it like the empress’ own residence in Paris. As she was of Spanish origin and was born in Granada; he made sure that the palace had a Spanish touch combined with a pinch of Islamic feel in the architecture by using marble and mashrabiya designs.

In plan, the main building took the form of three wings - north, west, and south – that were set around a central court that was open to the river on the east side. The architecture reflected a simple yet elegant Italian style with relatively blank facades relieved by rows of high rectangular windows.

Carl Von Diebitsch’s invention is what gave the palace its singular character.

At the entrance door to Eugenie’s wing stood a spectacular cast-iron portico, which is a porch entrance that had significance for its Spanish ancestor, the famous patio of lions at Alhambra. On the garden side were three more Moorish porticoes to charm the empress with the several arcades of lacy horseshoe arches carried on slender columns.

Von Diebitsch, who had devised a revolutionary technique for the decoration of buildings, had the arcades prefabricated and made up of parts cast in iron in the Launchhammer factories in Dresden Germany, where they were shipped as numbered pieces and assembled on site by German workers brought to Egypt for the purpose. Von Diebitsch, who was fascinated by oriental design, had spent six months in Granada studying Alhambra, and his iron arches reflected the architecture of Moorish Andalusia, which had been familiar and impressive to Eugenie.

The grand entrance was on the north façade and led through to a waiting room and audience chamber, and beyond, a drawing room and cabinet of the Khedive. The south and west wings contained suites of apartments for visitors. Furnishings were a mixture of imports from Paris and Berlin, with

oriental pieces by the Cairo firm Parvis, founded by Cavaliere Parvis, a native of Turin who arrived in Egypt around 1860 and who specialized in reproduction items. Woodwork was by J. Mannstein of Vienna, marble work by Bonani of Carrara in Tuscany and silk hangings by Detrogat of Lyons.

A suite of rooms on the second floor created for Eugenie was fitted out as an exact copy of her own apartments at the Tuileries Palace, complete with blue satin linings.

Muhammad Ali’s old harem building, which stood just to the north of the new palace, was massively expanded, while to the south, just inside the main gate to the complex, Ismail had built a large hall in which visiting guests could wait to be welcomed.

Historical timeline Throughout the years, famous ceremonies have taken place at the palace, including the wedding of Khedive Ismail’s son, which lasted 40 days, the wedding of Prime Minister Nahhas Pasha’s daughter in the 1930s and a boat party in front of the palace as part of H.M King Farouk and H.M Queen Nariman’s wedding celebrations.

Since it began operating as a hotel, the palace has changed hands several times.

In 1879, when operating as the exclusive Gezirah Palace Hotel, it was confiscated by the state due to outstanding debts and the hotel was taken over by the Egyptian Hotels Company.

In 1919, it was sold to Habib Lotfallah, a Syrian landlord who had settled in Cairo, for 140,000 EGP. Then in 1961, during the time of President Gamal Abdel Nasser, the palace was nationalized and became the Omar Khayyam Hotel.

marriott takes over tHe Historic Palace In the 1970s, the property was handed over to Marriott International for management. They restored the original palace, equipping it with all amenities befitting a five-star hotel and flanking it with two modern towers housing 1,087 guest rooms.

Today, the palace is all that remains of the estate. Many of its rooms and furniture have been preserved and restored to their original splendor and now serve as reception rooms and lounges. This includes many of Von Diebitsch’s decorative elements that can be seen in several locations throughout the Marriott. p

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Business

OPPO KicKs Off 2018 with the f5 6GB Red editiOn and f5 YOuth OPPO, the selfie expert and leader, launched the F5 series late 2017. This phone features A.I. Beauty Recognition Technology for natural selfies with a 6” full-screen display for an immersive visual experience.

Since its release, the F5 managed to be the talk of the town, due to its A.I. technology, performance, and more importantly, its price and sleek design.

BMW celeBrates local grassroots success at the Intercultural InnovatIon aWard BMW was both honored and humbled to take part in the Intercultural Innovation Award that took place in the heart of the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

The award was chaired by Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, and Mr. Bill McAndrews, Vice President of BMW Group Communications Strategy, Corporate and Market Communications.

The award aims to bridge the intercultural gap, building new avenues of understanding as they continue to foster an array of worldwide initiatives while supporting grassroots organizations that are committed to promoting intercultural dialogue.

Of the 1,300 applications proposed from 130 countries, First place went to the Pakistan Youth Alliance for their Peace Rickshaws Project.

“Safarni” by Nesreen Sharara’s Etijah stood out as a beaming second place Egyptian winner of the award. “Safarni” facilitates workshops that allow children to immerse themselves in different cultures without leaving their neighborhoods. On these simulated trips, participants connect with locals from around the world, discovering dances, games, cuisines and meeting local families. Following their workshops, these children then become “Ambassadors of Diversity” in their community.

In addition to a financial grant, “Safarni” will receive support from The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and BMW Group to help the initiative expand and replicate in other contexts.

This model of collaboration between the UN and the private sector creates deeper impact, as both partners provide their respective expertise to ensure the sustainable growth of each project.

Given the tremendous success of the initiative, BMW Group and UNAOC have decided to renew the partnership for another four years. They have both pooled their expertise in intercultural matters to form a long-term partnership aimed at fostering understanding and peace across cultural and religious borders. p

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With OPPO’s constant efforts to exceed their customer’s expectations, they released the limited F5 6GB Red Edition and the F5 Youth; granting their young customers who love fashion a wide range of new attractive colors. The limited edition introduced the new red color to the series, while the F5 Youth will be released in the colors black and gold.

To celebrate the launch of the F5 Red Edition, OPPO hosted a launch event at SASS restaurant last January.

The red-and-black themed event was attended by Egypt’s top influencers and VIPs. OPPO offered attendees an unforgettable night, with a musical performance by DJ Dina Akladios.

Both the F5 6GB and the F5 Youth apply the groundbreaking A.I. Beauty Technology, which can analyze the face of a subject with more than 200 recognition spots and determine the age, gender, skin type and skin tone. The new upgraded camera can automatically recognize dark light scenes and intelligently polymerized into the large pixel of 2.0μm, which gives a powerful quadruple capability of sensing light.

The F5 6GB will still have the same features as the standard F5 edition, except for a higher storage with a 6 GB RAM instead of 4 GB, and a 64 GB internal storage instead of the F5’s 32 GB. Both phones can host a microSD up to 256 GB. p

COMMUNITY Fieldwork

Inside-Out

Counseling Center:

A Safe Haven for the Community Inside-Out was first established by Najla Nagib, an MA holder in counseling psychology from the American University in Cairo, in order to help people explore their feelings, gain insight and make changes in their lives. She also offers workshops for self-esteem, anger management and stress relief and provides counseling for burn victims from Ahl Masr Foundation, where she has been counseling for the past two years.

By Yasmine Mabrouk

We sat down with Nagib to find out more about her work.

Why did you decide to establish a counseling center?

I founded Inside-Out when I realized that as a community we talk more than we listen. Nobody has the time to listen to our problems; we are all engulfed in our own world, which is why I decided to pick counseling as my profession. I genuinely wanted to listen to other people and help them reach their potential.

Do you think Egyptians are ashamed of going into therapy?

I think it is considered as a stigma for them; especially the older generation who think that a person that goes to a psychologist is “crazy”. However, it is improving because of the awareness spread through social media and movies that portrays the image of people going for counseling without having a specific disorder.

After I finished my masters, I decided to start my own business and create a safe haven where people can freely talk about their problems, feelings and thoughts.

Also, there is confidentiality in our counseling. A consent agreement is signed by the client and the counselor to approve that everything being said is of confidential matter. Time slots and appointments are very strict, which does not allow clients to meet each other.

What inspired the name “Inside-Out”?

A person can’t be well except from the inside first, then the outside. We care for both, the mental and the psychological, and we support sports psychology, dieting and health services. I also chose this name after the movie that I love very much.

What kind of therapy and counseling does Inside-Out offer?

People are different. They face different struggles everyday that range from social anxiety, shyness, overall anxiety, low selfesteem and lack of communication, therefore, our approach differs from one person to the other.

Our services include one-on-one counseling, alongside career and couple counseling, art and group therapy and expressive writing. We also provide workshops for emotional intelligence, dieting and cognitive behavior.

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We hold many workshops and fun activities such as expressive writing and expressive dance, which breaks the vision that therapy is a stigma. We try as much as possible to make it an easy and safe place to explore feelings and emotions without labeling it as a therapy session. I must add that we do not name our clients “patients” because we have clients who have problems, not problematic clients.

Who do you think requires therapy and counseling?

Anyone who has a certain problem that they can’t deal with can go through therapy or counseling. Even students during their exams could suffer from stress. Any person who suffers from phobias, anxiety, depression, sadness or even problems with their partners, friends and family require counseling. Everybody needs an outsider’s perspective.

What made you pick specifically helping burn survivors of Ahl Masr?

It all started with my husband who is a professor of plastic surgery at Ain Shams University and treats burn victims. He also helps Ahl Masr from the medical side. He would tell me that nobody was willing to help burn victims since they are usually the poorest. That is when I felt a commitment to help them psychologically with their struggles.

Everyone suffers from physical illness whether they are rich or poor, which leaves a sympathetic society ready to help.

Unfortunately, due to lack of fire safety awareness in rural areas, usually the less fortunate become the victims of burns.

What is your approach for dealing with burn victims?

We assigned one day of the week for people who can’t afford counseling, in particular the burn survivors who suffer from the trauma of their accidents. Society in general tends to be very judgmental and so any passersby might stare at the survivors and not be able to hide their disgust, anger or any sort of negative feelings towards them, especially if their burns show on their faces, arms, hands or legs.

What kind of therapy/counseling do burn victims require?

We offer individual counseling, art therapy and group therapy. Also, during occasions like Christmas, we ask them to help decorate the tree, and on the Prophet’s Birthday, we ask them to draw the famous dolls and we hold mini parties before their therapy sessions. One time, before Ramadan, we held a bazaar where they sold all their art crafts and handmade material that they have been working on.

What challenges did you face when dealing with burn victims?

The society. Whatever you try to tell the victims, however you try to help them, they still face the society outside the safety of Inside-Out. Most of the complaints are of onlookers, coming especially from young children and university students, suffering from comments and bullying from their colleagues.

What we do is really try to increase their confidence and hope that one day we could develop a campaign to make people more aware of the pain they cause the victims.

Does counseling differ depending on the gender or age group?

With our burnt clients, we do not deal with child psychology. We started with teenagers, mainly because children are not really aware of the society’s perspective and they do not deal with friendships, work issues, parent relations and so on.

Are there other charities that have asked you to offer counseling?

We were approached by one orphanage alongside the burn victims. We are fortunate to have graduate students from psychology majors assist us, under the supervision of professors from the American University in Cairo and InsideOut. It is a win-win situation, where graduates come to learn and intern, and in return burn victims or orphans are counseled. Therefore, we develop the counseling program in coordination with all the factors from Ahl Masr to the psychology departments at the university to the Inside-Out counseling center.

We are very keen to help other charities, even individuals from the low-income society who can’t afford this service.p Facebook: insideoutcounselingcenter Instagram: @insideoutcounseling

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DESTINATIONS Scenes

AswAn: The Land of hisTory, scenery and hospiTaLiTy

By Myriam Trannet

Aswan is commonly represented by three colors: yellow, for its desert, green, for its scenery and nature and blue, for the beautiful Nile waters. What we can’t ignore though is its significant role in history. Along with the ancient monuments, it is an amazing place to visit to just picture how it was back then. Personally, I love visiting historical places and day dream about how it used to be.

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What to Do Take a Felluca It is one of the most relaxing experiences you can have in Aswan.

The Nile is so beautiful and the sights are incredible especially around Elephantine’s island. If you are lucky, kids on a stand-up paddle will come to your felluca, hook themselves to it and sing lullabies!

Taking the Felucca, photo by Myriam Trannet

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Scenes Philae Temple Dedicated to the Goddess Isis, it is a UNESCO site that was moved in the seventies by the organization after being flooded by the original Aswan Low Dam in 1902.

You can see the old site from there.

The temple is located in the middle of the Nile, so you can only access it by boat, which will cost you around 100 LE for a trip back and forth. What is impressive about this temple is that it does not only show signs of ancient Egyptians, but you can also see that the Coptic Christians in the 4th Century passed by it (there are crosses carved in the stone and an altar inside of the temple). Also, when Napoleon invaded Egypt, they left behind a large inscription on the wall in French.

High Dam of Aswan and Lake Nasser There is not much to see, although the technicality behind it is impressive. The dam controls the flow of the River Nile, and its establishment formed one of the world’s largest artificial lakes, also known as Lake Nasser. Lake Nasser is beautiful to look at and is so peaceful, and if you get the chance, you should definitely take a boat for a few nights.

The Aswan Low Dam was built in 1902 but was not enough to control the annual flooding of the Nile, therefore, construction of the High Dam began in 1960. It has benefited Egypt’s economy by providing a constant supply of water for irrigation, which in turn increased the percentage of cultivatable land, while also generating large amounts of power. photo by Myriam Trannet

photo by Myriam Trannet

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photo by Myriam Trannet

Temple of Kalabsha This temple was originally located in the village of Bab al-Kalabsha, but was relocated after the construction of the High Dam of Aswan and the formation of Lake Nasser (a rescue operation also sponsored by the UNESCO). It was dedicated to Mandulis, a Nubian sun god, one of the forms of Horus. Not many tourists visit it, and so you get to have the temple for yourself without the big crowd.

Nubian Village I recommend you go there during daylight as the village is very colorful and so you will get to experience it better during the mornings or afternoons.

photo by Myriam Trannet

photo by Rawan Abdel Latif

For lunch or dinner, try Kato Doo which offers a live Nubian band at dinner, and the food and ambiance are great. I was skeptic at first, but it turned out amazing! Ask for Abdel Aziz and tell him you come from Nermine Kasr Ibrim and you will get the best service and the food there is.

Chill in a Nubian’s house at the Village. They are super welcoming, and during your walk, you can go in, visit their houses and even join them for lunch or tea. All of the houses are open and as colorful from the outside as the inside.

Aswan is a very dry place that rains almost only once a year, and so most houses literally do not have roofs or are at least not fully covered, so you even experience the warmth of the sunlight inside.

They also usually have crocodiles that you can look at, which was pretty scary to me!

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Scenes

photo by Rawan Abdel Latif

Abu Simbel If you have the time, from half a day to a full day, visit Abu Simbel, as it is a three-hour car-ride from Aswan and around 35 kilometers from the border of Sudan. I believe it is one of the most beautiful and magnificent temples in Egypt that had to be rescued by the UNESCO when the decision was made to build the Aswan Dam and create Lake Nasser, which flooded the area where the temple was.

The site consists of a huge two-temple complex that includes the Great Temple, built to worship Ramses II, and the Small Temple, which Ramses built for his wife, Nefertari. You can stand there facing the four huge statues that are about 20 meters tall of Ramses II in front of the Great Temple.

Twice a year, on October 22nd and February 22nd, the sun rays penetrate the temple and illuminate the statue of Ramses. It is believed to occur on his birthday and on coronation day.

The Old Cataract Just walking into this magnificent hotel that is the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, you feel like you have been taken back into the beginning of the 1900s and into a timeless story.

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photo by Rawan Abdel Latif

The hotel sits right on the Nile River’s bank and has long served as a luxurious stopover for countless travelers, famous and otherwise. It overlooks Elephantine Island at the crossroads of the Nile River Valley and the Nubian Desert.

Where to Stay

Built in 1899 by Thomas Cook, it was home to many famous people, amongst them were Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie, who have two of the most spacious suites named after them.

Kato Dool in the Nubian Village is super clean!

The price is around 400 to 600 LE per night, but can change depending on the season.

Agatha’s husband was an archeologist who would go to work and leave Agatha at the Old Cataract where she would wait for him to return. She would sit on her balcony and write, which is where it is widely believed that she wrote “Death On the Nile”, one of the most famous crime novels of all times. The 1978 film of her novel was shot at the hotel, but also more recently, the Egyptian adaptation of Grand Hotel (series) was shot here in 2016.

If you walk in the corridors of the old building, you will find pictures of the famous guests who stayed there and a note written by them.

Today, the hotel is home to Sir Magdy Yacoub, the famous Egyptian-British cardiothoracic surgeon who is the man behind the Magdy Yacoub Heart Foundation.

The best time to visit Aswan would be during the winter months, as in summer, it is too hot to experience all the touristic activities. Other than its incredible landmarks and the serenity it offers, what also stands out about the city is its hospitable locals, who are extremely kind and polite, and really give you a glimpse of what Egypt and Egyptians are like.

At Heissa Island, you can stay in a guesthouse, which is a very down-to-earth and relaxing experience! If you are looking for a cheap room in Aswan. You can check out Basma, which is located right across from the Nubian Museum.

Another option is to stay at the Anakato, which not only offers an incredible view of the Nile, and their staff are very hospitable, not to mention the food which is very flavorful!

They also help you arrange your day and offer you transportation to and from your desired destinations.

However, if you are looking for a bit of luxury, you can stay at the Movenpick (still in Aswan), which is on an island on its own that you can reach by boat.

Finally, if you are looking for the ultimate luxurious place in Aswan, then do not think twice! The Sofitel Legend Old Cataract is the place to go. The Sofitel is a collection of stately heritage hotels and palaces found in iconic cities around the world, where each landmark property is historic with an enchanting back-story. These exclusive hotels are legendary places, and they have played host to significant figures. There are only five in the world and one of them is in Aswan. p

photo by Myriam Trannet

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Travel

The SecreTS of Edinburgh, Scotland

By Yasmine Mabrouk

A

black empress that lies in the shadows of grey clouds, Edinburgh breathes the darkness with its short days and mild misted air. Its castles and towers hover over its melancholic green fields, and the black crusts that have peeled off its once white houses reveal crumbling stone.

The city is a muse to artists and writers with its old tales echoing in-between its sinister alleys. In the winter, it is dark as the lights are out in the castles, yet in the summer, the grass is greener and the festivals break free.

Central Edinburgh is a UNESCO world heritage site and is divided into three main parts: Old Town, New Town and West End.

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New TowN Princes street

After having breakfast at our hotel, the Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor, my brother and I were set to explore the marvelous city. We picked a road and started walking up and down the hills. It was a misty day with striking green fields that contrasted the black neoclassical buildings. As we walked through the streets, we got lost in its allies that are home to pubs and little cafes that outburst with laughter and smells of Scottish whiskey. One of the main streets we stumbled across was called Princes Street, a major shopping street, stretching around 1.6 kilometers.

calTon hill

We also decided to climb Calton Hill at the eastern end of Princes street, which offered a breathtaking view of Edinburgh. On the other side was the scenic view of the Old Town Edinburgh Castle, which we visited the next day.

old town Photo by deek ay (source: flickr)

The ScoTT MonuMenT

An imposing Gothic needle looms over Princes Street, in which people climb to get a better view of the vast garden.

greyfriarS KirKyard

After we got out from exploring the castles, we stumbled across a graveyard where one stone in particular stopped us in our tracks; it took the shape of a Skye terrier called Bobby.

Bobby was a famous loyal dog who guarded his master’s grave for 14 years until he died on the 14th of January 1872. He was then buried inside the Greyfriars Kirkyard gates, not far from his master, John Grey. A memorial granite fountain that has an upper fountain for humans and a lower one for dogs, overlooks the National Museum of Scotland, which we unfortunately did not get the chance to see. The museum holds national world galleries, ranging from technology to history to the untold secrets of fairytales.

edinburgh caSTle

When we first stepped into Old Town, it was as if we were taken back in time, as the Edinburgh Castle perched onto a rocky crag called Castle Rock, with the streets flowing around it.

We had to climb up to reach the castle, where we were met with heavy winds.

According to the information pamphlet, the castle witnessed many historical conflicts. The royal palace that housed all the royal compartments foresaw the death of Queen Mary of Guise, the last defender of the Auld Alliance with France and champion of the catholic faith against the Protestant Reformation. It was also where her daughter, Queen Mary of Scots, gave birth to her son James VI, who was then crowned king and united the crowns of both Scotland and England in 1601.

The royal palace consisted of maroon walls and navy cushions, on which the crowned jewels rested. Armors stood against the Great Hall’s walls that presented the wonders of medieval Scotland.

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Travel

GeorGe the IV BrIdGe

Once outside Greyfriars Kirkyard, we walked along what turned out to be a bridge that connects Old Town with New Town. It hosted the city’s most important public buildings, from the National Library of Scotland and the Midlothian County buildings that were used by the Scottish Parliament to the Bank of Scotland, along with various cafes and restaurants with dark exteriors and warm interiors.

the elephant house

Even though all the buildings were stacked, one shop in particular grasped our attention, with its striking red walls and glass windows. The velvet building was named the “Elephant House”, which is ironic seeing as it is relatively small. A black sign was placed next to the menu that read “Birthplace of Harry Potter”. It turns out that J.K Rowling, author of the series, wrote her first book in that café.

The smell of coffee was strong, and small cakes and sandwiches were also served. Other great authors like Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall-Smith used to write their books there. I recommend stopping by the little place to enjoy a warm cup of gourmet coffee, as you never know which future writer will be seated at the nearby table.

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west end Stepping out of the realm of Scottish palaces and mesmerizing gothic fairytales, West End reflects the city’s main art venues. We had been so amazed by Old Town that we decided to stay there for the rest of our trip, however, West End offers a variety of entertainment through its different venues.

Usher hall

This concert hall is situated on Lothian Road and has hosted all the traditional Scottish pipe music events, among others. During August, it hosts the annual Edinburgh International Festival for performing arts, where top classical performers, specializing in everything from theater to opera, are invited. We were not able to find tickets, so make sure to book well in advance to secure your seats.

the edinbUrgh FilmhOUse

Originally a church, the Edinburgh Filmhouse can be found right next to Usher Hall, and it holds all kinds of film festivals as well as the screenings of mainstream second run films.

Other adventUres the rOyal lyceUm theatre

The Royal Lyceum Theatre is one of the oldest in the city, which was built by architect C.J. Phipps in 1883. The theatre, we were told, is believed to be haunted as a few ghosts of the late performers were seen by many audience members.

There were tremendous opportunities to visit different sites; for instance, for all the Game of Thrones fans, the Westeros of Edinburgh pop-up bar called Blood and Wine is a great place to enjoy a meal with that same theme, or schedule visits to Glasgow located on the River Clyde.

I was in awe of the city, the mysteries it holds and the contrast between the green fields and the grey clouds and buildings. p

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Cuisine

Delicious Dinner for Two Recipes

Spicy Maple-Glazed Salmon Ingredients • 2 x 170 gram salmon fillets • 1 tablespoon maple syrup • 1 tablespoon soy sauce • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard • 1 teaspoon chili powder • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1 garlic clove, minced Directions • Preheat oven to 175C. • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the glaze from burning.

• Place the fish 2 inches apart on the parchment paper.

• In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, soy sauce, mustard, chili powder, cayenne pepper and garlic.

• Pour the glaze over the salmon, reserving 2 tablespoons for glazing once salmon is done.

• Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the salmon flakes with a fork.

• Once done, remove from the oven and pour the remaining glaze on top.

Garlic and Chili Prawns Ingredients • 8 large raw shell-on king prawns • 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped • 1 fresh red chili, finely chopped (deseed for a milder taste) • A few sprigs of fresh parsley, finely chopped • 50 ml olive oil • ½ teaspoon paprika • 1 lemon Directions • Peel the prawns, removing the heads and leaving the tails on.

• Run the tip of a knife down the backs of the peeled prawns and pull out and discard the dark vein.

• Drizzle the oil into a shallow frying pan over a medium-high heat, add the garlic and chili and fry for 30 seconds, before stirring in the paprika.

• Add the prawns and fry for 2 minutes on each side, or until cooked through, adding most of the parsley when you turn the prawns.

• Squeeze half the lemon juice into the dish, then remove from the heat and sprinkle over the remaining parsley and a pinch of salt.

• Serve sizzling with warm crusty bread and the remaining lemon cut wedges for squeezing over.

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Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce Ingredients • 2 x 150 grams boneless, skinless chicken breasts • ½ teaspoon pepper • ¼ teaspoon salt • 1 tablespoon canola oil • 1 medium onion, minced • 1 cup thinly sliced mushroom caps • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons chicken broth • 2 tablespoons heavy cream • 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives or scallion greens Directions • Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.

• Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.

• Add the chicken and cook, turning once or twice and adjusting the heat to prevent burning, until brown, about 2 to 16 minutes.

• Transfer to a plate and cover lightly with foil to keep warm.

• Add onion to the pan and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

• Add mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 2 minutes.

• Pour in the 2 tablespoons of chicken broth; simmer until almost evaporated, scraping up any browned bits, about 1 minute.

• Pour in the rest of the broth and cook until reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes.

• Stir in cream and chives (or scallions); return to a simmer.

• Return the chicken to the pan, turn to coat with sauce and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.

Cod with Creamy Tomato Sauce Ingredients • 220 to 280 gram cod or tilapia fillet, cut into 2 pieces • 1½ teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, divided • ½ teaspoon salt, divided • 1 teaspoon pepper • 1½ teaspoons olive oil • ½ onion, chopped • 1 clove garlic, minced • 6 tablespoons lemon juice • 1 cup diced tomatoes • 2 tablespoons heavy cream • ¼ teaspoon cornstarch Directions • Season fish with ½ teaspoon thyme, and ¼ teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.

• Add onion, garlic and ½ teaspoon thyme and then cook, stirring, until they begin to soften, about 1 minute.

• Add lemon juice, tomatoes and the fish to the pan; bring to a simmer.

• Cover and cook until the fish is cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes.

• Transfer the fish to a plate; keep warm.

• Whisk cream and cornstarch in a small bowl.

• Add to the pan, along with the remaining ½ teaspoon thyme and ¼ teaspoon salt.

• Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

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Cuisine Beef Stroganoff IngredIents • 1 red onion • 1 clove of garlic • 1 lemon • 2 handfuls of mushrooms • 2-3 sprigs of parsley • 500 grams fillet steak • 1 teaspoon paprika • Olive oil • 1 knob of unsalted butter • 1 cup beef stock • 50 ml sour cream dIrectIons • Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic, then finely grate the lemon zest.

• Clean and tear the mushrooms.

• Pick and finely chop the parsley.

• Place the beef between 2 sheets of cling film. Beat with a rolling pin until ½ cm thick, then cut into finger-width slices.

• Mix the paprika, lemon zest and a pinch of salt and pepper together, and use to dust the beef.

• In a large frying pan over a medium-low heat, fry the onion and garlic in a little oil until softened.

• Turn up the heat and add the mushrooms and butter, sautéing until the mushrooms are golden brown, then tip onto a plate.

• Add a little oil to the pan and fry the beef for 6 minutes, turning, until browned but still a little pink inside.

• Stir in the mushroom-onion mixture, add the stock and reduce for 1 minute or until almost disappeared.

• Remove from the heat and stir in the cream and parsley.

Steak with Peppercorn Sauce

•

IngredIents • 4 x 150 grams fillet steaks • 50 grams butter, at room temperature • Salt and pepper

•

For the sauce • 100 ml and 2 tablespoons beef stock • ½ garlic clove, crushed • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard • 150 ml heavy cream • ½ teaspoon crushed black peppercorns • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley dIrectIons • Using your hands, flatten the steaks to a thickness of about 1½ cm.

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•

• • • • • • •

Season well with salt and pepper.

Heat a large frying pan over a high heat until very hot.

Spread the butter directly onto the steak and fry for 2 minutes on each side.

Cover loosely with foil, rest and keep warm.

For the sauce, add the stock to a saucepan, bring to the boil and cook until reduced by half.

Add the garlic, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, cream and peppercorns.

Stir and bring to a boil over a high heat.

Season with salt and cook until it reaches the consistency of pouring cream.

Stir in the parsley.

Divide the steaks between plates, pour over the sauce and serve.

Duck with Pomegranate Sauce IngredIents • ½ kilogram boneless duck breast, skin removed • ½ teaspoon salt • 2 teaspoons olive oil • 1 small onion, finely chopped • 1 cup pomegranate juice • ¼ cup chicken broth • 1 teaspoon cornstarch • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional) dIrectIons • Preheat oven to 230C. • Sprinkle duck with salt.

• Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.

• Add the duck and cook until browned on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

• Transfer the duck to a small baking dish and roast, 8 to 12 minutes for medium, depending on the size of the breast.

• Transfer to a cutting board; let rest 5 minutes.

• While the duck is roasting, return the pan to medium-high heat.

• Add shallot and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

• Add pomegranate juice and bring to a boil.

• Reduce heat to a simmer; cook until reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes.

• Stir broth and cornstarch in a small bowl until the cornstarch dissolves. Add to the pan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring, until the sauce is thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.

• When the duck has finished resting, pour any accumulated juices into the sauce and stir to combine.

• Thinly slice the duck; serve topped with the pomegranate sauce.

• Garnish with parsley, if desired. p

A new executive chef At SherAton SomA BAy Sheraton Soma Bay assigned Chef Saad Mohamed as the new Executive Chef for Sheraton Soma Bay. Chef Saad has worked throughout the Middle East, leading some of the top culinary teams in Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott hotels.

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Chef Saad is considered as an expert in Italian, Asian and Arabic cuisines.

Over the next few months, Chef Saad will focus on redesigning Sheraton Soma Bay’s culinary offerings, ensuring it remains among the best in Egypt. p FEB 2018 | Ct

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Cuisine

A Culture Within a Culture:

El Moslim el Seeny Restaurant

I

n the midst of a busy Cairo, a tiny Chinese community has been hard at work to create the embellishment of their cuisine in Abbasya Street.

Opening a Chinese restaurant called “El Moslim El Seeny”, Ismail, a Chinese student in Ain Shams University currently studying Islamic studies, has been devoted to creating local homemade Chinese plates that without a doubt, are easily compared to high-end Chinese franchise.

Not only does the restaurant embody the Chinese culture, but also incorporates the African and Egyptian through the waiters as well as the location.

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By Yasmine Mabrouk

Once you arrive at the restaurant, you will encounter a friendly Cameroonian named Ahmed, who will leave you smiling after a quick conversation in Arabic.

You are free to pick a table of your choice, which are all located on the street, so make sure to bring your jacket.

Ahmed will present you with the menu that offers a variety of authentic dishes like sweet and sour chicken, stewed noodles, stir-fried rice, spicy steamed vegetables, sweet chili salads and teriyaki beef.

The recommended plates to order according to Ismail are the sweet and sour chicken with the homemade vegetable

noodles, the vinegary steamed spinach and the spicy potatoes.

Most of the customers are of various nationalities from Malaysia, Philippines, America, and of course, Egypt.

You should jot down the prices because at the end of your meal, there is no check, just your phone’s calculator. The food is affordable, ranging from EGP 30 to EGP 50 a plate. Also, the portions are outstanding for the price, and so visitors definitely receive value for money.

After you place your order, you can help yourself to some soda or water from the refrigerator that is on a self-serve basis anytime during your meal.

The restaurant itself is on the street, like the traditional “kahwa”, which only consists of a room for the kitchen that is easily viewed from a window. Black and white tiles cover the floor, a burning stove, a counter dusted with flour for the noodles and a stairway that is connected to another area for chopping the salads. Outside, a huge old sign with a picture of both the Pyramids and the Great Wall of China holds the name of the restaurant with decorative garlic cloves, chili peppers and onions.

As you settle in your chair, a complimentary “chai”, a warm traditional Chinese herb tea known to cleanse the palette, is served. The chai will offer a neutral taste before you indulge in the rich, flavorful plates. If you are a group, a teapot is placed on the table.

Through the small kitchen window, you would be able to see the chef work on the Chinese dough, pulling and rolling it to create the shape and sprinkling some oil and flour to give it the right texture. The dough is prepared every night by Ismail’s wife; the floury aroma coming from the small kitchen is fresh, and will remind you of the Egyptian baladi bread ovens.

In a mere ten minutes, whether it is the beef stew noodles or the sweet and sour crispy chicken that you ordered, the steaming food is served, presented in little white plates ornamented with blue Chinese symbols with the word “Halal” placed in green font to embrace both Islamic and Chinese cultures.

Black chopsticks and utensils are placed in a huge mug to offer both options if you are not one to eat with chopsticks.

Although the loud honks of the buses in this crowded part of Abbasya will keep you rooted in Cairo, you will happily indulge on authentic Chinese cuisine that will transfer you to a little street in Beijing, China. The flavors of the seasoned spices on the noodles and the savory of the vinegar on the cucumber salad, all dipped in their original teriyaki and soy sauce with a dash of sesame, sparks your senses.

The Chinese community in Egypt has been struggling to maintain balance between their culture and ours, and what better way to represent such a balance than with food.

If you are bored of the same old take-out and age-old hangouts, El Moslim El Seeny is the place to go. It will provide you with a unique fusion of international taste in a local setting, and will grant you a satisfying experience: one of good quality food, pleasurable company and pure culture. p

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Cuisine

INDIA ALONG THE NILE Sleek resto-bar & lounge India along the Nile takes you on an unmatched gastronomical journey through the valleys of India, bringing you an array of dishes from its diverse regions, served in a contemporary and modern atmosphere.

The signature resto-bar offers an array of delectable a la carte dishes infused with Indian flavours and flair, including a “tasting menu” designed for sharing and ideal for sampling. At the trendy bar and lounge area, enjoy signature cocktails and Indian street food favourites. For a more private—and captivating—experience, India along the Nile offers semi-private dining areas, perfect for intimate gatherings.

Cool shades of grey combined with a splash of red against an ivory marble background breaks away from traditional concepts, creating an upscale, sophisticated and sociable atmosphere. The open kitchen, which faces a designated dining area, allows you to truly experience live Indian cooking at its best.

A delight for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, Chef Harish Tiwari’s bold combination of herbs and spices along with his 14 years of expertise will undoubtedly tantalize your taste buds. Indulge in a succulent selection of kebabs and ambrosial biryanis as you enjoy unique background tunes, handpicked especially for India along the Nile.

Step into the stylish bar and lounge area and enjoy one of their signature cocktails, created by expert mixologists, paired with a choice of mouth-watering street food for an unforgettable fun night out! Starting 10 PM, the resident DJ’s tunes will definitely get you moving. Don’t forget your dancing shoes! p

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AdvertoriAl

Charge Up Hilton Cairo Zamalek residenCes

The Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences set on the picturesque island of Zamalek, among the magnificent waters of the River Nile, Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences is the perfect retreat. The hotel is just a short distance from Cairo’s famous attractions, including the pyramids and the Cairo Tower. With a collection of stylish rooms and suites, each with a view of the city or the river, and great leisure amenities, it won’t be long until you’re relaxing into an unforgettable vacation.

FiTNess aNd CReaTioN For the in house guest, work out in the complimentary fitness centre, swim in the temperature controlled free-form swimming pool, or indulge in a massage while the kids have fun in the dedicated children’s pool.

The Health Club, aptly named Charge Up offers swedish and Relaxing massages, sauna and steam room and has separate facilities for men and women plus an exercise room. The gym equipped with the latest technology of fitness machines manufactured by the well trusted “Precor” brand.

open to outside guests, offering the following special packages: • One year single membership EGP 10.000 • One year couple membership EGP 15.000.

• One year family membership EGP 21.000 • Day use of health club and the controlled temperature swimming pool EGP 500.00 • Reflexology message: a natural healing art stimulating all organs of the body Message prices: 25 minutes EGP 400.00 50 minutes EGP 600.00

Please ask about your membership benefits and fitness sessions.

Hours of operation 06:00 to 22:00 www.zamalekresidencecairo.hilton.com Telephone:+20 2 27370055

Society The Annual Celebration of the Cairo Nile Lions Club The annual celebration of the Cairo Nile Lions Club headed by Samir Sabry to honor stars who have contributed to community services was held last December and hosted by the Cairo Sheraton Hotel.

The ceremony took place in the Ivory ballroom and was attended by an assembly of celebrities who were honored at the event.

The event included dinner and a musical performance by Nostalgia band of Sherif Mounir. p

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Tatweer Misr Hosts a Gala Dinner to Celebrate Partnership with Liverpool FC On a night where guests indulged in a festive atmosphere, Tatweer Misr, the Egyptian real estate developer, celebrated its three-year partnership with the Premier League’s Liverpool FC during a lavish Gala Dinner at Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel.

The spectacular night hosted a line-up of the society’s elite public figures and celebrities, including Mostafa Fahmy, Egyptian football legends Hazem Imam and Khalid Bibo and the prominent businessman Naguib Sawiris. Liverpool legend and Ambassador, Robbie Fowler, attended the event alongside Olly Dale, the club’s Commercial Director.

The celebration commenced with a welcome note from Dr. Ahmed Shalaby, the Managing Director of Tatweer Misr, who emphasized the importance of this partnership, aiming to support Tatweer Misr’s international sales campaigns in Europe, kicking off in the United Kingdom this spring.

Man of the hour Abu delighted the crowd with a performance of his most recent hits, followed by the one and only Amr Diab who treated everyone to an array of his tracks.

The event was concluded by a draw where winners received original Liverpool first team jerseys. p

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Society New Urban Communities Authority and Housing & Development Bank Launch City Edge Developments During an astounding gala dinner at the Nile Ritz-Carlton, H.E. Dr. Moustafa Madbouly, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development, attended the launch of the newly established City Edge Developments.

City Edge Developments, a partnership between the New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA) with 60%, the Housing and Development Bank with 38% and the Holding Company for Investment & Development with 2%, is investing a total of 1.3 billion EGP in the development of premium housing and mixed use projects.

The night kicked off with a movie featuring the company’s flagship project Etapa in Sheikh Zayed, which is set to launch during the first quarter of 2018, where its unique aspects were illustrated to the stellar crowd, including the elites of the Egyptian society and prominent media figures. Also in attendance were H.E. Dr. Sahar Nasr, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation and H.E. Hesham Arafat, Minister of Transportation.

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Etapa is an integrated smart residential compound that allocates 86% of its area for greenery and open spaces, while the remaining 14% is dedicated to the establishment of 493 units. The project will see an investment of two billion EGP. City Edge Developments will also launch a mixed-use establishment located in Sheikh Zayed during the second quarter of 2018 that will offer a range of office buildings along with entertainment, medical and hospitality services.

Both projects are expected to provide around 10,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, along with substantial opportunities for growth in the industry.

Dr. Madbouly, alongside Fathi El-Sebai, Chairman of HDB and Mohamed El Alfy, Chairman of CED, briefly introduced the partnership. Amr El Kady, CEO of CED, gave a speech explaining how the company aims to be the national brand for premium real estate in Egypt through presenting bestin-class solutions to the market, and how its projects are designed to serve the needs of the iGeneration.

Adding a cherry on top of a marvelous launch, singer Ragheb Alama gave a delightful performance of his most beloved hits while interacting with the crowd. p

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