Community Times February Issue 2017

February 2017

Since 1996

In tune wIth the CommunIty SInCe 1996

21

Anniversary Issue

Documenting Egyptian Armenians

Van-Leo

PORTRAITS OF GLAMOUR

Therapy through Mandalas

www.communitytimes.me

contact us for more information and distribution ( +202 22908127 - +2 01000052322 ) /CommunityTimesEgypt

@CTimesEgy

communitytimes

21

Anniversary Issue

Contents FEb 2017 sPotlIGHt

CoMMunIty

14

06 toWn tAlK

36 EntrEprEnEur

Talk of the Town News

Shaghalni - Connecting Employees with Employers

14 StylE

Launch of Boutique 17

46 ScEnES

Wadi El Gemal - Desert Meets Marine Life

20

42 GrEEn community Sharjah - Preserving Desert Life

MInd, Body & soul 20

Therapy with the Mandala

trAVel 48

Singapore and Kuala Lumpur

46 22

Culture 18

Books: Journey of a Science Fiction Writer

out & ABout

February 2017

Since 1996

52 cuiSinE In tune wIth the CommunIty SInCe 1996

21

Anniversary Issue

Documenting Egyptian Armenians

Van-Leo

Healthy Lunches and Dinners

FeAtures 22

Egyptian Armenians and their Influence on the Community

30

21 Years Giving to the Community

58 cAlEndAr

February Culture Events

62 SociEty

PORTRAITS OF GLAMOUR

42 Therapy through Mandalas

Photos Courtesy of Van-Leo from the book Portraits of Glamour (American in University Cairo Press) Design by Marina Raafat

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

YEARS

EditoriAl dEPArtMEnt Editor-in-chief Moguib Roshdy

Editor’s Note

Acting Editor Najla Riad Assistant Editor Rawan Abdel Latif

WritErs

Dear Reader

Layal Al Rustom, Ola El Soueni, Rana Kamaly and Ahmed Kafafi

Twenty-one years on the market seems like a long time, however, I feel like it passed like a breeze. Probably because of the wonderful and fun staff we had in the past and the staff that is here today. Probably because our office is not a typical work place, but more so like a club, where everyone gets along with each other and the atmosphere is a relaxed one. Also, probably because our staff and contributing writers’ articles are always of interest to read through and edit, and so we enjoy our work.

We have gained experience and knowledge over the years and instead of one publication, which is our main focus, we were happy to work with several establishments in publishing their magazines whether online or on paper plus producing other publications of our own.

Over and above, social media was at first a dilemma to the older staff, but once we grasped the true benefit of it, and after we got some laughs from the younger colleagues, we now find it a quick and easy way to relay news to the readers.

Finally, the support of our clients, advertisers and loyal readers is more than appreciated.

Our biggest reward, more precious than anything, is when someone is looking for the latest issue and cannot find it anywhere. This means that copies are being picked up and that our hard work has come to fruition.

Art dEPArtMEnt Art director Khadiga El Badan

senior Graphic designer Marina Raafat

sAlEs dEPArtMEnt sales director Rania Halim sales Manager Sayed Kamel

Production MAnAGEr Enas Adly

AdMinistrAtion dEPArtMEnt distribution Manager Rana Ezzat office Manager Magda Adib legal consultant Ashraf Soliman Financial consultants Hazem Abdel Tawab Ahmed Abbas

Thank you again for your support.

Correction: Because Community Times abides by the ABC rules of Media Ethics, we have been notified that the cover of our January issue actually was photographed and copyrights go to Ms. Salma El Dardiry. We talked to her to settle the matter and we also happily found out that she is a gifted lady and decided to write an article on her in the coming features.

The Editor editor@live-colors.com

office clerk Mahmoud Abdel Aziz office custodian Ismail Othman distribution Al Ahram, Al Akhbar, Next Media Mohandessin, Zamalek, Heliopolis, Maadi, Nasr City, New Cairo, 6 October City, Sheikh Zayed City

ctP & PrintinG by Sahara Printing Company

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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Orange Group signs new eight-year partnership with the Confederation of African Football as the official sponsor of five major CAF competitions from 2017 – 2024 Orange Egypt sponsors 30 youth centers in Egypt, giving football fans in Egypt the opportunity to enjoy the CAF Championship in Gabon and a competition to choose winners of tickets to travel and watch the Egypt-Ghana match or a grand prize of 100,000 pounds

Football fans watching Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments Orange Group announced its partnership renewal with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for eight years (2017-2024) to continue to sponsor the organization’s major soccer competitions through to 2024.

In addition, Orange Egypt has launched a contest for its customers, where they will get the chance to travel to Gabon and attend Egypt-Ghana match on January 25 or win the grand prize of 100,000 Egyptian pounds or a BeIN subscription for one year.

This sponsorship includes the African Nations’ competitions (2017 in Gabon, 2019 in Cameron, 2021 in Ivory Coast, and 2023 in Guinea).

On this occasion, Orange Egypt’s CEO, Jean Marc Harion, said, “Football is the number one passion of our customers in Egypt, and we’re delighted that we will be able to bring Egyptian football fans even closer to the events and things they love the most by going beyond slogans. These flagship competitions in African football generate an incredible spirit of unity across communities and people, and unite fans behind their flag with a strong sense of patriotism. In fact, the sport itself is a powerful agent of peace, and shows how we can cherish and embrace our rivals while also treating each other with respect.”

In addition to the next four Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments, Orange will also sponsor the Women’s and U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the CAF Champions League and the Super Cup club competitions.

The core objective of Orange’s sponsorship strategy, “Orange Sponsors You”, is to give fans the recognition they deserve by putting them center-stage, turning the spotlight on them and rewarding them for their passion.

On the occasion of the CAF competitions 2017 and in line with its sponsorship strategy, “Orange Sponsors You”, Orange Egypt is giving all football fans in Egypt the opportunity to enjoy and cheer for the Egyptian National Team while watching the games of African Cup. Under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Orange Egypt will be sponsoring 30 youth centers all over Egypt to give all Egyptians the privilege of watching the tournament’s games on screens placed in these centers.

“I would like to seize this opportunity to wish the Egyptian National Football team all the best in their coming matches during this 31st round of the Africa Cup of Nations,” he added.

It’s worth mentioning that the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations was won

by Ivory Coast, who completed a 9-8 penalties victory over Ghana in the final. The 2017 tournament kicks off on January 14, with the host Gabon taking on Guinea-Bissau. Orange Egypt cheers on the Egyptian National Team and wishes them the best of luck and may they win to spread happiness and joy in the hearts of all Egyptians.

Spotlights Towntalk

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts Accelerates Expansion Plans after Inking Record Number of Deals in 2016 The year 2016 was a momentous year for Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, marked by the appointment of its new CEO, Olivier Chavy. This ushered in a new era for the hospitality firm where it also fast-tracked its expansion plans in 2016, signing a record number of management contracts for new properties across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, which already operates 83 hotels worldwide, inked deals for more than 13 new properties in key growth markets, growing its total development pipeline by one-third to 33-plus hotels.

This will add more than 9,000 extra keys to Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ growing inventory over the next four years, with all pipelined properties currently on track to open by the end of 2020.

Samra Climbs Six New Routes and Names One ‘The Egyptian Direct’

In a ten day trip on the Antarctic ice, Egyptian adventurer Omar Samra recently made a ground-breaking achievement as he succeeded in becoming the first person in history to climb three mountains in Antarctica, called a ‘first ascent’ in climbing terminology.

Samra, who named the mountains after his family, climbed seven in total, of which six were via new routes, of which he also got to name one ‘The Egyptian Direct’.

An art exhibition is planned on February 18 in Zamalek, where Omar will give a talk about the trip, joined also by the artist Tarek Abdelkawi and gallery curator Alya Sabry.

The gallery will showcase the trip’s artistic illustrations, photography and videos. Visitors will also be given the opportunity to interact and engage with the art work through an audio and visual experience as well as have the opportunity to sample some of Samra’s mountaineering gear that kept him safe and warm in the world’s highest, coldest and driest continent on earth.

This is Samra’s third trip to this remote and isolated part of the planet in the South Pole. His first visit was in January 2012, where he successfully reached the summit of Vinson Massif (16,050 feet), the highest mountain on the Antarctic continent, part of the 7 Summits challenge. His second trip was in December 2014, where he succeeded in becoming the first Egyptian to ski to the South Pole as part of achieving the Explorer’s Grand Slam title, a challenge that has only been achieved by less than 40 people in history. p

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New deals signed in 2016 will see the company debut across the Middle East and Asia including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and, in the UAE, the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

The Regional Breakdown In Asia, where the company currently operates 11 properties with 20 more in the pipeline, the company signed five new properties, three of which were in Thailand. The company also signed deals for Mövenpick Hotel Khulna, its first property in Bangladesh, and Mövenpick Hotel Quang Binh in Vietnam, both of which are scheduled to open in 2020.

At the same time, the 260-room Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya on popular Na Jomtien Beach opened for business – the first five-star property outside of Pattaya’s city center.

In the Middle East, currently home to 31 Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts properties with 12 more in the development pipeline, four new management agreements were signed. They included the newly opened Mövenpick Hotel in Qatar, plus Mövenpick Hotel Apartments in Dubai and Jeddah, both set to open in 2018. The 550-room in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, has a mooted 2019 opening date. 2016 also saw the opening of the 228-room Mövenpick Hotel in Jeddah.

In Africa, where the firm has 25 properties and four more in active development, the company opened a landmark property in Marrakech.

Deals have also been signed for properties in Tunisia, Kenya, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire.

In Europe, the company plans to open the Mövenpick Congress Hotel Stuttgart, Germany and the Mövenpick Hotel Basel, Switzerland in 2019.

2017 Development Plans In 2017, nine properties are on schedule to open across Asia and Africa in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Kenya. The remaining four new properties on track to open this year are: Les Berges Du Lac Tunis in Tunisia, Boracay in the Philippines and in Thailand, Residences Ekkamai Bangkok and Mövenpick Resort Khao Yai. p

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Towntalk

Emirates Introduces New Range of Comforts in First and Business Class Emirates has enhanced comfort in the air with a host of exclusive new products. Customers will travel in luxury with additions including First Class lounge wear, luxury blankets, skincare for VOYA and a new range of amenity kits from Bulgari.

The products will be available in the First Class cabin on overnight long haul flights. The nightwear use Hydra Active Microcapsule Technology designed to keep skin hydrated during the flight. For added comfort, Emirates offers a plush, faux sheep-skin blanket in First Class.

Emirates has also partnered with luxury Italian brand Bulgari for its latest designs of the airline’s exclusive kit bags. The new set of amenity kits for both First and Business Class feature Bulgari’s woody floral fragrance, Eau Parfumee au Noir, and contain skincare essentials.

Customers can enjoy gourmet, regionally inspired menus on board, paired with Emirates’ world class wine program featuring the finest champagnes and wines, and in all classes, they can enjoy Emirates’ multi-award winning ‘ice’ Digital Widescreen with more than 2,500 channels. p

PDO European Cheese Cooking Demo & Tasting Event at Semiramis InterContinental Cairo Semiramis InterContinental Cairo hosted the Agriform Master Class: PDO European Cheese Cooking Demo & Tasting Event, in collaboration with the Egyptian Chef’s Association at the award-winning Pane Vino Italian restaurant, where chefs Giovanni Romagnoli and Vincenzo Gulielmi taught attendees how to prepare a selection of traditional Italian favorites as well as their own distinctive creations.

Guest chefs and media personalities had the opportunity both to taste and to learn how to prepare authentic and original dishes using these superior cheeses while enjoying the cozy ambience of Pane Vino. p

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Nestlé S.A. Signs Agreement to Acquire Egyptian Instant Coffee Company “Caravan” The acquisition reflects Nestlé’s ambition to invest in Egypt and foster the development of the rapidly growing soluble coffee segment which has been gaining popularity among Egyptians.

Mr. Yasser Abdulmalak, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé Egypt: “In the last five years, Nestlé has made investments close to one billion EGP in manufacturing and distribution facilities as well as skill development. We will continue to invest in the Egyptian market and this acquisition comes as a reaffirmation of that.”

The acquisition will capitalize on the complementary strengths of the two brands Nescafé and Bonjorno, accelerating the development of the soluble coffee market in Egypt. Bonjorno, a local brand loved by many Egyptians, will become part of the company’s wide portfolio of international brands. Mr. Abdulmalak added, “We are keen on ensuring a smooth integration process in the best interest of the business and all employees.”

The acquisition will combine Nestlé’s strong marketing and innovation capabilities with Caravan’s distribution model and significant presence in retail.

Caravan Marketing was established in 2003 as a marketing and distribution company. The company serves the Egyptian market with a range of soluble coffee products, using its own factory. p

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Towntalk

Valentine’s Day Highlights at Semiramis InterContinental Cairo

Treat Your Special Someone to a Palace Built for Love at Cairo Marriott!

This year, The Cairo Marriott Hotel is transforming all their restuarants to the perfect date.

Go on an Italian date at Ristorante Tuscany and treat yor special someone to not only their mouth-watering, herb-crusted Rack of Lamb, but also their special Extreme Lover’s Chocolate Strawberry. You could walk a few steps and find yourself in a palatial French restaurant; Saraya Gallery’s delicious cuisine is sure to delight you. The creative heart-shaped smoked salmon will make it a picture-perfect night, while the raspberry nougat will make you count the days until next Valentine’s Day for completely different reasons.

As for all the sushi and tepenyaki lovers, Torii has their tepenyaki chef giving a whole new meaning to playing with your food for a little show to set the mood! If you would like to replace dinner for two with drinks for two, Harry’s Pub has that covered with a band you can dance the night away to! Flowers and chocolates? How about a heart-shaped cake made by the Cairo Marriott’s expert pastry chefs from The Bakery? You really can’t go wrong there! p

Celebrate this international day of love amidst an array of options, whether you would prefer a quiet romantic setting at The Grill or a fun-filled fiesta at Pane Vino with Cairo’s favorite jazz performer, Ahmed Harfoush.

True Amore with Ahmed Harfoush at Pane Vino An exclusive fun-filled night of romance with Cairo’s premier crooner Ahmed Harfoush.

Enchanting Elegance at The Grill Serenaded by a live accordion and The Trio band, enjoy The Grill’s fabulous Valentine’s gala dinner on February 14 and relish in a five-course dinner.

Love is in the Air at BirdCage At Birdcage, the serene setting and creative Thai chefs bring out a special ambiance. Chef Narong’s irresistible à la carte menus are undoubtedly spectacular and will surely tantalize your taste buds.

Oriental Flair at Sabaya Experience authentic Lebanese hospitality as Chef Baz arranges an à la carte menu on Valentine’s Day. Listen to oriental tunes and share your favourite mezzahs with your loved one.

Tickle your Taste Buds at Café Corniche & The Tea Garden Café Corniche and the Tea Garden are offering a selection of heart-shaped Valentine’s goodies. Looking for something more savoury? Enjoy a special sushi selection, designed specifically for this international day of love.

Classic Love Songs at the Ambassador Club Enjoy listening to the piano tunes of Omneya, as she plays your favorite classic love songs of all time. Sit back, relax and enjoy a scrumptious dinner. p

Fairmont Nile City’s Events on Valentine’s A variety of offerings and the best of live entertainment at Saigon Restaurant & Lounge are being held on Valentine’s Day. Pamper yourself and your beloved at Willow Stream Spa with a unique Valentine’s Day as you immerse in a relaxing couples massage designed to improve your circulation and impart a fresh glow to your skin.

Follow the hotel’s social media pages and stay tuned for the Valentine’s Day competition to win a complimentary dinner for two at Saigon Restaurant & Lounge. p

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Make a Grand Gesture this Valentine’s Day at the JW Marriott Cairo Celebrate a Romantic Valentine’s Day at Ramses Hilton Heart to Heart at the Citadel Grill Restaurant Enjoy a Valentine’s candlelit dinner at the Citadel Grill restaurant and savor an exquisite four-course menu. Live tunes of piano will set the scene for a memorable romantic evening.

Valentine’s Day at Breezes Lounge & Grill Breezes Lounge & Grill overlooking the Nile will offer oriental grilled dishes with live evening entertainment and traditional Egyptian water pipe “Shisha.”

Valentine’s Day Romantic Room Package Enjoy a Valentine’s Day romantic room package with a spacious room and VIP amenities and a lavish Valentine’s breakfast and dinner at Breezes Lounge & Grill at 765 LE per person for a double room, including service charge and taxes. p

A couple’s spa package at Mandara spa will gift you and your partner with many romantic side-by-side treatments in a double spa suite. Experience a 30 minute aromatic sea salt bath, a 60 minute aromatic massage and use of the spa facilities and relaxation, all valid from February 12 to March 1.

Couples can also indulge in an Italian four-course set menu at Cucina, a Valentine’s Day dinner buffet with delicious romantic treats at Mirage Café, a four-course dinner at JW’s Steakhouse, or the Lebanese inspired four-course set menu enhanced by exotic entertainment at Ahlein Lebanese restaurant. p

Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel’s Offering for Valentine’s Day Treat your Valentine to a romantic candlelit dinner with mood enhancing live entertainment at Citron or the perfect setting to pamper your partner. The hotel is serving a Chinese inspired set menu accompanied by live entertainment at Chinoix. p

Ericsson at World Economic Forum 2017 – Working Further with Responsive and Responsible Leadership “Responsive and Responsible Leadership” is the 2017 theme for the gathering of the world’s top business leaders, heads of state and public figures at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Ericsson’s delegation this year was led by Elaine Weidman-Grunewald, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, and Ulf Pehrsson, Vice President, Government and Industry Relations. The topics delivered included: “Internet for All”, “The role of the Private Sector in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”, “Humanitarian Response”, and “The Future of International Trade and Investment”, among others.

The topics at WEF coincide with Ericsson’s own agenda on the digital transformation of industries, Internet for All and responsible business.

Weidman-Grunewald said: “In every meeting and appearance, we will be demonstrating how, along with our customers and partners, we are leading the transformation toward a truly Networked Society and creating a more sustainable world.” p feb 2017 | Ct

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Towntalk Samsung Introduces Stylish, Powerful and Practical Galaxy A (2017) with Enhanced Camera

Young Entrepreneur Receives UNWTO Award

Samsung Electronics Egypt announced the latest Galaxy A series, including the 5.7-inch A7 and 5.2-inch A5 smartphones, with refinements that deliver a beautiful design, powerful performance and ultimate convenience.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization granted young Egyptian tourism expert Mohamed Youssef its most prestigious award of 2016 for his contributions to the development of the tourism industry, state-run newspaper AlAhram reported on Thursday.

The Galaxy A features a premium metal frame and 3D glass back that draws on Samsung’s premium design heritage. With a sleek camera and home key, the device is more seamless than ever and comfortable to hold and use. The Galaxy A is available in four stylish colors including Black Sky, Gold Sand and Blue Mist.

Youssef invented the world’s latest tourism electronic marketing method. “I am very proud of the award and I hope Egypt will be the first country to take advantage of my initiative to attract more tourists through e-marketing,” said Youssef.

Taking selfies has never been easier. Touch anywhere on the screen to easily snap a high-resolution selfie with the floating camera button and use the display as a front flash for bright pictures.

Youssef, 35, was a member of former tourism minister Hisham Zaazou’s advisory board and was chosen by former tourism minister Khaled Ramy to be a member of Egypt’s tourism e-marketing team.

Galaxy A takes the hassle out of everyday tasks. For the first time on the Galaxy A series, the smartphone offers IP68 water and dust resistance, allowing it to withstand elements, including rain, sweat, sand and dust, making the device suitable for nearly any activity or situation.

According to Al-Ahram, Youssef received the award at a celebration held in Madrid which was attended by Spain’s deputy prime minister, the chairman of the UNWTO and various foreign ministers from around the world.

The Galaxy A provides expanded, a larger memory, as well as expandable storage with microSD support up to 256GB and with a longer battery life. p

On Monday, the UNWTO invited Youssef to give a lecture on his new breakthrough to a number of ministers and tourism sector leaders around the world, Al-Ahram said.

(The Independent) p

The Nile Project Returns to the US for a Second Tour, January to April 2017 One of the tightest cross-cultural collaborations in musical history, the Nile Project brings together artists from the 11 Nile countries, representing over 450 million people, to compose new songs that combine the rich diversity of one of the oldest places on Earth.

Kindred harps and resonant lyres from the river’s sources in East Africa and Ethiopia to its deltas in Sudan and Egypt have reunited to learn new musical modes while buzzing timbres and ingenious poly-rhythms support vocals in more than ten languages.

The Nile Project is pioneering a new approach to transform transboundary water conflicts by using music to ignite cross-cultural empathy and spark environmental curiosity.

An ensemble of 12 musicians will tour the United States from January to April 2017.

With recent invitations to lead workshops for diplomats and policymakers by the Lincoln Center and European Commission, the Nile Project is at the forefront of modeling. p

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STYLE

ZamalekÕ s Boutique 17

By Ola El Soueni

T

his new clothing store is tucked in a quiet neighborhood in Zamalek, and is home to very simple and inviting interiors. Whether people are looking for event attire, must-have unique pieces or everyday comfortable clothes, all these outfits are available as part of Boutique 17’s collections. It also displays footwear, handbags and statement accessories, which are great for dressing up a simple outfit.

Boutique 17 opened in April 2016 with the launch of its debut spring/summer collection, which was admired by many and marked the shop’s success. The founders are Marwa Mitkees, an AUC graduate and the owner of the children’s clothing store Little Cherries, and Ragia Aboul Enein, also an AUC graduate who had started off her career working in her family business of manufacturing and exporting ready-made garments, traveling on a regular basis to shop for the latest trends and update their collection with exceptional pieces.

What motivated you to open Boutique 17?

“We both love fashion, have a great passion for shopping and indulge in traveling, which greatly inspired us to open our own boutique. What encouraged us even more are the great experiences we have from our previous jobs that we knew would help us bring together our dream, where we can pick and choose different clothing pieces that cater to different tastes,” said Mitkees.

“Marwa and I are cousins and best friends, which was a great motive for us to work together. Boutique 17 made it in the Egyptian fashion scene and quickly gained a good reputation for housing elegant and widely diversified clothes to help each and every woman portray who she truly is with confidence,” added Aboul Enein.

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Why did you open in Zamalek in particular?

“We are big fans of Zamalek! It’s such a vibrant neighborhood with a lot going on. We saw that it was a prominent market, popular for housing many clothing stores. This in turn made Zamalek residents familiar with the concept of boutique shopping, since they love buying clothes that differ from what could be found at mainstream, big-chain shopping stores,” explained Aboul Enein.

“Zamalek is a central location, which makes it accessible to many of our clients. Therefore, we welcome our shoppers who live in far neighborhoods, such as 6 October, Heliopolis or New Cairo. Last but not least, it’s close to where we both live, which makes it much easier for us to manage the store and keep a close eye on what’s missing to best address our clientele’s needs,” Mitkees added.

Why the name Boutique 17?

“Since we love simplicity, we took the easy way out and named it after the building number we are in, so it is basically called Boutique 17 because it is in building number 17,” explained Mitkees.

Cozy, fashionable and affordable is what best describes Boutique 17. What do you do to ensure these qualities?

“We always exert a lot of effort in carefully selecting our clothing items to present our clients with fashionable, voguish and hip pieces that they can happily add to their wardrobes and always resort to for a polished and stylish look. Moreover, we always strive to buy the best quality at the best price,” highlighted Aboul Enein.

“We do our best to broaden our collections to ideally address diversified styles for different people. For example, we offer from dressy clothes and beachwear to conservative clothing pieces for veiled women to save our clients the hassle of having to go everywhere to find something that suits them,” commented Mitkees.

“We are very much inspired by the concept behind clothing shops like Zara that are trendy yet within budget. What we are doing at Boutique 17 is encouraging women to understand the concept of ‘boutique shopping’. We want to bring fashion and affordability together because with the current economic instability that Egypt is going through as a result of the devaluation of the currency, people are not really encouraged to spend. When you find stuff that you like within your budget, you will be happy to buy and enjoy them,” emphasized Mitkees.

Both ladies aspire to open up new boutiques at different locations, such as 6 October and New Cairo. p Instagram and Facebook: boutique17egypt

Jan / feb 2017 | Ct

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6

STYLE

StepS to having a more elegant home on a Budget

Whether you are in need of upgrading your space, or are trying to furnish a new home, there are several ways to create a more elegant, high-end house with a smaller budget; you just need to make sure you spend the money in the right place.

Pay Attention to Paint

Don’t Forget Pillows

The colors of your walls usually make or break the design of your home. Whether more bold colors suit your personality or a more neutral, toned-down palette does, both can enhance the warmth of your rooms without actually having to buy too many accessories. For bold colors, you can stick to dark reds, navy blues or dark purples, whereas, for a more calming design, opt for dark beiges, yellows or browns.

Although it seems like a small addition, their existence in a home gives out a more comfortable, welcoming atmosphere.

It is a way of subtly adding an accessory that blends into its surroundings, rather than grab too much attention to it. Pillows offer both comfort for your guests, and if chosen correctly, add an elegance to the room they are placed in.

Window Accessories Without any curtains, drapes or shades, your home can appear unfinished. Some materials may be overpriced, but there are always less costly options for a well furnished home. Try and avoid flimsy materials that have no specific shape, as well as see-through curtains, and replace them with silk, linen or cotton to add more depth to it. You could also add bamboo or wood shades for an earthier feel.

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Clean, Uncluttered Home This is the cheapest, yet most important step to an elegant home. Put away all unnecessary accessories and furniture to avoid making the place look cluttered, noisy and messy. We are all victims of keeping things we don’t need because of sentimental values, but try and keep the most important items and pass on the old, dusty objects. Also, always make sure your home is vacuumed and tidy.

Salon DÕ AntiquitŽ s March 2017 Lighting Talk your contractor out of placing standard lighting fixtures, and aim for a more modern look that will appear more costly than it actually is. For instance, if your ceiling has several layers to it, add spotlights to the lower surfaces, or mix and match between standard chandeliers and flat lights.

At Sonesta Hotel,Nasr City, Iris Hall On 10Th till 12th of March From: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm

20 Antique Dealers Grouped Together to Display a Vast Variety of Antique Furniture & Home Accessories Organized by Névine Kadry-Azab

Wood Over Carpet Although for families, covering your floors with carpet seems like a more comfortable, safer alternative to wooden floors, however, it does take from the elegance of the place. Luckily, there are many wooden alternatives that are at great prices, like HDF, that still provide the same warmth as the carpet does, yet adds a more sophisticated design. p

Culture Books

The Journey

of a Science Fiction Writer

By Ahmed Kafafi

S

alah Maaty, a significant figure in the second generation of Arab science fiction writers, launched the trend in the region as a way of making the public aware of the importance of science and its impact on the future. However, this type of writing that started at the beginning of the 1990s has several challenges ahead of it in order to get established as a full-fledged genre in the Arab World.

For decades, our knowledge of science fiction has remained tied with what was produced in Western literature. The writings of H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Isaac Asimov among others along with several film productions have created our perception of science fiction. In the last few years, some Egyptians as well as Arab writers have started to enhance the local science fiction trend, giving rise to that genre of literature in the Arabic language.

Despite challenges due to a lack of awareness and interest, a group of Arab science fictionists have insisted to press ahead with addressing a limited readership in the hopes that one day their work could play a vital role in people’s lives.

These talented writers are able to fathom the intricacies of the physical world and present them through drama, and by doing so, underlining the importance of science and scientific inspiration in our life. Among them is the award-winning fiction writer, playwright and radio presenter Salah Maaty, author of many novels, short stories and theatrical pieces.

Maaty, as well as a group of science fiction writers, meet at Nehad Sherif’s monthly seminar, the pioneer of modern Egyptian science fiction literature, to shed light on the latest updates in science and highlight film productions in the field. “These meetings are held to show that a science fictionist should be kept up-to-date on the latest scientific advancements, so that he can be inspired,” Maaty mentioned.

He added, “The only difference between us and the West in that respect is that we have to make an effort to acquire the scientific data, understand it and simplify it, whereas the Western writers get ready simplified data due to the dissemination of science programs and publications aimed at promoting scientific progress among the non-specialized people.”

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Having begun writing in 1985, Maaty is perhaps the most prolific of local science fiction writers. He began to attract critics’ attention after he wrote “Linqitho hatha El Kawkb” (Save this Planet), a novel that depicts a small boy as he pleads the galaxies, the stars and other entities in outer space to save the Earth after crises festered. His latest is “Bonga”, a novel about a guy who sets out on a long journey in search of space, but not space as we understand it in terms of length and breadth.

Among his most interesting releases have been his short stories collection “Badria w el Khalta el Seria” (Badria and the Secret Recipe) that relates the story of a science student who falls in love with a tender and loving woman who he sees as unattractive, and so he injects her with genes that turn her into the most beautiful woman in the world. Her beauty later becomes a curse, for she soon no longer is a modest, tolerant woman. The story might not be new, but the writer, according to critics, delves into the details of the conversion process, involving the reader in the scientist’s job. He also wrote “Oyoun Einstein” (Einstein’s Eyes), a story based on setting up a genes bank where all human geniuses are replicated, “Moghamra Wirathiya” (A Genetic Adventure), about dealing with the possibility of merging human and animals cells to produce a new type of humans and “Shaifaret Adam” (The Adam Code), a novel that discusses the ciphering of the genetic code.

However, Maaty’s works haven’t been restricted to fiction, for his books include many that theorize on the subject.

One of them is “Science Fiction Between Science and None Sense”, where he highlights the stages through which man has gone to reach the maturity that produced science fiction.

It begins with the definition of the genre that, according to Maaty, is “a form that starts where science ends in the same way science started where philosophy ended,” he mentioned.

It is the presentation of the influence of science through drama with a special focus on the workings of scientific advancements

“Philosophy is one kind of scientific thinking. With the progress of science, a new type of writing came up to use both science and literature in one form that became known as ‘Science fiction.’ It is the presentation of the influence of science through drama with a special focus on the workings of scientific advancements, but not science as it actually exists but its echoes and developments as perceived by a foreseeable mind. This predictive outlook tells us about the would-be inventions and discoveries, the future disasters, the arrival of visitors from the outer space and the rise of Utopias before they virtually materialize.”

Maaty underlines that myth and the supernatural are one form of early science fiction. It also permeates the stories of “One Thousand and One Nights”. At this point, he distinguishes between science fiction and fantasy. Unlike science fiction, fantasy isn’t always in presence of any scientific logic. “In Egypt, the trend began with some of the writings of Tawifk El Hakim, Yousif El Sebaee and Mostafa Mahmoud, but Nehad Sherif was the first to specialize in it since 1969, paving the way for others to follow in his footsteps.

After he wrote his first short story at the age of 19, Maaty met Naguib Mahfouz who later invited him to join his meetings with other literary figures and follow their discussions. In 1985, Maaty met with writer Yehia Haqi who read his story “Before the Storm” that presented the fears of someone who presaged the fall of a disaster until it really transpired. After several encounters, Haqi advised him to specialize in science fiction, underlining that specialty is always to the interest of a writer. Eventually, he directed him to Nehad Sherif’s science fiction seminars.

“My first encounter with Sherif came through his book ‘Take the Order of No. 4,’” recalled Maaty. “I was surprised to find out that what I wrote was very similar to what was in this story which I hadn’t then recognized as science fiction. I rushed to meet Nehad who warmly greeted me asking: what if you lived in the year 3000? Would you find the same problems we face today?” He elaborated, “The pioneer opened new horizons of thought and creativity, horizons replete with planets, galaxies, stars, atoms, electrons, beasts, dinosaurs, viruses, bacteria and so on. I discussed what I read with him and began to feel sort of charmed by a new world. I would always return from his seminars with a bevy of ideas that each could be adapted to a science fiction piece.”

The science fiction writer is a futurist who focuses more on what is to come. To create his own vision he has to read extensively all writings that foresee the future and look into the history of science and its present achievements.

So why is there only little demand for science fiction books in Egypt and the Arab World? Critics highlight that so far only a small elite of science-fiction writers are in center stage, which negatively reflects on the number of releases produced. This is due to the gap existing between what is taught in colleges and its application in daily life. Publishing houses are also reluctant to adopt that kind of writing fearing the returns it usually generates. Many intellectuals believe it should all start from school in creativity classes as it is the ideal way to spread scientific culture, which, once brought into focus, will create both the writer and the reader of science fiction. p

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MIND, BODY & SOUL

Mandalas:

Art as a Therapy

By Ola El Soueni

C

oloring Mandalas has taken the world by storm and has become so popular that almost all bookshops in Egypt offer them. It has proved to be a way to release stress and help people unwind from their daily lives and get in touch with their inner self. People get to play around with colors and experiment with a super fun activity that connects us to our inner child.

Menna El-Bakary, an expressive artist, learned how the magical effects of art therapy could help us relax.

What is mandala art?

Mandala art originated in India as a spiritual practice of Buddhism and Hinduism and represents drawings of shapes and symbols that are sketched within a circular design to symbolize the eternity of life. The center is your inner soul, and the outward circle is the universe, where each circle in between is a layer of emotions and thoughts. It is used for meditation and as a transformative healing tool.

Throughout the process, people express themselves artistically to resolve issues through their communication with their piece of art. In addition to that, art therapy helps people who are unable to express themselves using words to communicate silently with their drawings.

Once a person becomes aware of his feelings in the process of silencing the mind, the body and mind start to harmonize together. For someone with depression, it can be a way of breaking through some of the barriers that may be blocking psychotherapy.

Why are they such a recommended form of therapy?

The process allows you to silence your mind and use your imagination, which in itself is healing because it allows other things to be felt, experienced and discovered. You unfold a new language by pulling your unconscious, the center of your mandala, to the surface of awareness, the outer layer of the mandala.

While creating your own mandala, you go through a creative flow that you experience with the meditative effect that puts you in a state of continuous engagement and attachment to it. The mandala will distract you for at least a couple of hours, clarifying your mind in order to accept more challenges and better solutions for the daily problems we face.

Other than relieving stress, what else does coloring Mandalas heal?

Clarifying the mind will lead to better sleep, therefore, it can be used to help those who suffer from insomnia. With less suppressed emotions and thoughts, we become less anxious, making it a tool for fighting anxiety.

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There are also other benefits, which lie behind meanings that we learn and understand from a mandala. We learn that we are not weak, we are strong. The way the mandala reflects this is because we stand in the center and the outer circle is the outside world. Any center is a point of strength and force. It is a reflection of who we are and what we offer.

Another benefit is learning how to let go and move on, understood during the process of drawing the mandala. Sometimes, one would pause and notice that some shapes are not accurate or they don’t look nice, however, just let go of what you drew and move on. By the time the outer circle is reached and the mandala has been completed, everything goes in harmony. The shapes that you have paused at and thought of as ugly, blended into a beautiful piece of art, which reflects how we should look at life; as beautiful as it has been created.

Is there a certain technique with which Mandalas are drawn?

Find a comfortable place to sit, enjoy a few deep breaths, play your favorite music and diffuse an essential oil or candle. Consciously relax your body as you breathe in and out before you begin. As you draw and color, imagine your breaths filling your heart with gratitude and love, and breathe out the negativity that may be residing within.

Why do you think they are becoming a booming trend?

We all need some time to disconnect in order to carry on with our lives. We need more calmness, love and peace. The world revolves around us; it’s a reflection of what we give.

What do you think would be the difference between coloring an already drawn mandala and actually creating one from scratch?

When creating a mandala from scratch, you pass through two meditative flows: one when sketching it, and another while coloring it. Creating it allows you to set an intention, pour your emotions and thoughts and release your energy into it. It then carries meanings only you will feel and understand. You can think of the mandala as being energetically alive, a means of creating a pathway to a desired state of being. When you contemplate the mandala you are drawing, you will feel the intention you have set at the very beginning while noticing that the shapes you drew have created other shapes that you did not even see coming.

Can you tell the readers about your own experience with Mandalas?

I love reading and I always had that tendency to explore things to a deeper level. I always found the topic of energy and connection an extremely interesting one. On the other hand, I am a person who finds it difficult to speak out. At a time when I was weak and stressed, suppressing too many words was destroying my last bit of energy. I was either sleeping a lot and still feeling fatigued or I had insomnia, and so, I indulged into this art form, and I fell in love with my first mandala.

I discovered art in a different more healing way. They connected me with my inner soul and strengthened my self-awareness. The more I had hidden words, the more mandalas I drew.

How important is it to incorporate a relaxation technique in our daily hectic lives?

Of course it is essential and should be an important part of our lives.

Young or old, male or female, we all need to use different relaxation techniques, not necessarily mandala art. Each has a plate that should be filled with various hobbies to help in detaching from the daily errands that cloud our minds and soul.

Menna El-Bakary offers Mandala Art Therapy sessions at NeuroMed in Maadi.

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FEATURE

Documenting Egyptian Armenians The idea began when a group of friends went searching for photographs by the late photographer Van Leo, who in 1942 began his career in Cairo. Leo was the most renowned photographer of his time, and was popular for having the talent to transform people into celebrities. A documentary on Van Leo was the filmmaker’s original plan, but after meeting Eva Dadrian and hearing the numerous stories she had on Egyptian Armenians, the project was transformed by their combined efforts into the documentary “We are Egyptian Armenians.”

By Layal al rustom

Overview This 90-minute documentary featuring 34 interviews with egyptian armenians residing in egypt was released in 2016

by Film house in egypt and is directed by Waheed sobhi, scripted by eva Dadrian and executively produced by hanan ezzat. The film screened at the cairo international Film Festival, as well as at the Karama Jordon film Festival and the international Documentary Film Festival amsterdam (iDFa). travelling to wherever egyptian armenians immigrated to, it will soon be screened as far as montreal, canada, in addition to various egyptian cities including the Luxor african Film Festival (LaFF) this coming march.

The documentary is in arabic with english subtitles and focuses on armenians living in contemporary egypt, specifically during the last 150 years. The narrators tell stories that they witnessed or stories they heard from their ancestors. in a short interview, sobhi tells us: “all that is being said in the documentary are stories that people are telling out of their personal experiences. no script was given to them. We only ask questions and let them speak.”

Van Leo in his stuDio

The positioning of egyptian prior to armenian in the title implies that the community discussed is egyptian yet with an armenian culture. They are egyptian to the extent that some of them only carry the citizenship and some have served in the egyptian military. George nubar simonian, a professor at helwan university and owner of nubar printing house founded in 1939, stated in the documentary, “i served in the egyptian navy and that makes me proud. i am egyptian of armenian origin.”

HistOrical accOunt The voices of narrator shenouda Fahmy alongside eva Dadrian provided historical facts to complete the personal accounts told. While some were already visiting family in egypt when the 1915 genocide started and had to remain in egypt, many others came from musa Dagh, or “mount moses”, which is now in turkey. Fahmy narrated, “on september 15, 1915 after two days of sailing, over 4000 refugees from musa Dagh arrived in Port said on board six warships of the Third naval squadron of the French fleet in the mediterranean.”

Documentary Poster

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Royal family picture by photographer Archag Karagueuzian

Documentary researcher Ezzat explained, “Armenians were in Egypt long before the duration we are speaking about in the film, but we had to focus on the contemporary period.”

After watching the documentary, Jirayr Shoushanian, an Egyptian Armenian, told us, “I like that the film portrayed truthfully that Armenians are part of Egypt and that they had a significant role in the various arts. I felt that Armenians gave from their soul and added it to the Egyptian spirit and hence they were both knotted together.”

History is narrated by various voices as they complete each other’s stories. Incidents from Mohamed Ali’s reign, and how he supported and distributed jobs amongst Armenians, to King Farouk’s, which ended in 1952, gave the audience a fuller image of how Egypt embraced all citizens.

The freedom Egypt gave combined with the talents and professionalism of Armenians is what enabled a booming in various fields like arts, industry and businesses. It came as no surprise that during the 1920s and until the 1950s, the number of Armenians increased drastically as family members would encourage the remaining family and friends to move to Egypt. The Armenians were given the opportunity to restart their lives where they were accepted for their foreign language and respected for their talents.

Excelling Armenians The documentary gives many examples from various fields.

To focus on one profession, since this was the original idea of the documentary, Armenians excelled in photography.

For example: Pascal Sebah and Abdallah Brothers were the earliest photographers who came to Egypt from Constantinople. Kegham Diradour was the first to open a Kodak shop in downtown Cairo and one of the first to enter and photograph Tutankhamen’s tomb upon its discovery.

Archag Karagueuzian was the personal photographer of King Farouk and accompanied him in all his travels.

Ruminating on his father’s legacy in the documentary, Eddy Karagueuzian mentioned that in every royal palace there was a dark room especially made for his father to develop and print pictures of the royal family and their events.

What Enabled Booming in Egypt “Tolerance is the key word for any strong state. Egypt attracted people because there was tolerance…Cairo between

King Farouk with his personal photographer Archag Karagueuzian

1900 and 1952 on three occasions was nominated as the most beautiful city in the world. Talents thrive in a free environment and there was freedom in Egypt.”

These were the first lines by the vibrant voice of Alexandrian writer Ibrahim Abdel Meguid, who,as an Egyptian represents the voice of cosmopolitan Alexandria. Sobhi reveals to us that the reason behind choosing Abdel Meguid as a main narrator was because he is a witness to cosmopolitan Alexandria. “We were looking for someone, not to tell us history, but rather one who has witnessed and interacted with Egyptian Armenians.

Someone who considers them a neighbor, a friend and a brother.”

An interview with Abdel Meguid reveals his passion for a cosmopolitan city and his influence by the message in this film,”You know why Egypt was entitled ‘Om El Donia’ (The World’s mother)? Some say that it was given the name because it is one of the world’s oldest countries, but in my opinion, and most importantly, it is Om El Donia because anyone could come and find himself at home in Egypt, and this is the greatness of this country. This period was precisely from the reign of Mohamed Ali until 1952.” feb 2017 | Ct

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FEATURE The Downfall It was because of Nasser’s policy of “Egyptianization” followed by his “Nationalization” projects that many immigrants began leaving Egypt in the 1950s. The documentary gives us a historical glimpse of the 1950s and 1960s. Many Armenians started leaving and many of those who remained had to start businesses anew.

When we asked Abdel Meguid to further comment on the period bridging the present state and the 1950s advancement in Egypt, he noted, “There were two periods: the first began with the ‘Arab Union’ and this is when people were beginning to be inimical to immigrants. However, this increased after the 1956 war as some immigrants were exiled and Egyptian Jews were seen as Zionists.

Following Nasser’s projects, more people and investors migrated. This step was a huge mistake because it ended up eliminating the diversity in our society. Culture is not just tied to nations but it is tied to humanity whose basis is acceptance, tolerance and forgiveness of the other. This increased during Sadat’s presidency in the 1970s when it became more Islamist, and hence the Wahabi ideology spread, and we entered to what today we are paying the price of.”

CENTENNIAl OF ARMENIAN GENOCIdE STONE IN PORT SAId

armenian heriTage Although a lesser population lives in Egypt today, the Egyptian Armenians residing in Egypt belong to one of two denominations: Apostolic, which composes the majority, and Catholic. The documentary portrayed them all as Armenians and showed how they were able to beautifully preserve their heritage through building churches, schools and clubs. H.G. Bishop Krikor Coussa of the Catholic church narrates: “The Armenians found security in this country after they settled and started to work and they contributed to the development of Egypt parallel to what they built.

This helped preserve language, culture and rituals.”

It is within the triangular space of Armenian churches, schools and clubs that the community united and the Armenian heritage is preserved.”

PROUdIAN FlIPPING THROUGH SKETCHES BY RITA

In 2015, Armenians all around the world commemorated the centenary of the genocide, in which over a million Armenians were systematically exterminated by the Young Turks that ruled the Ottoman Empire at the time.

The fifth generation of Egyptian Armenians born and living in Egypt is represented in the documentary by 13 year old Rita Kevaorkian, who attends the Kalousdian Nubarian Armenian school. Rita is a talented young artist who draws portraits and still-life. She entered competitions and art exhibitions and plans on entering the fine arts school. The documentary began with Vahram Proudian, who is the oldest member of the community, flipping through portrait sketches by Kevorkian and ends with her story.

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SHOT CAPTUREd WHIlE FIlMING

Revealing their Belonging to Egypt At the end of the documentary, the various voices of narrators express their love and belonging to Egypt. Alex Alexanian, one of the narrators, stated that: “Sometimes I am asked whether I am Egyptian or Armenian. No I am Egyptian and Armenian. The two are inseparable.” The term “khawaga” or foreigner, is a common title to someone with an accent in the spoken Arabic or someone with a non Egyptian origin, where sometimes the term is associated with a profession, nonetheless the term is accepted from both sides. “It is true that I am Armenian and people call me ‘Khawaga.’ I do not mind, in fact I am a ‘Khawaga’ but in my heart I am Egyptian,” explained Garabed Kahiaian in the documentary.

Dadrian further portrays this sense of belonging and love to Egypt: “I may have given very little to Egypt, but Egypt has given me so much.”

While shooting Eva Dadrian and the centennial flower

Essam Kamel on the Importance of the Documentary The documentary should be taught in schools for children to understand the meaning of coexistence, to inform them of the historical figures in Egyptian history and to introduce them to the Armenian genocide. After watching the documentary, Essam Kamel, editor in chief of Veto newspaper, and a friend of Egyptian Armenians, commented on the documentary saying: “It portrays a very important humanitarian side, and touches you greatly as it takes you from an inhuman genocide and massacres to the humanitarian side that Egypt represents and has been described and experienced by the characters.”

In his opinion, one of the cons of the film is its long duration. Nonetheless, he added that this documentary could be the beginning of a series of documentaries because every shot and every character in the film has a long story behind it and is therefore in itself a film topic.

Theme and Conclusion “We are Egyptian Armenians” is a story of a country that welcomed and accepted other cultures and speaks about how foreigners who came to live in Egypt enabled the country to enrich its culture through arts. As Sobhi remarked, “The integration of cultures is what differentiated Egypt, but today it is different, and this difference is what we wanted to portray. My dream is for the film to reach all people as a film on Egypt and not merely on Armenians. Egypt is my message!”

Today is an era where different people are pointed at and excluded from the culture, and hence the term “Egyptian Armenian” is necessary to reaffirm the existence of an identity that survived. Abdel Meguid further explains that the term “Egyptian Armenian” did not exist: “They were Egyptians; no one asked them where they are from. The title reaffirms their identity as Egyptians and it is their voice, which became Egyptian while holding on to their heritage and traditions.”p

Musician Yehia Khalil amidst film crew during the screening in Ararat Club

Film makers Waheed Sobhi, Eva Dadrian, Hannan Ezzat with Anoushka while filming

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FEATURE

EGYPtiAN ArMENiANs thAt hAvE MADE A DiffErENCE Boghos Bey Yusufian (1768 – 1844) Boghos Bey Yusufian was such a successful businessman that he soon became the Governor Mohamed Ali’s partner. Boghos Bey was appointed the Wali’s chief dragoman, or translator, first counselor, official spokesman, Minister of Commerce and Foreign Affairs, and for decades, Egypt’s leading statesman.

Nubar Pasha Nubarian (1825 – 1899) the first Prime Minister of Egypt A uniquely gifted statesman, Nubar Pasha Nubarian held the highest administrative posts for five decades, achieved international stature and left his decisive imprint on Egypt’s modernization, especially in the sphere of social justice.

Dikran Pasha D’abro (1846 – 1904) Dikran Pasha D’abro started his career by becoming a secretary to Nubar Pasha. Within a year, Dikran became the recording secretary of the International Conference on the Mixed Courts, and then in 1873–1876, he was appointed the secretary of the Committee for Judicial Reform. Dikran was granted the title of Bey in 1873. In 1881, he was appointed Foreign Minister. After the Urabi revolt of 1882, Dikran was selected by Khedive Taufique, along with another Armenian, Yervant (a counselor of the Minister of War), to negotiate with the British, and find a formula to satisfy the parties involved.

Ya’cub Artin Pasha Cherakian (1842-1919) Ya’cub Artin Pasha was known as al Ustaz al Kabir, or the Great Teacher, for his landmark reforms in Egyptian education. After beginning his longtime service in the Ministry of Education, Ya’cub Artin Pasha was able to complete the work initiated by his father, Artin Bey, and his father’s brother-in-law, Yusuf Bey Hekekian, who stressed the need to adopt progressive ideas and instituted a secular program of public education, which would benefit the children of the elite and the commoners alike. Artin

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Bey and Yusuf Bey collaborated in establishing the Arts and Crafts School of Alexandria, founded the Engineering School of Bulaq and played an important role in creating the Department of Antiquities within the Ministry of Education to list the classified monuments.

Boghos Nubar Pasha Nubarian (1851-1930) After completing engineering studies in France, the son on Nubar Pasha, Boghos Nubar Pasha Nubarian, returned to Egypt in 1878 and became director of the Railway Administration. He expanded the railway system and carried out administrative reforms with the collaboration of Takvor Pasha Hagopian. He also participated in the formation of the Agricultural Company and in 1986 organized an association for the development of the Ramle Tramways in Alexandria as well as the Menzele Estates.

For the Water Company, he prepared extensive irrigation plans for Cairo and an all-inclusive plan for Sudan, which was then under Egyptian rule. He was awarded many gold medals for his invention of an automated plow, which broke up even the driest soil.

Gerald Papasian Born in Egypt of Armenian parents, Gerald Papasian comes from a well-known music family that founded the first major music stores, The Papasian Music Stores, including musical instruments, in the 1920’s in Alexandria and later in Cairo. His grandfather, Jules Papasian, was a well-known tuner and piano builder (Papasian Pianos) whose services were solicited allover the African continent and the Middle East. He was also a music impressario who invited such celebrity musicians as Alfred Cortot and others to give concerts in his concert halls in Egypt. Gerald Papasian studied piano since the age of four under the tutelage of his great aunt Nevart Damadian, a graduate of the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris and a renowned piano teacher, working way into her eighties, at the Cairo Music Conservatoire.

Choosing to combine his love of theatre with his musical upbringing, Gerald Papasian dedicated his life to a career in theatre. He studied Directing and Acting at the State Fine and Dramatic Arts Institute in Soviet Armenia.

Ashud Papazian Amid the hustle and bustle of Cairo’s Ataba Square lies a longstanding watchmaker’s shop – the last of its kind in Egypt. No family has kept the profession alive quite like the Papazians.

At the turn of the 20th century, Armenian watchmaker Francis Papazian jumped on a ship travelling from Turkey to Alexandria.

When he made it to Cairo, Papazian started working alongside the city’s most successful watchmakers of the time, such as the Jewish watchmakers Ruben Zelnick and Sussman.

In 1903, Papazian established Maison Francis Papazian.

Though Francis passed away in 1940, his sons and grandsons have continued carrying on the business ever since. “We have maintained everything in the shop as it was,” said Papazian’s grandson, Ashod. “We do not employ plastic or aluminum. It’s all wood. This is why you get this feeling when you walk in – you feel like you’re in a museum.”

Ashod, who currently manages the business with his brother, keeps the spirit of the old watch shop alive by ensuring that new furniture pieces brought to the store are genuine antiques and contribute to the old-worldliness of Maison Francis Papazian.

A uniquely gifted statesman, Nubar Pasha Nubarian held the highest administrative posts for five decades.

GERAlD PAPASIAN

STATuE oF NubAR PASHA

EGyPTIAN RAIlWAy STATIoN

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FEATURE

ANouSHKA

MAToSSIAN BroTHErS

The Matossian Brothers Egypt’s largest tobacco factory was founded by the Matossian brothers of Tokat. Some 70,000 Armenians worked at the Matossian Tobacco factories. Between 1895-1896, 90% of Egypt’s cigarette production bore the trademark of Armenian owned factories. In the first quarter of the 20th century, the Armenian tobacco industry expanded to such an extent that it dominated the markets of Egypt and Sudan, becoming the chief supplier of Addis-Ababa and other Ethiopian cities.

Krikor Papazian Another area of industry dominated by the Armenians was shoemaking famous for its state-of-the-art workmanship and designs. Krikor Papazian was the shoemaker serving the royal family and elite circles. The Sukiassian Company specialized in tanning, leather treatment and shoe manufacturing for the wholesale market.

Publishing and Printing Sarkis Darpinian founded Ararat Press in 1895, and Marie Beylerian started Ardemis Publishing House and a women’s journal of the same name in 1902. The publisher Bakraduni and Yervant Messerlian operated Vosguedar or Golden Letter press in 1914. The Nubar Printing Press, a family enterprise founded at the turn of the century, still operates up until today. In Alexandria, K. Nazaretian established the Nazaretian Press in 1899, S. Tufenguian started Petag or Beehive House in 1903 and the poet Vahan Tekeyan formed Tekeyan and Company Publishers in 1905.

Commerce Another profitable development was the cultivation and largescale export of the mandarin, a fruit introduced by Yusuf al-Armani. Yusuf Effendi al-Armani, bought and brought with him mandarin saplings from the Island of Malta, and planted it in Muhammed Ali’s orchard. The fruit became popular and its production was so lucrative that it was named Yusuf Effendi after the enterprising Armenian who introduced it.

Education In 1834, Artin Cherakian, who had studied civil administration,

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YuSuF EFFENDI

organized the School of Engineering, or Madrasat al-Handasah, at Bulaq, with the help of Yusuf Bey Hekekian, who had studied engineering in England. In September of the same year, he started the Bookkeeping and Accounting School, or Madrasat al-Idara.

In 1835, he joined with Sdepan Demirdjian, who had studied diplomacy, in organizing the School of Civil Administration and Translation at the Citadel. In his turn, Yusuf Hekekian organized the School of Mines, which later became a division of the School of Engineering.

Ya’cub Artin Pasha, Egypt’s Education Minister and son of Artin Bey Cherakian, inaugurated Egypt’s first school for girls in 1873. Armenians also took the initiative of opening Egypt’s first kindergarten in 1890.

Literature Arpiar Arpiarian (December 21, 1851 – February 12, 1908) was an influential 19th-century Armenian writer, the pioneer of realism in Armenian literature and a political activist.

Arts Kartanios Garbis Slim (born in Cairo, Egypt on March 5, 1960), better known by her stage name Anoushka, is an Egyptian singer and actress. Her most recent success was the role she excelled in, in the television series “Grand Hotel”.

Perouz Artin Kalfayan (March 25, 1943 – January 30, 2016) was an Egyptian film child actress who is better known by her professional name Feyrouz. She starred in more than 10 films as actress, singer, dancer and entertainer. Her biggest role was in Dahab (1953). She was known as the Shirley Temple of Egypt.

Nelly Artin Kalfayan (born January 3, 1949 in Cairo, Egypt), better known by the mononym Nelly, is an Egyptian actress, singer, comedian, dancer, television personality, and all-around entertainer.

Alexander Saroukhan was an Armenian-Egyptian cartoonist and caricaturist whose arine drawings have appeared in a number of Arabic and international newspapers and magazines. He is considered one of the best and most famous caricaturists in the Arab world. p

FEATURE

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Best of C o m m u n i t y t i m e s Covers in the last

Y e a r s

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We have picked the most powerful covers that portrays diverse subjects from featured stories on the community, to culture, education, style, heritage, environmental issues, travel, influencers and much more.

Feb 2017 | Ct

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FEATURE

StAndout ArtIcleS from the

Last 21 Years

For the last 21 years, Community Times has focused on bringing the reader an in-depth insight on everything about the community, from education, entrepreneurs, culture and travel, meanwhile shedding light on issues we face while highlighting Egyptian prospects and projects.

Screaming out for the Defenseless: A Plea for Animal Rights in Egypt By hazem Zohny August 2007 Seeing as laws will tend to reflect the cultural mentality behind them, perhaps the key is to battle those very mentalities to start with. But to do this, the proponent of animal rights is met with an impregnable institution: religion.

The notion that animals are impure and that dogs actually ward off angels are so ingrained into the general population’s mindset, that mere public debate of the matter is futile. Nevertheless, the belief that animals are impure at some metaphysically-ordained level, unfounded as it is, does not denote that cruelty to them is acceptable. One does not follow from the other, and so there must be more to our insensitivity to animals than misplaced beliefs.

Belts of Misery: The Slums of Egypt

By Amina Ismail June 2009 The house was attacked with cracks, due to the poor material used in the construction, as well as the amateurish plan set by the contractor. Hence, Ghareeb filed a complaint and accordingly, specialists and engineers examined the house and concluded that it could collapse at anytime. The court released a resolution to remove the building and supply the family with six apartments instead. Nonetheless, the house collapsed on most of the family, killing five members. According to Ghareeb, the government took too long to react, and it took them six years and a catastrophe to give the apartments they had promised to the people.

Abducted by Cancer Safeya Abdel Ghaffer shares her personal experience August 2012 When you have cancer, you go through many phases; they might change from one person to another. My first phase was denial, and the second was guilt. I was guilty for turning my family’s life upside-down. I was guilty that they were suffering because of me. I was guilty for leaving my children behind and being deprived of their mother. I started blaming myself for my illness. I kept on browsing the Internet for reasons that caused that illness, but there weren’t any. The amount of love and support and reassurance I got from my family, friends and co-workers amazed me. It was the only thing that got me through the second phase. I started feeling that I had no hand in it and stopped blaming myself for my cancer.

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Yadaweya’s Inspirational Heritage Emporium

By Marwa Farouk June 2013 Yadaweya is an online, storytelling, sightseeing marketplace for Egyptian handicrafts. It is a platform for sharing stories of our rich heritage and splendid unconventional places in Egypt. Yadaweya aims to sustain authentic craftsmanship and reveal Egypt’s true beauty in the form of tasteful, unadulterated Egyptian legacies. It is your merchant, ranger, tour guide and the voice of your favorite artist/artisan telling you the ancestral story behind every piece.

Dahshour: A Successful Model of Community Development

By Eleonora Vio September 2013 Lush rural landscapes, seasonal marshlands, exotic flora and fauna, vast deserts, ancient monuments and traditional villages are just some of the beautiful features of the region surrounding Dahshour. But Dahshour is at the center of a media whirlwind due to the illegal expansion of a cemetery threatening the ancient and partly unexplored archaeological site. The site is also a key part of a development program that has successfully balanced the preservation of the heritage and culture of the site and region with community development.

Pioneer Women March 2014 An ordinary Egyptian woman, little is known about the early years of Om Ali’s life. She began her career as a nurse in a doctor’s clinic in Port Said, but refused to leave when the city was evacuated during the 1956 war. Staying behind, she tended to the wounded and helped hide and smuggle some of the Fedayeen out of Port Said during the war. She also helped in providing arms to her colleagues, hiding the weapons in fish baskets and under her patients’ beds. heroic endeavors are still remembered by Port Said’s residents.

Shahenda Maklad: Mother of the Farmers

By Zeinab Abul Gheit May 2014 A fighter for human rights, Shahenda Maklad spent her life defending the rights of the poor and the marginalized. As a relentless activist, she has made changing the society her lifelong mission, never shying away from attacking the policies of the rulers of Egypt. Under Sadat, Maklad was detained several times for attacking the Camp David Accord. On the anniversary of the unity with Syria, the then 20-year old activist Maklad attacked feudalism in Egypt during a meeting held in the city of Shebin ElKom. After the 1967 setback, she, along with 70 volunteer farmers, joined the popular resistance. Now in her 70s, Maklad is still affectionately known as the “Mother of the Farmers” for her commitment to the peasants, and continuing support for social equality.

Egyptian Athletes that have gained International Recognition July 2016 Just when you thought that the sport’s events of the summer will end with the Champion’s League, think again. We have the biggest sport’s event of the year coming up, The Olympics, which will be in the happening in the Happy City of Rio de Janiero. And isn’t it about time we cheered on our own athletes as they participate for international recognition in the world’s most respected competitions?

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FEATURE Unraveling Egypt’s Labor Force

By Tanya El Kashef December 2014 While Egypt’s largely young demographic plays a significant role in the high unemployment rates, there are certainly other factors at play. The inefficiency of the public education system could be regarded as the primary cause of the shortcomings of the labor force; apart from the lack of skills training at these educational institutions, and the limitations this creates for real life work opportunities, it is important to note that among the jobs that become available to those who are qualified, few of the positions truly fulfill the needs of a young person looking to become independent. In fact, the job hunt itself is further entangled with social expectations and stigmas, which are a critical hindering factor in professional opportunities.

Arranged Marriages: Egypt’s Version of Blind Dating

By Basma Moustafa April 2015 Marriage never ceases to be a hot topic in Egypt: whether it is the marriage of a family member, the pressure (and prayers) to get married, or the sometimes inevitable end of marriages in divorce, much centers around marriage in Egypt. While some families recognize the merits of allowing their children to go out and meet their own partners, arranged marriages are still quite common in Egypt. But arranged marriage is not just the stuff of parents. While many men and women prefer to seek out their own partners, others opt for the more formal, organized arrangements that come through parents and family friends.

The ABC’s of Learning Disabilities

By Bahira Amin February 2016 According to specialists who work with children who have learning disabilities, the problem with school systems in Egypt is that they are based on standardization. They are tailored to an imaginary “normal” child, a baseline to which all other students must conform. Instruction is based almost solely on a verbal-linguistic learning style, in spite of the fact that it is only one of several possible styles. If students do not fit the mold, they are left behind. The system does not acknowledge that children are inherently different, and thus require a system that accommodates their needs rather than rejects them.

Miral Enaba: The Egyptian Female Pilot

By Rana Kamaly March 2016 The sky from the cockpit is magnificent and breathtaking especially around sunset or sunrise, when it becomes colorful with all shades of orange, blue and white. Also, the stars can be magical, its like you are in another galaxy or out of space.

Speeding into the clouds is a dream come true… like being in the driver’s seat of a fast car, where you are in control, yet feel the huge responsibility of all those passengers with you.

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Beginners’ Guide to Living Outside Cairo

By Enas El Masry January 2017 Disillusioned with the allure of the big cities and the promise for a better tomorrow, a minority of youth who dare to question the status quo, but mostly dare to live outside the boundaries of the norm, have started turning their backs on the plastic life of the city, hoping for a life fueled with more meaning and value than keeping up with the pop-culture and its consumerist behavior.

Stepping into La Villa

By Sally El-Sabbahy May 2011 Alexandria’s first luxury boutique hotel is bringing back old school style in all the right ways. The calming pale yellow ambience that envelops you upon setting foot in La Villa is a startling contrast to the bustling and beeping Alexandrian Corniche located merely footsteps away. Once the private home of the late Ismail Teymour Pasha, the Grand Chamberlain to King Farouk, this majestic yet intimate villa has been transformed into a high-end boutique hotel – the first to become available in Alexandria. With five suites on offer and a highly attentive staff and owner, it is sure to become a hit with those seeking a little private escapism.

The World of Stage Design

By Ahmed Maged April 2010 Many tend to associate stage decoration with interior design, but for stage designer Mahmoud Hanafi it is a totally different experience. It was a critical moment in his life. The large audience took their places at the big theatre as the spotlight flooded the stage to mark the beginning of the show. His heart pounded with excitement and fear when the curtain drew open to reveal his first stage design. Ironically, the show was titled “El Mutafael” (The Optimist), when the designer drowned in a sea of pessimism. Although his fondness for theatre was his only guarantee for success, he was never sure about the audience’s reaction.

Mashaweer: Anything, Anywhere

By Lamya Hussein Marafi February 2012 Mashaweer (errands) is Egypt’s first personal service company originally launched in Alexandria in March 2010 and just recently in Cairo. The company was founded by a group of young Egyptian entrepreneurs who come from various academic backgrounds.

Mashaweer’s mission is to discover, develop and deliver ideas that improve the quality of life by meeting the daily personal needs of every citizen given Egypt’s jammed traffic. This service company is not really a courier, but more of a personal assistant where they help by buying, paying and delivering anything; paying bills, running errands such as grocery shopping or other personal items.

Eat Ma7ali

By Mostafa Ismail February 2015 Bassem Khalifa and Ziad Abou El Nasr are two friends who dedicated their lives to food – but not just any food. Their focus is on healthy, nourishing and creatively prepared food. With Khalifa’s background in environmental studies and Abou El Nasr’s farming experience, the two came together to create a revolutionary movement in the healthy food market, and opened Ma7ali. p Feb 2017 | Ct

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COMMUNITY Entrepreneur

Shaghalni: Connecting Employees and Employers

By Ola El Soueni

Many find hiring skilled employees, such as blue-collar jobseekers, a challenging task.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a proper database of this caliber available, in spite the constant need for them for different jobs. It is the same for other jobseekers as they may find it difficult to get informed of vacant jobs that need their expertise.

In addition, it is quite challenging in Egypt to find dedicated hard working personnel aspiring for a career that suits their skills.

I

n order to bridge the gap between jobseekers and employers, the Shaghalni website was developed to connect both parties, making getting a job only a click away.

The website is user friendly, and a job seeker is required only to fill in basic information that mainly lists his qualifications and some personal data. On the website, people can also check out the most viewed jobs and the number of applicants’ profiles available.

Omar Khalifa, founder of Shaghalni, officially launched the website in 2015. Expanding the reach of employees and exposing them to different career opportunities are the main reasons behind coming up with this much-needed concept. Khalifa is also the owner of the media company Omedia, which focuses on buying international magazine rights and publishing them in Egypt with a local twist.

We talked with Khalifa to give our readers more insight on Shaghalni.

What inspired you to come up With the idea ?

Unemployment is a huge problem in many countries, especially with all the economic hardships and political turmoil that is taking place all around the world. It goes without saying that it has a bigger magnitude in developing countries, especially the Middle East.

Ever since I graduated from university, I wanted to create a project that would contribute to solving unemployment in a positive and efficient way. After researching what is currently available, such as employment websites, employment fairs and newspaper adverts, I found out that they mainly target highly educated jobseekers, who do not represent the real problem. I realized that there is a missing link between blue-collar employers and jobseekers where both are looking but have limited ways to connect. Shaghalni made perfect sense to help unprivileged jobseekers find decent jobs by posting simple information on their profiles for employers to see and contact them if interested.

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I wanted to create a project that would contribute to solving unemployment in a positive and efficient way.

Who manages shaghalni?

Shaghalni is managed by Omedia, which is my magazine publishing company, and was developed by DCI-International.

It was launched in 2010 where young and inspired staff manage the website.

Another issue is that we don’t have enough investors in Egypt.

I have been rejected by many who failed to see the potential of Shaghalni. If you look at Lebanon for example, their young generation is booming and they don’t face the same issues we face here.

What makes shaghalni different from other recruitment Websites?

Where do you see shaghalni in five years?

The whole process is 100% free for both employers and jobseekers. The website makes its money from selling advertising space rather than brokerage.

Who are your target users?

Our main target is blue-collar or middle class jobseekers who do not necessarily have access to the same privileges that others do, as most recruitment websites focus on well-built resumes. We believe that there are plenty of worthy talents that deserve to get a fair chance.

What do you consider as shaghalni’s biggest achievement so far?

The first achievement is that the website has been created and is up and running, which was quite challenging! It seems simple, but it took extensive effort and a great deal of thinking to get where we are now. However, we aren’t anywhere close to what we want to achieve yet, but I would say that our main aim is to help thousands and hopefully millions of jobseekers find better opportunities.

What are the major obstacles that you faced?

Financing was the main obstacle. The idea of Shaghalni was in mind six years ago, but I was only able to create and get it running at the beginning of 2015 as it needs a lot of financing because our target audience is huge.

I see it as the main website that jobseekers and employers use to seek better opportunities and get connected to their right employers to carry out their dream jobs and make a decent living. I also see it expanding and operating on a bigger scale in Egypt and other countries with high unemployment rates to solve this major issue and provide better lives to many. p

We believe that there are plenty of worthy talents that deserve to get a fair chance.

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Fieldwork Cairo Marriott Hosts Global Dinners to Support World Food Program The Cairo Marriot Hotel joins the global community in the advance towards the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations for the year 2030, with focus on the goal of eliminating world hunger and malnutrition.

The World Economic Forum held in Switzerland, which discusses food security, recently incorporated a series of advocacy dinners that aim to create awareness about the UN’s goals against hunger, into its agenda.

Ten cities from around the globe were selected as hosts for the dinners; Cairo, Egypt was fortunate enough to be among them where the Cairo Marriot was the host on January 12, partnering up with MBC Masr and MBC Al Amal, and attended by various high-profile celebrities and humanitarian personnel. This comes in line with Cairo Marriott’s “Spirite to Serve” initiatives for events that are aiming to enhance the lives of many and dream big enough to change the world!

The dinner took place in Aida Ballroom featuring Chef Hassan’s luscious meals as well as calls for action towards a Zero Hunger world.

Attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner made from Egypt’s four food staples: fresh fruit, meat, beans and bread, whilst listening to speeches by actress Hend Sabry and others regarding the insecure food communities in Egypt.

Attendees of the event did not only learn about nutrition issues facing Egyptian society, but were also presented with the opportunity to become an active part of these issues’ solution. Tablets placed around the ballroom provided them with direct links towards donation forms for World Food Programme operations regionally. The WFP’s application, titled “Share The Meal” was also introduced at the dinner. The application allows users to contribute meals particularly towards Syrians affected by the ongoing conflict in the region.

Hend Sabry, the WFP Ambassador, took to the stage to announce the launch of a social media campaign through the partnership between WFP and MBC Al Amal. The campaign, which began two weeks prior to the event to continue for another two weeks following it, aims to maximize the outreach of the WFP’s regional programs, in addition to collecting donations through the aforementioned forms. p

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Advertorial

New stylish club

in Alexandria

W

est City Club is Alexandria’s newest multi-sports and social exclusive members’ club that offers an impressive range of sporting facilities including; beautifully presented soccer courts, tennis courts with fabulous grass courts, croquet, glass-backed squash courts, volleyball, handball, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, gym, health club, physiotherapy and beauty clinic, and covered halls for different collective sports. Birthday parties and even art classes are available! Annual competitions, kids camps and coaching are offered at the club to enjoy and improve your sport.

Following tradition, the club also has a thriving social scene, along with the sociable club house, restaurants and cafés that provide delicious meals and healthy snacks.

Not only that, West City Club has a kids building and kids activity centre as well as a shopping and activity centre.

Nestled at the edge of Alexandria, the club is the perfect setting for a wide range of events.

A variety of packages and extensive sporting facilities - cycling days, golf tuition and tennis clinics - are available for members and non-members to entertain clients or unite a team.

For more information or to arrange a club tour, contact the Marketing and Membership Manager on 19710 or email info@westcityclub.com

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Green Community

A Panorama of Preserving

Desert Life at Arabia’s Wildlife Centre Written by Ahmed Kafafi

Arabia’s Wildlife Centre in Sharjah is the second largest wildlife reserve in the world. In addition to preserving desert animals on the verge of extinction, it highlights the desert as a rich ecosystem and not the barren, dry territory it is occasionally seen as.

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O

n the Sharjah-Dhaid road, a modern building stands in the heart of the sandy desert.

Facing the monument marking the selection of Sharjah as the cultural capital of the Arab World in 1997, the building reflects this distinction. This is Arabia’s Wildlife Centre that exhibits a wide range of desert creatures, varying from reptiles, invertebrates and marine organisms, to different species of birds and mammals. Upon entering the centre, the negative perception about the desert as a barren territory that only harbours reserves of oil and minerals fades away as one begins to realize that the desert is also home to unusual plants as well as multiple species of animals including gazelles, birds, baboons, lynxes and most importantly, the Arabian leopard, one of the rarest animals in the world. It is as rich an ecosystem as the rainforests of the Amazon and the Arctic tundra.

About the Centre As most of these species are on the verge of extinction, setting up a centre to protect them became an urgent necessity, thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the ruler of Sharjah. The centre is devoted to the desert habitat with as many as 120,000 visitors every year. Many are students on field trips, but there are those that come to find out more about the heritage of an area better known for harbouring 40% of the world’s proven oil reserves. Arabia’s Wildlife Centre in Sharjah is the only member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria in the Middle East.

Here, the endangered animals are well taken care of with the aim of releasing them into their natural habitat. While the centre shelters and exhibits these species, to protect them remains its main concern, placing it above traditional zoological parks.

Upon entering the centre, the negative perception about the desert as a barren territory that only harbours reserves of oil and minerals fades away

This government-funded centre is home to the world’s largest collection of animals and birds indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula. Conservation is the result of the presence of many specialists and operation rooms that function behind the animals’ enclosures.

Contrary to the concepts of conventional zoos or safaris, the enclosures, viewed through glass walls, are large stretches of land surrounded by towering rocks that act as barriers and are equipped with pools, shrubs or sand, depending on the animals’ original natural milieu. Birds are set free in a large welllit, air-conditioned hall that includes trees, artificial streams and outcrops. The reptiles and rodents are kept in glass-fronted cages, and since many desert animals are nocturnal, sections of the centre are kept dark during visiting hours, lighting up only when it is closed for the night.

Animals are rotated in the glass cages so that they don’t get bored or stressed out, which is in line with the centre’s policy as a breeding and research centre that cares primarily for the welfare of the animals.

Photographed by Ahmed Kafafi

Photographed by Ahmed Kafafi

Photographed by Ahmed Kafafi

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Green Community Reasons Behind Extinction At a time, desert animals lived normally in their natural surroundings. Excessive hunting, however, sent the first warning that these species were at risk of extinction. Hunting, one of the leisure activities in the Arabian Peninsula, is only one aspect of the issue, the other critical factor being the constructional invasion that deprived the animals of a considerable part of their habitat.

As construction swept over the desert, some of the animals failed to obtain their ordinary quota of prey and died of starvation. Others that managed to access inhabited areas were spotted and killed.

An obvious example is the Arabian leopard, a species of which 200 of them are still alive in Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman. They are living primarily on catching gazelles and wild goats. When the mountains in Yemen were depleted of these two species as a result of excessive hunting, many leopards starved to death and others that came near the farms to hunt sheep were killed by the farmers.

In captivity, the Arabian leopard is left with an acute sense of persecution. During many occasions, the female shrugs off its cubs, refusing to show any maternal care. Two cubs had to be raised by specialists because of a lack of interest on the part of the mother. Animal care takes place in isolated departments located away from the visitors’ air-conditioned passageways.

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As construction swept over the desert, some of the animals failed to obtain their ordinary quota of prey and died of starvation.

Now, many restrictions are being imposed on hunting, with heavy fines to violators.

Some amateurs living in rural areas visit the centre with rare catches. They trap the animals as they enter their farms and instead of killing them, the villagers approach the centre in an attempt to receive financial gain, however, officials turn down these offers to avoid encouraging people to hunt.

The centre is being provided with animals by authorized organizations and only with the aim of allowing them to procreate in the centre. At a later stage, some are released into the wild with electronic detectors to trace their movements.

Apart from Arabian leopards, the centre houses the Arabian Oryx, driven into extinction during the 1960s, and the Houbara bustards whose population was also depleted by hunters. Other rare animals include Gordon’s Wildcats, the nocturnal feline-like genet and the Rock Hyrax, a tree-loving animal that looks like a cross between a rabbit and a beaver, but is a distant relative of the elephant.

Photographed by Ahmed Kafafi Photographed by Ahmed Kafafi

More than 100,000 years ago, elephants, lions and rhinos roamed the lush lands of the Arabian Peninsula before climate changes forced them into extinction and turned the area into a harsh desert. What is left of this natural wealth has finally come to the care of environment-conscious organizations in the Gulf, one of which is Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority that runs Arabia’s Wildlife Centre.

The centre is also working to raise local and international awareness about the region’s diverse wildlife. p

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Scenes

Desert Meets Marine Life: Wadi El Gemal National Park Written by Rawan Abdel Latif Photographs Courtesy of EMZee Club

People travel all around the world for views and landscapes that they are unaware of being a few hundred kilometers away. To the south of Marsa Allam lies Wadi El Gemal National Park (Valley of the Camels), established as a protectorate in 2003 where all types of natural beauty and man-made sites coexist together. This 5,000 square kilometer piece of land is named the Valley of the Camels because of its previous history of being a trade route between the Nile and the Red Sea. Wadi El Gemal is split into both desert plains as well as marine spaces, and is home to a large variety of wildlife, from endangered species to gazelles, fish, turtles and camels. On its coastal area you can find coral reefs that create the perfect diving experience for sealovers, and, not to forget, for the history and archeology fans, there are many prehistoric rock arts as well as emerald mines and ancient ruins dating back to the ancient Egyptians.

Camping After a long nine hour drive, excluding the many pitstops made during the trip where families and friends would take the time to stretch their legs or grab something to drink or snack on to help time go by, we finally arrived at EcoLodge Bedouin Valley, a lodge located in Marsa Allam near the protectorate. As night had already arrived, we checked in to our huts before making our way to dinner. Even with the availability of cell phone service, the place strongly discouraged the use of any form of technology and made us all forget the fast-paced lives we live, while allowing us to focus on the simpler joys and the happiness in friends and family all from different generations gathering together around fire and food.

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The eco-lodge was basic in its design, offering the luxuries of a hotel, with its bedding, bathrooms, pool and restaurants, while giving you the simplicity and feel of camping in the desert. The “shisha corner� was basically a bunch of pillows laid on the floor, and wall hangings that all added to the tribal, traditional atmosphere of the place.

On our last night there, the locals prepared a seafood dinner for our entire group, most of which was grilled on top of a campfire. The locals emitted a very friendly aura, their stories and laughter supporting the idea of a carefree life, regardless of the struggles they probably face daily. We all gathered around to feed our hunger and satisfy our common craving for tea brewed on charcoal, before roasting our marshmallows.

Historical Areas After breakfast the next day, we headed towards the National Park to start our exploration. In between the desert plains and occasional flora that forces its way out of the cracked, dry grounds into the sun’s heat, you occasionally come across ancient ruins that appear so fragile, yet have withstood the heat, climate changes and visitors.

The most famous historical site in the park is the Sakit Ruins, also known as the Romanian Temple or the Emerald Mountain. We took our time to walk around this ancient Roman village to admire the history behind the area.

To reach the temple that was carved deeply into the stone mountain, we had to hike a small, rocky path to the entrance.

What we did not get the chance to visit, unfortunately, was the Roman town of Umm Kabu, one of the villages in which emeralds were prepared to be transported to the Nile.

The entire park had an abundance of places that all related to the processing and collecting of emeralds.

Water Sports and Beach Before coming here, I was told how incredible the sea looked, and how different types of trees placed themselves in the middle of the water, however, I could never prepare myself for the natural beauty that we came across.

Our first morning there, we visited the area of Qulaan, famous for the incredible, old Mangrove tree in the middle of the sea. This coastal gem includes several small islands, all surrounded by crystal clear, perfectly blue water. In general, this national park is also known for the unusual amount of Acacia and Mangrove trees that still live due to their large roots that penetrate deep within the surface to reach water underground, as well as their tolerance to salt water.

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Scenes We enjoyed sunbathing in the warm weather, and all found our chance for a swim before the dreaded journey back to winter. Children found their comfort in digging in the sand and building their own architectural gems.

On our last day, we were lucky enough to visit Hankorab Beach, known for its incredible location for divers. Though many of us have never dived before, eMZee Club had organized beginner’s courses for anyone willing to try it out, emphasizing the rarity of the chance to see such a selection of fish and coral reefs so close to the shore.

Wildlife and Vegetation A very rare sight in Egypt, there is an incredible variety of animals and plants, all in their natural habitats. You will definitely come across several groups of camels, walking alone across the desert plains, and if you are lucky, you will be able to get a glance at the Dorcas gazelle, a species found only in southern Egypt, especially in the Valley of the Camels.

As for the marine life, there is a diverse amount of fish, most of which are large in size and that you can come across in shallow waters. The park’s coast is home to the green turtle that can be found on the mainland next to the water or in the sea.

Weather Leaving behind the near zero temperatures in Cairo at night, alongside the morning fog and drastic weather changes, we were greeted by the blinding sun with its heat reaching temperatures of above thirty. Being the season for offroad trips, especially ones down south as the sun is less harmful than in the summer and the unwanted animals are in hibernation, the weather was perfect for all the activities that were in store for us.

General Tips Don’t let the time of year fool you into thinking you will not require a lot of liquids to stay hydrated. If you plan on taking this trip, make sure you have a large enough supply of water, fuel and snacks to keep you going throughout the day. Also, make sure you plan this trip with an professional safari group, as sometimes they need to arrange for licenses and passes. p

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TRAVEL

Visiting

&

Singapore Written and Photographed by Rana Kamaly

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Kuala Lumpur

If you are planning a trip to the Far East, make sure to stop by Singapore for at least three days as it’s a whole new experience that you don’t want to miss out on. That’s what we did; on our way to Bali, we decided to spend three nights in Singapore and three in Kuala Lumpur . These two cities usually act as transits for many flights, so if you happen to be stopping by, try to extend your stay and check them out.

Singapore Singapore is a city-state with all the luxuries one can ever imagine. The landscape is a homogeneous combination of greenery, modern skyscrapers and architectural gems that together create a new level of beauty.

Spending a week there should give you more than enough time to explore every part of the city as it is only 719 sqm. During my time there, I got to learn a very important cultural rule and that is to mind yours and anyone else’s personal space. By going around the city, you will notice how unique and diverse it is. You will not be able to tell which religion or political group belongs to the majority of the population, as everyone lives in perfect harmony.

Every last detail is thought of to make sure that the lives of its citizens is comfortable. There are special passages for the blind

in all of the streets, stations and public facilities, as well as having voice guidance for the deaf, making sure that every place is accessible for everyone.

Be prepared for rain, as it rains quite a lot, but that just makes everything more beautiful as it brings the greenery to life.

Transportation We purchased a public transportation pass worth 20 Singapore dollars valid for three days when we arrived at the airport and we didn’t need to use any other mode of transportation. The underground and busses will take you just about anywhere, including your transport from and to the airport. Public transportation is super clean and available every few minutes throughout the day. If you happen to be out late at night, you can order an Uber as it’s the next most affordable way to get around.

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TRAVEL Sightseeing Botonic Gardens This spectacular garden is over 150 years old and is home to millions of tropical flowers planted across a huge space, and so you can spend the whole day wandering around.

People go there to explore, meditate, run and for photoshoots. I highly recommend checking out the Orchid House, as you will discover rare flowers and plants that you probably haven’t seen before. The colors and designs are just magnificent as they are experimenting with different hybrid flowers, creating a wonderful contrast. There are also a number of large lakes, home to ducks and geese that you can feed, as well as a number of seating areas and a rain forest track.

Accessing the garden itself is free, and if you are a student, you can visit all the houses without paying extra. Also, the public transportation passes give you a discount for the special areas. You can go there with the underground or bus as it has its own station.

Gardens by the Bay This is one good example of what beautiful creative minds can do if they work hand in hand with nature. They have perfectly combined greenery with architecture such as the Floral Clock, The Eagle Has Landed and The Giant Snail sculpture.

In those gardens, there are different areas you can explore, including the Flower Dome, listed as the largest glass greenhouse in the world by the Guinness World Records 2015. It has plants and flowers from every region in the world, from wild cactus to orchids and lilies to palm trees and roses.

There is also the Cloud Forest with controlled climate areas to grow all the plants found on earth. The forest is set up in levels and you walk up a spiral bridge in the middle of beautiful landscapes, showing you where different plants grow in different climates.

Activities If you have time, you can also visit Universal Studios, Sentosa Island, go on a night safari or try the Singapore flyer.

Shopping in style is just the way Singaporeans live. There are a number of huge malls with all the brands in the world, and at least one mall in every underground station. All the malls are beautifully designed and very luxurious. You should also visit Orchard road, the Champs-Elysees of the Far East.

I also recommend you go up the Marina Bay Sand Hotel and watch the iconic infinity pool that is 57 levels above the ground where you can have a drink or just take pictures as it’s home to a spectacular view overlooking the whole city.

Budget The one downside to Singapore is that it is relatively expensive, unlike other Far East cities, yet it offers a different experience. Shopping and transportation, if you use the pass, will be quite reasonable, but food is definitely expensive; you can buy a pack of cheese for four Singapore dollars and eat a simple meal for 20, for example.

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Accommodation and Food We stayed at the BIG Hotel for 700 EGP per night, which is the average price for a good clean room in the middle of Singapore, but it didn’t include breakfast, as most of the hotels there. However, bakeries are a good alternative as their prices are quite affordable and they have some of the most delicious creative cakes and sandwiches.

When it comes to food, you will be able to find all international cuisine there, from fast food places like McDonalds to fine dining.

Kuala lumpur After our trip to Singapore, we were slightly disappointed, mainly because people always talked about it in such a positive way. It’s a nice city to explore, if you are on your way to somewhere else.

Transportation in Kuala Lampur is easily accessible. You can easily get around with public transportation as well as Uber. People there are cooperative and friendly, but rules are not as strictly followed.

Shopping The main attraction in Kuala Lumpur are its malls, as they are everywhere and offer all international brands for the same international prices, as well as Far Eastern brands.

There is the KLCC mall where you can find the two Petronas Towers that Kuala Lumpur is famous for. Make sure to ask for the opening hours, as the towers have special visiting hours each season.

You can also find knockoffs and high copies in China Town where you will find just about every copy you can imagine.

Sightseeing The bird park is a must-see as it is home to thousands of species of birds from across the globe. If you have a day to spare, you can go to Gentling Highlands on a day trip where you can also ride the cable car amidst the green mountains.

The Butterfly Park is one of the few in the world, and you will just be mesmerized with how many butterflies with different colors and shapes exist.

Accommodation We stayed at the Journal Hotel, which was great and had a very good breakfast menu and spacious rooms with a pool on the roof. It’s in the middle of the shopping area in Bukit Bentang, so you won’t need to move around much if you are there for shopping.

Rain is to also be expected there, but the weather is not as humid around July. p Jan / Feb 2017 | Ct

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Cuisine

&

HealtHy luncH

Dinner iDeas

Ginger and Carrot Soup Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • •

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup chopped green onion Salt and freshly ground pepper 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon minced, peeled ginger 1 kilogram carrots, peeled and chopped 1 medium potato, peeled and chopped 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock ¼ cup pine nuts (optional) 1¼ cups plain low-fat yogurt 1 teaspoon honey 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme

Directions: • Combine the olive oil and onion in a heavy pot over mediumhigh heat.

• Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes, until just starting to caramelize.

• Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, for 2 more minutes, being careful not to burn the mixture.

• Stir in the carrots, potato and the chicken or vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the carrots and potato are very tender. Around 15 to 18 minutes.

• Meanwhile, in a small sauté pan over high heat, lightly toast the pine nuts. Set aside to cool.

• In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, honey, thyme and ½ teaspoon pepper.

• Puree the soup with a blender until very smooth.

• Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper and serve with a dollop of the yogurt mixture and some pine nuts.

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Broccoli-Lemon Chicken with Cashews Ingredients: • • • • • • • • •

1 tablespoon sesame oil 340 grams chicken breast fillets 2 garlic cloves, sliced 200 grams broccoli, stems halved if very long 200ml chicken stock 1 teaspoon corn flour 1 tablespoon honey Zest of half a lemon and the juice of a whole one Large handful of roasted cashews

Directions: • Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok.

• Add the chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden.

• Remove from the pan and add the garlic and broccoli. Stir-fry for a minute or so then cover and cook for 2 minutes more, until almost tender.

• Mix the stock, corn flour and honey well, then pour into the pan and stir until thickened.

• Tip the chicken back into the pan and let it heat through, and then add the lemon zest, lemon juice and cashew nuts.

• Stir, and then serve immediately with basmati rice.

Middle-Eastern Rice Salad Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil • ¾ cup green onion, thinly sliced • 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained • ½ teaspoon ground cumin • ¼ teaspoon salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 3 cups cooked brown rice • ½ cup chopped pitted dates • ¼ cup chopped fresh mint • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions: • Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

• Add onion and cook, stirring often, about 5 minutes or until onion begins to brown.

• Remove from heat, and stir in chickpeas, cumin, and salt.

• Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper.

• Combine rice, onion-chickpea mixture, dates, mint, and parsley in a large bowl. Toss well until thoroughly combined. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Baked Sweet Potatoes Ingredients: • • • • •

2 tablespoons olive oil 3 large sweet potatoes 2 pinches dried oregano 2 pinches salt 2 pinches ground black pepper

Directions: • Preheat oven to 175C (medium).

• Coat the bottom of a non-stick baking dish with olive oil.

• Wash and peel the sweet potatoes.

• Cut them into medium size pieces. Place the cut sweet potatoes in the baking dish and turn them so that they are coated with the olive oil.

• Sprinkle moderately with oregano, and salt and pepper (to taste).

• Bake for 60 minutes or until soft.

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Cuisine

Maple Glazed Salmon Ingredients: • • • • •

1 tablespoon chili powder 1 tablespoon paprika 2 teaspoons brown sugar ½ teaspoon salt 0.75 kilograms skinless salmon fillets, cut into 4 portions • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup

Directions: • Preheat your oven to broil (250C top only).

• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.

• In a small bowl, mix together the chili powder, paprika, sugar and salt.

• Sprinkle the chili powder mixture evenly on the tops of the salmon fillets.

• Place the salmon on the prepared baking sheet and cook in the oven for 6 to 9 minutes, depending on how thick your fillets are and how crispy you prefer the crust.

• Remove the salmon from the oven and brush the maple syrup over the tops to coat the spices.

• Return to the oven and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the maple syrup is bubbling and has formed a crust.

• Serve immediately.

Moroccan-Style Prawns Ingredients: • • • • • • • •

• • • •

2 sprigs of fresh rosemary 2 cloves of garlic Olive oil 1 teaspoon paprika 6 large raw shell-on king prawns 2 oranges 150 grams whole-wheat couscous 400 grams colorful mixed seasonal vegetables, such as peas, broccoli, celery, green onions, red or yellow peppers 1 fresh red chili (optional) ½ a bunch of fresh mint 1 lemon 2 tablespoons yogurt

Directions: • Finely mince the rosemary leaves, then peel and mince the garlic into a paste with a pinch of salt.

• Add in 1 tablespoon of oil, the paprika and a swig of boiling water to make a marinade.

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• Use little scissors to cut down the back of each prawn shell and remove the vein.

• Cut 1 orange into wedges, toss with the prawns and the marinade and leave aside for 10 minutes.

• Put the couscous into a bowl and just cover with boiling water, and then pop a plate on top and leave to fluff up.

• Finely chop all vegetables and chili, and put them into a serving bowl.

• Finely chop the mint and add to the bowl with the juice of the lemon and the remaining orange.

• Add the couscous, toss together and season to taste.

• Put a large non-stick frying pan on high heat. Add the prawns, marinade and orange wedges and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the prawns are gnarly and crisp, then arrange on top of the couscous.

• Dollop with yogurt then sprinkle with the reserved mint leaves and serve. p

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Cuisine

How to Make your

Comfort food HealtHier Crispy but not Fried In order to avoid the greasiness and unhealthiness of deep-fried food while preserving that crunchy comfort we get, you could always substitute the oil on the stove to a high-heated oven. Start by dipping your chosen meat or vegetable into either milk or eggs, then heavily coat with seasoned breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes and cooking spray, before placing it on a sheet and cooking it in the oven at 220250C until crispy.

Creamy Dishes without the Heaviness Alfredo sauce is definitely a go-to when making a quick, delicious dinner, however, incorporating heavy cream can always add on unnecessary calories. If you are looking for that creamy texture on your plate but want to cut back on the fat, make your cream substitute by thickening skimmed milk with flour. Mix in a ratio of one cup of skimmed milk to four teaspoons of flour over medium heat until it thickens and bubbles.

Minimize Salt, Maximize Flavor On the contrary to what many may think, salt is not a necessary addition to add strong flavors to a dish. Given the many health issues salt may cause, minimizing or eliminating it from your food completely will show you instant results, especially when it comes to weight. In order to avoid bland food with the absence of sodium, spice up your plate by adding herbs like rosemary, parsley or dill, or turn to ginger and garlic with a squeeze of citrus fruit (lemon or orange).

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Turn to Whole-Grains Substitute your Oils Swapping vegetable or sunflower oil with olive oil, coconut oil or sesame oil, depending on your preferred taste and the dish you are cooking, greatly decreases your fat intake and encourages a healthier lifestyle.

Advertorial

There is no shame in craving baked goods. However, instead of feeling completely guilty, you could always make small changes like replacing your white flour with whole-wheat flour. This not only adds fiber to the food, but also provides vitamin B, magnesium and zinc. Popular baked goods that use whole-wheat flour are muffins, cakes, pies and cookies. p

CALENDAR february

February 11th

2017

speciAl evenT

Mashrou3 eL Mareekh

February 13th to March 10th

ART

Zakaria el Zeini “Moulid ya Donia” The internationally esteemed artist Zakaria El Zeini (1932-1993), presents in this collection an exquisite window into his imaginative discourse as a painter through his compelling illustrations.

Mashrou3 El Mareekh is an open mic night that acts as an umbrella for several underlying initiatives that promote self-expression among Egyptians in all their variety. Mashrou3 El Mareekh seeks to remain at a constant state of experimentation and versatility with every adventure shifting the dynamics of audiences and social space, re-defining social obstacles and transcending their boundaries.

Darb 1718, Kasr el Sham3 Street, Al Fakhareen.

Tel: 0122 468 4628 Time: 7 pm

From the scenes of his trademark geometric shapes and blocks encaging minimalist figurines in deep intense colors, to picturesque landscape renditions of city structures and inhabitants painted in a most impressive and intensely brilliant realism.

Safar Khan Art Gallery, 6 Brazil Street Tel: (02) 2735 3314

February 18th

speciAl evenT March 10th to 12th

bi-annual Salon D’antiquites A gathering of 22 Antique Exhibitors grouped together Sonesta Towers Hotel Iris Banquet Hall Time: 11 am to 9 pm

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music

Paco renteria – Guitar recital

Paco Rentería is considered as the most successful guitarist in Mexico. He composes, produces and edits his compositions himself, among which are music for the film “E1 Marichi” casted by Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas; music for the trailer of the film “La Leyenda del Zorro” (Legend of Zorro) that features Antonio Banderas and Catherine ZetaJones. In addition, he has a great number of pieces that satisfy even the most difficult listeners.

Small Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 8 pm

February 23rD, 24th, 26th anD 27th

OpeRA

opera La traviata La Traviata (The Fallen Woman) is an opera in three acts

by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It is based on La Dame aux Camélias (1852), a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, fils.

The opera was originally titled Violetta, after the main character. It was first performed on March 6, 1853 at the La Fenice in Venice. Performed by Cairo Opera Group.

ART

February 1st to 26th

“Distraction” exhibition Darb 1718 is organizing an exhibition about boredom and heterotopia titled “Distraction”, featuring artworks from their permanent collection, including photography and paintings.

In reading Heidegger’s examples of where boredom appears i.e. train stations and bars, one can’t help but make links to Foucault’s idea of heterotopia. Heterotopias of time are places which enclose time.

Main Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 8 pm

The exhibition emphasizes these links between heterotopias and boredom by juxtaposing heterotopic scenes with work from Darb 1718 private collection.

Daily from 11 am to 8:00 pm.

Kasr El Sham3 Street, Al Fakhareen – Old Cairo

February 16th, 17th anD 18th

DAnce

ya sem Contemporary dance performance choreographed by: Sherin Hegazy. Dance: Nagham Salah - Amany Atef - Sherin Hegazy. Dramaturge & Tabla composition: Sabrine El Hossamy. Light design: Saber el Sayed Scenography: Nada Mounir.

Ya Sem is a contemporary dance performance exploring the way a woman is viewed in society and the changes in the image of women in our culture. It also explores the theme of harassment that women face in the patriarchal society.

El Falaki Theater, 113 Kasr El Ainy St, (behind AUC Campus) Downtown Time: 8 pm

February 1st to 26th

phOTOgRAphy

Darb 1718’s Photography Collection Darb 1718 will be presenting work from their permanent collection. Over the past nine years, Darb 1718 has hosted a variety of exhibitions on an even wider variety of topics. Some of these participating artists have been generous enough to donate some of their work to Darb.

This will be the second time that these works will be displayed to the public at Darb 1718, having made their first debut at previous exhibitions at the center.

Darb 1718, kasr el Sham3 Street, Al Fakhareen.

Tel: 0122 468 4628

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CALENDAR february

2017

February 9th, 10th and 11th

StagE

City Lights

MarCh 4th to 9th

Film

Women’s International Film Festival Film Screenings “The Cairo International Women’s Film Festival” is an independent initiative aiming to introduce the best films created by women internationally and from the Arab World. The festival will celebrate the 10th edition this year. Along with the screenings of films, it will hold workshops, master classes and roundtables. The festival is more than just a venue for film screenings – it is also a meeting point for the audience and women filmmakers, both from the Arab World and internationally.

AUC Falaki Theater, Tahrir Square

English with arabic subtitles “City Lights” is a film (1931) that proved to be the hardest work ever for Charlie Chaplin. Three years in the making, this romantic comedy is deemed as his masterpiece, a timeless piece of cinema and the greatest piece of acting moments in movie history and outstanding music composition. For the first time ever on stage, all of this action will be cleverly choreographed with live singing and brilliant technical tricks to bring the audience back to a time when film was beautiful and music was spectacular.

AUC Falaki Theater

February 21st, 22nd and 23rd

the Last supper arabic “The Last Supper” with its star studded cast takes us on a journey into the lives of the Egyptian upper class.

We are served with a feast of cynicism and absurdity, highlighting the emptiness that exists behind the illusive masks of wholeness which has become a norm in today’s Egyptian society.

AUC Falaki Theater Time: 8 pm

starts February 12th

PhotograPhy

Paris in egyptian eyes “Paris a travers des yeux egyptiens” Photographer Achraf Effat shows his personal experiences in Paris with its history, architecture and large avenues.

French Institute, 1 Madrassa el Ferenseya St. Mounira Tel: (02) 2791 5800

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February 14th, 16th and 21st

Film

8th Cairo Video Festival, Video art & experimental Films In the frame of Cairo Video Festival, a festival of artistic videos and experimental films organized

by Medrar, the French Institute will contribute with French films during the three above dates.

French Institute, 1 Madrassa el Ferenseya St. Mounira Time: 6 pm

February 12th

MusIc PhotograPhy

Jacaranda ensemble

February 15th tO March 15th

With five first-grade classic musicians, from the unusual German Brandenburg Symphony Orchestra, Jacaranda Ensemble is comprised of five German boys who have unlimited passion and musical talent. They are the concert musicians of world-renowned orchestras, and also the world’s music masters with avant-garde styles.

Cairo Opera House, Main Hall Time: 8 pm

Shadows of the Imperceptible The sixth edition of PhotoCairo explores the tension between the visible and the invisible, what is seen and what is withheld from sight, as it unfolds in works of art, art education and the institutions that operate within the spheres of art.

PhotoCairo brings together works, arguments, artists and thinkers that experiment with and reflect upon claims to reveal, investigate or bring to light through art. Shadows of the Imperceptible looks into the refusal to represent, the moments of silence, the withheld and the opaque in contemporary image practices.

CIC, 22 Abdel Khalek Tharwat St. Downtown

February 26th

“Gaye el Zaman” Movie Director: Dina hamza

FILM

Produced in 2014, the movie depicts the life of a woman who lives in a forgotten corner of Egypt and who yearns for a child. Having no option but to live on the fringe of her community because of her infertility, Hanan lingers between a dream that is slowly slipping away and her struggle to find a place where she belongs.

While everything that surrounds her bustles with fertility and mortality, she wonders how to give meaning to the time that she has in between.

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

February 25th

oPera

Opera rusalka – Live from the Metropolitan Opera Rusalka is an opera by Antonín Dvorák. The Czech libretto was written by the poet Jaroslav Kvapil (1868–1950) based on the fairy tales of Karel Jaromír Erben and Božena Nomcová. Rusalka is one of the most successful Czech operas and represents a cornerstone of the repertoire of Czech opera houses. A Rusalka is a water sprite from Slavic mythology, usually inhabiting a lake or river.

Small Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 8 pm

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Society Bar’Oro Cuban Cigar Aficionado Night at The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo Located with boundless views of the Nile, the Nile RitzCarlton’s Bar’Oro, “The Golden Bar”, celebrated a special cigar connoisseur’s Cuban experience hosted by his Excellency the Ambassador of Cuba Mr. Laureano Rodriguez Castro, Mr. Magued El Menshawy, Founder of Cigar Club and President and CEO Manapharma and Mr. Radek Cais, the General Manager of The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo. Bar’Oro gathered top-notch gentlemen, political figures and the true cigar lovers community in Egypt who enjoyed a night of exclusive commemorative cigars, live music, food, drinks and much more. p

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Advertorial

Devarana Spa by Dusit Devarana Spa, the luxurious Thai-inspired spa chain and part of the internationally reputed Dusit International Group, was established to deliver outstanding spa services at selected fivestar hotels. “Devarana” (pronounced te-wa-run) comes from Thai-Sanskrit, meaning “garden in heaven.” Inspired by this concept, Devarana Spa excites the senses and makes guests feel truly special. Luxurious pampering and healing treatments are offered in a soothing and stress-relieving environment.

Valentine’s Day “Pink Passion sPa RetReat” Treat your sweetheart to a Valentine’s Day to remember with a thorough pampering at Devarana Spa where, in celebration of the month of love, we are offering a Pink Passion body scrub and a blissful massage inspired by the vibrant colors of romance Featuring strawberries and pink rose as the main ingredients, the lukewarm Pink Passion body scrub is high in AHA acid which helps to rejuvenate skin cells. Fresh rose petals and rice granules meanwhile further nourish the skin. After the body scrub, the relaxing journey is made complete with a relaxing massage of your choice followed by a dip in our hydrothermal pool and a luxurious stay at the exquisite Dusit suite To provide guests with the ultimate in relaxation and pampering, Devarana Spa’s well trained and skilled therapists expertly deliver a superb variety of treatments including massages, facial and body treatments, water treatments, beauty treatments and spa exclusive programs. Devarana Spa at Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo is truly palatial. Built over two floors, the Spa comprises 13 treatment rooms including six singles, three doubles (for women), and two for specific Thai massage and rooms for manicure, pedicure and facials, all of which benefit from natural daylight. *For reservations, please call us at (02)26140020, or EXT: 7020.

Email: cairo@devaranaspa.com *Devarana spa is located adjacent to Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo Hotel on road 90, New Cairo

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Society

Al Dau Strand Hosts a Symphony by the Sea for the Legendary Omar Khairat in Hurghada The legendary composer and pianist Omar Khairat enchanted his selected audience in Hurghada on December 29 in an evening overwhelmed with perfection and sophistication. The concert was hosted by Al Dau Strand, the latest real estate project for Al Dau Development. The owners and managers of the Development hosted a mega event at Al Dau International Conference Center – part of the Steigenberger Al Dau Resort. The venue was a state of art and a cutting edge in audio visual technology. Worth mentioning are the impressive 360 walls themed projections. The greeting, dining as well as every detail was catered to perfection.

Another night to remember. p

Skechers Recently Opens in Nasr City and Mohandeseen Skechers has placed its mark in the Egyptian market since the first store opened back in 2010 . Today the renowned brand is found in top locations; Cairo Festival City, Mall of Arabia and Alexandria City Centre.

Skechers continues its expansion reaching five stores with the opening of their latest in Mohandeseen and the launch of the newly renovated Citystars mega store which took place on January 20 in a grand event.

A three-billion-dollar global leader in the performance and lifestyle footwear industry, Skechers USA, Inc. designs, develops and markets more than 3,000 styles for men, women and children.

The company offers two distinct footwear categories: a lifestyle division and performance footwear. Through licensing agreements, the company also offers branded apparel, bags, socks and more. p

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