Community Times Magazine May 2017

MAY 2017

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Nadia abdo: First Female Governor in Egypt Children Take over Family businesses

Unique Honeymoon Destinations Proposal ideas across Egypt

2017 Wedding Dress Trends

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Contents May 2017 tOWN tAlK 06

08

44

Talk of the Town News

Style 08

Wedding Dress Trends of 2017 CottonBall: Quality Basics

Culture 14

Film May Movie Releases

15

ART First Open Air Art Symposium

16

Books May Recommendations

18

music Leila: Musical with a Live Orchestra

COmmuNity 44

FieldwoRk AkzoNobel Renovates Special Needs Public School

41

GReen communiTy Futtaim’s City Centre Almaza to Operate with Renewable Energy

42

educATion School Upgrade Project by Takatof

DeStiNAtiONS

18

FeAtureS 20

Nadia Abdo: First Female Governor in Egypt

24

Children Take Over Family Businesses

34

Entrepreneur Mostafa Al Sagheer

36

Creative Proposal Ideas Across Egypt

20

44

TRAvel Unique Honeymoon Destinations

52

CuiSiNe 52

Weird Wedding Cakes

54

Recipes for Newlyweds

CAleNDAr 24 Cover Designed by Marina Raafat

56

SOCiety 62

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May Culture Events

Social Events and Gatherings

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

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

Writers Rehab Saad, Rana Kamaly, Selma Köhn, Ahmed Kafafi and Ola El Soueni

Art Department Art Director Khadiga El Badan

Senior Graphic Designer Marina Raafat

Sales Department Sales Director Rania Halim

Production MANAGER Enas Adly

Editor’s Note

Administration Department Distribution Manager Rana Ezzat Office Manager Magda Adib Legal Consultant Ashraf Soliman

Dear Reader,

Financial Consultants

The months of May and June are usually when weddings are held due to the early summer weather. On that basis, Community Times opted to include some ideas for brides and grooms-to-be. In Style, we scanned the internet for the latest in bridal gowns that were on the runways and in Feature 3, you will find our suggestions for different proposal locations, while the Travel section suggests several honeymoon locations that are not your usual destination. We also thought that it would be fun to add some weird wedding cakes to Cuisine.

Two other interesting features we have included in this issue, are on Nadia Abdo, the first female governor in Egypt and her incredible contributions in the last few years. The other feature is an interview with several young people who have followed in their parents’ footsteps and joined the family business, showing what future plans they have to further enhance the business.

Hazem Abdel Tawab Ahmed Abbas

Office Clerk Mohamed Adel 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

Last but not least, we would like to add that though Egypt was blessed in all God’s books in the three major religions of the world, it was also fortunate for the visit of Pope Francis, and wishing more blessings to be bestowed upon Egypt.

The Editor editor@live-colors.com

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

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TownTalk

Cooking Classes at Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo hosted the famous Egyptian actress Dalia El Behery at one of its new series of cooking classes, giving the chance for cooking enthusiasts to learn how to make authentic dishes of their home towns from Dusit’s chefs.

Chef Sherwin, head chef of the Japanese kitchen, personally lead the class and has high hopes for Dalia who looks like she is on the journey to becoming a Japanese master chef! p

Darb 1718 Announces the Renewal of the “Unlock Art” Partnership with Le Méridien Cairo Airport Darb 1718 and Le Méridien first inked the partnership last year, through which Darb 1718 managed to increase hotel guests’ awareness of the works of some of the main artists in the Egyptian contemporary scene. Le Méridien helps their guests experience culture in Egypt by offering access to Darb 1718’s diversified activities.

In reference to the partnership, Le Méridien exhibits pieces from Darb 1718 onsite, to be displayed in the hotel’s lobby, for their Arrival Art Program. It is a locally relevant depiction of Egypt and Africa for the guests to experience. p

ZO Skin Centre Launches Long Awaited Product Line In Egypt World renowned skincare brand ZO by Dr. Zein Obagi MD has finally launched its newest line of revitalising face creams, treatments, skin health solutions and technologies in Egypt. Adding another skin centre hub to their existing one in New Cairo, ZO’s second clinic has been launched in the heart of Zamalek.

In celebration of the new launch, ZO held a grand event at the Cairo Marriott Zamalek Hotel. The event was hosted by Dr. Zein Obagi MD and the entire ZO Egypt team, where Dr. Obagi MD gave an exclusive and informative session to over 200 guests from ZO’s clientele, lifestyle influencers and members of the press.

The session introduced Dr. Obagi’s new generation of products called ZO Skin Health. The product line represents the doctor’s core philosophy of research, innovation and advancement.

Samer Gameel Executive Assistant Manager in Charge of Rooms in Semiramis InterContinental Cairo Sameh Sobhy, General Manager at Semiramis InterContinental Cairo, announced the promotion of Samer Gameel to Executive Assistant Manager in charge of rooms at the Semiramis InterContinental Cairo.

Gameel holds 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He has assumed a number of roles at the Semiramis InterContinental since 1994, the last of which was his role as Director of Rooms Division. p

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Upon creating his new line, Dr. Obagi made sure to use his full name to ensure that the line fully represents his vision, mission and core philosophy.

With this being the case, the only two branches that are representing and operating under the name of ZO in Egypt are the New Cairo and Zamalek branches explicitly. No other branches around Egypt hold or sell the new ZO line.

During his session, Dr. Obagi MD gave a thorough explanation of the new technology and improved formulas for the ZO Skin Health regimen, which varies from face creams, sunscreens, peels and other cutting-edge products with the ability to leave the skin looking healthy and rejuvenated. The approach of the new technology line introduced Dr. Obagi’s latest research that will guarantee optimum healthy skin for women of all ages. p

A Glamorous Evening in Soma Bay to Commemorate Kempinski’s 120 Year Anniversary Soma Bay witnessed a memorable evening of glamour and finess whilst celebrating 120 years of delivering rich and meaningful experiences to its guests with the ‘‘Ignite the Night’’ party by the enchanting Soma Bay beach.

General Manager Russel Storey and the management team launched a series of festivities designed to delight guests. The hotel’s passageways leading from and to the ceremony area were decorated with candles as the enchanting music of the live performances added a pinch of magic to the breathtaking views of the beach cocktail party.

Mr. Storey briefly gave an inspirational speech about the enticing story of Kempinski’s journey – Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group established since 1897 – during which they mastered the art of providing perfection to their guests in every way and successfully created a constellation of remarkable havens to which guests can travel to and stay in style.

Joy, Fun and Games During Orphan’s Day at Cairo Marriott Cairo Marriott hosted Orphans day at Aida Ballroom in partnership with MBC Amal, Hamley’s and Marwa Fayed Foundation.

The day was planned full of activities where the children played tricks with the clown and magicians, enjoyed the popcorn and candy cotton stands and got creative with the props at the photo booth stand. A buffet was served full of mini sandwiches and many delightful desserts that they absolutely loved.

At the end of the day, the children received an incredible surprise from Omar Samra who came in to visit them with his daughter Tila.

Hamley’s made sure to add the final silver lining by giving each child a bag full of exciting gifts! p

The evening was complete with a gourmet dinner experience for all esteemed attendees at The View Restaurant, which was decorated in a special 120 themed concept and served a sumptuous dinner buffet selection and an array of live cooking stations. p

Cairo Marriott Helps to Enhance the Travel Experience of EgyptAir’s Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM) George Bahgoury’s Vernissage and Book Signing at Semiramis InterContinental Cairo As part of the hotel’s commitment to promoting the arts as well as Egyptian culture and heritage, the Semiramis InterContinental Cairo in collaboration with Picasso East art gallery, hosted a vernissage and booksigning event for renowned Egyptian artist, George Bahgoury.

The event was held at the lobby followed by a cocktail reception at Rhitmo where guests were able to enjoy the artist’s company in addition to having him draw single-line portraits of them as souvenirs. p

As part of their continuous “Spirit to Serve” initiatives and their strong commitment to #TravelBrilliantly, Cairo Marriott provided 60 wheelchairs to EgyptAir’s Cairo terminals to help Passengers with Reduced Mobility.

A person with reduced mobility (PRM) is any individual whose mobility when using transport is reduced due to any physical or intellectual disabilities, impairment or any other cause of disability, or whose age or situation needs appropriate attention. This tremendous effort was to help enhance the passenger’s experience.

To celebrate the protocol, Cairo Marriott’s General Manager, Omar Tantawy, and Sherif El Maghloub, Vice President Commercial at EgyptAir, signed the agreement at Eugenie Salon with the presence of EgyptAir members and the Cairo Marriott Sales and Marketing leaders.p

MAY 2017 | Ct

7

STYLE

Wedding Dress Trends of

2017

While in previous years, many wedding dress designs and fabric choices that made an appearance during Bridal Fashion Week had us shocked, this year proves to encourage more simple and elegant trends with a little edge and modernity.

BeRtA BRiDAl

ROMANA KeVeZA

KeNNetH WiNStON

Capes

Off the shOulder

high COllars

This flawless statement piece has been seen as part of the spring and fall collections of Alberta Ferretti, Vania Romoff, Mira Zwillinger, Berta Bridal and many more.

Designers like Oscar de la Renta, Naeem Khan, Jenny Packham and Romana Keveza, among many others, have incorporated these off the shoulder gowns into their newest collections.

From ponchos to floor-length lace capes, this trend has been seen on the runway during the past two years, but is really taking the spotlight in 2017. A mixture between elegance and boldness, this style is the perfect alternative for a veil, adding a more modern depth to the gown, and is also removable for when it is time to hit the dance floor.

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Slowly taking over the classic strapless gown, designers have played around with the off-the-shoulder trend this year that has made its way onto the runway, creating a variety of shapes and cutouts to reflect the gown’s effortless and glamorous style. This design appeals to classical brides who are looking for that extra touch of modernity.

A gown with a high collar usually gives off a vintage, high fashion vibe that caters to the taste of a specific segment of brides. A laced collar is usually the most common type, as it reflects a more chic look, however, if you are looking for a completely avant-garde style, you can opt for a satin collar.

Usually with this type of gown, a sleek updo is the most flattering hairstyle, and this style has been a part of Naeem Khan, Kenneth Winston and Carolina Herrera’s collections, among others.

DAVID TuTeRA

MARCheSA

INbAL DROR

ShadeS of Pink

Plunging necklineS

featherS

If you really want to step away from traditional wedding attire, opt for a pink wedding dress. In general, switching the common white gown to a pastel colored dress has dominated the runway this year, with colors like lilac and blues making an appearance, however, a light shade of pink was the most popular.

Some brides also want to take a step further by choosing an ombrĂŠ colored gown with layers.

These non-white bridal gowns were seen as part of Christian Siriano and David Tutera’s collections, as well as many other designers.

If you are searching for a more feminine, eye-catching design, look at buying a gown with a deep v-neckline, which is usually very flattering to your figure as it elongates your frame.

To further enhance this look, pair the dress with a beautiful, bold necklace that you could then show off. Any hairstyle will suit and compliment this type of gown.

Designers Mira Zwillinger, Marchesa and Thomas Concordia, among many others, used this attractive look as part of their 2017 collections.

Feathers have become a constant yearly trend that does not die, making it onto gowns through different designs.

While in the past, the whole skirt of a dress would be made up of feathers, this year wispy feathers are tastefully placed in lesser quantities across wedding gowns in order to add movement and edge to the dress.

Any simple dress can become bolder by adding this material, which is what many designers like Mira Zwillinger, Oscar de la Renta and Inbal Dror have done.

Sheer Streamer SleeveS

Sleeves that begin as detailed, see-through lace turning into tulle that flows down with the arm adds movement and volume to a gown, providing a more innocent, angelic look, and is usually for brides who want to spice up their simple gowns, but in an elegant and subtle way.

This style has been seen in the collections of Alvina Valenta, Wtoo and Monique Lhuillier, among others.

tiered SkirtS

A gown with a tiered skirt is one of the boldest looks of the year, adding an incredible amount of volume and dimension to your dress, all the while maintaining a flawless bridal image.

This type of gown appeals to brides who are not afraid to stray away from the traditional image of a wedding dress, promising to be a courageous, but elegant choice.

WTOO

This edgy look has been a part of the newest collections of designers Monique Lhuillier, Naeem Khan and Vera Wang among many others. p

NAeeM KhAN Jan /maY feb 2017 | Ct

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STYLE

CottonBall

Comfortable, Colorful and Great Quality Basics With the increase in prices, especially of imported products, many shoppers have opted for local brand alternatives to save money while also supporting the Egyptian market. Over the past few years, many designers have successfully entered the fashion scene and launched their own original clothing lines, quickly becoming customers’ favorite choices.

By Ola El Soueni

C

ottonBall, co-founded by Zena Sallam and Ahmed Habib in 2013, is an Egyptian brand that features cotton basics; the perfect go-to if you are looking for comfy cuts yet high quality clothing. The brand’s debut store is tucked away in one of Zamalek’s quiet neighborhoods with an inviting window display.

Habib, the CEO of the brand, is responsible for managing the operation, business development and supply chain of the company, in addition to being an active member of the Cairo Angels that supports young startups and the entrepreneurial society in Egypt.

Before co-founding CottonBall, Sallam joined the Quintessentially team in 2010 to help develop their local franchise. She is the chief creative officer, and actively manages the brand, product lines and overall image of the company.

We talked to Sallam and Habib to get more insight on the brand.

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What inspired you to come up With cottonBall?

We never enjoyed wearing overly branded clothes or t-shirts with excessive designs or logos, and noticed that our need for good quality plain apparel was not being met locally, even though we live in a country that is most renowned for its cotton.

The options available were either to buy cheap apparel that did not last long or spend a fortune on high-end brands, with no middle ground, and that is when we thought of CottonBall.

We were also tired of apparel being manufactured in Egypt for international designers and wanted to build an Egyptian brand that would be sold worldwide. We believe that by focusing on high quality material, including but not limited to Egyptian cotton, good design and strong marketing, we have the potential for something really successful.

Why did you choose the name cottonBall?

We believe that the best company names are those that clearly state what service they provide. Egyptian cotton is synonymous with luxury all around the world, so it seemed natural to use the word “Cotton”. CottonBall came about because we wanted something playful and easy to remember.

How did CottonBall start and wHen did you open your store?

We officially launched late 2013 when we had produced our first few pieces and created an initial identity, then we began by selling t-shirts from suitcases at friends’ houses, open days and smaller sales events. It was a way of testing out our products first, making sure that we had something that people wanted and would be willing to purchase. We spent about a year and a half perfecting our products before we decided to finally open our first shop in Zamalek in August 2014.

wHat range of produCts are offered at your store?

We produce men and women’s t-shirts, sweatpants, shorts, dresses and dress shirts. We are working on extending our product line to include two more cuts for the dresses and polo shirts for both men and women. We had also looked into producing a line for children, but still have not begun the process because we feel like it would require a lot of aspects that might become overwhelming at the moment.

We also have a B2B division that handles custom orders from interested clients. We produce printed or embroidered t-shirts, uniforms, jeans polo shirts, and have prepared orders for New Giza, Cairokee, BRGR, B-Tech and many more.

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STYLE

Have you opened up in otHer locations?

We currently only have our Zamalek store, but we sell online, both on our website and on Facebook, and are currently mostly sell locally, but we provide over-seas shipping on our online sales platforms.

WHo is tHe designer beHind tHe brand and WHat is your production process?

It is a joint effort where we usually discuss the cuts we need before creating samples that are then reworked until they fit our standards. We have created staple t-shirt cuts that are always found in our store and named them after different Egyptian cities, like Giza, Fayoum, Matruh, Aswan and Nubia.

For production, we start off by purchasing or producing the fabric, and then we pick the seasonal color palette for the collection.

WHat do you consider as your greatest acHievement?

Our greatest achievement has been following our dream through and actually seeing it come to fruition. We began at a very difficult time for the Egyptian market and we have been lucky enough to stay around even through the unstable times. We are proud of our products and even more so that they are 100% Egyptian.

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What obstacles did you face While establishing your brand?

Our main challenge was starting a clothing brand with no background in fashion or textiles, and so we had to learn the ropes quickly. Founding CottonBall forced us to not only become familiar with the process involved in creating a well thought out and comprehensive collection, but it also pushed us to understand the Egyptian textile business. It was also difficult to ensure that we were strong enough to compete against other wellestablished brands that people already knew and trusted.

What Would you Want as a future for cottonball?

We want CottonBall to be a strong local brand with multiple outlets that has a strong wholesale and B2B division to provide quality apparel and uniforms to companies and corporations locally and internationally. We would also love to see CottonBall products sold in international department stores and global retailers. p Facebook: CottonBall Instagram: @cottonball_official Address: 17 Ahmed Heshmat St., Zamalek, Cairo maY 2017 | Ct

13

Culture

May Movie Releases Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (3D) • • • • •

Release Date: 3 May Genre: Action, Sci-Fi Director: James Gunn Cast: Chris Pratt, Karen Gillan, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper Synopsis: This Marvel production follows The Guardians on their adventures as they fight to keep their family together while unraveling the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. The movie shows how old enemies and characters from classic comics come together to help them.

Baywatch • • • • •

Release Date: 10 May Genre: Comedy Director: Seth Gordon Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, Alexandria Daddario, Pamela Anderson Synopsis: Based on the famous television series, the movie shows how two enemies, a devoted lifeguard who has not exactly seen eye to eye with a new recruit, come together in order to solve a criminal mastermind’s drug trafficking operation that threatens the future of the Bay.

Annabelle 2 • • • • •

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Release Date: 17 May Genre: Horror, Mystery Director: David Sandberg Cast: Miranda Otto, Stephanie Sigman, Alicia Vela-Bailey Synopsis: Years after the tragic death of their daughter, a doll maker and his wife welcome several orphaned girls and a nun into their home, who later become the target of the couple’s possessed doll, Annabelle.

Spark • • • • •

Release Date: 3 May Genre: Animation, Comedy Director: Aaron Woodley Cast: Patrick Stewart, Jessica Biel, Susan Sarandon Synopsis: Spark is a teenage monkey who lives on an abandoned planet with his friends Chunk and Vix, who after finding out Zhong’s plan to destroy the universe, realize that no one but Spark can stop him.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword • • • • •

Release Date: 10 May Genre: Drama, Fantasy Director: Guy Ritchie Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Annabelle Wallis Synopsis: When Arthur’s father is murdered during his childhood, his uncle seizes the crown. Living in the back alleys of the city, Arthur’s life is changed when he pulls a sword from a stone, forcing him to come to terms with what his true legacy is.

Everything, Everything • • • • •

Release Date: 17 May Genre: Drama, Romance Director: Stella Meghie Cast: Amandla Stenberg, Nick Robinson, Anika Noni Rose Synopsis: Based on a novel, Maddy, a teenager who has been unable to leave her home her entire life because of her illness, falls for a boy who moves in next-door. Despite their circumstances, they insist on being together, finding different ways to see and talk to each other. p

Art in the Open Air

By Ahmed Kafafi

Under the auspices of the Kafr El Sheikh Governorate and the Balteem Educational Administration as well as the Basamat Society for Plastic Artists, the first open air art symposium, headed by artist and critic Wahid El Belqasi, was held from March 30 to April 1 in Balteem, Kafr El Sheikh.

Titled “Fanan wa Qodwa� (Artist and Role Model), the symposium that was sponsored by consultant Yassin El Metwali brought together a large number of famous artists from Egypt and the Arab World and students from several Balteem schools to attend workshops aimed at encouraging talent in remote areas.

In the open air, talented students created their pieces of art with the direction and help of the experienced artists. Each student was encouraged to get their inspiration from nature and translate it into artistic expressions. At the end of the event, a big exhibition was organized to highlight all the works achieved during the event and a number of distinguished artists were honored.

The success of the event encouraged the governorate to organize the event once again and invite genuine talents from other schools in different areas, who might be deprived of the art tools and guidance necessary to boost their creativity. p

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Culture

Book Recommendations To be released in the market this month

Can I Let You Go? A heartbreaking true story of love, loss and moving on

By Cathy Glass This true story speaks about the life of 24-year-old Faye, a young woman who may not have the ability to parent her unborn child due to the learning difficulties she has because of her alcoholic mother. Faye keeps how she got pregnant a secret; leaving it a mystery to her loved ones, as she is known to have never left the house alone.

Faye is welcomed into Cathy’s home and family after moving away from her growingly old grandparents, agreeing to stay with them until she gives birth and puts the baby up for adoption. However, she starts opening up to Cathy and decides she wants to keep the baby; a decision questioned by her social worker.

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Fortune Smiles

By Adam Johnson

When You Find Out the World Is Against You

By Kelly Oxford

This collection of six timeless short stories explores love, loss, technology’s influence on societies, politics and the devastation that come with natural disasters.

Bestselling author Kelly Oxford returns with a new collection of humorous and deep essays about what it is like living in her own head.

In the story “Hurricanes Anonymous” that takes place in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, a man searches for his son’s mother in what is left of Louisiana, and in “George Orwell Was a Friend of Mine”, a former warden of a prison in Germany denies his past, even as pieces of it are delivered in packages to his front door.

Named one of the funniest people on Twitter, Oxford has her own perspective on modern life, and is not a fan of the status quo. She is famous for her pictures of her adorable family, as well as her interest in addressing serious issues. Oxford created the hash tag #NotOkay, where millions of women came together to share their personal stories of sexual assault.

Two by Two

By Nicholas Sparks Russel Green is married to a stunning lady, has a six-year-old daughter, a successful career and a perfect house.

Behind this image of the perfect life, Russel is surprised when he finds out it is falling apart. Within months, he finds himself unemployed and without a wife, caring for his young daughter by himself.

Struggling as a single parent, Russel embarks on an emotionally draining but rewarding journey.

No One Is Coming to Save Us

By Stephanie Powell Watts

American War

By Omar El Akkad

A Southern recast of The Great Gatsby, this novel is about an extended African-American family’s journey to achieve the American Dream.

Sarat Chestnut is six when the Second American Civil War breaks out in 2074, but even at that age she is aware that oil is banned, that Louisiana is drowning and that threatening drones fill the sky. Her family is forced into a camp after her father’s murder, where she quickly becomes shaped by her surroundings until she is turned into a deadly instrument of war.

When JJ Ferguson returns home to North Carolina to rekindle a romance with his high school sweetheart and build his dream home, he finds out how people in his town have drastically changed. JJ’s current wealth makes everyone reconsider what they want from life, and makes them question whether they can reshape their lives to fulfill their dreams or are they forced to stay in their current conditions.

The Women in the Castle

By Jessica Shattuck Taking place at the end of World War II in a castle that was once home to Germany’s high society, this powerful story of three widows, who cross paths and become inseparable, seek justice for their murdered husbands by plotting to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

The novel is told through the eyes of Chestnut’s nephew who is confronting his dark past and his family’s role in the war.

Killers of the Flower Moon

By David Grann The author of “The Lost City of Z” follows the story of one of the FBI’s earliest cases; a series of cold-blooded murders in which several members of the Osage Indian Nation, a group who became incredibly wealthy because of the oil found in their land, were brutally killed.

The FBI’s young director, Edgar Hoover, partnered with former ranger Tom White to solve the mystery of these murders and expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history. p

MAY 2017 | Ct

17

Culture

Leila

An Egyptian Musical with a Live Orchestra Photographs Courtesy of Soft Power Productions

P

resenting the audience with a mix between singing, dancing and acting, the Arabic musical Leila, directed by Hany Afifi, aims at reviving the theatre scene in Egypt and is a collaboration between the recently established Egyptian Musical Theater and Soft Power Productions.

The one hour and fifty minutes performance follows a couple, Karim and Leila, on their proposal day who encounter the negative effects of the jealousy of their friends who resort to black magic to break them apart.

The musical opened its doors on Thursday, 20 April and will be presented every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 21 May at The Marquee in Cairo Festival City.

Along with the incredible vocals, script and acting of the youthful cast that were written by Ibrahim Maurice, was the exceptional live orchestra performance throughout the musical, headed by conductor Mohamed Saad Basha, which conveyed all the emotions to the audience.

Although the performance was mostly dramatic, there were comedic and light moments where the audience was caught off guard during intense scenes, especially at the beginning, when the couple’s love was expressed through songs and dance, beautifully choreographed by Dalia Farid and which included both hip-hop and jazz dancers.

Leila successfully portrayed the idea of how there are human characteristics more evil than magic and witchcraft, like jealousy, selfishness and spite, which were evident in Iman and Amin, the couple’s two friends, who visited an alleged witch to put a spell on them, a plan that ended up backfiring.

The area in which Leila and Karim lived in was called “El Kheir Street”, which was perfectly represented by their neighbors and friends, and by the colorful decoration put together by Hazem Shebl, as well as the spot-on costumes that reflected each individual’s personality that was welldesigned by the talented Mona ElTonsy.

The story behind Leila is timeless and represents issues that are evident in our society today, making it very relatable and enjoyable for the audience, and a performance that is suitable for all ages. p

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Advertorial

Beneficiaries receiving the graduation certificates of the project in a ceremony attended by Orange Egypt and Maadi Youth Training Center officials

Orange Egypt and “Maadi Training Youth Center” Celebrate Graduates of “Training and Employment for 100K Egyptians” Initiative

I

n the light of Orange Egypt’s social responsibility towards supporting youth in maintaining better living conditions through developing their abilities and improving their skills, Orange Egypt partnered with ‘Maadi Youth Training Center’ (MYTC) to provide training for 600 beneficiaries and offering job opportunities to 80% of them. Graduation Certificates were awarded to the beneficiaries of the project during a ceremony attended by Orange and MYTC officers.

During the ceremony, Dr. Mona Ramzy, MYTC CEO, presented a brief on the project and the training topics provided by MYTC to enhance and develop youth personal skills such as selfconfidence, anger management and creative thinking. Other training topics included work etiquette, communication, team work, and time management. The technical training focused on fields such as porcelain figure making, air conditioning maintenance, and mobile phone maintenance.

On this occasion, Ashraf Halim, Orange Egypt’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Orange Egypt is extremely proud of the achievements recorded by ‘Training and Employment for 100 Thousand Egyptians’ initiative. This reflects the importance of training and empowering youth to compete in the labor market.” He added: “Orange Egypt was able to train 52 thousand beneficiaries since the start of the initiative. In this context, more initiatives were provided to support youth in different fields such as Orange Challenge for Start-ups and supporting “Startup Cup” website to encourage youth to submit their innovative ideas in various development fields and digital learning.”

It is worth mentioning that the “Maadi Youth Training Center” (MYTC) was established in 1997 with the purpose of enhancing the scientific and personal skills of youth in addition to finding suitable job opportunities for them. MYTC also provides employment services through trained and skillful youth to businessmen and companies in the region.

FEATURE

Nadia Abdo First Female Governor in Egypt

By Rehab Saad

Engineer Nadia Abdo is the first woman to hold the position of governor in Egypt. She was appointed in February 2017, previously holding the title of deputy governor of El Beheira governerate. Abdo succeeded in resolving many critical problems, like reducing rates of virus C infections, increasing drinking water stations and confronting flooding issues.

I

n addition to her experience in tackling critical issues, she was the first woman in the Arab World to head the management of the drinking water and sanitation company in Alexandria. She remained in this post for 12 years, before being awarded by the Muslim and African Women’s Fund as the best humanitarian achiever for her work in Alexandria.

At the beginning, Abdo received resistance from protestors when she became deputy governor in 2013 due to the fact that she was a member of the National Party, but their concerns were put to rest after seeing the improvements she had made in the governerate.

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Challenges and aChievements Security

In light of the recent bombings in Tanta and Alexandria, which claimed the lives of dozens and injured more than 100, we asked the governor about the actions she has taken towards the victims and their families, as well as the security measures enforced after the recent events. She said, “The governorate took care of the funeral services of many of the victims including Major Emad Lotfy and First Lieutenant Asmaa Al-Kharadli. We have also taken all the necessary security measures to fortify churches and vital facilities after the bombings and have ensured round the clock shifts in the governerate’s hospitals.” She added, “Moreover, we have inspected hospitals to guarantee the readiness of intensive care units, blood banks, pharmacies and civil protection departments, in addition to the quality of medical equipment and availability of doctors and nurses in case of emergencies.”

Climate and Coastal Areas

El Beheira has been facing many challenges, including climate change and the rise of sea level, in which a study was conducted for the management of coastal areas to create a geographical, social and economic database. In this regard, Abdo explained that complete maps were done for the surrounding lands as well as for cultivated and uncultivated areas within the urban boundaries or outside the governorate areas. “It should be noted that we did not need any consultants to do this,” Abdo remarked.

When Abdo was the deputy governor of El Beheira, she put forth many ideas, which included transferring Rasheed into a touristic area, establishing an industrial city and creating residential areas for the youth.

Upcoming and Already Established Projects

“Many projects were established, like creating the customs building, a police station, a fish market, a vegetables market, the development of the corniche and the three Nile marinas, a parking complex, the completion of the fishing port on an area of 12 feddans, the establishment of three factories and 18 service and commercial buildings, among other projects,” Abdo mentioned.

“Currently, we are coordinating with the authorities to provide us with the necessary aid to transfer fish cages, install navigation passages, develop the Tal area and the Abo Mandour mosque, establish three floating marinas and to complete the road expansion from el Haq mosque to the port entrance, and finally, develop heritage streets like Dahliz el Malak, El Souq and El Sheikh Kandil,” she proceeded.

“Moreover, we are waiting for the licenses to develop El Horreya, Orabi, Sahet el Amseeli and the citadel area, as well as installing railway pavements and developing a link between Rosetta Canal and the industrial city station in new Rosetta, in addition to the installation of a service station and transferring the bricks workshop to an uninhabited area,” added Abdo.

“As for developing the industrial and housing area in New Rosettta, we have divided the 700 acres located beside the petroleum companies into five areas: 247 acres for housing, 190 for investments, 65 for administration, entertainment and services, 128 acres as an industrial area and finally, 47 acres for craftsmanship and small industries,” she said.

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FEATURE “Many of my plans have already been achieved, and we have received the Cabinet’s approval to allocate 35 acres to establish a private university, as well as 128 acres for a complex that manufactures paper from straw rice in cooperation with Al Ahram Establishment and a Chinese investor, which was approved by the Ministry of Investment.

The installation of utilities, drinking and sewage water as well as electricity and natural gas networks in this area is essential, and will cost around EGP300 million.”

“We are also suffering from construction violations, whether people are building without a license or are building outside the urban area, where the number of infringement cases has reached 5,096,” Abdo claimed.

Health Services

“One of the main challenges that El Beheira suffers from would be the availability and quality of health services. In order to address such issues, we have already established six hospitals, renovated 57 health units and are currently working on nine other projects which are nearly finished,” claimed Abdo.

Transportation and Irrigation

“We also used to suffer from tragic accidents on highways, so we are currently working on completing a bridge on the agricultural road. In order to facilitate traffic near the Mahmoudeya Canal, we have completed the construction of the Kafr el Dawar bridge.

Moreover, we have established seven main roads, including the construction of a third lane on the Cairo-Alexandria Agricultural Road, and are upgrading several roads like Delengat, Wadi el Natroun up to kilometer 45, the international coastal road 7a and 7b, as well as creating entrances and exits from and to Kom Hamada,” she added.

“Maintenance of the railway system was also one of the priorities, and we are currently renovating 75 barriers,” mentioned Abdo.

“Furthermore, to solve many of our irrigation issues, we have already finished 95 projects and are currently working on 73 more,” she concluded.

Food, Factories and Agriculture

“We are supporting the efforts exerted by the governorate to confront all attempts to manipulate prices, force monopolies on food commodities and exploit citizens by establishing 113 fixed ports and nine mobile ports. Based on the social responsibility of private company owners, businessmen and investors, we are currently coordinating with companies, factories and farm owners to sign protocols for the supply of goods, vegetables and fruits to ensure the continuation of this initiative,” said Abdo.

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We also have 33,078 cases of contraventions on agricultural land, in addition to 51 cases of encroachment on state properties after the removal of 548 cases,” she continued.

Administration and Prosecution

The governor’s top priority is to limit corruption, and there are already 750 employees in local units and service departments under investigation for their inefficient performance and alleged bribery.

When asked how she penalizes negligence and how she chooses unit deputies carefully to avoid corruption, she said, “Since 2010, we have handed over 61 cases to the administrative prosecution and nine cases to the general prosecution, and have applied administrative penalties on 71 cases for 1,300 employees, which included deducting from their salaries due to negligence.”

“The criteria for choosing deputies and city councilors is based on good reputation, the approval of the security authorities, their compatibility with the job description, their efficiency and other leadership characteristics,” she added.

Youth and Women Projects “We have succeeded in establishing 7,000 projects for youth in two years through loans from the national initiative for community, human and local development called “Your Project”, in which loans reached EGP250 million. Financial support was also provided by the social fund to the youth and vulnerable women in order to allow them to start small projects and micro enterprises,” explained Abdo.

Women empowerment is a major topic in the governor’s agenda, and she supports projects that play a significant role in the empowerment of women that provide them with decent jobs for a stable source of income. “We have a project for vulnerable women to raise their standard of living. In phase one, we established poultry projects, trading and grocery projects as well as sewing machines and plastic trading projects, all of which were distributed to 50 widows and disability cases in Abo Kir,” explained Abdo. “We have already handed over phase three, which consists of 57 projects to aid vulnerable women in Kafr el Dawar with the aim of providing them and their families with a fixed income,” added Abdo.

“We have also distributed 34 cheques to vulnerable women, with a total amount of EGP 333,000 as loans provided by the Social Development Fund, in order to enable them to establish their own projects and become financially independent. Examples of these projects include dairy products, sewing machines, food packing, printing cards and making mattress,” she explained.

Future Plans “I am looking forward to establishing the Badko logistics port, more industrial areas, a new hub factory in Hosh Issa, a paper pulp factory in Rosetta, a solar energy project, the Rosetta university, a logistic area in Damanhour and recycling factories, as well as developing haphazard areas and restoring state lands,” Abdo concluded. p MAY 2017 | Ct

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FEATURE

Children Take Over Family Businesses

Some people are born with a passion towards a certain field or occupation, while others spend their early years figuring out what exactly they want to work as. However, when you are born into a family with its own business, whether it has been established recently or passed down through the generations, your career path is arguably pretty much laid out for you. Taking over a business that has a strong foundation and name in the market can sometimes be seen as a blessing or a burden.

We spoke to five people who have each stepped into their family’s business and managed to take it further, each with their own style, challenges and philosophy.

By Selma Köhn

Aya Akel Aya Home Textiles Coming from a family that has been in the textile business for three generations, Aya Akel followed in her ancestors’ footsteps by creating her own branch of the business, Aya Home Textiles, which she runs successfully on her own.

How wAs it growing up As A dAugHter of A successful fAmily in tHAt business? did it fAcilitAte tHings for you or burden you more?

A family business is somewhat part of you when you are growing up and the people working in the business become part of the family.

I always knew I was going to run my family business as I used to work with my dad any chance I got. During those times, I would hear stories of my great grandfather, who was a wool trader in Jerusalem, and my grandfather, Ahmed Akel, who had to overcome war obstacles in Palestine before moving his family and business to Egypt and starting from scratch. My father at the age of 21 took over the family’s legacy but created his own business. I believe that every new generation likes to protect the legacy of their ancestors while creating a distinct name for themselves.

I would say it both facilitated and burdened me. Along with this legacy comes a lot of the old generation’s thinking.

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When did you decide to become an active part of the family business, and Was it your decision?

I knew I wanted this from when I was four years old when I modeled causal wear for kids for my father’s brand NES. I would watch my father prepare for fashion shows at Club Med Hotel Manial Palace, and he would create such avant-garde pieces all from scratch. My mom was the backstage coordinator and my siblings and I were always part of a show. I realized that this was what a family business was all about: putting all your passion and love into it.

Once I graduated, my father insisted that I find work away from the family business first so I can be 100% positive that I was making the right decision. I moved to the city and worked in advertising for a year, after which I realized that I was born to be an entrepreneur not an employee.

hoW did you come up With the idea of creating your oWn line aya home textiles?

Honestly, it was a mix of luck and research.

I was given the opportunity to create 200,000 simple, white promotional towels for Dove soap, and so I decided to research and find the best cotton supplier, which was Misr el Mahala company. For four months, I would drive every Monday to the factory in Mahala and check on my order. During the process, I discovered that Egypt produces such beautiful quality Egyptian towels that were unfortunately all exported, and this is where Aya Home Textiles began.

hoW is it to Work together With your family?

When I first joined, part of the deal with my father was that the first two years of would be a learning period where I would just be observing. Finally, after the period had ended, I was given the freedom to try something new.

I think the key advice I would give for people working with a parent is do not fight it. There will be differences, but there is also so much to learn simply by watching.

Would you expect your oWn children to folloW in your footsteps?

I would love for my children to step in, but I believe that it is their choice.

When you look in the mirror, What do you see?

I see an empowered, ambitious woman who strives for challenges. I see a woman who is constantly scared of failing, which is normal as it pushes you to excel. I also see a woman who can have her own business, be a wife and be a great mother at the same time. may 2017 | Ct

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FEATURE

Fatma Ghaly Azza Fahmy Fatma Ghaly, the daughter of Egyptian jewelry designer Azza Fahmy, is now the managing director of the Azza Fahmy brand. She joined the business as a part time junior in the marketing department when she was completing her studies and has been involved ever since, along with her younger sister Amina Ghaly, who is the head designer.

You are the dauGhter oF one oF eGYpt’s most successFul women. how does that Feel and what does it mean to You? I am lucky to have a mother that influences me greatly. For me, she is superwoman, both as a designer and as a parent. I can see how hard it must have been for her to balance a household and a successful business now that I am a mother myself.

how do You achieve a balance between manaGinG a business like “azza FahmY” and Your personal liFe? I realized that work is part of my life and who I am because it is a family business that I grew up with.

However, I always have to make sure that I am not giving less in my personal life, especially since I became a mother.

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How did tHe brand azza FaHmy develop under your supervision?

With my sister on the creative side and myself on the business side, we are both constantly working together to evolve the brand on these fronts as we take on the helm of the wonderful legacy that our mother has built and developed. We feed off of each other’s insights when it comes to market trends and consumer behavior, which keeps us both in check and equipped with the broad re-inventive mindset we need to expand the business.

How did you manage to make it global?

For us, it was seeing the potential in our unique creations, and that is when I knew that it had to be spread worldwide, not just regionally. It was important that, as our global demand grew, we researched every market individually with its trends and dynamics to see how we could adapt our product accordingly without compromising on our design essence and core brand values. That was and always remains our biggest challenge.

International collaborations have been a part of Azza Fahmy since the early 2000’s, ever since we set out for London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week with renowned designers like Julien Macdonald, Preen and recently, Matthew Williamson.

The brand has also been recognized by international publications like Vogue, Financial Times, Vanity Fair and CNN, in addition to being favored by many global celebrities including Naomi Campbell, Rihanna and Vanessa Williams to name a few.

The brand also embarks on cultural collaborations, two of which were Bespoke collections for the British Museum.

wHat was tHe most valuable advice you ever got From your motHer? My mother always encouraged me to follow my passion. She has always taught me that nothing is impossible.

Looking back at her story, I have realized that if you believe in something, and have enough determination and dedication, you can always turn it into something great.

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FEATURE

Mahmoud El Hazek Egyptian Union For Construction (EUC) Mahmoud El Hazek joined Egyptian Union For Construction (El Hazek Group) as a teenager, where he witnessed how the group rapidly expanded throughout the years under the efforts of his father as well as his uncles, who are his father’s partners.

How was it growing up as tHE son of tHE foundEr of El HazEk group?

Growing up and watching my father work gradually imbedded in me an innate hunger for success and hard work. Watching him and idolizing him has developed a benchmark that I automatically strive to achieve. I always felt that I needed to excel in order to fulfill the expectations of my family. I come from a family of high achievers, and I had and still have big shoes to fill.

at wHat agE did you dEcidE to takE ovEr Euc? To be completely honest, I knew I would be a civil engineer and thus manage EUC ever since I was 15. I enjoyed certain subjects, which were core competencies required for civil engineering.

did joining tHE faMily businEss facilitatE tHings for you or burdEn you MorE? I would say both, but it is up to the individual to spin the circumstances around for their own benefit.

However, I must admit taking over a company and using the perks of the already established name has indeed created a platform that continues to help me today.

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When it comes to EUC, I face daily challenges, the hardest being changing the existing mindset and mentality. Let us not forget that people have a natural innate resistance to change, and I am constantly learning when to let go, when to fight and when to create the balance and win them over.

We have re-activated our industrial construction competencies and have partnered up with specialized international construction companies to bid for many different types of projects other than residential and thus expanding our potential – like power plants, factories, wind farms, high-rises and so on.

Would you say success is something you are born With?

In my opinion, the most important resource for a construction company is its people. I look for young talent that will allow EUC to adapt and mold to the fast-changing needs. Maintaining a learning and training environment to ensure their motivation and thus EUCs productivity is key. Our team has changed drastically over the past two years.

No, I would not say that. As cliché as it sounds, I believe success is definitely something you work hard to achieve. I do not consider myself successful yet; I still have a long way to go!

Apart from that, I think what you are born with or develop at a young age is the hunger and desire for success that is developed and embedded by the environment you are surrounded by.

Watching my father and growing up with his expectations of me definitely fostered that hunger.

hoW did euc develop under your supervision?

I believe that the company is on the right track to reach our long-term targets. We have devised a roadmap since I took over and what is essential for me to do is to make sure that the company is moving along the map set out. Any sort of movement in the right direction is a positive indication.

In the last two years, we have been awarded major projects with both new and old clients. I always ensure that business with existing clients is maintained as it proves good quality and delivery from EUC. It is equally important if not more important to widen the type of construction and the client base to ensure growth and expansion.

is Working together as a family challenging?

Working with my father and uncle has definitely proven challenging at times, especially when we are disagreeing on a major managerial decision. I must say though that my father has proven to be quite flexible and willing to support my decisions even though they may seem untraditional to EUC’s old culture. A major downfall however is that the line between home and work has completely disintegrated and we find ourselves discussing work related matters almost all the time.

Working with my cousins, however, is very dynamic and proactive. We all respect each other’s capabilities and boundaries and we strive for a similar goal of modernizing the group.

Would you expect your oWn children to folloW in your footsteps?

I believe I will be the type of father that gives my children the complete flexibility to do what they want.I would never force or push them towards a certain career – they need to love it to succeed.

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FEATURE

Mohamed Farag Ashraf Farag, DMA Construction and DMA Farms Mohamed Farag took over the family business at the age of 28, when his father had built reputable companies in real estate, construction and farming called Ashraf Farag, DMA Construction and DMA Farms. While Mohamed is responsible for generating the income of the overall business, his younger brother, Ahmed, is in charge of the technical and executive part of the business.

When did you decide to becoMe an active part oF your Father’s business?

I always knew that I would eventually work for the family business as there was no way out of it. Since I was four years old, my father would take me every Friday to look at all the sites and tell me about his work and projects. During my school holidays, he would pay me small amounts of money to go to work.

Despite that, my father gave me the liberty to study whatever I wanted, but he would always tell me that it would come in handy for the family business.

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How did tHese businesses develop under your leadersHip? When I joined, everything had to go through my father first, but today, I am slowly changing the culture. I have implemented a hierarchic structure where monitoring work performance is included. I am keen on creating close relationships with my employees and develop them into role models for younger generations.

My thesis in college was about low-income housing, and I developed a passion for that field since then. I believed in my vision that low-income housing is the future of real estate in Egypt, and I knew that as an entrepreneur, you have to take risks.

How did dMa FarMs start?

Even before I joined Asraf Farag, I advised my father to establish DMA Farms since he had the land and was doing nothing with it. Agriculture is completely different from real estate or construction. It is an industry where you are very dependent on unpredictable circumstances. When it rains, everything can be destroyed and so could your investments, and so it is a science where one cycle can be good, the other bad. Basically, it is like everything else in life.

How is it like working witH your FatHer? wHere do you agree and disagree?

My father is a “one man show� kind of person who believes that delegation is wrong, and this is where we disagree, as I see it as a useful and empowering growth tool. Apart from that, we have a lot of similarities. When I was young, I always wanted to be as successful as my father who now sees that I can handle the business on my own. I have been involved in his business since 17 years and learned everything from scratch. At the end of the day he is my father and as his son I also have to abide by his word, and I respect that.

How do you cope witH stress?

When you have a lot riding on your shoulders, it is hard to find time to stop. After working long hours, and sometimes weekends, I de-stress by making time to workout. I also go hunting, a hobby that my father taught me and that I have had a passion for ever since I was four years old. As with every family, work affects the home. And luckily, I have a great wife who is very understanding and knows how to handle me in every situation. I live and work foremost for my family, my father, my siblings but I need to remember to also treat myself.

would you expect your own cHildren to Follow your Footsteps?

I want my son or future children to pursue a career they wish to and I will support them regardless. I want to make sure that the company is up and running without their direct involvement so that they do not need to be there all the time. may 2017 | Ct

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FEATURE

Yousef Waly Al Waly Group Yousef Waly is responsible for growing the home appliances manufacturing, the marble manufacturing and the foundations construction part of Al Waly Group, a company that his grandfather established and his father further developed.

Does leaDing the familY business at its thirD generation facilitate things for You or burDen You more?

My grandfather had a construction company that laid its ground work in 1958, which was followed by my father setting up the concrete business in the eighties, building it to become one of the leading companies in its market today. So yes, it does both facilitate things and burden me in a way. It facilitated a huge amount of course, as it creates a pre-existing reputation, which is also a huge responsibility, as well as allows me to gain use of the network they have already created.

Was joining the familY business Your oWn Decision?

I only really chose it after I graduated from university. I was unaware of what I wanted to do as I did not have any sort of industry preference. It was not an easy decision, but there was the constant looming feeling of it since I was younger, that feeling in itself was a sort of cushion to bounce on to. However, I consciously made the choice to join, regardless of any pressure from the family. I never felt forced into it, nor do I feel trapped here because of it.

are You unDer performance stress?

Consistently. These are tough times for our economy in Egypt and all businesses are under great stress. The companies I am managing need to grow, so I have

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a massive task of planning for the companies with very limited tools, and learning how to make decisions and how to evaluate my options through trying them out myself. Besides it being a family business, and therefore success is expected of me, just as it is expected of my older brother, it is the responsibility that comes with it and the expectation that we are willing to do anything and everything for our organization.

Do You believe that success is something You are born With?

No, I never considered myself successful. I was generally not a very hard worker when I was younger, but I had good intuition, which helped me through most of my life.

hoW Does it feel leaDing a companY at the age of 25, With emploYees olDer than You? It is a paradox at times, as there are many scenarios where I must decide how to deal with every situation, how I treat others, how I review my own decision making so I can rely on my own judgment and not be misled. I am younger than 98% of the company and constantly have to prove myself. There are situations where I am being played, and others where I am the only one making sense.

I must identify who I should be learning from, who I can trust and who is just agreeing to everything I say and how organizations see my actions and will either rally behind it or judge me because of it. So, I have to set up chains of command and structures that enforce good management to help me enforce my decisions and make the right judgment.

What is the best aDvice Your father ever gave You? My father’s best advice was definitely to be myself. He has set up a potential empire with various industries and great prospects. He is so respected due to his success and character that he was able to run for parliament with an honest view of changing our country, so I am unable to learn all the norms and the ins and outs of each business and situation from him on a daily basis.

The most effective statement he has ever told me was, “it boils down to being yourself, and applying what you think is right.� p

FEATURE

Mostafa al sagheer: A Successful Entrepreneur

By Ola El Souneni

A

l Sagheer still passionately transforms women’s looks with his impressive haircuts and spot-on hair care recommendations to suit each individual and reflect their personalities.

The hair salons offer an escape from people’s daily lives, since several branches include spas, nail treatments in addition to other pampering services.

Al Sagheer commenced his career in the sixties and has been successful ever since. He opened his first owned hair salon in 1980 and his business has been continuously expanding all around Egypt and the Middle East.

His son, thirty-six-year-old Mostafa Al Sagheer, and Vice Chairman of Al Sagheer Group, had joined his father’s business to contribute to its success and growth.

Early lifE

Mohamed Al Sagheer is one of Egypt’s businessmen who has successfully transformed the perception of hair salons in Egypt.

Not only has he contributed to the expansion of their services to include much more than hairrelated facilities, he also built an empire with a full-fledged academy that teaches many interested individuals the up-todate techniques of this profession to best cater to their clients.

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Mostafa Al Sagheer graduated from The American University in Cairo majoring in political science with a special focus on international law. “When I decided to join my father’s business, I took a number of business courses, in addition to a diploma in finance and accounting. I wanted to equip myself with the knowledge to be able to add to the business and make it grow,” said Mostafa, who joined Al Sagheer Group in 2003 and has been working there ever since.

al SaghEEr group

Al Sagheer Group is a joint stock company between two Al Sagheer established businesses, where one manages the hair salons, spas and boutiques, while the other is fully dedicated to managing the imported products that are used at the salons and sold in the boutiques.

“I am the Chief Executive Officer of the two companies, where I run both and manage their day-to-day business details,” mentioned Mostafa.

The business of Al Sagheer Group has expanded greatly over the past 27 years, where currently, there are 28 hair salons all over Egypt with regional branches in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

“Ever since the company was launched in the eighties, we have had a retail corner in all our salons where clients have the opportunity to buy whatever products they desired. However, we officially launched the first Al Sagheer Boutique in our Mohandesin branch in 1990, since it had a spacious space that we used for a user-friendly display, showcasing a large range of our products. Later on, we opened our first standalone boutique in Zamalek in 2000 followed by our First Mall boutique in 2007,” explained Mostafa.

Keune’s shampoo and styling products and Nashi and Philip Kingsley’s hair treatment products are among the array of specialized and internationally renowned brands for hair services in the world that are found in their salons.

“We are known for using the best international hair brands such as L’Oreal, Bad Hair, Kerastase and many others that clients have expressed their satisfaction with and experienced excellent results after using them,” he highlighted.

Blow Dry Bar

Blow Dry Bar is one of Mostafa Al Sagheer’s additions to his father’s legacy, which aims to serve women on the go who have little time to spend at the hair salon. “Blow Dry Bar is a brand new concept in the Egyptian market. It basically started out as a blow dry service, yet it evolved into a sub brand of Al Sagheer Group as it still offers the same range of services but in a much faster, less luxurious way,” he explained.

The first Blow Dry Bar was opened in City Stars, Heliopolis to cater especially to women at the mall.

Contributions and Services Offered

“It is always very challenging to add to an already established and successful business. It is one of the toughest things I face as I go about my work because I am following in the footsteps of a business guru, who has left his engraved signature in the world of hair salons. I have always worked with the objective of turning the group into an actual business model and institutionalize the company. Consequently, we established Al Sagheer Academy to help teach a new breed of hairdressers who learn from scratch the secrets of managing different hair types in the best possible way to ensure client satisfaction and delivering high quality and flawless services,” explained Mostafa.

“In order to do that, we also enforced an enterprise resources planning system, established a human resources department and last but not least, created customer service and quality control departments to implement the best work plan and ensure that all Al Sagheer staff members are compliant and on the same wavelength, so that clients would get the best service in all branches without any discrepancies,” he added.

Another contribution that Mostafa added was helping the company include more brands that he saw were important to have due to their great popularity as best sellers worldwide. He wanted Egyptians to enjoy these products and feel that they are getting the best here in Egypt.

“It goes without saying that the devaluation of the pound negatively impacted our work. It affects our business tremendously due to the high costs of imported products, where we unfortunately had to increase the prices of many of our services to be able to continue to provide the best without compromising the high quality that we are prominent for,” he stated.

Achievements and Challenges

According to Mostafa, working in a field that is different to his studies is his greatest achievement. “I have learned a great deal and I am proud that I managed to follow in my father’s footsteps and help grow and expand the business as a political science graduate,” he mentioned.

To him, fierce competition and sustaining the best quality are his biggest challenges. “Many hair salons have opened over the last decade with a similar business model that offered the same services,” claimed Mostafa.

Al Sagheer Boutiques

Al Sagheer boutiques exhibit and sell distinct local and international products. The display has an edge of creativity with inviting interiors and knowledgeable staff, who are always up for providing the best service to clients.

Dolz House, Maha Al Sagheer, Tash and Dijani display their locally produced lines at Al Sagheer boutiques, in addition to a huge selection of perfumes, cosmetics, makeup and hair product brands.

Future Plans

“I would like to create a new concept for men salons, where they can also enjoy being pampered and receive equally high quality services. I would also like to see hair brands that we manufacture,” commented Mostafa when asked about his dreams for the future.

“I am always inspired by positive energy. To me, this is what keeps me going,” says Mostafa. “My dad is my idol. He is someone that I proudly look up to. His reliance, hard work and vision are inspirational.” p May 2017 | Ct

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FEATURE

11

Creative Proposal Spots and Ideas in Egypt

By Rana Kamaly

Wedding season is approaching, creating the perfect atmosphere for those couples looking to take a step forward in their relationship. For those proposing, we have put together some ideas and locations that will help make this moment memorable, special and enjoyable.

Wadi degla Protectorate, cairo

Yacht ride, ain Sokhna

For those who love the desert and open spaces, this would be the perfect venue for you as it is just minutes away from Maadi.

Take your significant other for a drive around before setting up a romantic picnic overlooking a panoramic desert view on a mountain, and then propose privately or invite friends and family.

Proposing in Ain Sokhna proves to be a perfect as you can enjoy each other’s company during the short car ride there before renting a yacht or speedboat out and enjoying a day of swimming, snorkeling and fishing before popping the question at sunset. Some renters include lunch in the package, but if you do not choose this option, you could also visit one of the restaurants overlooking the sea to have a nice dinner that would be the perfect ending to the day.

FamilY Park, cairo Also a place for nature lovers, Family Park is home to a large array of beautiful gardens with serene lakes. You can also spend the day there, have lunch at one of the restaurants or order takeout and set up a cozy picnic in the garden.

I would highly recommend choosing a weekday as on weekends it may get a bit crowded, unless you want the attention. You can also invite as many people as you would like there.

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RestauRant with a View There are many restaurants along the Nile that are the perfect location for this occasion.

If you want to go big, you could always take her to the revolving restaurant at the top of the Cairo Tower for lunch or dinner, where you could propose to her at the end of the night whilst enjoying an incredible view of Cairo. If you want it to be more subtle or untraditional, you could always have the ring come with her favorite dessert or cupcake.

You could also opt for sea view restaurants in Sokhna, Gouna or the North Coast, if you want a more holiday-like atmosphere.

Montazah Palace, alexandRia The shores of Alexandria are breathtaking, and it is a city home to incredible views, history and rich culture. You can travel by train or make a road trip out of it and travel by car together.

If you want to avoid spending most of your time in the car stuck in traffic trying to take her to all the attractions, you could easily find most of what you want in Montazah, the king’s palace, where there are endless activities you could do there. If you are interested in history, you could take a tour of the palace, or walk across its beautiful gardens and admire the incredible landscape and architecture, before making your way to one of many restaurants or cafés overlooking the open sea, where you can have a bite to eat before proposing.

caMel and hoRse Riding, PyRaMids of giza This may sound overdone to some, but for others having such a special moment held with the backdrop of a monument like the pyramids has great value. The pyramids definitely make for a picturesque location for a proposal, and if she is an animal lover, horse or camel riding is a great choice. You could also possibly have a poster with the words “will you marry me?” placed on the horse or camel she is going to mount, to add a little surprise and creativity.

However, make sure the weather is moderate in order to avoid feeling too hot or cold.

felouka on the nile If planned correctly, this would definitely be one of the top picks. There is something about proposing on a boat with a scenic view of the Nile at sunset that sets the perfect mood. Having lunch and drinks prepared beforehand will also be a great surprise for her.

You could also have your friends and family riding in different boats and only approach yours when it is time to celebrate. Make sure you are the one who selects the music so you do not end up with loud, unwanted tunes that ruin the moment and the proposal video.

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FEATURE Hot Air BAlloon, luxor This may be a little harder to plan, especially with the distance you will need to travel, but if you have already planned a trip to Luxor with a group of friends, this will prove to be a moment neither of you will ever forget, and there is so much room for creativity. You can arrange to have the proposal written on the hot air balloon before she gets in, or you can propose to her when you are in the air, or have your friends carry a “will you marry me?� poster that she can see when you are coming back down.

The options are endless.

This can also follow a day of visiting historical monuments, swimming, sailing on a felouka, row paddling or visiting the many markets there.

MAgic lAke, FAyouM Not too far away from Cairo, the Magic Lake in Fayoum is an incredible place to visit for anyone who loves the outdoors. You can spend some time exploring the desert dunes before making your way to the lake, where you can get your sand boarding gear ready, or go swimming before setting up a campfire or grill going to make your own dinner. Ending the night with a proposal with the backdrop of the lake will make this day unforgettable.

Beit el SeHeiMy For all the history lovers who admire a rustic atmosphere, Beit El Seheimy would be a great place, given that it is open for all and is usually not very crowded, where you can take in the incredible architecture and the laid back atmosphere. Just make sure you plan around any events taking place there to avoid any issues. You can also have your loved ones hiding in the house behind the Mashrabeyat and come out before or after you propose to celebrate.

At A MAll While having a bite to eat at the mall, a hired band can come by your table and start singing a romantic song, perhaps followed by upping the pace with a choreographed dance performed by some of your close friends. p

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Advertorial

Celebrating easter with global vibes at somabay

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rganized by RMC, a three-day Easter extravaganza kept Somabay dwellers on their feet swaying to spectacular music by globalband concerts.

Sponsored by both the Egyptian General Authority of Tourism and the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism, the celebration began on a high note with a truly world-class live performance by the ever-so-popular Gipsy Kings. A cheering and lively audience interacted greatly with their soul-stirring tunes and Spanish hits.

As promised, the Easter festivity involved all members of the family, even the young ones! Day 2 rolled in with the first-ever international beachside event for children to be held in Egypt. Having it all, kids enjoyed the free stay as well as the special performance by the Strawberry Swing.

The grand finale of the event was of course the wellawaited appearance of the legendary Dire Straits Experience on stage. The band performed their best hits and songs, sending the audience to an incredible live experience at Somabay’s Marina.

Hosting live performances featuring international bands is not new to Somabay. The growing trend has become so successful, that it has positively affected the tourism dynamics in Egypt, and Hurghada in particular.

Somabay completes the experience for guests with exemplary hospitality standards, whereby guests indulge in Somabay’s spa retreats, enjoy one of the best golf courses there is in Egypt, as well as, relish the charming nature of the Red Sea, which is considered one of the top tourist attractions in the country.

COMMUNITY Fieldwork

A

kzoNobel, a leading global paints company, brought cheer to the students at the ‘El-Tarbia EL-Fikrya Public School for Special Needs Children’ in 6th of October City in Egypt with a colorful transformation of their school building.

AkzoNobel continues to contribute to the local community by renovating the ‘el-tarbia elFikrya Public school For sPecial needs children’

The renovated premises were unveiled in the presence of The Honorable Mr Laurens Westhoff, Ambassador of the Netherlands in Egypt; Mr. Joost Geijer, Agricultural Counsellor, Economic Department; Mr. Mustafa Beksawy, General Manager, 6th of October City Educational Administration; Rajiv Rajgopal, AkzoNobel Regional Director MEA; AkzoNobel Egypt staff and volunteers; as well as students, parents and teachers.

As part of the project, AkzoNobel built a customized Sensory Development Room fitted with new games, personal development tools and data shows.

It will benefit over 200 children, aged 6 to 12 years, who attend the school to enhance their learning ability. As a result of AkzoNobel’s contribution, ElTarbia EL-Fikrya will be the first local school within the 6th of October City to have a Sensory Development Room.

AkzoNobel also built a football field, repaired the basketball and volleyball grounds, furnished kindergarten classrooms and the adjoining playground and designed and constructed a theatre stage to promote arts. Over 35 employees of AkzoNobel in Egypt volunteered in landscaping the grounds and planting lush greenery.

AkzoNobel Egypt has previously been commended for their efforts as part of the Human Cities project. It was selected as one of the ten best activations on the ‘AkzoNobel 2015 Community Program Best Practices Competition’ for the innovative transformation of Ahmed Zewail Public School in 6th of October City. Over 25 volunteers took part to restore the school, which was in a dilapidated state, and transformed it into a safe, healthy and colorful place for over 3,000 primary and preparatory students.

Launched in 2014, the global Human Cities initiative aims to help the world’s cities deliver a stronger sense of community purpose, pride and happiness.

AkzoNobel regularly organizes community-oriented campaigns in the region. The company’s staff members take part in various initiatives such as the recent blood donation drive organized in Dubai. p

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Green Community

Sets Bold New Benchmark for Renewable Energy

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ajid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, aims to produce a minimum of 7.5% of its electricity consumption through renewable energy.

As the third City Centre in the company’s portfolio in Egypt, City Centre Almaza is currently under construction and in the process of adopting Majid Al Futtaim’s sustainability targets.

These targets incorporate solar thermal technology where feasible, and assessing ground source cooling for potential implementation.

In line with international practices in sustainability, Majid Al Futtaim’s targets for new developments, including City Centre Almaza, have become increasingly viable from a business

perspective as greater focus has been given to market and legislative mechanisms for investing in renewable energy around the world.

Egypt’s national renewable energy strategy introduced a target of 20% renewable energy (9,500 MW) by 2020, with at least 2,300 MW to be generated from solar energy.

City Centre Almaza, due to open in 2019, is one component of Majid Al Futtaim’s significant investment plan in Egypt worth $1.4 billion (over EGP23 billion), which also encompasses the newly-opened Mall of Egypt and the expansion of City Centre Maadi, in addition to four neighborhood centres in new residential cities in Cairo and the development of four new shopping malls in greater Cairo. The first brick at City Centre Almaza’s site was laid on 14 January 2016, with the total amount of investments reaching EGP4 billion. p

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Education

SchoolS Upgrade project by takatof

After

After

After

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BefOre

BefOre

BefOre

TEAChERS’ RooM

hALL

LAB RooM

About tAkAtof

Takatof Association for Development works on enhancing the quality of life and empowering the underprivileged people living in poor and deprived areas through projects and programs that achieve sustainable development.

Renovating the dilapidated schools and upgrading health centers, in addition to conducting awareness and selfdevelopment programs are among the association’s major projects. Takatof works in partnership with civil society organizations and both the private and public sectors.

So far, it has renovated 23 schools in different governorates like Cairo, Giza, Suez and Beni Suef, where schools such as El Demerdash Primary School and El Manial Preparatory School for Girls won the “Best School” award in Cairo. In addition, El Agouza Preparatory School that has won the “Cleanest School” award in Giza.

MuSIC RooM

SchoolS upgrAde project

Takatof renovates schools using a unique philosophy and deep understanding of child psychology, taking into consideration the school’s impact on children. This concept includes creating a friendly environment for kids by choosing cheerful colors for walls and furniture while ensuring sufficient lighting in classrooms and greenery in open areas, as well as making sure that activity rooms are available in order to help boost children’s creative skills. The association also aims at upgrading media, computer and science labs.

To promote safety, Takatof uses acrylic windowpanes instead of glass, establishes fire extinguishing networks and secures the schools from looting by providing required security methods.

They also provide a healthier environment for students by renovating restrooms and ensuring adequate ventilation in classrooms.

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Education

After takatof gives special attention to kindergarten by restructuring, if possible, available space to ensure ease of movement for the children, in addition to providing the educational tools and entertainment units needed.

Saft El SharkEya PrEParatory School, BEni SuEf

takatof developed Saft el Sharkeya Preparatory School in four and a half months with a total cost of eGP3 million, of which AlexBank funded 85%. The total fund covered the physical upgrade, furnishings, supplies, and ongoing human development programs and services which include a teachers’ capacity building program and the formation of a 43 mixed choir trained by takatof’s music teachers. This brings the number of schools upgraded by the association in Beni Suef to three.

The school was comprised of three buildings and was divided into separate boys and girls sections. After the upgrade, the school has now become one mixed school with a shared administration.

As a result of a needs’ assessment, takatof was able to not only redistribute the space available in the school, but also create a music room, an art education room, a physical education hall and a radio and press room, in addition to new classrooms, a multi-purpose hall, teachers’ rooms, a canteen and a mosque,

After

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BefOre among many others. They also upgraded and increased the number of restrooms.

The association was also able to upgrade and transform one classroom to adhere to the Special Needs’ Code; this in addition to the special needs’ restrooms.

The upgrade also included leveling the playground, rebuilding and reinforcing the corridors’ railings to ensure the students’ safety, reconstructing the dilapidated school walls and equipping the playground with necessary sports’ needs.

human DEvEloPmEnt

As takatof believes in comprehensive development along with structural development and renovation, and as a result of the needs’ assessment carried out by the association, the “How to Deal with Adolescents” teachers and school administration’s capacity building program was implemented.

futurE Plan

takatof aims to establish many programs with the new school year like awareness programs to help the students maintain the school’s new conditions, as well as life skills and ethics programs, entertainment programs and camps, medical and ophthalmological outreaches for students and teachers as well as the monitoring and evaluation of the “How to Deal with Adolescents” program. p

BefOre

DESTINATIONS Travel

10

UniqUe Honeymoon Destinations

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ravel has become an essential part of every individual’s life, offering a break from our everyday, fast paced routines.

Nowadays, people are becoming more aware of how investing an entire lifetime worth of savings into one wedding is not the best option, but rather are looking towards spending that money on travelling on their honeymoon, visiting places they will forever remember, and building a solid foundation for the start of their marriage.

Straying away from your popular, cliché destinations like the Maldives, Paris and Greece that do offer incredible experiences, more unknown, original places are catching the interest of couples that look for a one-of-a-kind, rounded experience that is rich in culture, spectacular views and adventure.

GalapaGos Islands, Ecuador For all the picturesque, nature lovers, this is an ideal romantic destination. Located in the Pacific Ocean, these 19 islands are off the coast of Ecuador, and are known for housing an endless variety of incredible, friendly wildlife like sea lions, pelicans, tortoises, penguins and dolphins that were all a part of the inspiration behind Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.

This archipelago is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites that’s volcanic rocks, flora and fauna are protected and preserved. The Galapagos have it all; the crystal blue water, the beautiful greenery, the wildlife and the history.

To get the full experience, couples should also consider scuba diving and snorkeling to witness first-hand the incredible sea life, as well as leave time to explore on land.

Best time to visit: December and January are warmer but wetter months, whereas June to August are cooler but drier.

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dingLe, ireLand Dingle is a town on the Atlantic coast of Ireland that is the perfect destination for couples looking for a beautiful, open countryside with very little noise and population. Giving out the ideal “small town” feel, the town’s homes and buildings are cozy and colorful, making visitors feel welcome.

Not only is this town very rich in culture, letting you enjoy their food, music and traditions, but it also offers the opportunity to travel to many surrounding sites, like the ancient ruins and church at Gallarus Oratory. Visitors can also learn more about their wildlife at the Dingle Oceanworld aquarium or take a cruise to visit the Great Blasket Island where you can go hiking and enjoy dolphin and whale watching. Renting a car and driving around the countryside is a great option, where you can stop to explore the landscape or to set up a picnic.

Best time to visit: July to August.

LapLand, FinLand Located in the north of Finland, Lapland is sometimes called the “winter wonderland”, reflecting the peacefulness and beauty that it portrays during snowy days. Lapland is the perfect destination for couples looking for romance, adventure and tranquility.

Each season offers a completely different experience to visitors, where in the summer there are 24 hours of daylight, resulting in little sun during the winter. Not to be missed are the months between November and March, when you get to witness the most breathtaking phenomena: the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

In the area, there are hotels and igloos that offer the opportunity to watch the lights through a glass ceiling while sleeping, an experience that would be incredible to share with a spouse!

Visitors can also enjoy the Arctic Design Week in February where you get to attend a variety of events like seminars, shows and dinners that are beautifully illuminated. There are also husky-safaris, which include sledding through the landscape, as well as visiting spas and skiing at the Levi, the National Park or at Ruka, one of the best ski resorts.

Best time to visit: Late November to midMarch.

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DESTINATIONS Travel Travel Woodstock, Vermont The town of Woodstock in Vermont, USA is a great all-year-round destination, with many activities offered throughout the different seasons. With picturesque views, this town is tailored for couples looking for a relaxing stay in a secluded area that offers several opportunities for adventure.

During winter months, common activities include skiing, snowboarding and ice climbing in places like the Killington Resort or Suicide Six where you can rent your gear and take to the slopes. Also popular during the winter is rewinding after an adrenaline-filled day by visiting one of the resorts for spa treatments and massages with your loved one.

During the summer, visitors like to go to The Billings Farm and Museum or the Sugarbush farm where you can experience cheese and maple syrup tastings, check out the farm animals and go for wagon rides. Mount Tom is also popular for hiking and enjoying spectacular views. A walk and a picnic at the Marsh-Billings National Park is always a relaxing, romantic way to spend a day there.

Best time to visit: December to February or July to August.

AlgArVe, PortugAl A city at the very south of Portugal, Algarve is the perfect balance for a couple looking for relaxing mornings, but a buzzing nightlife. Popular for its beautiful mix of blue waters and green cliffs, honeymooners can head down to one of its many sandy, secluded beaches, rent a yacht for the day, or enjoy a meal at some of their oceanfront restaurants. This city is also known for its incredible Mediterranean cuisine at great prices.

While a beach day is a common choice, couples could also spend their mornings exploring the countryside filled with olive trees and vineyards, visit the spa town Caldas de Monchique or play golf at their well-known courses.

Algarve also offers stunning shops where you can buy hand-painted pottery and ceramic souvenirs, or even attend a pottery workshop.

Best time to visit: June to August.

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La Rioja and LogRoño, Spain Highly undiscovered, La Rioja is known for its endless vineyards, however, if you are not a fan of wine tasting, you could still enjoy the beauty of driving through the landscape.

La Rioja is also famous for being a part of the Santiago pilgrimage route. For adrenaline-seeking couples, you could also balance out your relaxed stay by biking through its mountain trails or go white-water rafting.

Logroño, the capital of the La Rioja province, is a historical destination known for its colorful, narrow streets that perfectly reflect Spain’s culture. For couples that are foodoriented, this is the perfect place to go, as you can get a taste of traditional Spanish tapas and dishes at very cheap prices all around the area. You could also visit more historical monuments like churches, palaces and the stone bridges that carry a large part of Spain’s history.

During the months of June to September, you can take a trip to Haro to experience the energy-packed Spanish festivals like the Batalla del Vino accompanied with singing, dancing and marching bands.

Best time to visit: June to September.

BaRiLoche, aRgentina Commonly visited in the winter, which in Argentina is from June to August, the city of Bariloche overlooks the Nahuel Huapi Lake, and is the perfect winter sports destination as it is surrounded by the Andes Mountains. Though most of its ski slopes target intermediate levels, there is still the Punta Princesa slope for beginners.

In order to take a day’s rest in between hiking or skiing, you could always visit the Museo de la Patagonia museum that portrays the local history. You could also visit its many chocolate shops and rustic cafes and restaurants, or go fishing or bird watching at the lake.

Best time to visit: July to August.

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DESTINATIONS Travel Travel

Serengeti national Park, tanzania Visiting the Serengeti National Park is definitely considered as a once in a lifetime experience, placing you in the middle of adventure and nature. Not only does this park offer wonderful scenery, but it is also home to some of the most incredible wildlife species like cheetahs, lions, elephants, rhinoceroses and the ever-popular wildebeests that have migrated to the area.

Activities at the park include safaris, of course, or visiting the Olduvai Gorge, a natural rock formation that reflects the region’s natural history. Also, if you manage to book at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge, you will be enjoying more luxurious features like the spa or enjoying a romantic, candlelit dinner. This lodge also allows couples to wake up to breathtaking views of elephants at the watering hole or other animals passing by.

Best time to visit: January to October.

CaPetown, South afriCa Capetown is the mesmerizing city that balances well between modernity and culture, city life and country life, and offers an endless amount of diverse activities to satisfy the different tastes.

South Africa’s beaches are one of the most popular around the world, gathering together surfers and water sport enthusiasts, ocean wildlife lovers and swimmers.

Not only is it known for having some of the best weather conditions for surfers, but visitors can also enjoy the breathtaking activity of whale watching. At night, couples can enjoy the vibrant nightlife, seasonal festivals and colorful markets where they can buy their souvenirs.

For hikers and adrenaline-fueled couples, Table Mountain is a famous destination, where you get to climb to the top and enjoy restaurants overlooking the entire city, or visit the gift shops along the way.

Couples can also enjoy the view from inside a cable car.

For more relaxed honeymooners, you can visit the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront to do some shopping and take a look at the aquarium.

Best time to visit: January to May.

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Grand Canyon, arizona One of the most breathtaking natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA proves to be a visit you will always remember. Made up of the South Rim, North Rim and West Rim, each of these destinations provide a different experience to the visitors.

In the South Rim, you can find the Grand Canyon Village, which is home to most of the accommodation facilities and services, as well as restaurants. The North Rim is a more secluded, highly elevated area of the canyon that offers spectacular views, and finally, the West Rim is where most people do their hiking, and is popular for its glass floored Skywalk. You can also do white-water rafting down the river. Most special of all are the Havasu Falls where water flows from a cliff into magnificent pools, providing a very romantic and breathtaking view.

Other activities include watersports, camping, horseback riding, fishing and hunting.

Best time to visit: May to October. p

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Cuisine

Weird Wedding Cakes For those who want to stray away from any popular wedding traditions and go all out, here are some bizarre wedding cakes for inspiration!

For the Foodies Even if you are a dessert lover, wedding cakes are usually more of a tradition and are used for decoration rather than a tasteful addition to the buffet, and many would see it as a waste.

Those who do not see this tradition as an obligation, take the risk of putting together a “cake” with food items you love, whether that includes doughnuts, burgers, pancakes or cupcakes as examples. It is guaranteed that guests will love it too!

Cultures Instead of opting for a perfectionist’s cake, some people choose to present their culture through their choice of cake design, another unique approach for those looking to portray their roots and create a more cozy, deep atmosphere for their guests. It is a great combination for couple’s looking for a unique, but not too bizarre, cake.

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Modern Twist to Tradition This is a go-to nowadays for a more quirky approach to wedding cakes as it certainly adds a comic, light touch to weddings. While some turn to conveying how marriage “ties you down�, others add the humorous joke of husbands having to leave their video games for their wives. People also sometimes choose to keep the cake traditional, but add an animated topper, or a small decoration on the cake, to give it that additional element.

Kids at Heart For those who love video games, cartoons, Legos or superheroes, you are not alone; we are all kids at heart, and some people are not afraid to let their guests know. For those couples who share these interests, a cake that reflects what they love is a great way to give their guests a laugh and reflect their personalities. p May 2017 | Ct

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Cuisine

Simple Recipes for Newlyweds Stuffed French Toast Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Toast slices 6 large eggs ¼ cup orange juice 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 500 grams cream cheese 1 stick butter 1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries or raspberries Whipped cream

Directions: • In a medium sized bowl, slightly beat eggs then add the orange juice, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg and mix well.

• For the filling, beat together softened cream cheese, butter and powdered sugar in a medium sized mixing bowl until well blended, then add the chopped berries and mix.

• Heat a non-stick pan and add enough oil to coat the bottom. Dip slices of toast into the egg dip and fry on both sides until slightly browned.

• Place one slice on a plate then add around 2 tablespoons of filling onto it.

• Top with another slice of French toast. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and top with whipped cream, fresh sliced berries and a little drizzle of syrup.

Mushroom and Nuts Pasta Ingredients: • • • • • • • •

100 grams mixed nuts, roughly chopped 350 grams pasta (bow, fusilli) 1 teaspoon rosemary 2 tablespoons olive oil 200 grams mushrooms, sliced ¼ cup chopped parsley 1 lemon, grated and juiced 100 grams feta cheese, crumbled

Directions: • Dry roast the nuts in a frying pan.

• Cook the pasta with the rosemary in plenty of boiling salted water.

• Heat the oil and gently fry the mushrooms. Add the parsley, lemon zest, juice, rosemary and black pepper to taste.

• Drain the pasta and toss with the nuts.

• Serve in heated bowls, top with mushroom sauce and garnish with the crumbled cheese.

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Sweet and Sour Chicken Ingredients: • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small chunks • Salt and pepper • ½ cup corn starch • 2 large eggs, whisked • ¼ cup vegetable oil • ½ cup sugar • ½ cup lemon juice • ¼ cup ketchup • 3 tablespoons soy sauce • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions: • Preheat the oven to 160C. Lightly coat a baking dish with oil.

• In a large mixing bowl, season the chicken with a little bit of salt and pepper.

• Mix in the cornstarch and gently toss to combine.

• In another bowl, whisk together the 2 eggs.

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan.

• Once hot, one by one, dip the chicken into the egg mixture, and then carefully place into the saucepan. Cook until just golden brown.

• Once cooked, place onto a paper towel to remove any extra oil, and then transfer to the baking dish.

• For the sweet and sour sauce, whisk together the sugar, lemon juice, ketchup, soy sauce and garlic powder. Pour this sauce over the chicken.

• Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes, mixing around every 10 minutes or so.

Tiramisu Ingredients: • • • • • •

3 tablespoons instant espresso powder 225 grams reduced-fat cream cheese ¾ cup heavy cream ¼ cup sugar 2 packages soft ladyfingers or butter biscuits Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting

Directions: • In a medium bowl, mix espresso powder with 3 tablespoons boiling water until dissolved.

• Add 1½ cups cold water and set aside.

• With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese with heavy cream and sugar until light and fluffy.

• Spread a few tablespoons of the creamcheese mixture in the bottom of a serving dish.

• One by one, dip a third of the ladyfingers or biscuits in the espresso, then arrange at the bottom of the dish.

• Spread with a third of the cream-cheese mixture. Repeat twice with remaining ladyfingers, espresso and cream-cheese mixture.

• Dust with cocoa just before serving. p

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CALENDAR MAY 2017

May 6th

Mashrou3 El Mareekh

May 1St to 10th

Excellencies

ART

Artists Mohamed Hakim, Mohamed Effat, Toghan, Rakha and Sarokhan Picasso Art Gallery, 30 Hassan Assem Street, Zamalek Tel: (02) 2736 7544 Open daily from 10:30 am to 9:00 pm, except Sundays

Mashrou3 Al Mareekh is an open mic night that acts as an umbrella for several underlying initiatives, which promote self-expression among Egyptians in all their variety.

Mashrou3 Al Mareekh seeks to remain at a constant state of experimentation and versatility with every adventure, shifting the dynamics of audiences and social space and re-defining social obstacles and transcending their boundaries.

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

May 15th

omar Khairat orchestra May 18th & 19th

Music

DANcE

Music

Forsan El Sharq Troupe introduces Egyptian dance performances to revive gems of this country’s heritage. The troupe operates under the joint supervision of the Cultural Development Fund and the Cairo Opera House.

Khairat has composed many successful works such as The Fortune-Teller, The Magic Perfumes (1989) and the Arab Rhapsody (1992). He also composed music for international events like the National Feast of Oman (1993), Inauguration Ceremony of Bibliotheca Alexandrina (1996), Carthage Festival in Tunisia, Operetta El Sheikh Zaid in the UAE (2000), Panorama El Abour “Symphonic Poem”, Fine Arts Cycle in Spain (2004), October Celebrations (2000), Celebration of the Royal Jordan River Institution (2005), Garash Festival (2003), the Opening of the New Suez Canal (2015), Three Civilizations Celebration in Spain and Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Egyptian Cinema among many others. His repertoire of cinema includes more than fifty works.

Arab Music Institute, Ramses Street, Downtown Time: 8 pm

Main Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 8 pm

Spies II Egyptian Modern Dance Company May 25th & 26th

Folklore Masr El Mahrousa

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May 2nd

Egyptology Talk Journey back in time as we explore the genesis of writing in ancient Egypt. Through carvings on the rock we turn the clock back and unlock the mystery of history. From petroglyphs and hieroglyphs to hieratic, demotic and Coptic inscriptions then on to Arabic calligraphy.

Lecturer: Ahmed Seddik, an entrepreneur, TV presenter, voice-over artist, translator and Egyptologist.

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

May 13Th May 9Th To 23rd

ARt

Group Exhibition Salah Almur and Souad Abdelrasoul show us different faces of life with their work. Amal Bashir presents her work for the first time in Egypt using her drawings to show the intimate details of women’s life in Sudan and Nubia.

The exhibition will also include artist Khaled Serag who will add a touch of joy with his ceramic jewelry.

Khan Maghrabi, 18 El Mansour Mohamed, Zamalek

Textiles Bazaar

BAZAAR

Darb 1718 is happy to announce that they will be opening their doors to the talented vendors of Cairo to display their textile products in their oasis in Cairo surrounded by ancient ruins.

The bazaar is part of the exhibition “Halfway Through the Thread”.

Darb 1718, Kasr el Sham3 Street, Al Fakhareen Tel: 0122 468 4628 Time: 1 pm to 7 pm Free Entrance may 2017 | Ct

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CALENDAR MAY 2017

May 11th May 1st to 30th

ART

as time Goes By / Wa Daret el ayyam, artist Guirguis Lotfy This is the fourth solo exhibition by Lotfy at the gallery.

Inspired by a song by Om Kolthoum, the exhibition is a homage to love, its beauties and pains.

Mazzika x El sat7

Music

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

Paranoid Eyes: an Egyptian progressive rock band, Pink Floyd tribute

Lofty uses his canvas to pay tribute to the extraordinary feeling of giving. A prolific painter, he is able to evoke visual ‘tarab’ and raw emotions.

Biniti: Biniti started mainly as a vocal-acoustic band. They interpreted songs in different genres from reggae, over barbershop and blues.

Describing his artistic process as literally looking out his window and painting what he sees, Lotfy shows an indefatigable commitment to love and attempts to bring forth the tale of times. As he captures the essence of passion and sacrifice, he reminds us that love makes the world go round.

With this minimal instrumentation (six voices, a guitar and flute), the band members got to know each other musically, and started to play more often, combining very different kind of venues and stages: the streets of Ghent, gardens, living rooms and also the bigger festival stages.

Art Talks, 8 El Kamel Mohamed Street, Zamalek Tel: (02) 2736 3948

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

May 6Th & 7Th

Music

Cairo symphony orchestra Europe day Concert

“Mawawil” with Gamalat Shiha Nubian Fadeka music and songs with “Aragid Group” and Farah El Masry “Al Jaafra Music”: Arab Tribes from Aswan

W. A. Mozart: Piano and orchestra concerto in A major K. 488 L. van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor op. 125 Soloists: Mohamed Shams (piano), Martina Bortolotti (soprano) and Gala El-Hadidi (alto) Alexander Kaimbacher (tenor) and Reda El Wakil (bass) A Cappella Choir. Choir Master: Maya Gveneria Conductor: Ahmed El Saedi In collaboration with Italian Cultural Institute

EvEry WEdnEsday

May 13Th

“Mazaher” Zar Music and songs

pre Tour Concert

EvEry TuEsday: (onE of ThosE groups) Folklore

Makan’s performances

Tea and Karkade are served 1 (Not 1a) Saad Zaghloul Street, 11461, El Dawaween, Cairo (On the corner of Saad Zaghloul and Mansour street) Tel: 00202 27920878 Performances start at 8 pm Doors open at 7:30 pm

Mendelssohn Symphonies IV V. Bellini: Casta Diva. Ah bello a me ritorna (from Norma) C. M. von Weber: Wie nahhte mir der Slumme. Leise leise fromme Weise (from Freischütz) V. Bellini: Mira o Norma (Duet from Norma) J. Offenbach: Barcarolle (from Les contes d’Hoffman) L. van Beethoven: Concerto No. 4 for piano and orchestra in G major op. 58 F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Symphony No. 4 in A major op. 90 Soloists: Sooyeon Kim (soprano), Inhye Kim (soprano) and Sunyoung Ro (piano) Conductor: Ahmed El Saedi In collaboration with Egyptian Philharmonic Society May 20Th

Carmina Burana

May 13Th

oPerA

strauss’ “der rosenkavalier” Live from the Metropolitan opera This is a three act comic opera by Richard Strauss to an original German libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal.

It is loosely adapted from the novel “Les amours du chevalier de Faublas” by Louvet de Couvrai and Molière’s comedy “Monsieur de Pourceaugnac”.

The opera has four main characters: the aristocratic Marschallin, her very young lover Count Octavian Rofrano, her coarse cousin Baron Ochs and Ochs’ prospective fiancée Sophie von Faninal.

Carl Orff, Piano I: Mohamed Saleh Piano II: Maya Gveneria Soloists: Dalia Farouk (soprano), Hisham El Guindy (tenor) and Elhamy Amin (baritone) The Munich Percussion Ensemble A Cappella Choir. Choirmaster: Maya Gvineria Conductor: Adel Shalaby May 25Th

Mendelssohn symphonies v

A. Dvorák: Concerto for cello and orchestra in B minor op. 104 F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy: Symphony No. 5 in D minor op. 107 “Reformation” Soloist: Hassan Moataz (violoncello) Conductor: Nader Abbass Main Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 8 pm

Small Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 6.30 pm may 2017 | Ct

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CALENDAR MAY 2017

ART

May 19th tO 21St

“Printemps Des artists” Exhibition

May 18th, 19th & 21St

OPERA

Opera aida Performed by the Cairo Opera Company and Orchestra Main Hall, Cairo Opera House Time: 8 pm

Darb 1718 will host the first “Printemps Des Artists” charitable exhibition. The three-day exhibition’s main goal is to financially help the House of Torah school to provide healthy meals for 400 children.

The exhibition will showcase and sell artworks for 15 of Egypt’s prominent contemporary artists, and 30% of the given art price will be donated to the underprivileged communities of Torah.

Darb 1718, Kasr el Sham3 Street, Al Fakhareen Tel: 0122 468 4628 Free Admission Opening: May 19th, from 7 pm to 10 pm Open everyday until 21st of May, 11 am to 8 pm

WORkshOPs May 2nD tO May 18th

audio Clothes Workshop

May 14th

Music

Lebanese Singer Rima Khcheich Rima released her most recent album last October under the title Washwishni. Her album Hawa won the Artistic Creativity Award in 2014.

Rima will be accompanied on stage by the Dutch members of her band and will perform songs from Washwishni as well as selections from her repertoire.

El Genaina Theater, Azhar Park, Salah Salem, El Darassa Ticket price 50 EGP

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This is a street art workshop where people will learn to build “sounding clothes” and perform as mobile sound sculpture. Participants can bring loudspeakers, recycled electronics, damaged electronics, soldering iron, old guitars, string instruments or laptops for sound recordings. The workshop will end with an exhibition.

Free Workshop Tuesdays and Thursdays Attendance by Registration Darb 1718, Kasr el Sham3 Street, Al Fakhareen Tel: 0122 468 4628

Music

May 12th & 13th

Rossini’s Petite Messe solenelle Rossini composed the Petite Messe Solennelle in 1863, 34 years after his last opera. The unusual scoring for voices, two pianos and harmonium is in the Neapolitan harpsichord tradition of the 18th Century.

May 1st to 25th

Workshops

Flying Carpets Workshop

This is a workshop and a lecture presentation by Susken Rosenthal about her approach to public art and introduction to the project “Flying Carpet“.

The project “Flying Carpet“ intends to be a community artwork that shows individual artistic creativity in a larger social context of the environment.

During the workshop the participants will collect all kinds of material in the neighborhood like newspapers, wood panels and plastic pieces. The material will be used to create, as a collage, the surfaces of many individual elements for a large mosaic work. The Flying Carpet will convey a documentation of the neighborhood.

The mass is structured in several extended movements in the tradition of the missa solemnis, but the composer labeled it petite with a grain of irony. He wrote on the last page of the manuscript: “Dear Lord, here it is finished, this poor little mass. Have I just written sacred music, or rather, sacrilegious music? I was born for opera buffa, as you well know. Not much technique, a little bit of heart, that’s all. Blessings to you and grant me Paradise.”

Soloists: Dina Iskander (soprano), Jolie Faizy (mezzosoprano) and Amr Medhat (tenor) Christian Wagner (baritone), Pascale Rozier (piano) and Mohamed Saleh (harmonium) Conductor: Nayer Nagui Main Hall, Cairo Opera House on the 12th at 2 pm Tickets for this concert cost 50 L.E. The Basilique Church on the 13th at 8 pm Free entrance

Free Workshop Mondays and Wednesdays Attendance by Registration Darb 1718, Kasr el Sham3 Street, Al Fakhareen Tel: 0122 468 4628

May 4th

Music

Double Bill ayloul | Rock Ayloul is an independent Jordanian band that was formed in September 2013 in Irbid, Jordan. Band members had met while attending university, and their fame grew with hit singles like Nazel Al Ghor and Lahn Bassit.

Code Masr | Rock Formed in 2011, Code Masr is a contemporary rock band blending Arabic music with different genres. In the first season of Battle of the Bands held in 2016, Code Masr won first place in the competition.

El Geneina Theater, Azhar Park, Salah Salem Tel: (02) 2362 5057 Time: 8 pm Tickets: 30 EGP available on E7gzly.com may 2017 | Ct

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Society Kempinski Celebrates 120th Anniversary with ‘Ignite the Night’ Festivities Kempinski Hotels celebrated 120 years of delivering a rich experience to its guests with ‘Ignite the Night’, a series of festivities designed to enchant and delight guests, as Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group marks this milestone anniversary.

Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski rolled out the red carpet at the palace courtyard inviting over 400 guests. The evening began with fireworks followed by a few words from General Manager Gerhard Mitrovits before the cake cutting, raffle prizes and special entertainment ended the night. p

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InterContinental Cairo Citystars, Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars and Staybridge Suites Cairo Citystars Win IHG Control SelfAssessment Award 2016 for Financial Excellence InterContinental Cairo Citystars, Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars and Staybridge Cairo Citystars’ Finance and Business Support team has been awarded the IHG Control Self-Assessment Award 2016 for their financial excellence. The three hotels achieved 100% in the Control Self-Assessment audit for 2016.

Moreover, Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars’ Finance and Business Support team has been awarded the IHG Asia, Middle East and Africa Chief Financial Officer Award 2016 for its financial excellence. This award aims to recognize the finance team of a hotel in four major financial measures that are critical drivers of success for IHG in AMEA. p

Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars Celebrates Launching a New Concept of local Egyptian Food at Pool Garden The hotel hosted a special event to introduce the new menu to media figures and hotel guests. The event was held at the Pool Garden at Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars where guests enjoyed the delicious new items in a relaxed and informal setting.

Guests were welcomed by Ibrahim Nasha’at, Holiday Inn General Manager, Sherine Nakhla, Director of Public Relations and the hotel Public Relations team. p

MAy 2017 | Ct

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Society

Promoting a Better Life for Egypt’s Community, Mountain View Hosts the Second Edition of The Healthy Market At Mountain View, healthy living encompasses everything they do, from development designs and implementation, to lifestyle choices and partnerships, Mountain View leads the way in supporting a better way of life. This is why, following the success of the first Healthy Market, Mountain View brought back the event for a second time, bringing even more surprises, activities and healthy life solutions!

The event included everything from healthy snacks and drinks, to live entertainment, a farmers market, the Fun & Games kids area with Leap and a live cooking competition that was judged by the talented Sally Fouad and Suzzane Mokhtar.

The Healthy Market came back bigger and better than ever before! Partnering with market leading healthy brands, such as Abu Auf, Glow, Lino, L Squared, Leap and more, The Healthy Market brought together well known public figures, influencers and health ambassadors who completed the market’s winning formula.

But that’s not all! Adding a twist to the day, The Healthy Market introduced the mystery box live cooking competition; challenging home cooks to create tasty healthy dishes in just one hour, for the chance to win 12,000 EGP. The hugely successful event once again proved that Mountain View not only leads the real estate market, but the healthy market as well. p

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