Community Times September Issue 2017

September 2017

Since 1996

In tune wIth the CommunIty SInCe 1996

Renovating

The Maspero Triangle addressing The

Maspero

Media ConTroversy

KazlaK

inTroduCes projeCT MasMaT

Modernizing

TradiTional arT

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SEP 2017 | CT

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WE BRING YOUR BUSINESS TO LIFE

48, Abdel Moneim Hafez Street, off Nozha St., Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt Tel/Fax: (202) 2290 8127 - 2415 8762 Mobile: 010 005 2322 - 010 005 2323 Email: editor@live-colors.com - s.kamel@live-colors.com

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Contents September 2017 TOWN TALK 06

Talk of the Town News

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48

style 12

This Year’s Fall Trends

Culture 18

ART • Photographer Yasser Mobarak Capture’s India’s Diversity • Artists Modernize Traditional Art

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Books This Month’s Recommendations

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Events Events You Do Not Want to Miss

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FIlm September Movie Releases

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Music • Binti Band: From Belgium to Cairo • Cairo Choral Society

Community 48

entrepreneur Environmentally Friendly Handmade Dolls

Destinations 50

travel Nepal: The Land of Adventure and Serenity

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Mind, body & Soul 34 18

No Equipment Workouts

FEATURES 36

Re-Making the Maspero Triangle

42

The Maspero Building Media Crisis

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CUISINE 54

Easy Back-to-School Recipes

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Kazlak Introduces New Menu

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New Gourmet Pizza Menu at Vivo

Business

Cover Credit: © Foster + Partners

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Interviewing the Nile Ritz Carlton’s General Manager

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A Talk with Cairo Marriott’s General Manager

SOCIETY 64

Social Events and Gatherings

Editor’s NotE Dear Reader, As we say goodbye to the warmer months of summer and welcome the beginning of the fall weather, we enter the back-to-school season where many people are returning to the city and back to their school, university or work routines.

To keep you inspired, we have included the fall fashion trends that have been seen on the runway this year in our Style section, as well as bringing you several artists that are modernizing traditional art in the Culture section. Also in that section are our book, film and event recommendations that we believe you would not want to miss!

Knowing that exercise seems like a luxury we just can’t afford during these months, you can find easy workouts that you can do at home with no equipment in our Mind, Body & Soul section. Keeping in mind the season, we have put together some back-to-school recipes that are both easy to make and delicious.

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 Alia Moustafa, Hania Moheeb, Rana Kamaly, Rehab Saad, Soha Elsirgany

Art dEPArtMEnt Art director Khadiga El Badan

senior Graphic designer

As features, we focused heavily on the area of Maspero, discussing both topics on hand: the media crisis and the Maspero Triangle project. We talked with several officials as well as locals to provide you with all the perspectives and information.

In Travel, we take you to Nepal, the land famous for providing both adventure and serenity.

Marina Raafat

sAlEs dEPArtMEnt sales director Rania Halim

Production MAnAGEr Enas Adly

AdMinistrAtion dEPArtMEnt

Wishing everyone a lovely start to fall on behalf of Community Times!

The Editor editor@live-colors.com

distribution Manager Rana Ezzat Salem Salem

office Manager Magda Adib

FinAnciAl consultAnts Hazem Abdel Tawab Ahmed Abbas

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

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 AUC Transfers Antiquities Collection to Egyptian Government The American University in Cairo has recently transferred nearly 5,000 Islamic, Coptic, Pharaonic, Greek and Roman antiquities to the protection of the Egyptian government that have been in legal possession of the university since the 1960s to ensure their preservation.

“Though we legally possessed these artifacts and scrupulously preserved and protected them over so many years, we took the initiative to transfer these important antiquities to the Ministry of Antiquities because we felt that this should be their rightful home,” said AUC President Francis J. Ricciardone.

Former Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs Zahi Hawass also commended this collaboration.“I am thrilled to know that AUC gave its antiquities collection to the Ministry as a gift,” said Hawass, who had officially stated in 2011 while serving as minister that all artifacts in AUC’s storage were registered and documented with the ministry. “People have to know that all these artifacts were given to AUC by law from the Antiquities Department as a division of the findings from excavation work.”

The nearly 5,000 pieces date from a time when archaeological material, after a stringent review, did not have to remain exclusively in the hands of the Egyptian Antiquities Organization. The AUC collection was more of a teaching collection that included pottery shards, pieces of fabric, glass fragments, beads and some coins. The bulk of the materials consisted of fragments of everyday pottery, such as bowls, ulnas, jars and bits of fancy lusterware vessels. Most of the material could be dated back to the 10th and 11th centuries.

Specifically, AUC acquired most of these artifacts during joint excavations in the Fustat area led by the late George Scanlon, professor emeritus in AUC’s Department of Arab and Islamic Civilizations who became a prominent name in the field of Islamic archaeology. p

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Construction of a Museum in Marsa Matrouh The Ministry of Antiquities signed a protocol of mutual cooperation with the Marsa Matrouh Governorate to build an Archeological museum there, where part of the museum will be sponsored by the Governorate.

The Museum will include 1,000 archeological pieces that have been gathered from diggings in Marsa Matrouh along the centuries. Part of the museum will be for cultural activities and educational programs, in order to increase archeological awareness.

The museum will consist of two floors from the Pharoanic era. p

AUC Fresh Graduate Dina Meshref to Represent Africa at Table Tennis Women’s World Cup Cisco Appoints David Meads Vice President for Middle East and Africa Operations In the current era of digital disruption, Meads, in this newly created role, will oversee the execution of Cisco’s strategy in these two regions, ensuring the technology leader maintains its momentum at the forefront of digital transformation efforts.

As digital adoption gathers pace in the Middle East and Africa, the new geographical set up under Meads will allow for greater synergies, relevancy and sharing of best practices across the two regions.

With more than 30 years of experience in the IT industry, Meads joined Cisco in 1996 and was most recently Cisco’s Vice President for Africa, where he was responsible for partnering with organizations across the continent to help them implement strategies to unlock the full potential of the digital era.

Over the years he has developed a reputation as a trusted advisor to enterprises and governments, partnering with them to deliver competitive advantages and efficiencies gained by adopting digital technologies. Meads will be based in Dubai, Cisco’s hub for the Middle East.

For the fourth time, Dina Meshref, who graduated last spring from The American University in Cairo (AUC), has become the African Table Tennis Champion, enabling her to move on to the Table Tennis Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place in Canada this October.

Meshref recently graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration and earned the Omar Mohsen Athletic Achievement Cup for successfully representing AUC in national and international tournaments. She participated in the women’s singles tournament at the International Table Tennis Federation Africa Cup, held in Agadir, Morocco this June.

The Table Tennis Women’s World Cup, among the world’s most prestigious events, invites the top 16 players according to global rankings to compete, in addition to four continental champions. Meshref will be representing Africa at the event as one of the continental champions who qualify to participate. “If I am able to win any match there, it will help improve my international ranking, since I will be competing against players who are ranked much higher than me,” said Meshref.

As the daughter of two table tennis champions, Meshref was naturally drawn to the sport. She would often accompany her father to the table tennis hall at El Ahly Club when he served as head of the team. Prompted by coaches to try table tennis herself, she eventually discovered a passion for it and began playing at a young age.

In addition to earning titles as an internationally known professional table tennis player, Meshref maintained a good academic standing at AUC. In the past, Meshref made it to the top 16 slots at the World Cup. She hopes that this year she can make it to the top eight. p

Cisco has longstanding government partnerships across the Middle East and Africa, including a Country Digitization Acceleration (CDA) program with Saudi Arabia, with several other similar programs in the pipeline.

In addition, Cisco is working closely with relevant government entities in the region on multiple initiatives that support IT skills training and education, as well as the development of entrepreneurship, business and innovation ecosystems. p

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TownTalk New Nail Polish from Incoco Incoco Egypt, the “100% real nail polish”, transformed into a self-stick strip form that results in brilliant, salon-quality manicures in less than 5 minutes, hence it is removed with nail polish remover. This innovative product also lasts up to 12 days.

Incoco’s unparalleled technology is patented worldwide – and their aim is to provide the world’s only flexible nail polish, which can be contoured to fit any nail size and shape. The brand has many collections starting with French mani’s to simple colors to extravagant and bold patterns. p

Upgrade of Mataria’s Heritage Area Mataria suburb in the northern region of Greater Cairo is known to contain a number of heritage sites going back to different eras. The Ministry of Antiquities are now laying a project to upgrade this important area.

The district’s archaeological sites: The tree of the Virgin Mary is a sycamore tree that lies within the Chapel of the Virgin in Mataria. Thousands of pilgrims come to visit the tree each Christmas.

Other sites are from the Pharaonic period, some only recently discovered beneath its current structures, including: The almost 21 meter tall Obelisk from the Pharaonic era, which is the only surviving element of Heliopolis standing in its original position in Mataria, and the great Temple of Re—Atum, constructed by Pharaoh Senusret I (1971 BCE—1926 BCE) of the Twelfth Dynasty.

A pink granite megalithic colossus statue, with features resembling those of the Pharaoh Ramesses II, was found in El Matareya in 2006, weighing five tons. It was at the ruins of a sun temple dating back to the reign of Ramses II (reigned 1279 BCE—1213 BCE), at the site of Souk ElKhamis.

The underground tombs of High Priests of Re of the Sixth Dynasty (2345 BCE—2181 BCE) were found in the southeast corner of the Re-Atum Temple archaeological site.

A domed tomb made for a priest during the Twenty-sixth Dynasty was discovered under a construction site in 2004.

Many funeral small figure statues were found inside (over 400), as well as hieroglyphic writing was on the tomb’s walls from the 7th Century BCE. Cameras will be included in the upgrading, solving the problem of the ground water in the area and placing signboards to direct tourists to the different sites. p

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Jewish Temple in Alexandria to be Renovated Orascom Company and Arab Contractors were assigned to start repairing the Jewish Temple in Alexandria, under complete supervision of the Ministry of Antiquities.

Mohamed Abdel Aziz, General Manager of historical Cairo, announced that the project will take eight months and will cost around 100 million Egyptian Pounds to be paid by the Egyptian government.

Abdel Aziz pointed out that the government had offered the amount of one billion and 270 million Egyptian Pounds to accomplish eight projects which are: The Jewish Temple – The National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation – The development of the Pyramids Area, the Baron Palace in Heliopolis, Mohamed Ali Palace in Shoubra, King Farouk’s rest house in the Pyramids area, the Greek Roman Museum and Alexan Palace in Assiut.

The temple’s repairs will start after all scientific and engineering studies are concluded, including floors, paintings, glass, electricity and water works.

The Jewish temple (Eliahou Henpi), situated on El Nabi Daniel St., is considered to be the oldest and most famous of the temples in Alexandria. It was first built in 1354 but was destroyed during the French invasion to Egypt then rebuilt in 1850 by Mohamed Ali’s family. p

The Iconic Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino Re-Opens its Doors The Sheraton Cairo hotel welcomed its first guest soon after it re-opened with extensive renovations. Mr. Mohamed Kaid, a Yemeni citizen, was the first guest to book a room, a city landmark of more than four decades.

Formerly a regular guest, Mr. Kaid learned about the hotel’s re-opening through social media and wanted to be amongst the first to stay there.

He was the first to experience the hotel’s newly renovated rooms and suites, enjoy the Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience, indulge in the sumptuous cuisine from the hotel’s wide array of restaurants, and revel in a variety of superior amenities. p

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TownTalk

Smart Village Real Estate Investment Company (SVREICO) Announces Launch of the First Integrated Business Complex in Smart Village This will be a business park home to multinational and local corporations in West Cairo. The new complex, Linx Business Park, will be conveniently located in the heart of Smart Village, offering easy access from the 26 of July Axis, Ring Road, Sheikh Zayed, 6th of October City, as well as the Sphinx International Airport (SPX).

Linx Business Park aims to link all necessary business facilities and an enjoyable environment into one space. The Park will offer small office space for start-ups, as well as larger spaces. The meticulously designed indoor and outdoor areas, which include state- of-the-art terraces, retail spaces and a concierge, planned by the leading professional design consultancy, Mimar, promises beautiful views and a pleasant atmosphere.

Linx brings together the convenience of easy access and the luxury of a suburban business district. The Park’s retail space will provide employees with an option to unwind and grab a coffee, or meet with clients in a more relaxed environment. Furthermore, Smart Village brings together key industry players and commercial entities in one place, creating an opportune environment for any business to grow. p

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Unilever Mashreq Launches the World’s Latest Technology for Dry and Damaged Hair in the Egyptian Market Honoring Five Women who are Enriching the Community with Beauty In an extraordinary event, Unilever Mashreq, the leading personal care company represented in Dove products, launches a new hair care range of products, delivering an important message from this global product to the beauty of Egyptian women.

The brand’s parent company decided to honor five female models who have enriched the Egyptian society in different forms of human beauty and succeeded in changing life around them for the best in many fields, in a clear message that emphasizes that beauty is an integrated system that combines the natural beauty, and the inner spirit and human personality.

Amal Mobadda - Chairman of the Youth and Sports Committee of the Governmental National Council for Disabilities Affair and Ms. Nehad Shelbaya - Founder of Nada Foundation - were the most prominent women who have been honored, besides the brilliant artist Yasmin Ghaith, May Abdul Aziz - specialized in children’s psychology and Ms. Nadia Gamal Al-Din – Founder of “Rahet Bali” Forum.

Sherine Abdel Moneim, Personal Care Director at Unilever Mashreq, said, “Dove’s beauty philosophy relies on real women. They are our inspiration, and they are our heritage, collaborators and supporters. We believe that beauty is for everyone, so we aim at engaging our customers with products that deliver superior care.”

Unilever North Africa & Middle East’s Research & Development Manager Jasmine Mucenieks, assured that the new Dove Nutritive Solutions have been tested on more than 10,000 women across the globe, to ensure the best formulas for all hair types. p

Nile Air Grows by 32% to Become Second Largest Airline in Cairo UK-based air travel intelligence company OAG has released the latest report on the top ten airlines in Cairo, and for the first time the top two airlines are Egyptian; with Nile Air ranking second after the state-owned airline, Egypt Air. Nile Air, the biggest private airline in Egypt, operates almost 500 flights a month from Cairo with year-round scheduled services to over 20 international and domestic destinations, which are expected to grow even further in the near future.

With year on year growth of 32%, Nile Air has established themselves as an air carrier looking to go the extra mile for its passengers; recently ordering the latest in aircraft technology with the new Airbus A321neo – a first by an Egyptian airline.

An aircraft that offers generous floor space, allowing for more flexibility and increasing seating, the plan was specifically modified to ensure the body of the plane, wings and undercarriage had additional structural support to accommodate to extra passenger weight.

Over the last year, the airline has been focusing on the growth of international and domestic tourism in-line with government strategies; launching scheduled domestic services between Cairo, Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada, Luxor and Aswan and further expansion plans that will focus on increased destinations in the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

Named as number 2 on the ‘Top Ten Airlines in Cairo’ list, according to the OAG report, Nile Air increased its number of flights by 18%, going from 87 weekly flights to 115, ranking just lower than the national carrier, Egypt Air. Along with offering the best on time performance of any Egyptian airline and an array of international destinations, the airline offers a full-service product with a dedicated business class product and an all-inclusive product in economy class.

Beyond Cairo, Nile Air operates a base at the Borg Al-Arab Airport to serve Egypt’s second largest city, Alexandria, along with the Delta region and Sahel and also has plans to expand to cover all major towns and cities in the country. p

Careem Launches Ride-Sharing in Suez, Port Said and Ismailia Careem, the region’s leading app-based car booking service, continues to support economic growth and innovation in Egypt with the launch of Careem in Canal, the company’s ride-sharing expansion into the Suez Canal area. The Careem in Canal app-based service in Suez, Port Said and Ismailia will create approximately 4,000 job opportunities for locals in the area and offer a convenient, safe and reliable means of transportation for residents. This latest expansion in Egypt brings Careem’s services to a total of 14 cities in the country with a current fleet operated by around 50,000 Captains nationwide.

Careem’s services are now available in Cairo, Alexandria - and the North Coast during the summer as part of Alex, Hurghada - and Gouna as part of Hurghada, eight Delta cities: Mahalla, Banha, Damnhour, Mansoura, Tanta, Kafr El Dawar (Behira), Damietta and Zagazig, in addition to the Careem in Canal cities: Suez, Port Said and Ismailia.

In addition, Careem has provided 42,000 drivers of white taxi cabs with the opportunity to be part of Careem’s fleet by joining our app as of September 2016 in accordance with global Careem criteria and standards. p

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STYLE

Fall 2017’s Top Runway Trends

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s mid-September marks the beginning of the fall season, designers have already presented the fall fashion trends on the runway this year, proving to always create bold pieces while still using vintage designs for inspiration.

Most of the designs seen for this season have incorporated very old-fashioned looks with slight modern adjustments, which is making everyone reminisce on a time of elegant fashion sense. We have put together some of the trends that have made an appearance in most of the top designers’ collections.

Red This bold color has been seen in many of this year’s runway shows, often being used as the color of the entire outfit, from robes to jumpsuits to matching blazers and pants, making it the official color of fall 2017. The look has been seen as part of Dolce and Gabana, Fendi, Jason Wu, Oscar De La Renta and Armani’s collections.

Jason Wu

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oscar De La renta

FenDi reD Leather Boots

PLAID This trend is taking us back to the time between the seventies and the nineties, where everyone was wearing plaid patterns, whether colorful or monotone. This pattern is mainly being used in dresses, coats, pants and skirts, and was picked up by designers Tory Burch, Prada, Calvin Klein, Hermes and Michael Kors, among others.

calvin Klein Michael Kors

herMes

SILver AnD MetALLIc Whether smooth metallic fabric is involved or silver sequences, many of the designers have opted to include certain shininess in their collections suitable for nights out. While some have kept it as simple as possible to avoid going overboard with their pieces, many of the designers went all out, often pairing them with feathers or fur to create an incredibly bold look. This trend was seen in Alexander McQueen’s collection, as well as Paco Rabanne, Michael Kors and Chanel.

alexander Mcqueen

chanel

Paco rabanne sep 2017 | Ct

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STYLE

FLORAL Recently a trend that was seen throughout spring and summer, winter floral is also making an appearance on the runway of famous designers Tory Burch, Gucci, Valentino and Ralph Lauren, among others, however, most designers have toned down the colors to include a warmer palette. As the weather does not necessarily drop until winter, this look is the perfect transition.

RALPH LAUREN

toRY BURCH

GUCCi

VictORiAn cOLLARs Another vintage look making its way to this year’s runway is the high Victorian collar that is a great, more sophisticated alternative to turtlenecks. While many designers decided to stay true to the trend’s original “Shakespearean white”, many others have looked to modernize it by using bright colors or on striped patterns, and has been seen as part of Valentino, Coach, Kenzo and Victoria Beckham’s collections.

CoACH

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VALENtiNo ViCtoRiA BECkHAm

DENIM Designers have taken denim, not only to use it for a good pair of jeans, but to also incorporate it in jackets, dresses, jumpsuits and skirts, as seen on the runways of Dior, Marc Jacobs, Public School and Versace. Many people abandoned this style in the early 2000s, but the material has made its way back into the fall collection.

Marc Jacobs

Dior

Mid-Length Skirts

Public School

Gabriela Hearst

Skirts reaching the calf with volume and movement have proved to be extremely flattering and elegant, whether it is a casual, morning look or an item for a night out. Designers have played around with the material and color, ranging from tulle and lace to cotton, which has been a part of Carolina Herrera’s collection, as well as Christian Dior, Victoria Beckham, Balenciaga and Gabriela Hearst.

Balenciaga

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STYLE

CHOCOLATE BROWN A warm and suitable color for fall and winter, the rich chocolate brown has replaced black this year, being used for coats, suits, pants and skirts in all types of material including fur and leather. Balmain, Max Mara, Moschino, Tod’s and Jil Sander, among many others, have used this as their main tone for many of their fall pieces.

MAx MArrA

tod’s

Jil sAnder

VELVET Another trend that has been creeping into the limelight every so often is velvet, but this season designers are focusing more on using this material for formalwear with simple cuts and designs. Jason Wu, Aberta Ferretti, Altuzarra and Valentino have all included this look in their fall collections.

AltuzArrA

louis Vuitton

MichAel Kors

FUR

AlbertA Ferretti

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It comes as no surprise that fur has made its way onto the runway once again, as year after year, it makes an appearance during the colder seasons as it proves to be an elegant way to keep warm. However, this year, designers have gone back to vintage designs that stay away from frills or feather additions, and have been seen in the collections of Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors and Louis Vuitton. p

Culture Art

Yasser Mobarak Captures India’s Diversity

By Soha Elsirgany

During a talk at Photopia, award-winning photographer Yasser Alaa Mobarak shared his work from an experience in India capturing the different sides to the country after spending a year in Delhi teaching photography at a school there.

T

he 24-year-old has won several photography prizes including the Artist Distinction from the International Federation of Photographic Art (AFIAP), and other awards from international institutions such as National Geographic Traveler India and National Geographic Egypt, as well as the International Federation of Photographic Art, Photographic Society of America and Prix De La Photographie Paris.

Highlighting how a resident’s perspective is very different to a tourist’s view of a country, Mobarak recounted in his talk tales from India through the patient, keen eyes of a resident. While presenting a slideshow of his photographs, he walks us through the less explored side of India, revealing the untold stories behind his telling shots.

Egyptians can look very similar to Indians, and as Mobarak notes, “Some people would start treating you like a local. There are even common words between Hindi and Arabic, like Insan (human) and Moshkel (problem).” Yet he adds, “Their culture is still fascinatingly foreign to us, whether referring to cuisine and social habits or everything in between.”

His photographs have also been featured in many international magazines, including Digital Camera World Magazine, Amateur Photographer Magazine, Smart Photography Magazine and Silvershotz Magazine.

Documenting a Different SiDe to inDia

Mobarak refers to himself as an amateur photographer, emphasizing how this term has nothing to do with his level of skill, but only indicates that the amateur does not earn a living from photography.

“All the photographs of India on the internet are very similar and usually include the colorful Holi festival, the Taj Mahal and the train with someone looking out the window, which have all become clichés,” Mobarak emphasizes.

It is all about trial and error until you get the right shot 18

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India is possibly one of the most photogenic countries in the world, yet Mobarak was determined to capture its spirit from a fresh and unique angle, avoiding the redundant touristic shots.

He chose to take all his photos in the city of Delhi, where tourists only go to catch their train rides, but seldom stay for sightseeing.

The result is a collection of candid everyday shots, which capture the multifaceted character of the city through the faces of its residents, places off the beaten track and most of all the cultural and ethnic diversity that the country is home to.

“India is a country of 1,652 different languages [22 of which are official], and at least nine different religions, each with a different tradition, and I wanted my photos to reflect that diversity and their unique practices,” the photographer mentions.

Of these, he focused on four main ones during his stay: Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam, and documented some of the practices he encountered as he learned more about them. His body of work is by no means documentary, yet it offers insight and a visual journey to his audience in Cairo, most of whom have never visited India and encountered this diversity first hand.

Sikhi RitualS

In one photograph, Mobarak captures a Sikhist practitioner bathing and praying in a pool of holy water.

“It was the first time for me to encounter someone praying in the water, which is very different from what I know from my own faith, so I was very intrigued and wanted to capture this,” he explains.

The man is wearing a turban and a serene expression as the water ripples around him, alone in the pool. Only one person at a time can enter the pool, and the ripples are considered a blessing from the gods.

“The turban wraps up the man’s hair, which would be very long as cutting hair is forbidden in Sikhism.”

He adds that with these rituals also comes a set of rules that foreigners are unfamiliar with, which lead to being scolded by the guards for sitting with his feet facing the water, an action considered to be disrespectful.

iSlamic RitualS

Mobarak also had a chance to witness a ritual by the Sunni Muslims in India during the month of Muharram, a practice usually associated with the Shia sector.

The photographer was invited by one of his students to go to the city of Karbala during Muharram, which at first he mistook for being in Iraq, before learning there was also a Karbala in India.

“I watched as a procession of masses re-enacted the burial of ElHusayn, carrying large caskets and then throwing them into large pits,” Mobarak says.

One of the photos in this series shows a girl sitting by the edge of one of the pits praying quietly amidst the busy commotion around her, while another shows a man wailing in distress on the ground, framed tightly by the crowd in the foreground.

BuddhiSt RitualS

Mobarak shared another series featuring a young Buddhist monk clad in crimson robes.

“I became very good friends with this young monk, spending a lot of time with him, and this made it difficult to say goodbye,” he mentions.

The portraits reflect this intimacy, capturing a gentle spark in the monk’s eyes looking straight at the camera. In another shot, the monk plays a game of marble with colleagues at their school, where there is a sense of trust and ease in the candid photos.

PhotogRaPhic Style and technique

Mobarak’s style includes fresh angles and a human element to make an otherwise cliché shot more dynamic. When it comes to technicalities, he leaves room for experimenting and one of the techniques he often plays with is zoom-panning; zooming in or out with the lens while taking a long exposure shot.

Travel Photography is characterized by capturing a sense of time and place, where the goal is to make the viewer travel visually through your image Sep 2017 | Ct

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Culture Art “It is all about trial and error until you get the right shot,” he says, showing us several different takes of the same image.

The slideshow pauses on one featuring a man bent in prayer at a pair of massive feet that belong to a statue of Lord Hanuman, a Hindu god that is a hybrid of monkey and man. The photo is visually striking, with the bright orange feet of the dense statue in contrast to the little figure beneath them.

“Most people capture the whole statue or focus on its upper half,” he says, showing us another photo that reveals the full 33 meters of the statue and its distinctive features, “But I wanted to show this contrast in scale, and reflect the interaction of the people with it.”

This is one of the photos that took Mobarak days to capture, after visiting the site many times and witnessing the ritual and the flow of people. In fact, revisiting places is one of the tips he gave to his students in India, and in turn also shared with the audience at Photopia.

On Travel Photography

To aspiring travel photographers, Mobarak advises, “Do a lot of research on where you are going to familiarize yourself with the destination, the important sites and see how they are photographed, and then try to be unique. You can try shooting from different angles, and use the lighting from the different times of the day to get different effects.”

Although he stresses preparation, Mobarak also recommends spontaneity and discovering new places off the beaten track, as well as talking to the locals and asking them for recommendations and information whenever possible.

“You do not need to travel far to become a travel photographer. Travel Photography is characterized by capturing a sense of time and place, where the goal is to make the viewer travel visually through your image.” p

Their culture is still fascinatingly foreign to us, whether referring to cuisine and social habits or everything in between 20

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Culture Art

Modernizing Traditional Art

By Hania Moheeb

Magdy Mostafa Using MUltiMedia in installations A year before he graduated from the Faculty of Art in 2003, Mostafa started working with multimedia, playing around with interactive sound, light, films and installations (3D artwork).

“I did 12 installations during the past few years. My objective is to have people interact with my work on various levels as I aim to leave an impact on the ordinary viewer,” says Mostafa.

Specializing in sound is not very common except in countries highly linked to technology like Japan, Germany and Spain where sound education was initially established.

Mostafa studied on his own and attended workshops in Spain and New York, however, his experience in experimenting with sound, has always been in conjunction with a Sufi state of mind.

I visit a place, receive its energy, study the architecture, acoustics and light and then design the installation accordingly

Projects and exhibitions His last work “The Surface of Spectral Scattering” reflects the landscapes and memories of Cairo, and compromises 650 square meters of black fabric, hand embroidered with lead lights to create a design resembling the map of Cairo, and is fixed on a wooden platform that is placed in a hall in Town House Gallery. The show is a play of lights synchronized with electronic sounds that the audience has to experience as they move on a specific path through a staircase that allows them to view it from above.

“Sound was the base of this project where a multichannel sound dialogue between speakers that were placed beneath and above the platform and hidden in the architecture took place,” he explains.

In 2007, Mostafa worked on a similar project about Cairo titled “Madena” in collaboration with his late colleague and revolutionary martyr Ahmed Basyouni, who also worked with video and sound. The project included video, sound, light and a live performance, and through the use of computers, mixers and amplifiers, the artists broadcasted recordings that they believed were iconic sounds of Cairo that were recorded over one month.

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A geographical map of Cairo was also fixed on the walls, as well as multi-size speakers that broadcasted soundtracks that corresponded to each particular area on the map. When visitors moved close to the wall, they experienced a sound panorama of the city, but not all sounds were perceived simultaneously. The video projection showed rhythmic movements of people in crowded and popular places.

This installation was shown in the Youth Salon in 2007 and won the Grand Award of Creativity Festival – Multimedia Interactive Project. creativity and techniques “I visit a place, receive its energy, study the architecture, acoustics and light and then design the installation accordingly,” Mostafa mentions when discussing how he tailors his designs to the given space.

This approach was adopted by Mostafa in a number of projects, most notably in his work titled “Transparent Existence” that was shown as part of an exhibition by Mashrabeya Gallery in 2010. The curator chose a very special historical building to display the art works of Samaakhana, a Sufi-dance theater from the Ottoman Era. The artist searched the location thoroughly until he found a spot that included the remains of an old ablution fountain topped by a dome in the basement of the building. “I recreated the fountain with lights that interacted with sounds coming from a multichannel system: a combination of natural sound from the location, the sound of water flowing and old recordings of Sufi poetry from Morocco,” he explains.

Mostafa describes himself as an artist who thinks big. “Even before I graduated, my participation in the Youth Salon in 2002 was quite daring.

I wanted to cover the entire building of the Art Center in Zamalek with sound. Luckily, I was able to convince the managers and I transmitted the sound tracks I had created for three consecutive days through the sound system already installed in the building.”

Sabah Naiim City Life PaiNter aNd artiSt Though some artists tend to focus on popular folkloric themes like people in traditional costumes and traditional markets and bazaars, Sabah Naiim finds themes from everyday life in the city more honest and appealing.

Naiim, born 1967, got her Bachelors in 1990 and her Ph.D. in 2003 both from the Faculty of Art.

Early CarEEr and InspIratIon Throughout most of her 21-year career, Naiim was concerned with the human body and its manifestations in everyday life. In the beginning, she focused on herself and on her own body and she worked on a variety of self portraits using photography and collage, before she started working on images of other people.

“I started by working with magazine clippings, later on taking the pictures myself, printing them and then drawing over them. Further on, I started printing the photos on big scale canvases, drawing over them with colors, ink, and acrylic,” she says.

In 1998, changes in Naiim’s life got her more in touch with the public spheres and she started picking up new interests. “I started focusing on people in the streets. I come from a popular neighborhood and so I use public transport and I walk a lot, spending time among everyday people who have many stories,” she explains.

Naiim used to roam the city with her camera taking hundreds of shots of people who grabbed her attention, and then she would print the ones she liked best. She would then add her guidelines and colors on those printouts, creating ornaments that separate the figures from the background to focus only on the bodies and their manifestations. “I would either create a different environment for those bodies or create a mood that matches their state of mind, sometimes trying to cheer them up and add some joy to their environment, whereas at other times, I would add more burdens and restrictions on them,” mentions Naiim.

ChallEngEs The artist managed to make art her profession, which went hand in hand with her academic career. “Another problem with art education in schools is the system itself. Little attention is given to it, and they focus instead on driving students to get grades that are high enough to enroll them in medicine or engineering,” she says.

I started focusing on people in the streets. I come from a popular neighborhood and so I use public transport and I walk a lot, spending time among everyday people who have many stories

Just before falling sick with Hepatitis C, she had the opportunity to go on an art residency in London, where she stayed for a month before her experience was cut short due to her mother’s sickness. “At a certain point, I decided that I am not giving up, and I would sit on a chair beside my mother’s bed with small notebooks and colored pens and start sketching. I was trying to be optimistic and evoke goodness, ” she explains, mentioning that those sketches reflected an immense healing process.

ExhIbItIons When she had the courage and determination to resume her career, Naiim turned the small sketchbook pages into large scale canvases and put them on display in 2014 at Safar Khan in Zamalek.

She has also been taking part in group and solo exhibitions in Egypt since 1993. Starting from 1999, she went overseas; exhibiting in Milan, Rome, Venice, Dubai, Johannesburg, Tokyo, London, Paris, Denver, Beirut and many other cities.

“The Middle East is different from the US or Europe as our life is complicated and practicing art is also difficult. Abroad, artists can get commissioned by galleries to produce certain styles of art and they can live on it while in Egypt we spend money on art without being certain that we can turn it into revenue,” Naiim concludes.

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Culture Art

Sameh ISmaIl adaptIng CallIgraphy “I believe that destiny plays a certain role in your choices; you might make a choice to take a certain route, but you do not quite know where it will lead,” said Sameh.

Early lifE and CarEEr Fascinated by the handwriting of his calligrapher and Arabic teacher in primary school, Ismail attracted the teacher’s attention who later on helped him enroll in the Calligraphy School in Bab El-Louk as soon as he had finished his preparatory stage, which was the minimum requirement for the school. Over the next two years, he excelled as a student and learned other Arabic fonts like thuluth, diwani and farsi.

Specializing in graphics at the Faculty of Fine Arts with a focus in book design, posters, printing materials, logos and identity creation, Ismail’s passion for calligraphy grew.

“I was challenged, just like many other colleagues, by the employment of Arabic text within the design. At that time, computers were not common and we added text to the posters through copying and enlarging the prototypes in the letterset collections. I realized then that I had an edge over my colleagues as I was familiar with calligraphy and I could work freehand,” he says.

He wanted to find ways to modify, develop and play around with the Arabic fonts. At that time, art students believed that Arabic script was dead and static, especially those used in typography, and if they used any of the more elaborate fonts like naskh, thuluth, farsi or diwani, it would impart a sacred touch upon the work. “This was a taboo: I could not make a poster to promote tourism in Sharm El Sheikh, for instance, and use the koufi font,” explains Isamail.

He knew he had to work hard to promote the idea that the Arabic letter can be just another graphic element of design, just like a tree or a model. To break the taboo, Ismail worked on the Arabic letters and their laws and aesthetics, trying to liberate them from the classic rules and make them more dynamic. To do so, he had to avoid the use of Quranic verses and focus on inspiration from Sufi poetry like Ibn Arabi and El-Rumi.

A great turning point that put the ambitious artist on the right track was his work with great film director Youssef Chahin on “El-Maseer” or “The Destiny” in 1996. He was about to graduate when he got this opportunity to work on all the calligraphy and ornamental elements of the film, from costumes to decoration.

“Chahin and Khaled Youssef handed me a box with twenty references on the arts of Andalusia, including its architecture, fashion and manuscripts, and told me to study them for four months before meeting again. This was a great learning experience where I realized that the Andalusian era was very rich and delightful, a very creative mix of European and Islamic arts,” he claimed.

CrEativity and tEChniquE From 1997 until 2006, Ismail focused on studying Latin typefaces in an attempt to make an Arabic adaptation and create new and modern Arabic fonts while keeping an eye on what the Iranians and Lebanese artists were doing.

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“The Arabic letter is intelligent, evolving and surprising - it changes form according to its position in the word – hence any program that would be developed to work on the Arabic typography has to give a variety of options to the artist. The Iranians were pioneers in developing such a program,” he mentions.

At that time, Ismail had moved from animation to graphic design in the Egyptian Television where he started learning about the rules, 3D graphics, motion picture language, music and timing.

In parallel, he was still working with many advertising agencies as a freelance designer, a calligrapher and a painter. “In 2001, designing El-Bait Magazine’s logo helped me gain popularity. I worked with them for several years and we used to revamp the image every three years, which attracted many advertising companies to me,” says Ismail.

Exhibitions and achiEvEmEnts Ismail, who started exhibiting his paintings in two solo exhibitions in 2007, was able to reintroduce the Arabic script to a large public over the years. His works are characterized by free flowing, elegant Arabic letters, interwoven with abstract forms and bright spots of color from time to time.

In 2009, he participated in several group exhibitions and got a residency in Barcelona, Spain.

Another important experience came about in 2008 when The Austrian Cultural Forum chose him to work on a joint Graffiti project with an Austrian artist. Ismail got involved in the choice of the location and for the first time in Egypt, a legal Graffiti project was carried out on a train carriage.

The experience brought him to believe that this vivid art needs to be legalized to counter all the ugliness in our streets and to help deliver art to the layman. He is fighting for this cause through an official position that he now holds in a committee at the Ministry of Culture. p

At that time, art students believed that Arabic script was dead and static, especially those used in typography, and if they used any of the more elaborate fonts like naskh, thuluth, farsi or diwani, it would impart a sacred touch upon the work Sep 2017 | Ct

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Culture Books

September Book Recommendations

As we welcome the fall weather, there is nothing better than curling up with a good book in the company of a refreshing breeze. Whether you are still at your summer home or back to the everyday commitments of the city, here are some recommendations to keep you occupied and entertained.

The Thousandth Floor

By Katharine McGee A hundred years into the future, New York City is full of innovation and dreams where everyone wants something, but also has something to lose.

Living amidst luxury and technological advancement, five teenagers struggle to find their place at the top of the world.

However, they are not aware that when you are this high up, there is nowhere to go but down.

Not only is the cover enticing and reflective of the novel, but McGee also manages to portray every character’s point of view all the while painting a picture of what Manhattan would look like in 2118.

Eat Only When You’re Hungry

By Lindsay Hunter A father searches for his addict son while grappling with his own choices as a parent, and as a user of sorts.

In this humorous yet honest novel, we meet Greg—an overweight fifty-eight yearold and the father of an addict son gone missing. For some reason, this absence feels different, and Greg believes that he is the only one who can find him.

Travelling around Florida, the urgency to find him slowly recedes into the background and the truths about Greg’s mistakes—as a father, a husband and a man—are uncovered.

Hunter elicits complex sympathy for her characters, asking the reader to take a closer look at the way we think about addiction and the fallout of failing ourselves.

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The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter

By Theodora Goss Based on horror and science fiction classics, Goss tells the story of a group of women who unite to solve the mystery of a series of gruesome murders as well as finding out where they come from.

When their investigations lead to them discovering a secret society of immoral scientists, the horrors of their past return. Now it is up to the monsters to finally triumph over the monstrous.

The Gilded Cage

By Lucinda Gray After growing up on a farm in America in the 1820s, upper class England seems like another world to sixteen-year-old Katherine Randolph, whose new life is shattered when her brother mysteriously drowns.

Katherine is expected to observe the mourning customs and move on, but she can’t accept that her brother’s death was an accident.

Strange visitors threaten the occupants of the house, and a rumor arises that a wild animal stalks the surrounding woods.

Can Katherine retain her sanity long enough to find out the truth? Or will her brother’s killer claim her life, too?

The Hearts We Sold

By Emily Lloyd-Jones When Dee Moreno makes a deal to exchange her heart for an escape from a disastrous home, she finds that becoming “heartless” is only the beginning of the consequences.

Dee has only a group of other deal-making teens to keep her grounded, including the charming but secretive James Lancer, who, as something grows between them, makes her wonder: can she give someone her heart when it is no longer hers to give?

Mrs. Saint and the Defectives

By Julie Lawson Timmer A tale of how community can heal the brokenness in all of us.

Markie, a forty-year-old who has suffered from a humiliating and very public divorce, moves to a new town with her teenage son, hoping to recover in private.

However, the family is unable to escape the attention of their new neighbor Mrs. Saint, an irascible, elderly woman who takes it upon herself to identify and fix the flaws in those around her.

Soon, the quirky yet endearing woman recruits Markie to join her community, a world where both hidden truths and hope unite them. However, when Mrs. Saint’s own secrets threaten to unravel their web of healing, it is up to Markie to mend these wounds for a life full of second chances and happiness.

The Color Project

By Sierra Abrams Bernice Aurora Wescott does not want anyone to know her name, until she meets Levi, the local golden boy who runs a charity organization called The Color Project. Levi is not at all shy about attempting to guess Bee’s real name, and his persistence is one of the many reasons why she falls for him.

When unexpected news of an illness in the family ruins her summer, she is pushed to the breaking point. Losing herself in The Color Project—a world of weddings, funerals, and cancer patients—is no longer enough, and she must hold up the weight of her family, but to do that, she needs Levi.

Sour Heart

By Jenny Zhang Following the lives of immigrants in the nineties who have traded their endangered lives as artists in China and Taiwan for the constant struggle of poverty life in New York City, Zhang’s collection portrays the ways that history can push us forward or backward.

From the young woman coming to terms with her grandmother’s role in the Cultural Revolution to the girl discovering the power of her body to inspire and destroy, these seven stories illuminate the complex lives of girls struggling to define themselves. p Sep 2017 | Ct

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Culture events What’s GoinG on in september

tHe Future sounD oF egypt: Armin vAn buuren At tHe greAt pyrAmiDs september 15tH Amr DiAb: First time in HurgHADA september 2nD On the second day of Eid El Adha, one of the most influential singers in the Middle East, Amr Diab, will be performing live for the first time in Hurghada at Al Dau Strand, Touristic Promenade.

Children less than five years old are not allowed.

Tickets Standing (Regular): 500 EGP VIP: 1,500 EGP VIP tickets include high tables either with four seats or 10.

Tickets can be found at TicketsMarche.

el gounA Film FestivAl: CinemA For HumAnity september 22nD to 19tH The Founding Committee of El Gouna Film Festival officially launches the first edition of the Festival, which will take place from the 22nd to the 29th of September 2017, in El Gouna.

The event offers an exceptional experience by creating a new platform where filmmakers could express their ideas and engage with industry experts and international media and audiences.

El Gouna Film Festival, which aims to activate the cinematic and cultural scene in El Gouna and create the opportunity to develop, will also encourage and support all contemporary forms of creative expression in the MENA region, especially for the younger generations.

The famous concert awaited by many house and trance music enthusiasts, The Future Sound of Egypt, is taking place on September 15th at the iconic historical monuments: The Great Pyramids of Giza at the Sound and Light Theater.

Along with a performance by legendary Dutch DJ and Grammy nominee Armin Van Buuren, who has previously been named as number one DJ for four years in a row, are Egyptian-born DJs Aly and Fila, and fellow musicians Ruben de Ronde and Paul Thomas.

Tickets Standing (Regular): 750 EGP Free Seating (VIP): 1,500 EGP Tickets can be found at TicketsMarche.

Doors Open: 5:30 pm Doors Close: 7:00 pm

Doors open: 5:00 pm

CAiro FAsHion & tex: CAiro internAtionAl Convention Centre september 13tH to 16tH Cairo Fashion & Tex is an event taking place at the Cairo International Convention Centre in Nasr City that allows exhibiting companies to showcase their array of products, from men and women’s fashion and sportswear to children’s clothes and knitted garments.

This exhibition brings together suppliers with potential customers, and is the first international exhibition that specializes in garments, textiles and yarn in Egypt.

The event is organized by Pyramids International under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Egyptian Chamber of Apparel & Home Textile Industries. p Time: 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm

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Culture Film

Movies to Watch this Month Richard the Stork • • • • •

Release Date: 1 September Genre: Animation, Adventure Director: Toby Genkel, Reza Memari Cast: Tilman Dobler, Cooper Kelly Kramer, Shannon Conley Synopsis: An orphaned sparrow is adopted and raised by storks, and when the family leaves for migration, the little sparrow attempts to participate in the long journey.

Kingsman: The Golden Circle • • • • •

6 Days • • • • •

Release Date: 13 September Genre: Action, Thriller Director: Toa Fraser Cast: Jamie Bell, Mark Strong and Abbie Cornish Synopsis: In April 1980, armed gunmen stormed the Iranian Embassy in Princes Gate, London and took all inside hostage.

Over the next six days a tense standoff took place, all the while a group of highly trained soldiers from the SAS prepared for a raid the world had never seen the likes of.

El Khaleya- The Cell (Arabic) • • • • •

Release Date: 2 September Genre: Action, Drama Director: Tarek El’eryan Cast: Ahmed Ezz, Amina Khalil, Mohamed Mamdouh Synopsis: A special operations officer is on the run to solve and deal with several terrorist attacks.

Release Date: 20 September Genre: Action, Adventure Director: Matthew Vaughn Cast: Julianne Moore, Channing Tatum, Taron Egerton, Colin Firth Synopsis: With their headquarters destroyed and the world held hostage, members of Kingsman create allies when they come across a USA spy organization. In a mission that puts their strength and wits to the test, the secret agents join together to battle a ruthless enemy and save the day.

The Monster • • • • •

Release Date: 20 September Genre: Horror Director: Bryan Bertino Cast: Zoe Kazan and Ella Ballentine Synopsis: A mother and daughter must confront a terrifying monster when they break down on a deserted road.

The Neighbor • • • • •

Release Date: 27 September Genre: Crime, Horror, Thriller Director: Marcus Dunstan Cast: Josh Stewart, Bill Engvall, Alex Essoe Synopsis: Set in Cutter Mississippi, the film follows a man who discovers the dark truth about his neighbor and the secrets he may be keeping in the cellar. p Sep 2017 | Ct

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Culture Music

Binti Band: From Belgium to Egypt

By Rehab Saad

Music, singing and dancing has become part of Egypt’s heritage and has been in the lives of its residents since ancient times, playing a significant role in human civilization.

E

gypt has been known for producing many great poets, composers and singers who later became masters of art, not only in the Arab World, but internationally as well. This inspired other nationalities to come and visit Egypt to make their contributions to the art.

Binti Band is composed of six singing sisters who were born and raised in Belgium to an Egyptian father and Belgian mother. Their success lies in the unique polyphonic music they introduced, which was picked up by the Intercultural Center De Centrale when they decided to organize a festival for them to perform a few months ago. Â

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Community Times spoke with the band who were in Belgium at the time, where they are based, to find out more about how they started and what their future plans are.

some of the people watching were keen on hiring us to perform at weddings and receptions. That is how we started booking concerts and our audience expanded from there.

Tell us a little about your family.

What was your first successful concert?

Our father is an Egyptologist who owns a travel agency that takes Belgian tourists to Egypt, where he organizes the trips and accompanies them for guidance. Our mother, on the other hand, is educated to be a sports teacher, but chose not to work to focus on raising us.

Did any of you study music, or was it a passion on the side of your education?

We all went to a conservatory, a music school, when we were young, however, none of us did higher studies in music. Only two of us took singing classes and the others were taught how to play instruments and learned singing on their own.

Who writes the songs and composes the music for the band?

One of us comes up with the lyrics or melody, and then we compose the music together around the basic idea. We usually go away somewhere together for three to five days, once or twice a week, which we call “Binti-week”, that helps us produce music and rehearse together.

We also plan everything ourselves, including concerts and album distribution, as we do not have a business manager.

How did you come up with the band name?

It means “my daughter” in Arabic and it reflects our roots. It is one of the few Arabic words we learned from our father, so we decided upon this title together.

How did the idea of creating a band come to you, and when did you start?

We used to play music and sing separately, so we all had our own bands, until one day somebody asked us to sing something together for a concert in the woods and that is how we decided to join together.

We started performing in 2010 by singing covers of songs accompanied only by an acoustic guitar and occasionally a flute as we were more into close harmony with old jazz and reggae at that time. We began by playing in the streets of a large city, where we started receiving positive feedback from the crowd and

It was one of our early days when we were busking on the shore of Knokke, a beach city in Belgium, with only a guitar and the six of us. Many people stopped and listened until the crowd grew and grew to form a huge circle around us. That is the best thing about playing in the streets; we are 100% sure that people stop to listen out of their own interest and enjoyment. After that, we started recording an album with our own songs.

When did you first perform in Egypt and are you planning on visiting other Arab countries in the future?

Our first concert in Egypt was in 2013 at 100 Copies near Talaat Harb, which we were invited to by the Belgian Embassy that wanted to book us because they knew our nationalities and decided it would be a nice combination for a band playing in Egypt.

We would definitely like to expand our audience to include other Arab countries, and hope to visit Beirut soon.

What influences your music style, and are your Arab roots portrayed through your music? Do you aim to convey a certain message?

We play soulful music with the accent of multi harmony and vocals. Until now, we have not played Middle Eastern music, as it is not really in our plan. Our daily lives naturally influence our music, so it is possible that some Arab elements are included, yet it is something that has to grow organically and is not always evident.

We do not really aim to convey a specific message to our audiences, yet we just want to transmit positive energy and the feeling of enjoying music with loved ones.

What are your future plans?

We are currently working on filming a video clip that will probably include some shots from our gigs in Egypt.

Also, we would like to record a new album, but there is no specific date yet for that. Next year, we would like to go for another tour, first in Belgium and then abroad. p

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Culture Music

The Cairo Choral Society

By Alia Moustafa

F

ounded in 1983 by Larry P. Catlin, The Cairo Choral Society has long since then been the angelic voice of long gone music composers. The choir has had truly mesmerizing performances, and their music, along with their synchronized vocals, have all been captivating and relaxing to the nerves.

To learn more about The Cairo Choral Society, I sat down with Mrs. Catharine Moustafa, Membership Officer, to find out more about the group and the idea behind it.

What is your role in the organization?

I am in charge of gathering and keeping the members’ contact details. I also compose and send circular email announcements to the members containing information they need to know, like when rehearsals will start, if a rehearsal is cancelled or an additional rehearsal is planned and if there is a trip coming up.

What drove you to join the choir?

I like to sing and have always wanted to join a choir, but I thought that they only belonged to churches. In 2004, I met a classmate who was a member of this group, and she encouraged me to join.

How did the choir begin?

It was originally established by Catlin, the Director of Music at the American University in Cairo (AUC) at that time. The first members to join were friends and acquaintances of his from inside and outside of the university community.

Although we now always perform at AUC, the choir was not an “AUC activity” until about five years ago. Our music director and conductor, Dr. John Baboukis, is the current Director of the Music Program at the university.

What is the choir’s purpose?

We also have a librarian who photocopies the music and keeps a record of what music is with which member, and whether or not it is returned, and our stage manager makes sure everything is set for our performance.

The “fundraiser” contacts various organizations to get them to donate to the choir, which we then use, along with the dues paid by the members, to hire soloists and an orchestra for our performances. All of these, among others, are essential in helping everything run as perfectly as possible.

What do the members achieve from being in The Cairo Choral Society?

Other than learning new skills and enhancing current ones that help us to sing better, we are also introduced to new and more challenging pieces of music, and get to do this in a friendly and enjoyable environment.

To get together and perform the great works of the significant music composers who played a role in shaping the classical music industry and audience today. We perform musical pieces mainly by Britten, Vaughn Williams, Beethoven, Rossini, Händel and Puccini.

How big of a group is the choir?

Who are the members of the society?

Where can people go to watch the choir perform?

Our members are students, professionals and retired music lovers from all around the world. AUC students may join either as a for-credit course at the university, or on a not-for-credit basis. Anybody who loves to sing is welcome to join, and they do not have to be professional musicians or know how to read music.

What is the secret behind the choir’s flawless performances?

The “Advisory Committee” is in charge of making the necessary decisions and taking the actions we need to create a smooth performance, where officers deal with the borrowing and returning of the music we use to sing along to.

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It varies, but usually anywhere between 40 to 80 members. Each season is different, depending on what music we will be performing, and the choir is usually larger during the fall, before Christmas, than in the spring.

We now mostly perform at AUC’s Ewart Hall or Malak Gabr hall, however, for years, we performed regularly at All Saints Cathedral in Zamalek and occasionally at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the German Church on Galaa Street, The British School in Sheikh Zayed and the small hall at the Cairo Opera House.

Any future plans for The Cairo Choral Society?

We are trying to increase the number of performances and enhance our musical variety to include as many composers as we can. p

Advertorial

This summer, Mercedes-Benz Egypt celebrated the first networking circle of “She’s Mercedes” in the captivating North Coast. With the motto ‘s homage to female inspiration and creativity’, “She’s Mercedes” is set out in Egypt to spotlight the many interesting and inspiring women in various fields of business and social life. The first networking circle was attended by exceptional young women working in the fields of marketing, media & public relation as well as event management in Egypt.

Throughout the gathering, the partcipants shared their experiences in the different walks of life, explaining how they achieved and realized their passion. This first “She’s Mercedes” networking circle

was filled with enthusiasm, the attending ladies exchanged creative ideas, listening to one another and putting forth their thoughts for more ideas to support this initiative.

“She’s Mercedes” is an initiative dedicated to inspiring, connecting and empowering women to unleash their best. Consisting of a series of networking events, the primary objective of “She’s Mercedes” is to create a dialogue between exceptional women from different fields and industries to give their personal insights into topics all around business and private life, as well as how to successfully balance the two.

This was the first circle to take place in Egypt, and is one of many events yet to come.

“She’s Mercedes” first networking circle kicks off at the North Coast

MIND, BODY & SOUL

7 BODYWEIGHT WORKOUTS:

GAIN STRENGTH, GET FIT AND BUILD LEAN MUSCLES

B

ack-to-school season marks the end of summer, and while most people are going back to school, university, work or home duties, time for working out at the gym becomes a far dream to many. That is why we have put together exercises you can do at home without any equipment whatsoever that will fit in perfectly with your busy schedules.

Butterfly CrunCh Lie down on your back, joining your feet together and with your knees out to the sides, and then place your hands straight above your head, then proceed to lift your chest, shoulders and legs upwards until they your arms are between your legs, before making your way back down to the floor.

Tones: abs and core Reps: 10 to 12

OPPOsite arm and leg lift

Wall Push-uP While placing your hands on the wall shoulder-width apart, part your feet slightly while keeping your back and legs straight.

Begin by lifting your heels and leaning forward slightly, pushing most of the weight towards your arms, and then bend your elbows, closing into the wall and making sure that your body remains straight, before pushing back again to the starting position.

Tones: chest, shoulders, core and triceps Reps: 20

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Stand on all fours with your knees on the ground hip-width apart and your hands on the ground shoulder-width apart, and then lift your right arm forwards while you stretch your left leg backwards, keeping both straight, and hold this pose for five seconds before releasing and repeating with the opposite arm and leg. This is also a great balance exercise.

Tones: core, shoulders and glutes Reps: 15 to 20

Bodyweight Squat Stand straight with your feet spread shoulder-width apart, and place your arms straight in front of you, making sure that they are parallel to the floor. Keep your torso upright while mildly arching your back, and then lower yourself towards the floor while pushing your hips backwards as if you are sitting down on a chair. Take a three second pause before pushing yourself back.

Tones: core, quads and glutes Reps: 15 to 20

Side Plank While you lie on your side with your knees and legs straight, push your body upwards using your elbow or forearm that is under your shoulder, and then place the alternative hand on your hip. Raise your hip until your body forms a straight line, and hold this position for one minute before turning to the other side.

Tones: core, back and glutes Reps: 10, but altering with other exercises

Swan dive Lie face down on the ground while strengthening your arms over your head and keeping your toes pointed, and then lift both your arms and your legs at the same time above the ground for two seconds before moving your arms by your sides and reaching for your toes. Hold this position also for two seconds before bringing your body back down to the starting position.

Tones: core and back Reps: 10 to 15

Boat PoSe Take a seat on the floor with your knees bent and your feet and hands flat on the ground, and then lean your upper body backwards towards the floor while you lift your legs up to form a V. Stretch your arms forward with your palms facing your body while you keep your back straight and lengthen your legs. Hold this pose for five deep breaths before coming back to your starting position. p Tones: lower belly Reps: 5

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FEATURE

Foster + Partners | MASPERO TRIANGLE DISTRIC MASTERPLAN

What Will the Maspero triangle entail

By Rehab Saad

The suburb we informally call Maspero was named after the French archaeologist Gaston Maspero, the former chairman of the Egyptian Antiquities Authority. This is where what is considered as the oldest state-run broadcasting building organization in the Arab World and Africa is located and is known as the Maspero building.

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about the area The Maspero Triangle covers 77 acres of land and is located on the riverbank of El Galaa Street that overlooks the Ramses Hilton Hotel and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while behind the frontage lies informal housing, home to around 18,000 citizens. The place is divided into six areas: El Kafrawi and El Azawi slums, Narooz Alley, Santo, Radwan and the Haja Zeinab area.

Ownership of these lands goes back to the 1952 nationalization process implemented

by Nasser that forced some landowners to grant their lands to their serving employees with endowments that indicated that they would receive interest for 20 years.

The first spark that threatened Maspero residents to be relocated was when The General Authority for Urban Planning was established in 1973, followed by when Hassaballah El Kafrawi, Minister of Housing and Reconstruction, issued an official document to evict residents from El Torgman, Maspero, Ramlet Boulaq and Souq el Asr in 1979 due to building conditions becoming progressively worse, followed by the earthquake in 1992, which caused the collapse of approximately 19% of them and damaged 14%. As residents of these houses could not afford to renovate, or move out, as well as not having any legal proof of land ownership, it was easy for the government to transfer some of them to Sayeda Zeinab, Wayli and 6th of October City.

Specialist planners and engineers discussed the possibility of three alternatives for implementation, suggesting a steady measured time-scale, while preserving religious, historical and buildings in good condition. The plan was suspended and then cancelled when Sadat was assassinated in 1981.

The DevelopmenT projecT process After the 2011 revolution, fire incidents took place in Arcadia Mall and El Kafrawi slums, and since then the triangle has become a public issue, and the welfare of the residents drew the attention of some officials who started thinking seriously about restoring the area and ensuring the resettlement of the residents.

Gaston Maspero

In 2014, the development of haphazard areas and slums became the government’s priority, and the Ministry of Urban Development was established, headed by Dr. Laila Iskander who formed a committee of university professors, and the Urban Planning Authority, along with a number of specialists and volunteers. The committee had a clear vision for developing the triangle, taking into consideration spatial, social and cultural aspects.

In June 2015, the Ministry, in conjunction with Cairo Governorate and the Egyptian Informal Settlements Development Facility (ISDF) declared the prequalification of a global competition upon invitation for the development and architectural design of the Maspero Triangle. The goal was to design the master plan, which included the establishment of new residential, commercial and retail space, as well as the resettlement of most inhabitants in the same area.

Included in the plan was the Broadcasting Building where employees at the Egyptian Radio and TV Union work. Since the number of employees was decreased by an estimated 60%, it was decided that the rest are to be relocated to a building in the Media Production City. A lot of disputes regarding the future of the Maspero building were sparked, raising questions like whether it would be maintained as a valuable heritage building or will it become part of the investment project for the Maspero Triangle, which aims at creating a higher quality of life for the people living in this area.

In August 2015, Dr. Laila Iskander announced the winners of the competition to prove full transparency of the ministry. First prize was granted to The International Union of Architects, a non-governmental organization, whereas second prize was awarded to Foster and Partners – United Kingdom, and third ex-aequo to Stefano Boeri - F&M ing. Baukuh (Italy).

By the beginning of 2016, the Cairo Governorate started to receive residents’ requests, and the government started the negotiation process with locals to find adequate solutions for their properties. It was clearly emphasized by the Ministry of Housing that the implementation of the project should start before the end of 2016, yet this statement did not materialize at first as many residents rejected the three scenarios offered by the government.

The country is serious about the Maspero Triangle development plan, and the state will not force anyone to leave the area. We have finally come to full consensus with the requirements of 4,500 families

The first scenario was providing monetary compensation to leave the place, which many resisted as the amount offered was too low compared to the value of the land they occupy.

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Foster + Partners - 2nd Prize | MASPERO TRIANGLE DISTRIC MASTERPLAN

FEATURE

Secondly, they offered to transfer the residents to another housing unit in one of the development projects of the government like Asmarat or any social housing project, and finally, in case they wish to stay situated within the project, the government suggested paying their rent for three years outside the project until they can return after completion, which they will then be provided with a rental unit in exchange for paying a small amount, or the possession of the unit by paying a 20-year installment.

According to him, 70% of the residents requested material compensation, pointing out that 27 families were already transferred to Asmarat, and an additional 170 are scheduled.

“The rental value offered as a second option starts from EGP 1,000, which is a huge number compared to what they used to pay, which ranged from EGP 2 to 15 EGP maximum. Also, I believe that the question of ownership is not very affordable for them,” he said, explaining why the residents agreed to evacuate.

Engineer Ahmed Zaazaa, Co-Founder of D Group

Government officials’ comments to community times General Mohammed Tawab, Deputy Governor of Cairo When we asked General Tawab about the status of this development project and with the residents, he said, “The country is serious about the Maspero Triangle development plan, and the state will not force anyone to leave the area. We have finally come to full consensus with the requirements of 4,500 families.” He added, “We appointed eight groups in the area to receive the requests of people, and help them choose a suitable proposal after our specialists explain the alternatives available.”

Dr. Ahmed Darwish, Deputy Minister of Housing Dr. Darwish said that the people of Maspero who want compensation in return for leaving the area will be granted EGP 60,000 for each room, in addition to EGP 40,000 as evacuation expenses.

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Researcher, urban designer and co-founder of the D Group, Zaazaa is also one of the architects who worked on the development project.

“The plan we submitted included the same scenarios presented by the Ministry of Housing, but at lower prices starting from 250 to 800 EGP for rent. We also suggested moving people to a nearby location or offering monetary compensation, which ranged from EGP 50,000 to 25,000 per room,” he elaborated.

Zaazaa adds, “Actually, we feel frustrated because we worked on the development plan for two full years, as well as with investors and the government, and our project was agreed upon and signed by all parties, yet the project was given to Foster and Partner. We do not know what will actually be implemented, but we believe that if the government continues the process, 98% of the population will be moved outside the triangle.”

Residents’ OpiniOns and COnCeRns We decided to visit the Maspero Triangle to find out what the people’s opinions were after coming to an agreement with the government. We met Mahmoud who said, “Not all houses need demolishing as there are a number of them that still retain their beauty and only need maintenance and slight restoration. Their architectural style is what gives them character and what the area is known for.”

According to Shaaban, the collapsed houses have pushed locals to leave the area, and the landowners, along with the governorate, have imposed a ban on the restoration of houses in the triangle. With the inability to prove ownership over the land, rebuilding is not an option. “It is like a gradual eviction: they want to see the whole area collapse,” added Shaaban.

There were initial proposals by the government to move the locals to new developments on the outskirts of Cairo, an option that the majority of them turned down, citing economic reasons and the fact that almost 76% of residents work in the local area neighborhood.

“We are not against development, but after we are housed in suitable areas with proper jobs,” said Sami Mahmoud who is skeptic about the government’s intentions because he witnessed the selling of the area to investors four years ago.

“Our children’s schools and our workshops are here, and so we have to defend our rights. However, after the government re-considered our social and economic circumstances and reviewed the financial compensation, I felt satisfied,” he added.

Atteya, who works as a blacksmith in Al-Galaa Street said, “I want a fair solution. I can move to Asmarat, for example, provided that the government guarantees to provide me with a shop in the same location or nearby. Being in a remote place and having to pay a lot for transportation will not work.”

The current situation now leaves residents feeling like they are forced to move to Asmarat, a place they consider as remote compared to Maspero, while others are satisfied with the financial compensation but are still worried about employment.

Stefano Boeri Architetti | MASPERO TRIANGLE DISTRIC MASTERPLAN

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FEATURE Dar Al Handasah & Perkins - 3rd Prize | MASPERO TRIANGLE DISTRIC MASTERPLAN

the re-makIng oF masPero trIangle and old QUarters Foster + Partners

InternatIonal UnIon oF archItects

It was announced in November 2015 by the Egyptian Ministry of State for Urban Renewal and Informal Settlements (MURIS) that Foster + Partners won the competition to design the masterplan for the Maspero Triangle District in Downtown Cairo.

SEED project seeks to establish a new urban regeneration model for Cairo. A model based on community driven principles and a dedication to achieving balanced social and physical change.

The project is envisaged as a combination of public initiative with private investment support to produce a viable urban regeneration scheme. Based on estimated land values, the masterplan places commercial and residential spaces along the river edge and main street frontages, while buildings and open community spaces occupy the more private, central core of the scheme. This allows the existing population of the district to maintain their overlapping work relationships while new office and retail spaces on the edges of the site create employment opportunities for the entire city of Cairo.

The first phase will fill the empty spaces within the district with greenery to enhance the vibrant public realm in the community.

This will improve the quality of life and benefit the existing community immediately. The parts of the residential and commercial areas will be built in tandem creating a sustainable model of development.

The design of the public realm is key to the project, and in addition to the green spaces throughout the settlement, a central open space has been created at the heart of the neighborhood for community events and celebrations. This space links directly to the food market, serving visitors and locals alike, which in turn leads to the retail spine and the hospital at the northern corner of the site. The settlement prioritizes pedestrian traffic with its narrow, shaded streets, which also connects across the river to the exclusive neighborhood of Zamalek via a footbridge that boosts the connectivity of the area. At the foot of the bridge, there is the ‘Lagoon’, lined with a number of cafés, restaurants and shops that will make this a highly desirable leisure destination.”

Foster+Partners website.

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Central to SEED is a development structure that runs commercial strategies and revenue generating businesses with the objective of furthering the social and economic development of the community. Profits made are reinvested into the community – both in ‘hard’ investments such as housing and public spaces, but also in ‘soft’ investments such as education and training.

A community working together: As a social enterprise, the principle aim of SEED is to establish a neighborhood which is a great place to live, work in, and visit.

Phased physical development and balanced socio-economic initiatives will transform the Maspero triangle into a thriving mixed-use neighborhood. A neighborhood that boasts new social housing, shops, offices, galleries, restaurants, cafes, parks, Nile frontage and a range of leisure and recreational facilities. A community that grows through its access to learning facilities, childcare services, family support, events, festivals and enterprise support programs.

SEED is not a clean slate redevelopment plan. It is a collaborative regeneration process that aims to capture and nurture Maspero’s rich heritage and sense of community. It is also a flexible and evolving process that responds to the changing needs and aspirations of the community. At all-times, SEED must act as an enabling canvas for social wellbeing, growth, and achievement.

The architects imagine a system of new green islands along the river that will contain public spaces open to the city and a new, elevated Botanical Garden covering the colossal road interchange which separates Maspero Triangle form the Egyptian Museum.

International Union of Architects website.

Stefano Boeri - f&M ing.

Baukuh (italy) Their masterplan is based on five main points: 1. We propose an exchange of properties that will allow private investors to develop the Nile waterfront – with the exception of a New Museum – and that will, at the same time, allow the public sector to secure property of the popular neighborhood, in order to upgrade this area using the revenues of the sales of the land along the waterfront, and the taxation on real estate profits. This exchange prevents the displacement of the inhabitants of the popular neighborhood.

2. Inside the popular neighborhood – which after the property exchange will be entirely owned by the public sector – we propose a series of small interventions (restorations, completions).

These interventions will not affect the identity of the area, on the contrary, they will bring new life to the neighborhood by introducing new productive activities such as workshops for craftsmen and services. New construction technologies will be experimented in the upgrading of the area.

3. In the spaces between the popular neighborhood and the waterfront, we propose to develop a series of new residential settlements, where the Cairene middle-class – that in the last years have left Downtown Cairo – could come back to a new, intense, metropolitan life, directly linked with the attractions of the centre and of the new waterfront.

4. We propose a waterfont made of residential towers that ends with a new hotel at the northern end of the Maspero Triangle. At the centre of the waterfront there will be a New Museum. The Museum (that could be developed in close partnership with similar international institutions) will combine a new public square open onto the Nile, an elevated platform for laboratories, ateliers and artistic production and a system of exhibition spaces grouped in a circular volume.

5. We imagine a system of new green islands along the river that will contain public spaces open to the city and a new, elevated Botanical Garden covering the colossal road interchange which separates Maspero Triangle from the Egyptian Museum.

Positive improvements include commercial and cultural projects, luxury high rise apartments, entertainment complex green landscapes and a multi-storey car park.

Stefano Boeri - F&M ing. Baukuh website. p

Source: www.uia-architectes.org

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FEATURE

The Maspero Media Building Crisis

By Rehab Saad

Maspero Media Building was named after the French archaeologist Gaston Maspero, the former chairman of the Egyptian Antiquities Authority. It was built in 1959 and is considered the oldest state-run broadcasting organization in the Arab World and Africa.

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he Egyptian radio broadcasting began in May 1934 in agreement with the Marconi Company, and “Houna el Qahera” (This is Cairo) was the first Arabic station in the Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU) that was then followed by “Sot El Arab” (Voice of the Arabs) in 1953, “Egyptian Radio’s Second Programme” in 1957 and the pan-Arab “Middle East Radio” in 1964. These four stations covered most of the Middle East and North and East Africa.

Though Egyptian television started transmission during the mid fifties, the official broadcasting began in 1960, reporting directly to the Ministry of National Guidance (later named the Ministry of Information). The building initially encompassed eight national channels, several satellite channels and a number of radio stations, as well as several media networks and administrative sectors like the Egyptian TV network, the Nile TV network and the Mahrousa television network, to name a few.

In 1971, late President Anwar El Sadat established a decree to regulate the ERTU, and created four distinct sectors: radio, television, engineering and finance, each of which had a chairman who reported directly to the Ministry of Information.

Since the establishment of this historical building, Maspero became the center of creativity, its main target being to enlighten people and provide them with information, news and entertainment. In 1982, the Ministry of Media was established and Safwat el Sherif became its minister during which the Egyptian media witnessed a significant breakthrough.

AftermAth of the revolution

The media has been the center of controversy these past few years, with claims of providing the population with biased, incorrect information and not being a beacon for positive media development.

However, many officials and those working in the media believe that we are on the right path to solving this crisis to create valuable and credible content.

The content presented to the public after the revolution was doubtful to most, and accordingly, the media lost credibility, starting a crisis. Due to disruptions and political disorder during the period from 2011 to 2016, in which Egypt changed six ministers last of which was Dorreya Sharaf el Din, it was decided to terminate the functions of the ministry and appoint Safaa Hegazy as the new head of ERTU and chairperson of its board of trustees.

In November 2016, the State Council addressed the government to start the process of forming three separate bodies for media, as per the Egyptian constitution: the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, the National Press Authority and the National Media Authority, which were established by April 2017.

Due to an estimated 60 percent decrease in the number of employees at the Egyptian Radio and TV Union, and planning to move the rest of the employees to a building in the Media Production City, a lot of disputes regarding the future of the building and its employees were sparked, raising questions like whether the building would be maintained as a heritage one, or will it become a part of the investment projects for the Maspero Triangle. At the same time, what will happen with the relocation of the employees, and settling financial matters with them?.

Community Times talked with significant figures in the media: Ossama Heikal, Hussein Zein, Reda Mansour and Nabil El Choubachy on the unfortunate situation we face with the media that has led to many angry outbursts.

Ossama Heikal - Former Minister of Media Heikal is currently chairman of the Egyptian Media Production City Company, a member of the parliament and chairman of the Committee of Media, Culture and Antiquities.

When you were appointed as minister in 2011, you were attacked by the people and journalists. how much pressure were you under, taking on a signficiant role at such a critical time?

Considering the disruptions that were occurring and because there was a struggle for power, all the ministers were attacked during that period of time. Before I took that position, the Muslim Brotherhood was rooting for Safwat Hegazy, wanting to control media content and who appeared on television, and because I did not agree with them and their views, they were keen to keep me out of their way.

I was shocked however when I was attacked by people whom I used to know for years and was described as “the enemy of the revolution�. I had two options: either to refrain from my position, or to accept and go ahead, which I did because the attacks were not based on any logic.

In March 2011, I mentioned in el Wafd newspaper, as I was the editor-in-chief at that time, that Egypt was suffering a state of security outbreak and moral and media collapse, where I saw becoming a minister as an opportunity for reform.

Do you think that temporarily closing down the ministry was the right decision?

From my point of view, pausing the work of the ministry before forming the concerned councils was wrong, however, this was done as a response to people’s request.

Why do we have three media authorities, and does this cause any kind of conflict or overlap?

Actually, they are formed according to the constitution, so there is no overlap, as each authority is independent financially and administratively, each with its own set of responsibilities, objectives and system. However, I personally believe that we only need one authority.

The National Media Authority manages state-owned media institutions to provide broadcast services, digital and press production and related engineering services, whereas the Supreme Media Regulation Council enjoys technical, financial and administrative independence in the exercise of its functions. The draft law sets forth its objectives, terms of reference and working system, and it provides licenses to private and national media, monitoring their performance to ensure that they abide by rules and standards.

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FEATURE The total amount of Maspero’s debt has reached EGP 22 billion. What would you have done to avoid the accumulation of debts?

I would have taken the same steps as I did here in the Media Production City Company when I was appointed chairman. The debt at the company was around EGP185 million, so in January 2015, I set a target to settle all debts, and started watching profit and deficit activities, while working further on them to make them more profitable.

I was able to settle the debt by December 2015.

In January of the following year, I started to develop an administrative system for the company to attract more investments, as well as developing a specialized system that deals with banks and private channels.

I believe that we have to look into what is redundant from an economic perspective. For example, we can integrate the news sector with the Nile News channel and treat them as one production company, as well as looking more into further reducing the radio and TV channels and keeping only those that are needed.

Are there mutual meetings between the Media, Culture and Antiquities Committee, the National Media Authority and the Media Charter of Honor?

We do not meet officially as we are a legislative and control authority, responsible for controlling performance and issuing laws concerning these three bodies while resolving complaints.

How is the media content monitored and what type of quality management is enforced?

We used to see broadcasters or presenters in both national and private channels that make mistakes on air like forgetting the name of a guest or providing incorrect information, without being penalized. This is the result of the past six years in which we had been suffering administrative laxity, but now, the National Media Authority should take action on such cases immediately and decisively.

Censorship entities should also control all inadequate expressions, while the National Media Authority’s control department checks programs and series before they are aired in order to take necessary action before the audience sees it. Above all of them is the Supreme Media Regulation Council’s main concern is to monitor and judge, however, it is not activated yet, and we are working hard to issue new media laws and regulations.

What are the steps taken regarding the media institutions’ assets?

After settling the debts, the National Media Authority can look into the remaining assets, like land, and invest in some projects that can provide additional revenue.

Also, old drama series owned by the Egyptian TV can be transferred into digital formats and sold online.

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Priorities of the Media, Culture and Antiquities Committee include issuing press laws after addressing the Supreme Council for Media Regulation as per the constitution.

We also issued a law to activate the role of the Supreme Council of Culture because we realized the importance of holding awareness seminars for youth after the recent terrorism incidents.

What was the intention behind the parliament delegation’s visit to Japan last May?

The delegation included eight deputies headed by Dr. Ali Abdel Aal along with Egyptian businessmen invited by the Parliamentary Friendship Association between Egypt and Japan.

The visit’s purpose focused on addressing technological issues.

Also, since Egypt is a very attractive country for investors, it was one of the issues that were discussed, and Japan showed interest in the new Suez Canal project as well as agricultural export.

Modernizing education was also an important topic during the visit, as Japan voiced its concern with the moral development of the children and linking the community to one value system, therefore Japan is planning to build 100 schools here based on their programs.

Hussein Zein - Chairman of the Board of the National Media Authority Hussein Zein has consistently expressed his keenness to put forward ideas to develop new media content in order to encourage competition and intensify programs including moderate religious programs capable of facing extremism.

What is your opinion on the current debt situation?

Mismanagement during previous years resulted in the negligence of debt settlement, and accordingly, the amount was doubled as a result of interests, and companies such as the Media Production City Company and the Nilesat Egyptian Satellite Company are unable to exploit their share of the profits that are controlled by investment banks.

How do you think the Maspero crisis can be resolved?

Our perception is to exert our utmost effort to upgrade the building and, restructuring the Egyptian television in a way that can take advantage of all existing laborers, while preserving their rights and resolving problems faced by the employees. On that basis, it is essential to form committees specialized in financial, administrative and engineering fields to follow up. Moreover, we need to improve the consolidation of values and promote the spirit of belonging and encourage tolerance and acceptance of others.

We also have to ensure that this state-owned institution implements the standards and regulations of media content set by the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, and to guarantee that the viewer receives the right information.

However, we are still working on solutions and will discuss them in future meetings.

The National Media Authority has been preparing a comprehensive reform plan that includes five critical files including financial and administration reform, engineering capabilities and the development of basic content and structure.

We also have a large number of channels, radio stations and central administrations, among other platforms, that have become redundant for a long time, and so we are looking to rebuild and develop the former union sectors based on our new vision, in order to present to the parliament for discussion.

Are there any achievements that have been made recently?

At the beginning of Ramadan we launched nine new series worthy to be presented during that month, taking into consideration our Egyptian traditions and social values.

We have also initiated the Observatory to monitor the performance of radio stations and channels during the first half of Ramadan to ensure that the programs and series broadcasted satisfy the public taste.

In addition, we succeeded in providing full coverage on TV and radio stations of important events and national conferences that took place recently, including the Youth Conference in Ismailia as well as the pope’s visit and the opening of projects in Qena.

We are planning to hold a Television and Radio Festival by October 2017, in order to play an important role in media cooperation with the Arab countries.

Reda Mansour Producer and Director, a 20-Year Veteran of Nile TV What is your opinion on the steps that should be taken to control the media crisis?

I believe that one of the solutions is to invest in the TV assets like land and satellite frequencies, as well as creating a budget allocated for programs and series that can attract advertisers and accordingly bring in profit to settle part of the debts.

The old system of managing Maspero is the main cause of deterioration, because it hindered development, competitiveness and creativity.

How do you view the TV’s objectiveness, and are we close to achieving “freedom of speech”?

Anywhere around the world, specific stations represent different political views. For example, CNN represents the Democratic Party, FOX represents the Republicans and BBC openly supports the government, so I do not believe that there is such a thing as neutral media.

During my experience at Nile TV, I never felt like there was a lack of freedom, or that we suffer from intimidation or suppression of any kind. On the contrary, there was a program called “Spot Light” which I used to work on where we got to conduct exclusive interviews with Colin Powell, Condaliza Rice and Bill Gates, among others, and got to freely ask them any questions we wanted and not questions dictated to us.

How can the national TV and radio stations improve?

The quality of the programs should improve, develop training for employees and make sure they are penalized and rewarded according to the work presented. I think that in the coming period, the National Media Authority will play a significant role in media development.

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FEATURE

Nabil El Choubachy – Presenter and General Manager of News Programs Since 1993 How would you describe the media scene in Egypt today?

Most of the people that discuss political issues, whether in private or national media, know nothing about politics. The real catastrophe is that not only are there no sanctions, but there is no follow up as well.

In Europe and most developed countries, a ministry especially for media development does not exist, and so I believe that halting the ministry of information was implemented taking the BBC as an example.

The BBC is a strong association with a huge budget, which does not interfere in politics, but they have the Supreme Council or Association that is composed of politicians and media representatives who choose the head of the BBC.

How can we improve the system?

We need to get rid of routine and administrative obstacles that hinder development and creativity.

Some of my ideas for improvement is to include cultural programs. For example, knowledge on cultural traditions in different governorates like Port Said and Siwa and documentaries on our veteran artists. However, the belief is that interactive programs and talk shows are more in demand.

By the formation of the three bodies, and with the cooperation of the parliament as well as complying to the Media Charter of Honor and applying regulations and laws, we believe that the Maspero crisis will be resolved soon and it will regain its credibility through professional performance and valuable content.

We also have to follow the modern trend of digital media to create new ideas and embed it in our programs to attract viewers. p

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COMMUNITY Entrepreneur

Environmentally Friendly Handmade Dolls Spread Positivity

By Rehab Saad

Talented Egyptian Passant Saied created her own line of handmade dolls called ‘PAF Dolls”, which are characterized by their unique features, high quality fabric and the fact that they are safe for children and are environmentally friendly.

S

aied graduated from the American University in Cairo in 2005 with a degree in Political Science & International Relations, later going on to receive her MBA from the Edinburgh Business School in 2012.

Passant was not enthusiastic about pursuing a political career, she was more inspired to start her career in Business Development at the Ministry of Telecommunication, managing entrepreneurship programs and supporting young professionals start up their business in the ICT Sector. This was followed by becoming a Business Development Manager at the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA).

“In parallel to my work in the business development field, I never forgot my childhood fancy for drawing and painting dolls on acrylic.

Along the past years and before taking serious steps to develop my business, I created many oil paintings and acrylic drawings, which I kept in my room to be seen only by my family, relatives and friends who highly admired my work.”

InspIratIon and Early CarEEr

“Being an entrepreneur and studying abroad enriched my market awareness and I learned a lot about the world of business, becoming more

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attentive to any opportunity to develop my idea,” Saied said when asked about what encouraged her to start her own business.

She also mentioned how she was influenced by the cartoon pictures printed on copybooks during her time abroad, and upon her return to Cairo, she decided to print her drawings of dolls on a number of notebooks that were then distributed in a few stationary shops to test people’s reaction. The feedback she received was very positive, and this encouraged her to develop her products and learn tailoring soft dolls. Her enthusiasm for handicrafts, specifically making dolls, was re-ignited and she decided to develop her artistic skills and talent further.

“My grandmother always supported me and she taught me the basic techniques of tailoring and dress making. I also bought some videos from Italy and Switzerland as well as related books from the USA that helped me create the first soft doll, and when I made several, I turned to a friend to help me sell a couple dozen at her bazaar,” she explained.

Marketing and Selling the dollS

In 2015, Saied launched a page called “Passant Art Factory” to sell her products online. The page included handcrafted soft dolls, dolls crafted on pillows, and painted on canvas, printed on copybooks and mugs.

Although there was a high demand of the products, she re-directed her business to focus more on the soft dolls to create a unique business form.

“When I decided to narrow my focus, I cancelled the page and launched a new website entitled ‘PAF Dolls’. The dolls I make have heartshaped mouths that emphasize the importance of speaking loving words, which inspired me to have them available during many of the festive holidays to spread love in a special way,” Saied explains.

expanding the BuSineSS

In December 2016, the Egypt Office of the International Union of Puppet Art (UNIMA) in cooperation with the Cairo Puppet Theatre organized an art exhibition which included 36 artists and 230 women, as well as puppets from professional artists, amateurs and students. Saied’s dolls that were on display at the exhibition were highly admired by the visitors, which encouraged her to resign from her job and devote herself entirely to expanding her project, not only in Egypt and the Arab World, but internationally as well.

“When I began sewing dolls, I was creating all the designs and choosing all the patterns, colors and fabric myself, as well as solely taking care of the marketing, quality control and finances. However, I did not want to grow alone, and so one of my targets was to support low income women by providing them with training that will allow them to help me create and deliver high quality handmade dolls.

For the time being, I am outsourcing until I can establish the company officially,” she mentions.

“My dream is to develop the ‘PAF dolls’ to become a famous Egyptian brand name in the market one day, like the Disney characters. I am looking forward to have this name printed on all T-shirts, dresses, toys...etc,” Saied added.

“My dream is even further than that. I am currently working to animate the dolls and turn them into cartoon characters, to deliver a message, and communicate values and principles of positive behavior to children, plus developing children’s imagination into creative talents,” she concludes. p sep 2017 | Ct

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DESTINATIONS Travel

Nepal The Land of advenTure & SereniTy

By Rana Kamaly

Nepal, the south Asian piece of paradise, exerts beauty and charm. This was my first adventure travel experience, and so I was just as nervous as I was excited.

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S

ince these types of destinations require a lot of planning ahead, I booked with Destination 31, along with all of its activities.

I was promised a holiday full of backpacking adventures, river rafting, mountain climbing and wildlife safaris, among many other activities, and that is indeed what I got.

AccommodAtion As there are endless amounts of things to do throughout Nepal, and we did not want to miss out on anything, so we spent four nights in Kathmandu and Pokhara and two nights in a mountain lodge in Dhampus and Sarangkot.

The entire trip was magical and the landscape was breathtaking, however, if you enjoy staying at luxury hotels, then I would not highly recommend this destination. Though the lodge we stayed at in the mountains offered spectacular views, it was not very clean, and we were constantly fighting with all different species of insects inside the room, leading to us barely getting any sleep. Unfortunately this is how most of the overnight places are like there.

Activities And LAndscApes One of the first activities we did there was river rafting, which indeed proved to be a once in a lifetime experience, as while the adrenaline was rushing through us, we were still able to admire the beautiful landscape that surrounded the rivers and streams.

We also went canyon swinging, where you jump between two mountains at the height of 160 meters with a river underneath you, reaching a speed of 150 kilometers per hour.

The place is called The Last Resort, and is a popular location in Nepal that offers bungee jumping, canyoning, high ropes, white water rafting and tandem swings, as well as the canyon swing. The resort provides accommodation, dining and nightlife as well as relaxing facilities like saunas, spas and massages.

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Travel My heart was about to stop when I was on the ledge looking down at the view that made me go back and forth several times. Millions of thoughts were going on inside my head and every emotion was heightened more than I could handle. When I finally got the courage to do it, saying that I enjoyed it would be an understatement, even though I temporarily lost my voice in the process. That moment of complete chaos in my head when I decided to jump was followed by complete silence, and that was the first time in my life when my head was completely devoid of any thoughts and could not hear anything around me.

A few seconds later, reality kicked in and excitement and joy were all I could feel.

We also climbed many mountains and visited numerous villages, which made us experience a lot of cultures in the midst of breathtaking nature.

There were many other firsts during this trip, including my first time to ride an elephant, go rafting, canyoning, elephant trekking, paragliding, zip-lining, bungee jumping and canoeing, all of which were life altering experiences that left me pumped with adrenaline.

We were also fortunate to witness sunsets and sunrises from the tops of mountains and by lakes and rivers. The contrast between the greenery, water, blue skies and shades of orange was just spectacular. For meditation lovers and yoga enthusiasts, I would highly recommend this trip as you get to connect on a deeper level with who you are. I am a very active and anxious person most of the time, but during the weeks that followed my return, a certain calmness filled me.

Though we did not have the chance to go to any monumental sites, I would recommend visiting the Patan Durbar Square, a museum with Hundu and Buddhist sculptures, the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu that was a popular Hindu cremation temple and the Changunarayan Temple, the oldest temple in Nepal.

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LocaLs and cuisine Being in a country where most of the locals were Hindu or Buddhists was definitely not something I was used to, however, the people there were very welcoming, polite and generous. Though most of the village residents were in bad living conditions, they were still very hospitable, kind and optimistic, which was beautiful to witness. Connecting with people you do not know along the way is an experience in itself that proves to be very easy, as I went with one friend and came back with 30.

The food, however, was the one major downfall of the trip. We resorted to noodles for the entire stay, but the adventure and friendly locals made it worth it.

GeneraL Tips •

Best time to visit: October and November.

•

Pocket money: You can spend around half of what an average person would in a day in Egypt and manage to enjoy yourself. Two hundred USD for a week’s time will be enough for you to get around and buy souvenirs, given that you book with an agency that includes the cost of transportation, accommodation and most meals and activities.

Nepal was an experience that allowed me to mingle in with different cultures and people, all the while ticking off most of the items from my bucket list. Not only are the views there incredible, but the endless amount of activities, whether adrenaline-fueled or relaxation-oriented, all create a perfectly balanced trip. p

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Cuisine

E asy B ac kto-sc hool REcip Es

Barbeque Chicken Pasta Bake IngredIents: • • • • • • • • • •

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded 1 can diced tomatoes, drained 1 can corn, drained ½ red onion, diced 1 ½ cups ranch dressing 1 cup barbeque sauce 500 grams fusilli pasta Salt and pepper 2 cups shredded mozzarella Fresh parsley

dIreCtIons: • • • • • •

Preheat the oven to 180C. In a bowl, combine the chicken, tomatoes, corn, onion, ranch and barbeque sauce.

Cook pasta according to box directions.

Add the pasta, and mix until evenly coated.

Pour mixture into a 9x13 baking dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Top with mozzarella and bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

•

Garnish with fresh parsley.

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sloppy Joes IngredIents: • • • • • • • •

500 grams ground beef ¼ cup onion, chopped ¼ cup green bell pepper, chopped ½ teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon mustard ¾ cup ketchup 3 teaspoons brown sugar Salt and pepper

dIrectIons: •

•

• • •

In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion and green pepper, and then drain off any liquids.

Stir in the garlic powder, mustard, ketchup and brown sugar and mix thoroughly.

Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper.

Place in burger buns and serve.

Mexican Hot dogs IngredIents: • 8 large hot dogs • 8 strips of beef bacon • 4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature • 8 hot dog rolls • 2 tomatoes, diced • 1 small red onion, diced • 1 cup pickled jalapenos, drained (optional) • Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish Dressing: • ½ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped • ¼ cup mayonnaise • 1 tablespoon hot sauce • Zest and juice of 1 lemon • Salt and pepper

dIrectIons: • •

• • • • • •

Wrap each dog evenly in 1 slice of bacon.

Secure with a toothpick at both ends and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the bacon and help it adhere.

Heat a grill or pan to medium heat.

Grill each side of the hot dogs until the bacon is extra crispy but not burnt. Set aside.

Butter the insides of the hot dog rolls and gently heat them in a pan until just golden brown.

Add the bacon-wrapped dog to the rolls and top with the tomatoes, onions and jalapenos.

Combine the dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk until well blended before adding it on the hot dogs.

Garnish with cilantro leaves. sep 2017 | Ct

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Cuisine Honey-Lime Chicken IngredIents: • • • • • • • • •

3 tablespoons honey, divided 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon ground cumin ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 3 garlic cloves, minced 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, halved Cooking spray

dIreCtIons: •

• • • • • •

Combine 2 tablespoons honey and next ingredients (through garlic) in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add chicken and then seal the bag.

Marinate in the refrigerator overnight, turning occasionally.

Preheat grill to high heat.

Remove the chicken from the bag and discard the marinade.

Place chicken on the grill rack coated with cooking spray.

Grill 5 minutes on each side, basting with reserved honey during the last 2 minutes of cooking time.

Cover and let stand 5 minutes.

Peanut Butter Bars IngredIents: • • • • •

1 cup butter or margarine, melted 2 cups graham cracker crumbs 2 cups powdered sugar 1¼ cups peanut butter 1½ cups semisweet chocolate chips

dIreCtIons: •

•

•

• •

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In a medium bowl, mix together the butter or margarine, graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended.

Press evenly into the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13 inch pan and heat in the oven on low for 7 minutes.

In a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the remaining peanut butter, stirring occasionally until smooth.

Spread over the prepared crust when the crust is cooled.

Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.

Brown sugar Oatmeal Cookies IngredIents: • • • • • • • • •

1 cup salted butter, softened 2 cups brown sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 eggs 1½ cups flour 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking soda 3 cups oats ½ cup nuts, finely chopped (optional)

dIreCtIOns: • •

• • • •

• •

Preheat the oven to 180C. In the bowl of an electric mixer (or using a hand mixer), beat together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy, and then beat in vanilla followed by the eggs, one at a time, scraping the bowl after each one.

Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda in a medium sized bowl. Add in nuts if desired.

Add this to the creamed mixture in 2 to 3 batches, mixing it until just combined.

Mix in the oats until combined.

Using a spoon, drop portions of dough onto a lightly greased cookie sheet or greased tray, spacing them a couple inches apart.

Bake for 12-13 minutes or until dark and chewy.

Let them cool slightly after removing them from the oven, and then transfer the cookies onto a plate for serving.

Lemon Fruit dip IngredIents: • • • • • •

½ cup powdered sugar 1½ teaspoons grated lemon zest 3 tablespoons lemon juice 250 grams whipped cream 4 to 5 drops yellow food coloring, optional Assorted fresh fruit

dIreCtIOns: • •

• •

In a bowl, mix together the sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice until blended.

Stir in whipped topping after whipping until light and airy and, if desired, food coloring.

Refrigerate, covered for at least 4 hours before serving.

Serve with fruit.p

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Cuisine

Kazlak Project Masmat

In an effort to associate ‘Kazlak - Smokery & Grill’ with sustainable gastronomy in Egypt, founder Masoud Waleed decided to invite a select group of Cairo’s top media personnel and food bloggers to his cozy restaurant in Maadi Courtyard last August to offer them a taste of a new menu that showcases offal in ways never before seen or tasted.

B

y most restaurants, offal is considered a waste product of the cattle-slaughtering process that is not used in any fancy dishes. This is because offal mainly consists of bits and organs that are very difficult to turn into something palatable.

In Egypt, a place that serves offal dishes is known as a ‘Masmat’ usually located in humble suburbs or close to slaughterhouses and serves food in a way that is far from glamorous.

For Waleed, offal is just another opportunity to show the world that the circle of sustainability does not have to end at the fillet, the sirloin and the ribeye. With his passion for sustainable, locally sourced cuisine and his creative culinary talent, he was able to turn these unwanted cuts into a stunning set-menu of five courses, which he called ‘Project Masmat’.

First, a Kawarea (Knuckle) Soup with Green Apple, then a Smoked Tongue Salad, followed by Fried Head Meat with sweet and sticky rice flavored with caramelized onions, then comes the piece-de-resistance; Grilled Sweet Breads with pickled lemon sauce and spicy potatoes and finally a very original Sweet Potato Glacée with a smoky, charred demi-glace.

Waleed made personal table visits to get some feedback on his latest creations. “When a beast is slaughtered for us to consume, it is forced to give us its most prized possession…

Its life! The more waste we discard from its carcass, the less respect we pay to the life that this animal once lived,” he explained.

Project Masmat is the start of many more projects to come under the Kazlak experience. The five-course set-menu is currently available with a 48-hour pre-order notice for 300 EGP (excluding service & tax) per person. The restaurant is planning to regularly roll out more projects that aim to open the eyes of Cairo’s general public and introduce their tastebuds to novel dimensions of flavor. p

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VIVO’S GOURMET PIZZA INTRODUCES NEW GOURMET MENU AT THE NILE RITZ-CARLTON, CAIRO

W

ith the trend for ultra-pizzas spreading like wildfire throughout Cairo, Vivo’s celebrated Chef Carmine is pushing the boundaries as he strives to make the best quality pizza there can be inspired by 2-Michelin starred Chef Oliver Glowig and his hometown Rome.

Starting last month, The Nile Ritz-Carlton’s Italian restaurant Vivo, will invite guests to experience an exciting, unique and creative gourmet pizza menu consisting of a varied selection of innovative gourmet topping combinations such as Pizza Delizia, offering pizza lovers that extra special culinary journey. With an extensive range of options to sample, diners are sure to find something to tingle their taste buds. p

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Business

IntervIewIng Joe ghayad

nIle rItz Carlton’s new general Manager Mr. Joe Ghayad has been appointed as general manager of the Nile Ritz Carlton a few months ago. He comes from a global experience to oversee the hotel’s operations.

Before joining the Nile Ritz-Carlton in Cairo, he held the position of General Manager at the Ritz-Carlton in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and prior to that he held several managerial positions at the Ritz-Carlton in Montreal, Doha, Qatar and Sharm El Sheikh.

M

r. Ghayad is also an alumnus of the Club Med Resorts that operates in a number of locations (usually exotic) around the world.

With his vast operations around the world, we opted to interview Mr. Ghayad, to find out what he can bring in his new position.

The Kazakhstan Hotel in Almaty won several awards while you were managing it. What did you do there to have it become one of the leading hotels in Europe?

Being the first International Company in Almaty was quite challenging, as brand awareness was very limited. However, there was a lot of potential. Almaty is full of young university students who were hungry to learn and build a career. The Ladies and Gentlemen of the hotel (employees) were excited and ready to give their 100% to the hotel. Because there is no school for hospitality there, we started from the basic of the basic, including sending them to Singapore and the Grand Cayman for training.

In general, the Kazak people are very generous in their homes, but outside everyone wanted to be a manager. We wanted our staff to feel proud to be part of the organization by giving them nice uniforms and we even provided the ladies soft makeup to

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put on. In time, they felt like they belonged to this family, and Ritz-Carlton being the first luxury hotel in central Europe, the hotel made a great impact.

Club Med is a completely different arrangement than managing a five star hotel in a city. What would you bring from the Club Med experience to the Ritz Carlton?

Club Med is a school of discipline. It is very systematic and everybody knows what to do. You put a system in place and you make sure it is working, and the important aspect is consistency.

This is the system I am using, as it primarily helps with the culinary experience.

The Maspero Triangle project will place all hotels that are on the waterfront in another level. What will you do to outdo the competition that will be inevitable in the future?

The Ladies and Gentlemen of the hotel make the difference.

However, we need to continue our training programs too in order to be ahead of the competition. Plus, the fact that we are an iconic hotel in an iconic location, which history talks about, gives us an edge. However, this is not enough. I need the service behind it and the quality behind it and that is the process we are into right now and this is the path we are taking. Only last week, I sat with one of my executives to put a road map - a measurable one - to see how things will progress.

In continuation to the above question, what are your short-term plans?

Casuals are sometimes a problem in large events.

What do you have in mind when it comes to this?

In the first six months I will try to improve and put a system in order. I will be inviting high-end chefs from abroad to place a vibe in the market. We are also planning food festivals and will probably have a Lebanese festival in October. As for long-term objectives, every January we put a plan for the year and share it with the team so that they know where we are going.

What we did is we picked a hundred of the casuals that will always be on call and created a Food and Beverage academy where we apply training on around 20 of them each month.

That will definitely improve the service of the casuals.

We heard mixed reviews on the interior decoration of the hotel, especially from those who know the hotel as the first modern international chain after the 1952 revolution. What are your thoughts?

I have to live with what I have. However, I can easily enhance the place. This means more modern lighting, nice greenery all around for a fresh feeling, and a touch of modern paintings. We can enhance the interior by playing around with small things so that the guest does not really see what is not modern. I am actually working on this right now.

How did you find the staff at the Nile Ritz Carlton?

I think I see that they are happy and we do a survey of all the staff to measure if they are satisfied, and what their expectations are. I already put a program for the coming six months; what we call lifestyle for the managers and executives to make sure that they all talk the same language. We are also thinking of bringing in new chefs onboard to move ahead.

How do you anticipate tourism these days?

I think it looks very good. We are hoping that 2018 will bring a bit of breeze from Europe and our Assistant Director in Sales and Marketing is on a tour in the United States and we expect good results next year. Another Assistant Director just came back from Saudi Arabia to visit the high-end families for their support and it looks very promising. p

We need to continue our training programs too in order to be ahead of the competition. Plus, the fact that we are an iconic hotel in an iconic location, which history talks about, gives us an edge SEP 2017 | Ct

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Business Seeing as your career in the hotel industry has been in the Marriott hotel chain or their flagship properties worldwide, what drew you to this industry in general?

Honestly, it begun as a coincidence. I had initially studied to become a banker, and after finishing my studies and my time in the Jordanian army, the quickest job I could get was in the hotel industry as a night auditor and night receptionist. As the cheques were done manually at the time, they relied on cashiers with strong finance or accounting background, and so I also helped out in that department.

I would usually find myself in the restaurants where I realized that I enjoy interacting with people more than staying in one place behind a desk.

From then on, I moved to the food and beverage department for most of my career, until I completed my cross training in the rooms division, before becoming the Director of Operations and then General Manager.

We always say that in the hospitality industry, it is always long hours, seven days a week and 365 days a year, and so you have to be a specific type of person to love it, otherwise you will not survive in it.

Having started your career in Jordan before heading to Prague, the US and the UAE, among other stops in between, what were you most looking forward to about your move to Egypt?

If you look at the Middle East on a worldwide hospitality map, you will find that two of the biggest cities are Dubai and Cairo, where Cairo was even before the UAE in terms of history and culture, but unfortunately due to the political and security issues, the UAE gained more popularity in the past years.

A TAlk wiTh CAiro MArrioTT’s New GeNerAl MANAGer The Cairo Marriott in Zamalek is an iconic hotel that is popular for its representation of Egypt’s history and culture, and has one of the strongest foundations in the hotel industry, whether in Cairo or as part of Marriott International’s flagship hotels.

Recently joining the hotel from The Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi, we had a talk with General Manager Khaled Al Jamal about the plans he has for the property.

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The second motivational factor for me was the hotel itself. The Cairo Marriott is an iconic hotel, and is one of the biggest of its chain in the Middle East and Africa, and is certainly one of the first and most important for Marriott International. When I was asked to come to Egypt, I was flattered by the opportunity.

What are some of your short-term and long-term objectives that you wish to achieve as General Manager of the Cairo Marriott?

We have many things going on already, for example, we are currently renovating the rooms throughout the hotel, where we are almost done with one tower and we will soon be moving on to the other. Parallel to this, we are also renovating our swimming pool, and in a short while we will be opening our Egyptian Nights restaurant that is amidst the palatial gardens.

We are also creating a full-fledged spa by the end of this year or the beginning of the next that has never been a part of this hotel before. The spa will have 11 treatment rooms along with the gym facilities, which will be a great addition along with the renovations we are completing. All of these changes are to be made while preserving the image of the palace and its historical aspects.

In the short-term, we are renewing our menus and offerings in the food and beverage department.

How do you prioritize tasks and goals given their importance and in consideration with the budget?

A large part of it comes down to the budget. Right now, what defines the prioritization is the age of the hotel and its need, as well as of course focusing on modernity and keeping up with technology.

When we prioritize tasks, we split them up into daily, weekly, monthly and annual goals. We are currently finalizing our annual 2018 plans where the budget, renovation and costs are all being put into consideration.

Tasks like menu changes, restaurant openings, packages and sales and marketing are prepared on a daily and weekly basis.

Priorities, however, occasionally change, and so the hotel business requires flexibility as some days do not go as planned.

What are some of the opportunities and threats that you are witnessing here in Egypt that are different to other countries in the Arab World?

In a hotel business in general, there are many managerial similarities, but what changes is the country itself and the culture of the people you are dealing with. When it comes to Egypt, a positive thing about it is that it does not need to be marketed, everyone knows the country and what history it holds. Many people dream of visiting the pyramids as well as many of the historical sites and beautiful beaches, and so in a sense it markets itself.

However, unfortunately, what we need to work on that is not only required of the government, but also the private sector and the society, is to improve the image of safety and security and what the hotels can offer. Word of mouth is extremely important, and so it is a positive thing for any visitor to go back and spread the word that things are safe, especially with the terror attacks going on that are sometimes repeated by the media and scare people off, where on a day to day basis you see that people are hospitable and welcoming to foreigners. This is what we need to market: that Egypt is a safe place.

We also need to be vigilant for any terrorist attacks as no place is immune to it. The whole world is now all in the same boat.

Given that tourism in Egypt is not at its best, what are some of the ways you look to attract more tourists to your hotel? How much of the total hotel occupation do foreigners occupy?

We are witnessing a shift in visitors now that is not only applicable to Cairo. In Egypt, hotels are usually occupied by Gulf and Arab nationalities, however, there is an increased demand coming from China and India that will be seen evidently in the coming years. Although the UAE has already welcomed a large number from these two countries, the numbers in Egypt are not significant yet, but from what we see from the inquiries we receive, we can forecast that there will be a rise very soon.

In 2018, it is an encouraging sign to see inquiries for tours coming from the US and Japan, which have been absent recently. We as

Marriott enjoy a huge network of sales forces worldwide, and we do utilize this in different formats of direct visits abroad, or bringing these people in and showing them around. In fact, we regularly have someone from our corporate sales worldwide come to Egypt to look at ways to boost business coming out of North America and the rest of the world to Egypt.

In our marketing efforts, Marriott enjoys some of the strongest award-winning loyalty programs in the industry; the Marriott Rewards. We use this program in promoting our destination to our approximate 100 million members worldwide.

The Marriott has won several prestigious awards. How do you plan on maintaining such high quality control and expectations?

First of all, we have to listen to our customers and meet their demand in an innovative way as their expectations change faster than we sometimes think. Ten or fifteen years ago, having no Internet at the hotel was not a big deal, whereas today it is a necessity.

You always have to be upgrading your services, in fact this year, we allocated a lot of money to upgrade our Wi-Fi system, and so it is not just the direct services we are offering, but also where technology is taking us and what the customer is looking for. How easy is it to make a reservation? How easy is it to communicate with the hotel? Our mobile app is a big hit right now and within our company, we have the guest chat option and mobile check in. In the future, we are looking at keyless room entries where they can open their room with a barcode.

Marriott did a great job in surveying a huge number of clientele on what they want and expect, and they start modifying based on that. For example, more than 80% of our clients remarked that they do not need bathtubs but they need showers in the rooms, and so all of our renovations include these changes.

Time has become an essential element in society today. Years ago, sending an offer by fax that would be received in 48 hours was acceptable, however, now if you do not send it within two or three hours, the customer has already contacted another hotel.

Because there is more supply, the customers’ expectations are also rising, and with mobility, everything is moving at a faster pace. p

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Society The Debut of Jaguar Land Rover Experience Tours in Egypt MTI Automotive, the exclusive retailer of Jaguar Land Rover in Egypt, hosted their first Jaguar Land Rover Experiential Event at Porto Marina, North Coast, in July.

The event was part of Jaguar Land Rover’s Global Drive Experience Tours and included a variety of driving activities for prospective clients.

A number of dynamic drive activities encouraged customers to compete against each other on distance, time and accuracy. One winner from the event was invited to compete in The Art of Performance Tour Finale, after which the winner there will attain the coveted title of The Art of Performance Tour Champion and will win a unique trip to a highly sought after Drive Event in the UK. Land Rover activities were also part of the newly launched Above and Beyond Tour. A number of Scored Precision Activities allowed attendees to challenge each other, while experiencing the capabilities and excelled performance of the latest nameplates. The winner from Egypt was invited to attend the Tour Finale for a chance to win a Land Rover Adventure of a lifetime to Namibia. p

Four Editor’s Choice Awards at Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah La Palmeraie Moroccan restaurant, Kebabgy, Manipuri Indian restaurant and Le Deck by Laurent Peugeot restaurant at Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah were chosen among the absolute best venues in an exclusive list of winners across 30 categories in an online city guide in Egypt.

The online city guide, has announced the winners of the annual Editor’s Choice Awards for 2017 – a stamp of appreciation, through over 5000 reviews and features covering dining, nightlife, hospitality and retail.

The Editor’s Choice Awards is an exclusive seal of approval recognizing the best of the best in Cairo, Egypt. p

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