December 2020 Issue, Identity Magazine

DECEMBER 2020 - 20LE, WWW.IDENTITY-MAG.COM

Lessons FROM

2020 How to Be Single For the Holidays!

Hosting The Perfect Christmas Dinner!

GLOW UP CHRISTMAS LOOKS! Celebrity Inspired OUTFIT IDEAS

Ahmed Gabr THE VISIONARY BEHIND GAF DESIGN STUDIO An Empire in the Making

TIPS: Lose the Holiday Weight

Meet the Man Behind Nemra 2

The Best New Year’s Date Spots

HAVE YOURSELF A PALATIAL MERRY CHRISTMAS! Something’s always cooking at the Palace and this Festive season is no different!

An array of world-class cuisines awaits you; from Saraya Gallery, Egyptian Nights, Ristorante Tuscany or Harry’s Pub, and more to enjoy the festive season with a royal flair. The Bakery is loaded with many Christmas goodies to top up your family celebration wherever you want it to be.

Bid farewell to 2020 while staying at one of our luxurious rooms amid the palatial gardens for a perfect start of the New Year!

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For more information or reservations, call 0227283000.

16 S A R AY E L G E Z I R A S T. , P O B OX 33 Z A M A L E K , C A I R O 11211 , EGY P T. T: 0 0 . 2 0 2 . 27. 2 8 . 3 0 0 0 C A I R O M A R R I OT T H OT E L .C O M A R A B I C . M A R R I OT T.C O M /C A I EG

identity

LETTER

letter

from the editor

W

hat a crazy unpredictable year 2020 has been, right?! What with a global pandemic that has kept the entire human race in check, literally.

For some, it has been a blessing in disguise, on the personal or professional levels; for others, not so much. Either way, the global calls to remain ‘positive’ or ‘turn the pain into gain’ sometimes got a little toxic, when the slogan ‘Stay Sane’ should’ve equally been stressed as ‘Stay Safe’. The year 2020 has definitely been an ongoing learning lesson, especially with the pandemic far from over. We hope for us and for our precious readers to be able to carry those lessons onto 2021.

Enjoy all our editorial team prepared for you to celebrate New Year’s in style, Happy New Year to all!

Rola Kamel

Identity Magazine was founded in 2005 by Rola Kamel to enhance every aspect of a woman’s lifestyle, helping our female readers to discover and improve their own identities.

Published by Beezarre Publishing Ltd. Themistokli Dervi, 6 Papyros Building, 4th Floor, Flat/Office D5 – P.c 1066, Nicosia, Cyprus.

The subscription rate is 240 L.E./year (12 issues) through Al Ahram, Tel: 02-27703190 Distribution by AL AHRAM, Website: QPIX SOLUTIONS Printing House: SAHARA PRINTING COMPANY Contact us at: 26A Montazah St., Zamalek, Cairo-Egypt. Tel: 02-27361187 Mobile: 0122-9401071 email: sendus@identity-mag.com www.identity-mag.com

IDENTITYMAGEG

4 December 2020

identity

MASTHEAD

DECEMBER 2020

Founder & Managing Editor Rola Kamel Editor-in-Chief Nawal Ismail Art Director Alia El Abd Senior Graphic Designer Sandy Saied Copy-Editor Amina El Fayoumy Senior Staff Writer Aya Aboshady Staff Writers Nanise Mohamed Nada Abd ElKader Fashion Freelancer Zena Shalaby Relationship Expert Marwa Rakha Marketing & Advertising Manager Riham Yehia Digital Marketing Manager Youssef Ali Social Media Specialists Fatma Ayman Nourhan Adel Video Editor Ahmed Mostafa Identity Magazine Distributor Ashraf Fouad

6 December 2020

identity

CONTENTS

8 Editor’s Picks 9 Christmas 2020 Gift Guide 10 Get Ready For Your Christmas & New Year’s Eve Parties!

12 New Year’s Eve Hairstyles 14 Christmas Dinner Looks of 2020 16 New Year’s Eve Outfit Ideas Celebrity Inspired 18 This Just In Winter Edition 2020 22 Ahmed Gabr: The Visionary behind GAF Design Studio, An Empire in the Making 32 A One On One With The Man Behind The New Hit Series “Nemra 2”: Adam Abdelghafar 34 Amir El Masry: An International Star On The Rise!

36 Single in the Season for Couples 38 Lessons We Learned From 2020 40 New Year’s Date Night Spots for Couples!

42 Tips For Hosting The Perfect Christmas Dinner!

44 Tips on How to Avoid That Extra Holiday Weight 46 Five Christmas Classics To Keep You Cozy For The Holidays!

48 Travel Guide: Romania 50 Winter Getaways

AHMED GABR

THE VISIONARY BEHIND GAF DESIGN STUDIO

54 Advertorial 60 Press Releases 64 Horoscopes

8 December 2020

22

An Empire in the Making

40

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LOEFFLER RANDALL CRYSTAL-EMBELLISHED SATIN SHOULDER BAG Verdict: Fabulous and trendy.

Amazing for a casual night out or even a cocktail party.

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ZARA SEQUIN BLOUSE Verdict: A fashion statement. Pair it with jeans and the right heels for full effect!

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FENDI FRINGED PRINTED SILKTWILL SCARF Verdict: A must have. It’s just the right accessory for winter.

Wear it on your neck, hair or bag and look 100% French.

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BOTTEGA VENETA GOLD-TONE EARRINGS Verdict: Essential. Chains continue to take over the fashion scene. You simply can’t do without those gold chain earrings!

10 December 2020

4 Picks 6

editor’s

SONIA PETROFF ARIES LEATHER BELT Verdict: Chic. Add this double buckle belt to your everyday look and have it instantly elevated!

BERSHKA HEEL SHOES WITH METALLIC ANKLE STRAP Verdict: 10/10 Revamp your style with this to-diefor pair of metallic heels!

JAEGER-LECOULTRE ROSE GOLD, ALLIGATOR AND DIAMOND WATCH Verdict: A luxurious timepiece. You can never go wrong with a leather and diamond watch, right?

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Christmas 2020 GIFT GUIDE

by Aya Aboshady

Christmas is that very unique time of year where you have the liberty to show every dear person to your heart just how special they really are. And that applies to friends, family, significant others, and even work colleagues.

It’s also the time where you can get really creative with the gifts you get those special people in your life come the holidays. That’s why we made you a list of a few items we think would make great Christmas presents!

TECHNIVORM MOCCAMASTER 79112 KBT COFFEE MAKER A fancy coffee maker is definitely the best present you could give your fellow coffee lover friend.

Especially if it’s the famous Technivorm with its unique quality and great taste. We’re positive they’re going to think it’s an out-of-this-world present come Christmas morning!

LOUIS VUITTON GAME ON SHAWL Man or woman, who wouldn’t absolutely love a Louis Vuitton gift for Christmas? Definitely not us! And we’re pretty sure this unisex silk shawl with its monogram pattern is the perfect pick for the lucky person who’s going to receive it!

DANIEL WELLINGTON PETITE EVERGOLD This classic elegant watch from Daniel Wellington in a gorgeous gold shine would also make the perfect holiday gift for your mother, father, husband, uncle, best-friend or whoever you want to gift it to!

BVLGARI ROSE GOLDEA BLOSSOM DELIGHT EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY

1950 DUBROVNIK BOBBY FISCHER REPRODUCED CHESS SET

A dreamy-smelling fragrance is always a great gift for a loved one! This one from BVLGARI doesn’t only smell amazing, but it also comes in a gorgeous bottle and beautiful packaging!

If you want an out of the box gift idea, then getting a loved one who’s interested in Chess or intellectual board games in general a wooden high-end Chess set is exactly what you should do. Trust us on this one!

December 2020 11

Get Ready For Your

Christmas & New Year’s Eve Parties!

by Aya Aboshady It’s true that 2020 hasn’t been the best year, but that doesn’t mean we still shouldn’t wrap it up in style! Whether you’re invited to a party or hosting one on New Year’s Eve or Christmas day, we decided to help you get ready and brought you two different looks to make you shine on both events.

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Christmas Party Look

Volumizing Mascara: Increase the volume of your eyelashes with this L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara. It’s drugstore, but the effect is dreamy!

Red Cream Blush:

This Divine Duo Lip & Cheek from lilah b in the shade Fearless - true red is just fabulous and will make your cheeks look flushed in a perfectly natural way.

Green Eyeshadow:

The best green eyeshadow there is has to be Stila’s Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Vivid Jade, it’ll make your eyes pop!

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12 December 2020

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Glossy Lips: To

Bushy Eyebrows: Who wouldn’t fancy a set of bushy eyebrows on a Christmas party or even Christmas day? Well, this smokey brow gel in black brown from Lime Crime will do the job just right!

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complete the look, lip gloss is back to town, and by back to town, we mean it’s trendy again!

Putting on this Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in rose gold is exactly what you shouldn’t miss before heading out.

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Smokey Eyes:

What’s a New Year’s Eve party without smokey eyes? Because, yet again, you could never go wrong with Stila eyeshadow, this one in the shade Smoky Storm will make your eyelids look as glamorous as they could get!

Winged Eyeliner:

New Year’s Eve parties usually last forever, which is why you need an eyeliner that won’t budge the whole night and this makes Kat Von D Tattoo Liner the perfect choice!

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3 New Year’s Eve Look Blinding Highlighter: For this look, you need a highlighter to steal the show and go perfectly with your shiny eyelids.

Which is why we think this Beam The Haters Highlighter from the OFRAxNikkieTutorials line will make you glow even when the lights go off at midnight!

4 Dark Red Lips:

We cannot ditch the red lip classic on New Year’s Eve now, can we? Complete the look with the Ruby Woo matte lipstick from Mac Cosmetics!

Traditional and classy.

December 2020 13

NEW YEAR’S EVE Hairstyles

by Aya Aboshady

Just like Christmas, and well, every other event or holiday this year - New Year’s Eve is definitely going to be different and for some, it’s going to be like breathing fresh air for the first time in so long! As it marks the start of a new journey - hopefully a year better than the one we’re wrapping up right now.

And in order to welcome the year 2021, we think you should do it in style while you’re out celebrating and honestly, nothing makes a woman look more stylish or fabulous than gorgeous styled-up hair. Are we right?

Which is why we made you a list of 6 different hairstyles we think you could rock on New Year’s Eve!

60’s Bob Want to style your New Year’s Eve hair in a way that makes you stand out from the crowd and look particularly distinguished? Well, the 60’s bob is the correct choice. This hairstyle screams elegance, class, and lots of hairspray!

Pearl Hair Whether you choose to let it down or pull it all up in a sleek ponytail or a messy bun, adding pearls to your hair, no matter which style you end up going for, is going to make you look stunning, different, and most of all, so ready for what 2021 is about to bring!

14 December 2020

Voluminous Curls If you have natural curls or even if you don’t styling your hair so that you end up with bouncy voluminous curly hair is such a perfect option for a New Year’s Eve hairstyle, especially if you’re going out for a wild midnight party!

Classic Updo

Side Braid If you’re one of those long-haired gals, then trust us on this, styling your long waves in a side braid is going to give you a cute and romantic look on New Year’s Eve!

You could never go wrong with a classic updo that makes you look elegant and absolutely beautiful. No matter where you’re planning to spend the night or wear to the party!

Sleek Wet Look How about going fully Kim Kardashian style? To be honest, the sleek wet look isn’t only easy and quick to pull off, but it’s also sort of the signature hairstyle of the year. And it’ll last for the whole night with no budges or baby hair slips whatsoever!

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Christmas

DINNER LOOKS OF 2020

Ulla Johnson

By Zena Shalaby

CLASSIC NEUTRALS- A FAN FAV

Zara

Yves Saint Laurent

Louis Vuitton

But you’ll love us either way because we’ve conjured up 5 stunning casual and classy outfits for you to get inspired by for a Christmas dinner that you’ll never forget! THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS!

Chanel

One thing’s for sure, Christmas is our favorite time of the year. But having to stress about finding the PERFECT outfit is a complete headache. A tiny tip from us, before you decide on which one to choose, find out what your dinner party dress code is like. Ask if it is low-key or fancy AKA can’t wear jeans kinda party!

This is a safe sexy bet. If you want to play it safe yet subtle and just let the makeup and accessories do the talking, then neutrals are your go-to!

Easier said than done, yeah we know, but pair your white/nude turtleneck with a satin flowy skirt and gold accessories and top it all off with nude pumps! Need we say more? NOPE. Yves Saint Laurent

Chloé

LAID BACK LOVEPREGO STYLE

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent Missguided

16 December 2020

Being pregnant is hard enough, we totally get it loves; this is why we’ve found you a totally gorgeous ensemble to spice up that prego belly look!

The custom Givenchy dress is to die for. Its one strap sleek look will make you feel like an elegant queen.

Balmain

Balmain Gucci

Burberry

ALice and Olivia

Burberry

We adore a mix of bare skin and slicked back hair with a BOLD yet subtle red Vogue look. Suits have been trending lately and pairing this look with the right neutral color is the PERFECT way to look undeniably sassy!

It fits every body type, and if you want to just sport it on top of a nude bodysuit, that will definitely keep them staring!

Chloé

Chanel

Chloé

Going to a Christmas party, you most certainly expect everyone to be sporting the basic black look. It’s a stunning color that works on everyone, right?!

Pair any sweater that has some spark to it with either leather baggy pants or a black silky long skirt. You definitely can never go wrong with black everything!

SASSINESS ALL THE WAY

Every outfit should speak for itself and this outfit screams 100% flirty and comfortable. The perfect duo for any outfit, right?!

For dinners like this Christmas one you’re going to, you should rely on ONE piece that stands out and has everyone asking where you got it from. For example, “Where did you find that pleated skirt?”

FOLOBE

PARTY IT UP

Paul Andrews

Tom Ford

Givenchy

COOL CASUAL

December 2020 17

NEW YEAR’S EVE OUTFIT IDEAS

Celebrity Inspired

By Zena Shalaby This New Year’s is very different from all the others we’ve ever had. Since we’re still going through this socalled pandemic, better known as “COVID-19”, you’d think there’s nothing to celebrate. But, you’re wrong, in actuality you should celebrate being alive! How about you safely kick off the New Year, with a new and sassy outfit? Throw a small outdoor NYE party and get all dressed up in something that has either one of three things; Glitter, Sparkle, or Shimmer. Anything that’ll make you look and feel FABULOUS! We all love and obsess about celebs’ outfits, but did you ever think you too could pull off what they’re wearing?

You can recreate these stylish looks on a budget, don’t you worry we’ve got all the answers that you need to rock the most glamorous night of the year. We all know we need it!

Chanel

Balmain Zara

Polyvore

Philosophy Di Lorenzo Halpern

This Gold Metallic Duo- Bella Hadid If you’re going for a more ELEVATED look, then this is your go-to! Bella always dresses to impress, but imagine hosting your friends in this three piece insanely EDGY look . Man is that sexy or what? You’ll definitely impress!

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Wait, pair this look with Chanel earrings (we found them for cheap, don’t worry) and some sun-kissed glossy makeup and YOU’RE GOOD TO GO! You can thank us later.

Nine West

H&M

Bvlgari

That Disco BallKelsea Ballerini

An Alberta Ferreti OriginalDua Edition This sequin-fitted jumpsuit is to DIE FOR, and so is Dua Lipa of course. If you need to get that crush of yours to never keep his eyes off of you, this is the outfit to wear.

Don’t forget the matching boots. Be sure to spice it up with some dark and dangerous makeup to keep them staring, ladies. Don’t forget to top it off with a slicked back hairstyle to keep the focus on the ensemble! GIRL IF YOU GOT IT, FLAUNT IT!

Hermes

Pair a silver sequin mini dress with strappy silver heels and silver fake diamond earrings. Don’t forget to use a self tanner to make those legs SHINE.

Style Vane

Steve Madden

Yves Saint Laurent

Let’s unleash your inner diva with this insanely disco ball like outfit! We’ve got to admit it is tricky to recreate Kelsea’s red carpet outfit, but we’ve made it a piece of cake.

Crystal Life Is The Best Life- Halsey GLITZ, GLAM, and a whole lot of SASS! Cher always said it’s better to dazzle than bedazzled, and man was she right! This all sequin jumpsuit with crystal lining is absolutely and undeniably STUNNING! Halsey always knows how to pull off these tight sexy numbers. But, hey we can do THAT too!

Buy yourself an insanely glittery jumpsuit like this one and pair it with silver sandals and BOLD lipstick. You’ll have them WOWED all night long and into next year! ;)

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THIS JUST IN WINTER EDITION 2020

By Zena Shalaby

From effortless yet sophisticated looks to TREND-SETTING styles, you’ll find it all.

We’ve acquired a few trends that you need to know about this season for dressing the part during the chilly days ahead. Here are our favourite five trends of winter 2020! P.S. Stay warm, but stylish.

OVERSIZED CARDIGANS “HAND-WOVEN” Sometimes all an outfit really needs is a long oversized cashmere cardigan, and man do we love and envy those bad boys during winter days! This hand-woven fringed long cardigan is what keeps us warm and stylish all at once.

These will be in our closets forever, we don’t care if they stop trending, which we doubt they ever will. #long_live_cardigans

LEATHER, LEATHER, LEATHER EVERYTHING! THE FAN FAVORITE: It’s this time of the year again. Leather up, and get your hands on Bottega Veneta’s wish-list-worthy leather “pouch’ clutch with a gold chain to spice it up!

Dress up or dress down, leather is always there to accessorize you, keep you warm, and make those short legs long! A definite trend to always keep on the top 5 chart!

20 December 2020

THE ’70S REVAMP “FLARES & CROPS= LIFE” We all love a simple crop top with flare jeans, but doesn’t that remind you of the 70’s?

Let us be more specific; long-sleeve crop tops, bomber jackets, flared pants/jeans, oversized suits for women, sequin, and leather pants. Our own parents must remember these hip and cool outfits they wore back in the old days and that are now making a comeback.

Wear a tight long-sleeve crop top with flared jeans and a bomber jacket and you’ve got the IDEAL winter outfit for the road. #so_epic #so_seventies

TIE DYE EDITION This is an oldie but a goodie that started off in the 60’s. The tie dye technique is simple really; grab a white T-shirt, tie it up and dunk it in a bucket of colors, let it dry et voila!

Nowadays we have tie dyed jackets, t-shirts, sweatpants, hats; you wear it, you can tie dye it. It’s even on the runway during fashion week, how insane is that?! Guess we better start tie dying y’all.

THE BALLOON AFFAIR “PUMP UP THE VOLUME” Givenchy is stealing the runway this season with the balloon trend. So what exactly is the “balloon trend”? It’s a massive sleeve blown out of proportion, but hey it looks FAB! IT’S AN ABSOLUTE STATEMENT PIECE. Bring back those 80’s vibes, it’s time.

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LINGERIE DAILY WEAR “SEXY YET STILL MODEST” Who would’ve thought that one day people could wear lingerie as a top, dress or even as an accessory? Well, the day has come ladies and gents. You can pair any skin tight lace lingerie top with your favourite leather pants, ‘yeah we’re talking to you leather lovers’. And if you want to stay a bit more discreet and warm, you can pair it with a black blazer to help accentuate that sexy look you’re aiming for!

HIGH NECK DRESSES “STAY WARM, STAY CLASSY LADIES’ High neck dresses are one of the biggest fall winter 2020/21 fashion trends. It’s all about that tall, sleek, slimming look that this clothing piece has to offer. Have you ever tried on a really high neck top before? If you have then girl, you know what we’re talking about here.

22 December 2020

WINTER CAPES 2.0 “THE NEW AND FASHIONABLE WAY TO WEAR THEM” It’s the easiest and sassiest accessory to ANY winter outfit. This Chanel cape is to DIE FOR. It’s as easy as wearing sweats and throwing on a similar toned cape with a pair of extremely huge sunglasses and booties, and you’re good to go.

It definitely does not get any better or easier than this to stay on trend. So soft, and so comfortable, what else can you ask for?.

KNITTED OUTFIT “COMFY+ FORM FITTING = THE PERFECT COMBO” Knits are in this season and every season in fact.

But what’s even more great about them is how they now come in long dress-forms. Take a look at this fashionista rocking an oversized knitted dress and adding a knot at the front to give it a little twist.

Add on a colorful printed clutch, statement earrings, and some heels and you’ve got the outfit of the century. This is currently my obsession FYI.

Fashion is all about expressing yourself. By definition, it’s “A popular expression a particular time and place and in a specific context, especially in clothing, footwear, lifestyle, accessories, makeup, and hairstyles.” We chose 5 iconic trends to showcase that variety is better. Choosing your clothes is like choosing a costume to showcase and present to the world who you truly are. So, get up and put that costume on!

December 2020 23

Ahmed Gabr: THE VISIONARY BEHIND GAF DESIGN STUDIO An Empire in the Making Interview by Aya Aboshady Building an empire from scratch at a young age requires passion, intelligence and hard work. Visionary architect Ahmed Gabr, founder and head of GAF Design Studio, is the definition of all this and more. We had the opportunity to speak to the inspiring architect about his award-winning design house, the journey he embarked on to reach the top, his design criteria, future plans, and a lot more!

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1. How did you start your journey and when did you decide that you wanted architecture and design to be your career?

and knowledge throughout my five years of architecture and training. So for me, it was the right time to start my own firm!

Before switching to architecture, I was a Mechanical Engineering student for a whole year until I had to help a friend out with his university work and projects due to an accident he’s been in. He was an architecture student and I couldn’t help but instantly discover the passion I had for the field then, that’s when I decided to switch majors amid worries from the people in my life who thought I wouldn’t be able to make it by myself because of how difficult architecture generally is, not to mention the competitiveness of the field and the fact that I had no architects in my family.

Yet again, not many people were convinced due to the challenges of the field and the fact that the profit was never guaranteed because, in the end, we’re selling intangible ideas before anything. And putting a price on them and guaranteeing their success from the start isn’t the easiest thing in the world.

Although I can’t claim that the following five years were easy, I still really enjoyed the process and realized as I went that this is really what I’ve wanted to do all along - I really loved the creativity factor.

Additionally, many professors believed in my talent and always recommended me to intern in big architecture offices and companies since freshman year. And it only went up from there!

2. How did GAF Design Studio come to life?

Everybody was pushing me to apply for work in the big names in the market upon completing my studies because for them, it seemed like the obvious thing to do. However, the way I saw it was that I learned a lot and gained enough experience

That being said, I did take a step forward to finally open up my own firm; GAF Design Studio. And it started with working on projects and designing homes for my friends who gave me the time and space to get creative and bring my ideas to life.

I ended up turning a friend’s family house into a small villa with a nice rooftop. From there, the clients just kept coming.

3. How did you form and hire your team?

We’re currently working towards turning GAF into an empire and a reputable brand name. I was actually inspired by the great Zaha Hadid because even after she passed away, her name and brand still shined. I realized that in order to make that happen, I would have to build a strong team to keep GAF at the top for years and years to come.

That’s why I decided to hire young talents from the very beginning so that we could grow and develop GAF together.

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“

We’re currently working towards turning GAF into an empire and a reputable brand name. I was actually inspired by the great Zaha Hadid because even after she passed away, her name and brand still shined.

“

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4. What inspires your designs?

Definitely my clients! I like to personalize their spaces as much as possible to the point that I sometimes imagine myself in their shoes. I study their characters and learn about their wants and needs in order to create and design a unique place that suits them, gives them a sense of belonging and holds their souls perfectly. Watching their reactions when the final design is completed brings me indescribable joy.

5. What has been the closest project to your heart so far?

In all honesty, I often say that my favorite project is the next one! I’m usually keen on giving my all to each and every project I work on. And every time I think a project is my favorite, I remember that the next one is, without a doubt, going to be better until the one after comes up.

6. What makes GAF Design Studio different from the rest in the field, especially in such a competitive market?

To be honest, I like that the market is quite competitive. However, the way I work is a bit different because I’m mostly always competing with my own self rather than with anyone else.

I’ve always put huge names, such as Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, and Frank Gehry as the role models that I look up to and wish to surpass and achieve even greater things than they did.

Another very important factor that makes GAF different is the great team behind it. My team works countless hours tirelessly; they believe in GAF’s vision and are always keen on achieving great results.

We also care so much for details; practicality is key for us. It’s never only about a space that looks nice, it’s more about a space that means something to the client and speaks their name with a comfortable and suitable living environment. From the climate control of the house to the landscaping, and making use of the empty spaces; it all lies in the tiniest details and I think that’s what makes us different.

30 December 2020

7. What do you think is the biggest challenge that usually faces an architect and what’s your solution for overcoming that challenge based on your own experience and career path?

Keeping up with the constant evolution of today’s technology - smart homes and such - you always have to be up to date with the world trends when it comes to design. Most importantly, maintaining the same level of success requires so much effort.

It’s a never-ending cycle of traveling, studying, and learning in order to outgrow yourself and keep your brand at the top. Because reaching the top is easy, however, the same can’t be said about staying there.

8. What’s the best advice ever given to you by a mentor in your career or even back when you were still a college student?

I will never forget my university professor Dr. Khaled Asfour and his words to me when I once turned in a project that had some issues. He glanced at it and told me: “What is this shallow thinking?” As much as those words hurt me back then, they changed the way I perceive things ever since. I became a deeper thinker who’s so much more into details. And needless to say, I nailed that presentation after reworking it then. Professor Asfour was also one of the very few people who didn’t judge me when I told him that I’m starting my own firm. On the contrary, he only encouraged and motivated me.

9. Talk to us about your awards! Do they motivate you and push you to do even better?

The very first award will always be the closest to my heart, the International Property Award. When I got nominated, I didn’t think I was going to win but when I did, I started wanting more because I love competition and for me, awards are proof that my hard work paid off in the end. I’m always happy to win awards but as soon as I receive one, I usually forget about it a little to start thinking about the next one and working towards it.

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10. Why do GAF’s social media pages lack photos of the construction process as well as the before and after pictures that the people often look for?

I like to do things my way, so I don’t believe I have to post before and after pictures just because others are doing it. People often confuse design and construction, they don’t get that both things are separate.

I like to give credit and value to my work and the people behind it, which is mainly why I only post the final product - the design. However, if clients want to see the finishing quality or the construction, they’re always welcome to visit the site. I simply cannot sacrifice GAF Design - which is the edge of this company and brand - for GAF Construction.

32 December 2020

“

I often say that my favorite project is the next one! I’m usually keen on giving my all to each and every project I work on.

“ 11. What are your future aspirations for your company? Do you have any plans or projects you’re willing to share with us?

We’re currently working on renovating a palace in Korba, Heliopolis; it’s a challenging project that I’m really excited about. Also, ever since we worked on a dental center, we’ve been approached to work on other medical centers and hospitals. As for future plans, GAF Design is an empire in the making and I’m really looking forward to our global expansion. We actually had plans to begin with the UAE as well as the UK but unfortunately Covid-19 happened and overseas projects were naturally put on hold.

Therefore, our global expansion plans were delayed but they’re still going to take place in the next couple of years.

December 2020 33

A One On One With The Man Behind The New Hit Series “Nemra 2”: Adam Abdelghafar

by Aya Aboshady

Adam Abdelghafar is a former creative director in the field of advertising and the founder of Studio Adam for visual arts & design, as well as the newly-founded production company “Adamic”. Being a visual artist, his art projects have been exhibited in Cairo, London, Beirut, and Tunis. Abdelghafar is also a scriptwriter and director whose short film “Shoka W Sekina” won first prize for scriptwriting at El Gouna Film Festival 2017 and was premiered the year after.

1. Talk to us about the idea behind “Nemra 2”.

What does the title entail?

Now, his new hit series “Nemra 2” (This Other Thing), a romantic Shahid Original that consists of 8 stand-alone episodes created and written by him is featuring 8 of Egypt’s best directors including Adam, and 18 stars from Egypt and the Middle East, such as Asser Yassin, Arwa Gouda, Menna Shalaby, Eyad Nassar, Amina Khalil, Ahmed Malek, Sherine Reda, and Maged El-Kedwany.

The title is inspired by the “other” or the “second” love stories in the protagonists’ and people’s lives, in general. The ones that often appear all of a sudden to either make things right or wrong - it depends.

We had the chance to speak to Adam about “Nemra 2”, the idea behind it, the episode he’s directing, his future plans, and so much more!

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When I finished working on my short movie “Shoka W Sekina” (2018) starring Asser Yassin, Menna Shalaby, and Eyad Nassar, I knew I wanted to write more stories about love and relationships. And that led me to the idea of “Nemra 2”, especially that I’m generally fond of short stories.

I wanted to portray something real and I wanted to make it different, which is why the series consists of 8 - originally 12 - separate episodes with a number of different actors and directors. And that, in itself, was a great creative challenge. However, when the idea was first put on the table, everybody was so excited - specifically Shahid who helped us bring it to life and now here we are, thankfully!

2. Take us through the process of choosing the cast members, crew, and directors!

After reading the script, each director had the say in who gets to play the main characters on their episode. The directors themselves were chosen based on the diversity we wanted this series to include - not to mention that they’re all great directors and big names in the industry. Each one comfortably chose the episode that suited them best and the one they wanted to personally work on from the ideas proposed.

3. What can you tell us about the episode you directed?

My episode is starring Eyad Nassar and Amina Khalil.

I worked with Eyad before in “Shoka W Sekina” and we formed a special bond as well as a mutual trust to the point that he agreed to the episode in “Nemra 2” before even reading the script, he was very excited and we wasted no time to film it. However, the episode was shot in 6 days because the time and the actors’ schedules were very tight and we had some challenges concerning the location, but it was all worth it when we saw the first cut.

4. Do you think that in the past few years there’s been a development in both the cinema industry and television in Egypt? If so, what do you think we could credit this improvement to and how do you want “Nemra 2” to inspire in the near future of the entertainment scene?

The credit has to go to digital platforms such as Shahid, which is one of the most important

streaming services in the Middle East that provide Arabic content. They handed us the opportunity to dream big and present fresh ideas that are out of the box. I’m positive that the future is holding even greater things for cinema and television in Egypt, and I’m hopeful that “Nemra 2” will inspire more writers to tell love stories from different perspectives and more directors to collaborate with each other on bigger productions. And I definitely want to still be part of all that.

5. What projects are you currently working on after the huge success of “Nemra 2”?

Although “Nemra 2” has been a unique drama experience for me, filmmaking is still my main passion and I will continue making short movies and working in cinema. That being said, I have some good news to announce. I established a production company called “Adamic”, with the purpose of making short films, music videos, and maybe drama too as well as attracting many talents to tell those stories.

6. What advice would you give to young filmmakers who wish to walk the same path?

I would advise them to work hard, make an effort to study, work on themselves every day, put their all in their creations, believe in their talents, and be sure that God will lend them a helping hand as long as they’re trying and improving. Most importantly, they should be well aware that success takes time and that the journey isn’t easy so giving up shouldn’t be an option if they really want to make it.

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Amir El Masry

An International Star On The Rise!

By Nanise Mohamed For a few years now, British/ Egyptian actor Amir El Masry grabbed the attention of both the Egyptian and international media. His latest BAFTA Breakthrough selection is the cherry on top of a very successful year. We wouldn’t be exaggerating if we called him the Breakout Star of 2020.

We had the pleasure of interviewing the 30 year old star for our December issue and got to learn about the preparations for his movie “Limbo”, his role in the Star Wars franchise and his take on the social awakening movement currently taking place in Egypt.

1. Tell us about your BAFTA Breakthrough selection. How is that for a milestone?

It’s super amazing, not only for myself but also for the fact that I am representing Egypt back home.

In previous years, it seemed like somewhat of an impossible task for Middle Eastern leads. So to be pitched by the production company and to be selected as one of the five talented actors for 2020 is definitely a huge honor. Hopefully when others see this, they’ll believe it’s achievable. If I can do it, many people can too.

2. Were you always set out to be an actor from a young age?

Yes. I did my first play at the age of seven, where I was a cat actually. I instantly fell in love with acting and theatre, but also the escapism. I was a shy kid, so getting the chance to play “pretend” and to impersonate other characters was super fun for me and it gave me a great deal of confidence.

3. We want to know more about your role as Omar in the movie “Limbo” and how do you feel about all the appraisal and international critical acclaim?

Honestly, I was a little reluctant to play the refugee 36 December 2020

role. It’s a pretty sensitive topic. I don’t like it when a movie about the refugee crisis centers more on the “white savior” rather than the suffering groups.

But upon reading the script, it was obvious that the focal point was the character of Omar, the Syrian refugee seeking asylum.

This movie went through a huge process. We filmed on a Scottish island with tough climate conditions. I self-isolated a lot to try and get a sense of the suffering. I also had the pleasure of meeting with real-life asylum seekers who gave me time to get to know them and understand their circumstances first hand.

4. How do you feel about casting Arabs in international productions? Do the stereotypes bother you at times?

Over the years I was very frustrated with this and I wanted to break that stereotype. I wanted to have the chance to play any given role and perfect it.

However, I can’t hide the fact that I am an Arab with Middle Eastern/Egyptian features.

In my movie Daniel, I portrayed a real-life jihadist.

Obviously, I have no interest in the terrorist role, all the time. But it’s a character that is alive and well.

And getting into its psyche and the humane part of it seems crucial.

5. Were you a Star Wars fan growing up? Tell us about your role in The Rise of Skywalker.

I have deep admiration and respect for the franchise. It’s a part of history, without a doubt.

And I love what George Lucas has done over the years in the sci-fi realm. Frankly, I haven’t always been the biggest Star Wars fan growing up, but I was super excited and honored to be part of Skywalker. But honestly it was my friends that went crazy about me starring in it!

6. You worked alongside major Hollywood stars, which one made you feel intimidated?

I was intimidated when I first met Woody Harrelson.

He has a very strong presence in a location. We’re still friends and sometimes we meet when he’s in London. He’s very down to earth and he never forgets people. I’m a huge fan of his.

7. What’s your take regarding the anti-sexual harassment movement in Egypt?

Finally people are giving the matter appropriate attention. I wasn’t on the grounds so much when it was all happening, but I always keep up with the news. It’s prevalent within all the social classes.

It has nothing to do with your socioeconomic background really; it’s all about the way you were raised.

think of the Egyptian cinematic scene at the moment?

Absolutely. I was set to star in an Egyptian series but couldn’t due to my packed schedule for the time being. But once I am offered a good script and the timing is right for me, I will definitely go for it. I always want to work more in Egypt, on the right projects and with the right people!

I think that independent cinema is where we are very strong. We have incredible producers like Mohamed Hefzy and many others who pioneered the indie genre here.

9. What are your future plans/dreams?

I want to work in Egypt. I have a great independent film that’ll hopefully be filmed in Liverpool. If I’m lucky enough, I might catch some matches and cheer on for Mo Salah. I’m a huge fan!

I am also starring in a Netflix series soon, but unfortunately that’s all I can tell you about it for the time being.

10. A piece of advice for young aspiring actors?

Be well prepared to get rejected. Get used to the fact that you’ll be turned down a lot. Develop a thick skin and don’t take it personally. Also, keep practicing this craft with workshops, practice with friends and educate yourself and you’ll eventually get there. If I could do it, anyone can!

It’s great to show men, who always thought they could get away with any act of abuse towards women, that things are changing right now. I hope the awareness campaigns find their way to our educational systems to teach people how to treat women with dignity and respect.

8. Is starring in an Egyptian movie or series something you’d consider for the near-future?

And, what do you December 2020 37

SINGLE IN THE SEASON FOR COUPLES …

by Marwa Rakha

Several readers who are either single or in complicated relationships have written to me and expressed their dread towards the coming holidays! How does one survive being alone when everyone is celebrating love and feeling jolly during Christmas and the New Year? How does one escape the silliness of all these Christmas movies on Netflix? Or the belief that a miracle would happen, and “Santa” would drop Mr. Right at the door if no chimney is available? I feel you ... I was there!

My “old” self, my under 40 self, would have told you to enjoy being alone, that there is a difference between alone and lonely, that your independence is worth celebrating, that being alone is better than being with the wrong person, and that you can always count on furry or feathery pets, and 38 December 2020

friends. I would have also insisted that these “celebrations” are meaningless manmade rituals that should mean nothing, and that one should not give in to self-pity. I would have gone “whoa” on you fully cowboy style and asked you to count your blessings and stop whining!

Today, I will tell you none of the above! None of it works actually! It might give you a temporary sense of control or satisfaction, but it will never give you inner peace. So here is my updated advice: First, make room for all the negative emotions that season is stirring up. Yes! It is okay to feel angry, sad, jealous, envious, and miserable. I would urge you to express such powerful emotions verbally to a confidante, or artistically in the form of a surrealistic painting or a horribly ugly sculpture, for example.

Second, do not push yourself to go out and celebrate – especially if you are hoping for that miracle to happen at a party or a gathering.

Whether or not you meet someone, you are setting yourself up for disappointment; the disappointment of going through all that trouble for nothing, or the disappointment of deluding yourself into a miracle that will never really happen – in plain English: getting played because you were emotionally vulnerable.

Third, escape! Why not? I am sure if you book yourself a pottery class, a birdwatching session, and a visit or two to some ancient remains of civilizations that are no longer there in Fayoum, for example, you would have fun and you would not ever realize that it’s “the season”! There are places where you will not see men dressed as Santa, Christmas trees, jolly songs, lights and decorations, people kissing at midnight, countdowns, or any of the things that would push the dagger of loneliness deeper in your heart.

Fourth, be kind to yourself! Cry and give yourself a hug. Give yourself a pat on the shoulder for being so brave; the bravery of admitting how lonely you are and how miserable that makes you feel. It takes a lot of strength to accept one’s fate … the fact that you are alone is simply fate! It is not your fault.

Fifth, do not work so hard! I used to think that it is one’s responsibility to create the ideal situations for meeting a partner and I used to believe that a person needs to work hard on making oneself more desirable; whether by taking better care of one’s personal appearance, reading a variety of topics and sharpening the saw of intellectuality, becoming more financially independent so as not to become

a financial burden, being more empathetic and caring, and the list of improvements goes on and on. If you want to do any of the above, do it for yourself not to become a more viable partner in the “singles’ market”.

Sixth, grow a Peace Flower in your mind. The concept of the Peace Flower is originally a Montessori concept and it aims at minimizing conflict and enhancing interconnectivity. The Peace Flower has four petals: Self-Awareness, Community Awareness, Cultural Awareness, and Environmental Awareness.

When looking at the first petal, you look within yourself and examine your childhood, past experiences, beliefs, value system, priorities in life, attitudes, code of ethics, and needs. You look at your relationships in general and question your choices, your motives, your actions, and your feelings.

The second petal focuses on your relationships but from another perspective; the conflicts, the oneness, the struggles, the appreciation, the toxicity, and you can create peace with your family members, neighbors, colleagues, peers, friends, etc.

The third petal is all about offering others the acceptance they deserve. Accept that people are different, the families they came from are different from yours, the beliefs they hold so dear to their hearts might not be the same as yours, their choices, habits, lifestyles, and even what they eat or wear could be different. Ridiculing people, shaming them, rejecting them, excluding them, or judging them only hurts us and alienates us.

The last petal is a reminder that we are all interconnected: the humans, the plants, the animals, the land, the water, and the air. We need to be less hurtful towards nature because we are nature … we are a part of nature and we would only be hurting ourselves. Messing up with the natural order will only lead to more imbalances within our lives, bodies, and souls. Plant trees, care for the wild birds, offer kindness, do not add to the pollution, and open your heart to the love of beauty.

It is okay to be alone and lonely, and it is only natural to feel blue towards the end of another year.

December 2020 39

LESSONS WE LEARNED FROM

2020

by Nada Abdelkader

This past year was sure something, wasn’t it? Other than the life-altering pandemic, we’ve all been through some major changes and witnessed tons of personal as well as international transformation, all of which was admittedly hectic as hectic can be.

With that whirlwind of events nearly all behind us, though, we cannot ignore that we learned a lot of lessons from the year that had an equal amount of good times and bad times. The lessons, even if they seem like given or minimal things, are exceedingly important too and that’s the main reason we need to reflect on them one more time as the calendar switches from 2020 to 2021.

Lesson 1. PATIENCE IS TRULY A VIRTUE This is an understatement and, surely, by now you know this well. But patience truly is the greatest gift you can give yourself, especially in times like the ones we’ve all been through. Since we had more than enough time to work on our patience and keep our irritation with a lot of things at bay, we’ve honestly learned how to cope with more situations than one.

everything when we wanted to procrastinate doing something we wanted to do for whatever reason.

And with that adaptability and impatienceresistance, we’ll also manage to generally find ourselves calmer and more at ease in the future no matter the situations we’re put in.

Even if it doesn’t turn out in the way we hope, we’ll still come out victorious for just putting ourselves out there and seizing the moment.

Lesson 2. FAMILY IS PRICELESS On some level, we’ve all known about this lesson, right? Family is important to every one of us and its importance has never faded. But even though we all love and appreciate our families, we can’t ignore that we’ve spent a great of deal of time with our families in the background or in the back of our minds rather than at the forefront.

But with 2020 being what it was and the lockdown that had ensued, we’ve all made the best of it and started spending more and more time with our families to the point where we might have even rediscovered them. We really have zero complaints about that 2020-inspired life lesson!

Lesson 3. WE SHOULD NEVER TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’ has been a longtime excuse for all of us, one that we used for anything and 40 December 2020

And that excuse is also one we’ll collectively stop using 2021 onwards because we’ve all seen how it turns out. Basically, it all comes down to us taking the chance to do anything for granted, not understanding that sometimes we need to simply just do things and reach for the stars.

Lesson 4. HEALTH IS WEALTH We cannot ignore that a large reason why 2020 was the way it was is the fact that the world was going through a pandemic. And for that reason, we cannot ignore the fact that health is something truly priceless, even if we tend to overlook it most times.

From 2020, we learned that our health is something we need to invest in, both mentally and physically. We learned that we need to take care of ourselves and treat ourselves better than we do through keeping ourselves fit and wellnourished and, most importantly, happy.

Lesson 5. WE NEED TO GO WITH THE FLOW MORE Life is just unpredictable sometimes. Despite all the plans we might end up making and all the expectations we have, life can simply change at a moment’s notice. And when that happens, as you expect, we will need to suck it up and learn how to go with the flow.

No one went with the flow more than they did in 2020, though, and because of that, we’ve all become just a tad more spontaneous, which is honestly not bad in the slightest. A life rigidly defined by plans is a life that’s admittedly highly structured but still rather dull.

Lesson 6. RELAXING IS NOT A LUXURY As simple and light as this might seem, we all need to relax. Seriously relax, too, because after a full year of stress, it turned out we don’t quite know how to relax and not fully feel guilty about it. After this past year, though, we had to learn and we’re thankful we did.

December 2020 41

NEW YEAR’S DATE NIGHT SPOTS FOR COUPLES!

By Nanise Mohamed What’s a better idea than spending New Year’s Eve with the one you love? Pick out a fancy dress, get a hair updo and basically glam up because we have plenty of date spots where you can spend the countdown to 2021 together!

THE REVOLVING RESTAURANT, GRAND NILE TOWER If you’re planning to go big, you have to consider the Revolving Restaurant inside the Grand Nile Tower Hotel. If you’ve never been there, let us tell that it’s quite amazing. With every dish you have, you get a different mesmerizing view of Cairo. The food is pretty good too!

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VILLA BELLE EPOQUE This 4-star boutique hotel in Maadi is perfect for a New Year’s date night. Villa Belle Epoque is a cozy place with friendly staff and an indoor fancy restaurant that you will absolutely love.

It’s a great option for a romantic night. Make sure to make early reservations, though. It’s naturally a super busy time of the year!

SABAI SABAI If you’re into Asian food or are open to try it, we need to let you know about this hidden gem called Sabai Sabai. Located in Zamalek, in front of Um Kulthoum hotel, the place is so low key and has its own loyal customers. But we’ll have you know they make the best Asian food in the area. As for the setting, it’s super lavish and the staff is very cooperative.

CAFELLUCA If you’re the sort of couple that hates low key hangouts and always goes for a little adventure, Cafelluca is the way to go. Have your dinner by the Nile in a fancy moving felluca with romantic dimmed lights and nice music and celebrate New Year’s with the entire capital!

LA TRATTORIA What’s a better venue for your New Year’s Eve date other than Omar El Sherif’s favorite restaurant La Trattoria?

The Zamalek venue is small and lovely, makes great Italian food and will be perfect if you’re a cute little couple that likes to have good food, capture artsy pictures and have drinks all night long.

JW STEAKHOUSE Dine with your date at this world-class restaurant for an unforgettable night. The steak there is more than exquisite and the atmosphere is generally quite festive. We imagine it’ll be even more enjoyable on New Year’s Eve. Don’t forget to dress up!

December 2020 43

10

TIPS FOR HOSTING THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS DINNER!

By Nanise Mohamed

As the countdown to the best time of the year begins, and while going out for dinner is an inviting option, staying in to host a homemade Christmas dinner near your perfect Christmas tree is the ideal holiday ritual. That’s why we’ve rounded up 10 tips for you to perfect your family’s Christmas dinner.

PLAN AHEAD If you really wish to master that special day, you absolutely have to plan ahead.

We’re not talking two weeks or so, at least a month prior to Christmas day.

Write notes and organize your thoughts on what you need to buy and what you can utilize from your own household.

DECORATIONS Moving to the fun part, decorations. For your Christmas party, you might want to go with a theme like retro Christmas or maybe disco Christmas. OR you might want to leave it as a general Christmas theme. Which everybody loves, anyway!

During those 30 days, you can gradually make up for what you don’t have at home and won’t feel like you had to spend a fortune at the supermarket in one day.

MUSIC At any given party, music is key to the success or failure of the event. You’ll have to put some extra thought in the playlist if you want your party to rock.

FOOD Having an all homemade menu is great, but beware.

Cooking 20 different dishes on your own might be a surefire recipe for failure. Try to pick the dishes that you know you always get right and simply order the rest from a reputable catering service.

If you run short on time but still want to get it right, we always suggest the mix up approach.

You can select some favorite pop songs and throw in some Christmas classics. And, keep them running throughout the night!

Another important thing to keep in mind is the drinks. When a guest comes for dinner, they’ll first need refreshments. And after having dinner as well, basically all night long!

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MIX AND MATCH Another handy little tip you need to know about and that’ll save you a lot of money and effort is, mixing and matching.

And it’s all relevant. You can mix and match homemade candy with fancy store bought ones, songs as we mentioned before and even the food and drinks.

This way, the outcome would be more diverse, fun and fresh!

HAVE A TEAM Alright, you need to hear this. No matter how good you think you are at the whole partyplanning thing, you still need all hands on deck.

they can eat on their own without messing the adults’ dinner table.

CLEANING Congratulations, you made it. But before calling it a night there’s still a lot of cleaning up to do. Now here’s a trick, you could make this a one step at a time thing. After dinner, take 10 minutes to clean up a little. And after the drinks and games too.

This way, by the end of the night, you’ll only have so little to do.

This is not just a casual gathering that you’ll figure out as you go. So, we advise you to get as much help as possible. It’ll make things less stressful for everyone. Plus, any surprises or disasters can be contained!

ENTERTAINMENT Throughout the dinner party, the last thing you want is the atmosphere falling flat. That’s why, in between meals and gifts, you need to have some activities going on.

Card games, movies, two truths and a lie; there’s plenty of fun party games that you can check online.

No one wants people sleeping or making small talk after dinner!

BE MINDFUL OF KIDS Here’s the tricky part, kids.

If your guests happen to have kids, you will have them over as well since it’s a family holiday.

Keep things under control by providing them with a lot of candy, a little play area and a place where December 2020 45

TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID THAT EXTRA HOLIDAY Weight!

By Nanise Mohamed

D

ecember is the ultimate holiday month.

And while it’s full of fun parties, warm family gatherings and delicious food; it’s also a time for that uninvited extra weight. Let’s be clear here, we pass no judgment, we’re just happily addressing everyone’s holiday concerns. If the extra pounds are not welcomed for you, we got you all covered. And, that’s why we’re

46 December 2020

giving you pro-tips on how to avoid putting on those extra holiday pounds. No one wants to celebrate New Year’s not looking like themselves!

SMALLER PORTIONS During the holidays, you have way more food options than usual. If you don’t want to gain weight like crazy, go for small portions. You can

pick a smaller plate than the one you usually use and stick to it, no refills or extra snacks.

This way, you could try everything you want and get full without actually increasing your intake. This is a very practical tactic that pros use when they’re looking to lose weight.

options. Steer clear from rice and pasta options.

You should be good!

OPT FOR DRINKS Why limit yourself to food only? If you feel like you had enough to eat for one day but still have to attend another gathering, go for the beverages table. This way, you wouldn’t miss out on sharing with loved ones, but you still won’t overeat. If you’re worried about refreshments containing high calories, you can always ask for healthier substitutes.

Smart, right?

KNOW WHEN TO STOP Be wise and practice mindful eating. It’s the holidays and you shouldn’t really count your calories or weigh yourself every two hours. That’s no way to live, let alone in Christmas and New Year’s. You also don’t want to be the person always complaining about their weight concerns and how much their friends are eating. Just be conscious.

DON’T SKIP ACTIVITIES Eating and watching TV are holiday rituals. No one can argue with that. But they’re not the only ones. You can always utilize the outdoor activities as well. Plan ahead any fun activity that all the family can enjoy. This way, you’ll be out busy all day and may not even think about food that much.

GO FOR HEALTHIER CHOICES While most holiday recipes are saturated in carbs and fats, you can always think and eat smart.

Opt for more foods based on protein and fibers.

Meat, chicken, fruits and veggies are among the

SKIP DESSERT We know that sweets are crucial, especially during the holidays. But hear us out, it’s doable. We’re not suggesting you skip dessert altogether. We’re just saying that maybe you don’t need it every day. Fruit-based desserts will always be a great choice if you can’t let it go. Also, don’t forget to ask about healthy desserts made with less sugar and fats. You can do this!

DON’T EAT IN FRONT OF THE TV OR LAPTOP When we eat with our eyes distracted by visuals, we tend to consume more quantities than we usually would and we tend to chew less. Resulting of course in weight gain and digestion problems!

SAVOR YOUR MEAL It’s not just about food. Savoring is an important concept. You should savor the moments in general. When it comes to food, this could save lives. It’s a common concept that chewing slowly and taking your time with your meal will guarantee you less consumption. Savor your meal, bite slowly and appreciate every bite. Believe us, you’ll get full faster than you expect.

HIT THE GYM Last but not least and when everything is said and done, the gym will come to the rescue. You can keep trying and counting calories and all hell could still EASILY break loose. Don’t feel bad, you’ll look just as good in any given weight. But if you want to see fast results, we suggest you hit the gym right away. This will definitely ease up all the guilt trips we always get after holidays, too!

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5

CHRISTMAS CLASSICS TO KEEP YOU COZY FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

by Nada Abdelkader Now that you’ve seen the reds and greens filling up the air, you must know that the holidays are upon us and, yes, tis the season to be jolly and rock around the Christmas tree with all your family, friends, and loved ones.

Of course, this holiday season will be a bit special, considering the global circumstances, but if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to find the simple joys around us.

There’s nothing that speaks to the small simple joys around us more than the joy of reading, but come Christmas and the holidays, the average reader might find that they don’t want to read up too much.

Rather, you’ll want to drop all your romance novels and murder mysteries and such to experience the holiday fever. We’ll tell you now a little secret, though—you can still get the full holiday experience and fulfill that reading need of yours with classics that simply spell “jingle bell rock”!

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Hercule Poirot’s Christmas

Toeing the line between the sentimental and the thrilling, Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, written by Agatha Christie, is a holiday-flavored mystery novel that is just as good, if not better, than the mysteries we’ve all always loved reading.

The story is about Simeon Lee, an elderly man, who invites his estranged family to his home for a Christmas celebration. A series of events, suspicious and infuriating happen, as Simeon and family fight over the family inheritance and Hercule Poirot is invited to solve a crime.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Another classic we all know and enjoy, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the perfect book to read when you want a fun time littered with laughs and nostalgia.

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Similar to A Christmas Carol, the story itself is about the Grinch, the constantly grumpy, cave-dwelling creature, and his hatred of Christmas that eventually becomes anything but.

Unlike Scrooge who simply didn’t like the holidays, the Grinch actively forms a plan to ‘steal Christmas’ from Whoville, hiding all Christmas-related food, presents, and trees. Once the Grinch sees how Whoville reacts, by still remaining hopeful, he becomes Christmas’s number one fan and brings the celebrations and joy back to the Whoville Christmas.

3

The Tailor of Gloucester

Written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, The Tailor of Gloucester is a quaint, whimsical tale about a tailor and his cat, Simpkin. The story is quite simply your perfect remedy for a quiet holiday evening.

After being sent by the Gloucester tailor to buy food and silk for an important waistcoat, Simpkin, the cat, comes home to find that the tailor accidentally set loose all the mice he’d kept imprisoned under a set of teacups. In retaliation, Simpkin hides the silk.

After this, the story goes on about reciprocating the kindness you’ve been shown and how people should generally ‘pay it forward’ as the mice, grateful for being rescued, help the tailor finish the important waistcoat and all is well!

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A Christmas Carol

How can we not mention the Christmas gift that keeps on giving? Written by literary genius Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol is one of the most memorable novellas about the holidays. Divided to five chapters, or ‘staves’ according to Dickens, the story is about the all-too-infamous Ebenezer Scrooge, a mean miserable man who loathes Christmas and, well, everyone else.

Through the course of the story, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his old business partner followed by the ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, who show him how people feel about him, the holidays, and how Scrooge needs to change his ways. This whirlwind of a story, with all its morals and lessons and simple fun, makes for one holiday classic you won’t tire of reading.

The Chimes

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Another Dickens’ Christmas classic, The Chimes is an underrated holiday novella that is among the first stories to insert the dream-within-a-dream narrative, but that’s not even remotely the most intriguing thing about this plot.

The story is about a man called Trotty and his family, outwardly, as they try to manage their destitute life by being caring and sharing their kindness with all those around them.

Distraught in the holiday season, Trotty is given a vision by the church bells in the church near his home that shows him how life would be if he lost his faith that people are kind and that every cloud has a silver lining.

With its perfect ending set, The Chimes encapsulates the feelings of the people who tend to get ‘the holiday blues’ perfectly, all while giving everyone a renewed sense of hope.

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TRAVEL

Travel Guide ROMANIA

by Nada Abdelkader

Nestled by the Carpathian Mountains, Romania is one of the most underrated southeastern European countries out there. This gem, also known as The Land of Count Dracula, is known for its preserved medieval towns, fortified churches and castles notably associated with the Dracula Legend. Romania comes with a lot of attractions, landmarks, and a lot of history that makes it a country many would love to visit again and again.

VISA To visit Romania, you’ll need to get a Romanian Tourist Visa that allows you a maximum of 15 days stay. Currently, Romania is not part of the Schengen agreement. Don’t worry Schengen Visa holders don’t need another visa as long as theirs allows entries in Schengen space.

To get the Romanian Visa, you need to go to the Romanian Embassy in Cairo at least four weeks before your travels with all the required documents, as well as 75 USD for the visa fees. You should deliver your application personally. It will take about 3 to 7 working days for the visa application to get processed.

50 December 2020

WEATHER If you want to truly experience Romania at its zenith, it’s best to visit in either mid-spring during April or early-fall during September. In April, Romania’s tree and wildflowers bloom and are beautifully complemented by the Easter festivities. While in September, the ultimate best timing, Romania has its best weather.

Romanian weather ranges from -6 °C to 0 °C in the winter with heavy rainfall and snow. During spring and summer, the rain becomes even more bountiful.

In early fall, though, the weather is mostly warm and pleasant, with temperature around 11 °C to 25 °C.

FOODS TO TRY In Romania, the only other thing more popular than the Legend of Dracula is the local cuisine, an unmissable experience that mixes its Balkan, Turkish, Serbian, German, and Hungarian cuisines.

Sarmale A popular Romanian comfort food, sarmale is made of minced meat mixed with spices, rice, and onions that’s rolled up in cabbage leaves, which is then boiled for hours in a special sauce. You can also try it with vine leaves.

Mămăligă Made of corn-flour boiled in water with a pinch of salt and drops of sunflower oil, mămăligă is a common side dish served plain with sour cream and Romanian cheese.

PLACES TO VISIT Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral Completed in 1659, the Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral is still furnished with all of its original interior paintings and icons, all still intact. It’s not just a landmark, though it’s an active church as well.

Danube Delta Europe’s best preserved delta, the Danube Delta flows over three-thousand kilometers from its source in Germany, covering ten countries. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the delta is populated by much wildlife that you can easily observe.

Peles Castle Built in the 1870s, Peles Castle is not only richly decorated but it’s also the first European castle to have electricity. When visiting, you can also peruse the arts and antique collection, including more than four-thousand arms and armor.

Cozonac On the sweet side of things, cozonac is a sweetbread filled with sweet walnut paste, poppy seed paste, and raisins/Turkish delight.

Papanasi Another popular dessert, papanasi is a northern Romanian confection that’s essentially a donutshaped mix containing both cottage cheese and semolina that is then fried and covered in sour cream and (usually blueberry) jam.

Sighisoara Beautifully preserved, Sighisoara is best known as the birthplace of Count Dracula but it’s much more than that, too. In this town, you’ll get your fill of architecturally pleasing towers and ornate churches.

Bran Castle Speaking of Dracula, Bran Castle is the infamous castle where the world’s most famous vampire (based on real-life ruler Vlad the Impaler) resided. With its haunting towers and domineering stature, the castle is a strong attraction for all visitors.

Maramures Get culturally immersed in the most medieval parts of Romania, Maramures County. In this region, traditional Romanian culture is alive and well, with large wooden churches decorating each village as a testament to the popular tradition of woodworking and colorful cemeteries as the Romanians believe the afterlife is only the start.

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WINTER

Getaways

IRELAND 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS Departure: Starts Feb. 2021 Starting from: EGP 12545 For more information visit: www.globusjourneys.in

THAILAND 12 DAYS / 11 NIGHTS Departure: Starts March 2021 Starting from: USD 1509 For more information visit: www.cosmosvacations.in 52 December 2020

PACKAGE INCLUDES • Intensive excursions to the statue-laden O’Connell Street, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rathbaun Farm, and the Giant’s Causeway.

You’ll also visit the wondrous, history-filled cities of Dublin, Galway, Donegal, and Derry to get the full Emerald Isle experience.

• Includes a 6 night accommodation in superior first-class hotels with meals and transportation via air-conditioned motorcoach.

PACKAGE INCLUDES • Detailed sightseeing tours to monuments and cultural spots that encapsulate Thailand’s history and cultural heritage, including the Temple of the Golden Buddha, the Grand Palace, Bang Pa-In Palace, and Sukhothai Historic Park.

• Includes an 11 night accommodation in top hotels, including meals, Wi-Fi, and transportation via air-conditioned vehicle.

RWANDA 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS Departure: Starting June 2021 Starting from: USD 4250 For more information visit: www.memphistours.com

PACKAGE INCLUDES • Private safari to the Rwandan forest, including game drives full of natural scenery, and trips to landmarks like Lake View Park, gorilla trekking, Lake Kivu, Nyungwe Forest National Park, and Volcanoes Park.

• Includes a 4 night accommodation in first-class hotels, including meals, and air-conditioned private vehicles.

ECUADOR AND GALAPAGOS ISLANDS 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS Departure: Starts Feb. 2021 Starting from: USD 5233 For more information visit: www.avalonwaterways.com

PACKAGE INCLUDES • Guided sightseeing in Quito to touristic hotspots like La Compania Church, Chocolate Factory, Charles Darwin Research Station, and the Equatorial Monument, followed by a cruise through the Galapagos Islands, in which Naturalist-guided tours will showcase rare species.

• Includes a 7 night accommodation on a top-of-the-line cruise ship as well as a first-class hotel once docked, including meals, and transportation.

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NEW ZEALAND 13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS Departure: Starts Feb. 2021 Starting from: EGP 50541 For more information visit: www.monograms.com

PACKAGE INCLUDES • Daily sightseeing in cities like Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown to historic and culturally important landmarks, including the Waitemata Harbor, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and Mount Cook National Park.

• Includes a 12 night accommodation in superior first-class hotels, including daily meals and air-conditioned transportation.

POLAND 9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS Departure: Starts April 2021 Starting from: EGP 19610 For more information visit: www.cosmosvacations.com 54 December 2020

PACKAGE INCLUDES • Tours to historical landmarks like Jasna Góra, Zakopane, Wawel Hill, famed astronomer Copernicus’s birthplace Torun, in cities, including but not limited to Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan, and Krakow.

• Includes an 8 night accommodation in superior first-class hotels, including daily meals and air-conditioned vehicles.

SLOVENIA, BOSNIA - HERZEGOVINA & CROATIA 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS Departure: Starts May 2021 Starting from: USD 1499 For more information visit: www.globusjourneys.in

PACKAGE INCLUDES • Excursions to the naturally scenic, history-filled cities of Eastern Europe with visits to landmarks including UNESCO World Heritage Sites Plitvice National Park and Dubrovnik’s Franciscan Monastery, as well as Postojna Caves, Rectors’ Palace, and Jupiter Temple.

• Includes a 7 night accommodation in first-class hotels as well as daily meals and air-conditioned private vehicles.

NETHERLANDS 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS Departure: Starts April 2021 Starting from: EGP 19296 For more information visit: www.cosmosvacations.in

PACKAGE INCLUDES • Exclusive visits to Keukenhof Garden, Royal Delft Pottery Factory, the Aalsmeer Flower Auction as well as sightseeing to cities and towns where houses speak to Amsterdam’s Golden Age of architecture.

• Includes a 6 night accommodation in superior first-class hotels, which include daily meals and air-conditioned top-notch transportation.

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OUT&ABOUT FROM CHRISTMAS EVE TO NEW YEAR’S DAY, SAVOUR GLITTERING CELEBRATIONS AT GRAND NILE TOWER

dramatic backdrop of the Cairo cityscape at the Revolving Restaurant.

Just five days later on New Year’s Eve, the lobby will be taken over by a lively band to bring the New Year in with good tidings.

Whether you want to enjoy an intimate dinner or dance till Count down, Grand Nile Tower will provide the perfect place to welcome 2021. Grand Nile Tower’s landmark Revolving Restaurant will be offering an exquisite menu of gourmet appetizers, entrées, and desserts against the eclectic backdrop of the Cairo nightscape.

It is a season filled with excitement and the desire to get together with our family, and no place is more in the spirit this year than Grand Nile Tower Hotel. From Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day, the Grand Nile Tower team has ensured that every day will be filled with the joy and entertainment required for a happy holiday season.

To get in the mood, join us us at Delice Tea Lounge where you can instantly get into the Christmas spirit from our Ginger house Christmas Delights Shop and the classic carols being played in the background by our musicians and the aromas of sweet home-baked Christmas cookies filling the Rendez Vous Lounge will surely tempt grown-ups and kids alike.

As expected, the hotel will also be providing spectacular holiday dining opportunities overlooking the Nile: for a special meal with family and friends on Christmas Eve, guests can enjoy the special menu being served against the 56 December 2020

Closer to the Nile, El Sakya Souk restaurant promenade will be serving up a delicious array of international cuisines to satisfy every craving: flavourful seafood, zesty Italian favourites, rich and spicy Indian specialties, and mouth-watering Middle Eastern feasts. For every occasion, Grand Nile Tower hotel is redefining the luxury food and entertainment experience in Cairo.

Hilton Cairo Heliopolis is celebrating the global week of engagement inviting 300 valued partners for an authentic Egyptian Night at its newly open air venue “The Garden” The invitees enjoyed the Moulid charming atmosphere and the delicious Egyptian food specialties and entertainment.

They expressed their admiration for the place and the moulid ambiance.

Huawei unveils HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro and HUAWEI Mate 40 Pro + with ‘Leap Further Ahead’ concept and Kirin 9000; world’s first 5 nanometer 5G SoC with HUAWEI Mate 40 Series: Huawei Consumer Business Group (BG) bolstered its product line-up with the advanced HUAWEI Mate 40 Series, the latest revolutionary flagship smartphones that empower users to leap further ahead.

Showcasing the pinnacle of Huawei technology, the new Series reinforces Huawei’s dedication to innovation and its unrelenting determination to create the best Mate ever.

ROG Collaborates with Marwan Moussa for the Zephyrus G14 Anime Matrix Launch!

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) today announces the Zephyrus G14 gaming notebook that brings unprecedented power to an ultraslim 14-inch form factor is now available in Egypt.

Getting cutting-edge components to peak performance levels is challenging in such a small machine. Despite a chassis under 20mm thin, the Zephyrus G14 has carefully customized cooling that brings out the best of its new AMD Ryzen™ 9 4000 Series Mobile Processors and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 2060 GPU.

Umm Kulthum Abdeen Palace hologram

returns to again using

For the first time, Abdeen Palace in Cairo, one of the most famous historical palaces in Egypt, hosted a series of concerts of the legend diva Umm Kulthum using hologram technology for three magical nights starting Friday 20 November.

The concert was one of a series of events presented through the hologram technology of Umm Kulthum in a number of Arab countries, including the UAE, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.

December 2020 57

Adidas Launches its ecommerce platform in Egypt As part of its commitment to keep up with the digital changes in the world; adidas, the German’s World Leader Sports Brand, is expanding its digital footprint in Egypt and launching its ecommerce platform www. adidas.com.eg, giving its consumers the opportunity to navigate through its latest collection and shop online from the comfort of their homes while maintaining safe social distancing measures.

Carrefour Black Friday a Month-Long Shopping Extravaganza Offers Customers Unbeatable Value Carrefour, operated by Majid Al Futtaim in Egypt launched “Carrefour Black Friday”, a month-long shopping extravaganza that offers customers unbeatable prices on the most sought-after items on 2020 holiday wish lists.

As the only retailer offering an entire month’s worth of saving opportunities, Carrefour underlines its commitment to offering unrivaled value for money 58 December 2020

The Burger Factory Zayed A bunch of juicy burgers and sides for a well-rounded brunch at the Burger Factory.

On a sunny day before the winter strikes, along with the great company of influencers, food bloggers, and media fellows experiencing altogether the food tasting day at The burger factory zayed.

Le Meridien Cairo Airport celebrates International Coffee day Yes we celebrate our love for coffee all year-round but International coffee day offers us an extra special reason to share our love for coffee!

Inspired by its European heritage and commitment to stimulating guests’ curiosity and sense of discovery, Le Meridien Cairo Airport triggered a caffeine-infused experiences in celebration of International Coffee day.

Business View recognizes Lamia Kamel as Businesswoman for 2020 in conjunction with the launch of Narrative Summit season 4 In its latest issue, Business View magazine interviewed Lamia Kamel, founder of Narrative Summit and CEO of CC Plus for Public Relations and Media Consulting, about her career that earned her the title of Businesswoman of the Year 2020.

The interview highlighted Kamel’s work in the field of public relations and the media and political campaigns, starting from her education and upbringing, which introduced her to the most important media work foundations and ethics.

Kelos Launches its 2020 collection “Explore” in a dazzling design Ceremony As we walked up the stairs of a beautiful rustic building in downtown Cairo, we were welcomed by strings of light and jazzy vibes as we approached the rooftop. Live saxophone music was playing as we met the laughing and chattering crowds who came for Kelos’s new collection launch party.

Kelos, one of Egypt’s leading handmade glass companies, celebrated the launch of their new 2020 collection on the 12th of October.

Lancome Glams Up The Gouna Film Festival Stars For The Second Year In A Row For the second year in a row, Lancome was the official beauty sponsor for the Gouna Film Festival. They were the eyes behind the scenes, giving a sneak peak of the looks before they hit the red carpet. Just like always, Lancome was able to not just provide a service but also give the ultimate experience.

Celebrities came in not just for the makeup, but came for the happiness vibe. The hubs were a place for them to laugh, mingle, takes pictures, and most importantly feel beautiful.

MG Developments contracts with Reynaers, LG and the Italian company KONE Elevators to finalize the HQ project MG Developments announced on its contracted with a number of leading companies that undertake internal and external finishes for the HQ “Headquarters Business” project in the Fifth Settlement, where the group has contracted with Section Solutions for Glass, the authorized agent of the Belgian company, Reynaers Aluminium and also signed a contract with the Italian company KONE Elevators and LG, which specializes in air conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems.

Nespresso Egypt: Official Coffee Partner At The 4th Edition Of El Gouna Film Festival Le Meridien Hotel Cairo Airport Live Sports Bar. Indulge in all the glitz and glamour of the holiday season and join us in ringing in the New Year at Live Sports Bar! Hit start an amazing year and shake all the nightlong with a belly dance show, and DJ. Cling your shot, feel the beat and get all you need for the New Year’s EVE. Minimum charge 500 Mezzeh Add a touch of sparkle to your New Year’s Eve at Mezzeh Shake it all out as the countdown will feature belly dance show, DJ and more.

Nespresso Egypt is proud to be the official coffee partner of the 4th edition of El Gouna Film Festival which is taking place from October 23rd to October 31st 2020.

Since its introduction in 2017, the El Gouna Film Festival has become an annual event that is much anticipated by both celebrities and fans alike.

The festival showcases a wide variety of films from across the Arab World with the underlying commitment to enhance the communication between cultures through film-making.

Mahdy’s content launches to produce creative content for entertainment industry Egypt-based advertising company and creative production agency, mahdy’s, announced launching a new subsidiary company under the name of “Mahdy’s content” where original content is produced for film, cinema, TV series, and programs across the board.

OPPO brings Mo Salah spirit closer to you Football sensation Mo Salah launches his very special edition of OPPO Reno4 OPPO, the leading global smart devices brand, featured football sensation Mo Salah for the second time this year with its newest addition to Reno4 series.

Following the successful launch of Reno4 Series in September, OPPO will deliver a special edition of Reno4 Series featuring adjustments tailored to Mo Salah fans’ preference.

December 2020 59

OPPO Launches OPPO A93, its latest addition to A Series OPPO, the leading global technology brand announced today the launch of OPPO A93 in Egypt. OPPO A93 introduces trendy technology that makes your style stands out with an Ultra Sleek smartphone body. This means that you’ll get cuttingedge AI portrait photography features packed into a truly premium design, along with functions that make life more efficient and can keep up with the pace of your lifestyle. With the latest generation of OPPO A Series, OPPO A93 lets you enjoy your life effortlessly.

OPPO showcases three concept products at INNO DAY 2020 OPPO INNO DAY 2020 themed “Leap into the Future” was held in Shenzhen. Against the backdrop of the Internet of Experience, OPPO put forward “Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World” and “virtuous innovation”, unveiling for the first time the “3+N+X” technology development strategy. OPPO also debuted the OPPO X 2021 rollable concept handset, OPPO AR Glass 2021 and OPPO CybeReal AR application.

60 December 2020

SOKNA launches first funeral services in Egypt

ever

SOKNA aims to honor the deceased and ease the process for their families; 10 hospital deals signed to date For the first time in Egypt, SOKNA (Arabic for “calmness” or “tranquility”), launches end to end funeral services, with a mission to provide families with professional expertise to take care of all logistics during the difficult moments of losing a loved one.

Talabat launches its “30 EGP Meals” promotion ahead of Back to School Keeping in line with back-toschool season, talabat, the region’s leading food delivery platform, recently announced a new deal available to customers - the “30 EGP Meals” offer.

Partnering with a growing list of popular restaurants, customers can now place orders through talabat for only 30 Egyptian Pounds, including free delivery with certain meals.

World-First Three-Dimensional Wood Panels In All-New Bentley Flying Spur Bentley is offering a groundbreaking new Three-Dimensional Wood rear door trim for the first time for the all-new Flying Spur.

Three-Dimensional Wood is a world-first for the automotive sector – a striking, diamondshaped pattern enhanced with a three-dimensional surface finish machined directly into the wood.

British Egyptian Business Association and Egyptian British Chamber of Commerce jointly organize Egypt’s First Virtual Business Week Continuing to consolidate the bilateral relations between Egypt and the UK and activate more cooperation opportunities between the two countries, the British Egyptian Business Association launched Egypt’s first Virtual Business Week from the 9th to the 12th of November 2020. The event is the outcome of the joint efforts of BEBA with the Egyptian British Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the Egyptian Embassy in the UK, and the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT). This virtual week comes as a substitute for BEBA’s trade mission to the UK and Egypt’s trade cooperation mission.

vivo Ranks among Top Five Global Smartphone Manufacturers in Q3 2020

Truecaller Introduces Call Reason, the Next Step in the Evolution of Caller ID & Releases SMS Scheduling and Message Translation Building upon its core proposition of making communication safer and more efficient for their users, Truecaller has rolled out three highly anticipated features: Call Reason, Schedule SMS and SMS Translate for users globally.

vivo Launches V20 Series, Bringing Industry-Leading Front Camera Capabilities to Users vivo released the V20 and V20 SE - part of the all-new V20 series. A realization of vivo’s commitment to user-centric design, the V20 series offers innovative selfie capabilities that allow users to record and capture the perfect moments in their lives. With cutting-edge camera technology, trendy design, and strong all-around performance, the V20 series devices perfectly complement the lifestyles of young, fast-moving and fashionsavvy consumers.

Viu expands international offering to its MENA audiences with FOX+ partnership Viu, a leading pan-regional OTT video service, has partnered with FOX+ to expand its tailored international content offering to its audiences across MENA from October.

The collaboration is another step on the brand’s growth journey and reinforces its vision of creating engaging and diverse content and bringing quality international content to its audiences.

Hilton Cairo Heliopolis is celebrating the global week of engagement inviting 300 valued partners for an authentic Egyptian Night at its newly open air venue “The Garden” The invitees enjoyed the Moulid charming atmosphere and the delicious Egyptian food specialties and entertainment.

They expressed their admiration for the place and the moulid ambiance.

vivo, a leading, product-driven, global technology company, ranked among the top five international smartphone manufacturers in Q3 2020, representing a clear year-onyear growth. The ranking is based on Q3 data for the global smartphone market released by well-known international market research entities, Canalys and the International Data Corporation (IDC).

Trust Yourself.

The New Campaign by Favre-Leuba Imagine driving on a secluded highway for hours. Just you, your car and the road. Imagine holding the ropes on a sailing boat and heading into the coolness of the sea breeze.

Just you, your boat and the sea. Imagine rushing to the job interview of your life through the awakening city, welcomed by the warm embrace of the rising sun. Just you, your watch on the wrist and the city.

December 2020 61

Kia Motors Accelerates Development Of Combat Vehicles With New Military Standard Platform Motors Corporation has today revealed its plans for the development of a new standard platform for next-generation military vehicles, strengthening the company’s capabilities in future military projects.

Kia Motors plans to start manufacturing prototypes of mid-sized standard vehicles within this year and take the test evaluations by the Korean government in 2021. The company’s goal is military deployment from 2024, following standardization and initial production tests.

MENA EdTech Platform Marj3 Raises Seed Investment from US-Based Expert DOJO The MENA region’s leading Ed-tech platform, has raised a seed investment round led by US-based investment “Expert DOJO,” and joined by other angel investors.

This investment is aimed to boost the new blended business model and fuel the growth of universities onboarding to the platform from all over the world.

It will also help accelerate the team’s expansion plan.

62 December 2020

Maserati Multi 70 and Giovanni Soldini are ready for the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Giovanni Soldini and Maserati Multi 70’s Team are ready for the Rolex Middle Sea Race, organized by the Royal Malta Yacht Club, that started on Saturday October 17th from Valletta, Malta.

The 41st edition of the historical regatta officially marks the resumption of Maserati Multi 70’s racing season, which was put on hold since February because of the medical emergency.

Ora Developers Gears Up its Participation at Egypt’s Cityscape Exhibition Leading real estate company Ora Developers will be participating in this year’s edition of Cityscape held at the Egypt International Exhibition Center, taking place from the 4th to the 7th of November, where the company will showcase their latest developments in Egypt’s New Cairo and El Sheikh Zayed areas at their state of the art stand number in hall #3 that will showcase mock-ups of their latest developments.

Max opens new store in Cairo’s Citystars Heliopolis Max, the region’s leading value fashion retailer, has expanded its presence in Egypt with a new store in Citystars Heliopolis in Cairo. The newly opened store will house the brand’s latest on-trend collections for men, women and children in its expansive 1,189 sq. shop floor area. Citystars is a worldclass fashion, retail and dining destination in the heart of Cairo.

Celebrate an authentic festive season at Marriott Mena House, Cairo You don’t need to travel abroad to celebrate an extraordinary Christmas and New year!

Rejoice with this New Year Eve celebrations in an oasis of elegance and luxury by the Pyramids for a perfect getaway.

Whether gathering with families or friends, don’t miss to discover the city’s most distinguished gem and the beauty of the legendary location of this magnificent hotel situated in the most ancient part of the world with the Great Pyramids of Giza at the backdrop.

Starting Mid-September for Four Months: Emirates NBD Egypt Launches Mega Liabilities Campaign EGP 500 Thousand Monthly Draws & EGP 2 million Grand Prize Supporting the government’s efforts to achieve financial inclusion and encourage new and existing customers to invest their savings in banks, Emirates NBD - Egypt launched the Mega Liabilities campaign. All new and existing customers who meet the campaign criteria are eligible for the monthly draw prizes.

Deezer Goes Orange in Egypt New partnership helps mobile subscribers enjoy the easiest to use and most personalised music experience on the market without any hassle Orange Egypt customers can now get easy access to Deezer’s huge library of music and podcasts. Thanks to the new partnership between the global streaming company and Orange you now have a hassle-free way to pay. And best of all, you can try out Deezer Premium for free for a month.

Philip Morris Misr: We are committed to delivering a smoke-free future Vassilis Gkatzelis, Managing Director of Philip Morris Egypt & Levant, participated in a panel discussion entitled “Creating an innovative future: The key to success post-crisis”, which took place via video conference and was organized by the Londonbased weekly newspaper ‘The Economist’. During the panel, participants discussed how public and private sector companies have addressed the unprecedented challenges imposed by the pandemic, in addition to Egypt’s economic status and updates amid COVID-19.

Emirates Tops Global Ranking in Safe Travel Emirates has been rated the safest airline in the world in its response to the COVID-19 Pandemic according to the Safe Travel Barometer.

The airline, which has set industryleading safety standards since the resumption of its operations back in May, has topped the ranks with a ‘Safe Travel Score’ of 4.4 out of 5.0 among 230+ airlines evaluated worldwide. The score is based on an independent audit of 26 health and safety parameters evaluating safety protocols, traveller convenience and service excellence announced by airlines.

MARRIOTT MENA HOUSE, CAIRO giving back to the community!

As we move into the new school year, Marriott International Hotels in Egypt have come together once again to support the community as part of the Marriott Junior Business Council activities to distribute 500+ stationary kits to underprivileged children who represent the future of tomorrow all around Egypt.

Cairo Tower lights up in Blue for World Diabetes Day The landmark lighting is part of the awareness campaign ‘For Your Diabetes & Heart Health’ Leading international pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim, lit up Cairo Tower landmark in blue as part of its latest campaign titled “For Your Diabetes & Heart Health”. With the aim to support and educate Patient with Type 2 Diabetes on the complications and risks of diabetes, the awareness campaign comes in line with World Diabetes Day, which is celebrated on 14 November from every year.

December 2020 63

and no place is more in the spirit this year than Grand Nile Tower Hotel. From Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day, the Grand Nile Tower team has ensured that every day will be filled with the joy and entertainment required for a happy holiday season.

Tabarak Developments first to launch e-payment platform Tabarak developments announced the launch of the very first e-payment platform among real estate developers, allowing clients to make payments digitally, which comes as part of the company’s precautionary measures to protect their customers against COVID-19 especially amidst the rising concerns of a second wave.

Coldwell Banker-Egypt launches the CB * Club program for the first time in Egypt Karim Zain: Coldwell Banker Egypt is always keen to accommodate to the rapid change of customer’s needs and our participation in Cityscape for the 8th year in a row confirms our willingness to attract the largest customer base.

Dolato, Your Comfort Cone Experience the most tasty Italian treats with Dolato Gelateria!

Offering you a variety of irresistible delights that will get your taste buds craving more. Get ready for a delicious experience and order now by calling us on 010 198 98 080 or on our hotline number 15002.

Dolato, Your Comfort Cone... Il Tuo Cono Di Conforto.

Home is where the heart is,they say, we at GLC believe that home is your sanctuary. ) Ora Developers Announces the Launch of Their Coveted Winter Festival Exceptional entertainment set to take place this holiday season at ZED Park in Sheikh Zayed It is finally that time of year again, where Ora Developers spark joy across Cairo in time for the holiday season. ZED Winter Festival is officially inaugurating at ZED Park in Sheikh Zayed this coming Friday the 20th of November and running through until February. The festival will be organized by Amr Mansi’s I-Events, Egypt’s event management specialists.

64 December 2020

Home is where the heart is,they say, we at GLC believe that home is your sanctuary. Hence our paints are engineered to enhance your experience and help you design a home you’ll fall in love with, all over again

From Christmas Eve To New Year’s Day, Savour Glittering Celebrations At Grand Nile Tower It is a season filled with excitement and the desire to get together with our family,

GROHE Perfect Match: The curated bathroom concept for a perfectly coordinated home spa experience More than ever, home is the center of life, a safe haven where people can forget the world around them.

“In recent times, we have been spending more time at home.

As a result, home is increasingly becoming an extension of who we are”, explains Gudy Herder, international trend consultant at Eclectic Trends, “overall wellbeing is coming into focus and bath rituals are now more than ever considered an essential retreat.”

Souq.Com’s White Friday Deals Revealed: Sale Starts November 24 With New Deals Every Day White Friday sale deals span over 30 categories on Souq.com, including electronics, fashion, sports, beauty, kitchen, home, and more with deals on top brands including JBL, Huawei, HP, Lenovo, Michael Kors, Converse, Sketchers, Calvin Klein, Braun, L’Oreal and Garnier.

The White Friday deals are here as Souq.com kicks off seven days of epic offers. Starting today Tuesday, November 24th through to November 30th, customers can enjoy a wide range of deals and low prices on top brands and items with new offers going live every day.

Celebrating Five Years Together, Forever To Go The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo celebrates its fifth anniversary.

Over the past five years, The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo has delivered the legendary RitzCarlton experience to guests in Egypt and continued to redefine the standard of luxury.

Known for its refined quality and impeccable service, The Nile RitzCarlton has created wonderful memories through distinctive and personalized service. The luxury hotel is a preferred destination for tailored wedding experiences, exceptional conferences as well as curated events delivered by the Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton.

Contact announces “Contact Homes” program in partnership with Coldwell Banker Contact Credit, authorized and regulated by the Financial Regulatory Authority, the first licensed consumer finance company in Egypt, a subsidiary of Sarwa Capital Holding for Financial Investments SAE, announced during Cityscape Exhibition the latest of its innovative financing programs “Contact Homes”.

Bosch announces expansion with fifth showroom in Egypt

Allianz Egypt’s 2020 Profits Reached EGP 500 Mn With a growth of 35% in Life Assurance & 29% in P&C Insurance Allianz named the world’s #1 Insurance Brand for the 2nd consecutive time in Interbrand’s Best Global Brands Ranking Allianz Egypt announced financial results for FY2019/2020.

Despite Coronavirus repercussions, the company has successfully prospered with its profitability; proudly growing by 35% with Life Assurance and 29% with P&C Insurance.

The Gift of Holidays with Victoria’s Secret new collection of comfy, fragrant and fashionable gifts The season of fun, festivities, family and gifting is here, launching midDecember, Victoria’s Secret has the perfect presents to treat that special someone in your life. With super comfortable pajamas and loungewear, fragrant perfumes and in-demand handbags and accessories, the beauty and fashion brand has something to suit every occasion and taste.

BSH Home Appliances, a subsidiary of the German company BSH Hausgeräte launched its first exclusive Bosch showroom in Cairo, Egypt last Wednesday.

The store, which is located in Maadi’s Lasilky street, will offer consumers the chance to test and purchase Bosch’s newest home range and enjoy promotions on the products in this store (Maadi) until December. This store is the first one to be fully operated

by BSH, giving customers the opportunity to immerse themselves in Bosch quality, sophisticated design, and new innovations.

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identity

SIGNS

Sagittarius November 23 – December 21

STRENGTHS: Supportive, outgoing, adventurous WEAKNESSES: Foolish, unreliable, maneuvering FRIENDSHIP: Sagittarius is simply the greatest and coolest friend. Always open to love, life and endless new possibilities. Qualities that anyone appreciates and looks for in a friendship.

MOST COMPATIBLE WITH IN FRIENDSHIP: Aries, Leo, Virgo.

FRIENDSHIP COMPATIBILITY ARIES: This is the perfect match in a friendship.

Both are pretty much a lightning bolt. You can be great gym-buddies or work mates even; you can simply take on the world with that friendship.

LIBRA: The joist of friendships. You both love outdoor activities, parties and events. But when it comes to serious matters, you will never agree. So, if you wish to make this friendship last, focus on the fun stuff.

TAURUS: Both are complete opposites. You’re outgoing and they’re the comfort zone lovers. They always stick to the familiar and you’re naturally drawn to the unknown.You might be happier in another friendship with a different sign.

SCORPIO: Even though you might seem as different as the sun and moon, this friendship might be a unique one. Scorpio appreciates your optimism and light spirit and you enjoy their deep philosophies in life.

GEMINI: With this match things are not always smooth, but you’re compatible in friendship anyway. Why? Because this is where your differences are the strength points of your friendship.

SAGITTARIUS: You know how they say two people with the same zodiac sign are most likely to not get along? When it comes to two sags, this is not the case at all. You love each other’s company and you’re always on the same page!

CANCER: On the outside, you’d think this friendship is just impossible. Especially given the fact that you’re a life lover and the crab is a sucker for intimacy and quietness. But dig deeper, you’ll find some hidden common traits.

LEO: Effortless friendship. A Leo enjoys how you push them outside their comfort zone and you enjoy their strong personality and curiosity.

VIRGO: That’s a tough one. However, you and the virgin can make this happen if you both let some stuff slip. Example, the fact that you’re easygoing and they’re super uptight!

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CAPRICORN: Another tough one. You’ll constantly find yourself uncomfortable with the Capricorn’s pessimistic views on life. And they’ll think you’re pretentious.

AQUARIUS: Sagittarius and Aquarius are best buds. Coming to know them, you’ll find a lot of similarities in your personalities, relationships and the way you both view life. It’s a light friendship with no hassle.

PISCES: This could be tricky. While you both respect each other, you can’t get over how they are too sensitive and dependent, and hate the fact that you’re too independent!

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