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OCTOBER 2018, VOLUME 13 ISSUE 10 hen I started this magazine, my main goal was to empower those who show potential in their given field and
to shed light on them. And in great Identity Magazine
FOUNDER & MANAGING EDITOR Rola Kamel EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nawal Ismail ART DIRECTOR Alia El Abd
tradition, this issue, we are proud to feature some
COPY-EDITOR Amina El Fayoumy
young talents and women who have been dominating
BUSINESS DEVELOPER Raghda El-Sayed
their fields. We wanted to debunk the stereotype of success is equivalent to older, white-collar men.
SENIOR STAFF WRITER Amina Moustapha STAFF WRITERS Salma Elfeqy
Our cover story features ten success stories of women
FREELANCE WRITERS Amina Elghandour, Rana Ramez
who are leaders, and even the pioneers, of their fields. Some of them you might have already seen in action,
INTERNS Aya Aboshady, Neamat ElTouby, Sandy Hossam
while others remained behind the scenes. In either
RELATIONSHIP EXPERT Marwa Rakha
case, their stories deserve to be heard.
FASHION EXPERT Nahed Kazziha
Additionally, featuring some young talents who are
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sandy Saied
rising to the top at a very fast pace in the entertainment
MARKETING & ADVERTISING MANAGER Riham Yehia
industry. Those young talents are who we believe will
DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Youssef Ali
shape the future of the entertainment industry, and we are proud to document their progress and can’t wait to
SENIOR SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIST Omar Zydan PRODUCTION MANAGER Mamdouh Abd El-hamid
see what they’ll do next.
VIDEO EDITOR Ahmed Mostafa
Cheers to the future! Rola Kamel
IDENTITY MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTOR Ashraf Fouad
Identity Magazine was founded in 2005 by Rola Kamel to enhance every aspect of a woman’s life style, 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
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IDENTITYMAGEG
CONTENT
OCTOBER 2018, VOLUME 13 ISSUE 10
16
HELLO AUTUMN 6 8 10 11
Identity Picks TV Series You Missed This Summer Cairo Highlights: 10 New Spots to Try Out Top Five Picks of the Nineties
22 24
STYLE 12 14 16 18 20
50
Hair and Skin Reparations Egyptian Products We Love Fall Fashion Follies Top Places to Shop This Fall How to Dress your Night Out
Halloween Hotties 10 Fearless Accomplished Women Who Will Encourage You to Chase Your Dreams
PERSPECTIVE 36 38 40
Stars on The Rise Relationship Boredom: Fatal or Curable? Ten Things To Do if You are Suffering From Any Mental Problem 42 Cairo’s Identity Through Folklore, Arts and Culture 44 Ten Office Exercises that You Could Do Discreetly 46 Flights, A Travel Novel by Olga Tokarczuk 48 Around the World This Month 50 Fall Getaways
OUT & ABOUT 54 Advertorial 58 Press Releases 64 Horoscopes
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24
PICKS
IDENTITY PICKS Warm Vanilla Sugar Scrub by Bath and Body Works Vanilla is all about the crispy autumn scent, treat your skin with this body scrub to have the softest velvet touch for the season!
VIDEBĂ„K Rug by Ikea Every once in a while, a change in your home interiors, no matter how small, will boost your positive energy levels. Give your place the most stunning makeover with this rug from Ikea!
Faces Travel Mug by Explicity Design from Society6.com This one is definitely a fall essential! Save time and money by making your own coffee on the go and drinking it in style in this beautiful black travel mug! Arrive to work on time and avoid bankruptcy; two birds one stone!
Honeymania Body Butter by The Body Shop As summer ends, taking care of our worn out skin becomes mandatory. Get the softest feel with this amazing Honeymania Body Butter!
Gel Eyeliner by Inglot We all know about the struggle of drawing a perfectly winged liner, well, not anymore! This Gel Eyeliner from Inglot just makes it easier, classier and definitely saves you a whole lot of time!
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Epic Ink Lip Dye by NYX Red without a doubt is the color for fall, and this one from Nyx does not just make you look like a goddess, it’s also long lasting and easy to rock with anything for the season!
leopard Sneaker by Zara Working out season is ahead of us. Ditch your traditional Nikes and instead exercise in style in those comfortable animal printed runners from Zara!
CAIRO DESIGN AWARD IS BACK;
Putting Egyptian Designers on the Global Map!
After the phenomenal success of Cairo Design Award (CDA) last year, they are back with another exciting line-up for 2018. Established by Mahdy Group last year as a way to highlight the outstanding achievements of Egyptian designers and shed light on up and coming designers, Cairo Design Award looks to help position Egypt on the international map by providing exposure to some of Egypt’s most talented. This year CDA will be bringing together top designers, architects, consultants and manufacturers all under one roof for a three-day event designed to showcase Egypt’s most promising designers. To be hosted from the 11th to the 13th of October at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, the 3 day design showcase will feature a unique concept aimed to create a balance between art and design. Bringing together 40 unique design spaces, exhibitors and designers will be collaborating to create one of a kind design spaces that highlight the practical uses of design and creativity! Taking place in Egypt for the first time ever, the design showcase will these manufacturers working together with designers to develop one of a kind showcases for products that highlight their work in ways that have never been seen before. Over the course of the event, the public will be invited to explore the exhibition, with young designers having an opportunity to connect with design schools and Egypt’s most prominent
designers to support the development and growth of new and upcoming designers in Egypt. The exhibition will culminate in the muchanticipated Cairo Design Award on October 13th, when Egypt’s most impressive designers will be recognized at an exclusive awards dinner, where the leading designers are recognized for their outstanding achievements in 6 categories; architecture, landscaping, interior design, set design, jewelry design and product design. With a panel of renowned Egyptian designers including Azza Fahmy, Amr Helmy, Tarek Naga, Onsi Abou Seif and Karim Mekhtigian, top designers will be awarded during the event. Talking about the Cairo Design Award, the Founder of CDA and CEO of Mahdy’s Group, Hisham Mahdy, said, “We have so many talented designers in Egypt. Through CDA, we are looking to create a platform to highlight the exceptional talent that the country has to offer. We want to shed light on our designers and have them recognized on internationally. This year, we are extremely excited to be introducing the design showcase in Egypt for the first time ever, we really want to highlight just how far design can go and the design products we can offer to the world.” Interested in design? Join Cairo Design Award from the 11th to the 13th of October at the Nile Ritz Carlton.
H E L LO A U T U M N
TV SERIES You Missed
This Summer by Neamat Eltouby
Summer 2018 brought in too many new things that we not only love, but are obsessed with. With this summer came in, new trends, movies, and most importantly series that we are going to binge watch for ages!
1. THE HANDMAID’S TALE – SEASON 2 Set in a dystopian fundamentalist society, where birth rates have dangerously decreased and the environment has given up, the handmaid’s tale is the tale of June, a handmaid, who has been forced to sexual servitude. In this society, named Gillead, fertile women are forced to become handmaids where they become sexual servants to the ruling class, only to bare their children. In the second season, we witness as June bares a child and gives birth to it. We finally see her attempt to escape, does she succeed? You’ll have to watch for yourself! 2. REVERIE In the midst of our virtual addictions, we witness Professor Mara Kint who dedicates her life to saving people trapped in their own virtual world. Predicting what possible be future technology, in this series, people find a way to physically live their dreams, where they uncontrollably lose control of their dreams and end up never leaving. It is then, up to Professor Kint to save them, and save herself.
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3. MARVEL’S CLOAK & DAGGER As Marvel never fails to amuse us, this summer, they’ve released an all new teen drama series that we’re in love with. Although teen drama is not for everyone, but this one is out of this world, literally. It revolves around a story of 2 teenagers who wake up with superpowers and MARVEL-iciously fall in love, only to mix us up more. 4. AMERICAN WOMAN Introducing Clueless’s Alicia Silverstone to the Small Screen, she stars in a 70’s based TV show; American Woman. Inspired by child star Kyle Richards, Bonnie Nolan struggles to raise her two kids and keep up with her love life and two best friends as well. We see a future with American Woman similar to Sex and The City and we’re SO excited! 5. PATRICK MELROSE Based on the Patrick Melrose Novels by Edward St. Aubyn, Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Patrick. Patrick is a drug addict that struggled with a privileged, yet traumatic childhood with an abusive father and a passive mother. Such an interesting adaptation that’ll leave you scarred for days.
Cairo Highlights
10 NEW SPOTS TO TRY OUT by Rana Ramez
As always, Cairo is witnessing the opening of numerous new spots which for sure will rearrange the city’s map of the must-try destinations. This only complicates matters for the city’s residents; too many options make it harder to choose. Thus, IDENTITY has gathered a list of 10 new spots that are worth trying in Cairo. 1. POSH NOSH Blending exquisite cuisine concepts with a pub, Posh Nosh is curating a fierce atmosphere with a tasteful ambiance in Tivoli Plaza. With a great menu selection, they stand out in the comfort fine dining trend. 2. SECOND CUP EGYPT Second Cup offers Cairenes their daily dose of coffee; nothing will set your mood and make you relax like a cup of rich coffee from Second Cup. Located in Mall of Arabia and Cairo Festival City, the place is a haven for all coffee addicts around the city. 3. BABOUR Located in the heart of Dokki, Babour is a classic restaurant with chilling décor that will leave you relaxed. It doesn’t only serve homemade Egyptian food, but the recipes are the ones our grandmas used to make! What else could we possibly need? 4. LYFE To those looking for a healthier and a much happier lifestyle, you can head to Lyfe in Maadi. Lyfe strives to provide wholesome, nutrient-rich, freshly made tasteful light food within a very chilled venue with an amazing outdoor porch. 5. MOHAVE Looking for a Native American experience? Search no more. Only at Mohave in Cairo Festival City mall, you will be guaranteed to try out not only the mouthwatering food, but also experience the culture through their venue’s general ambiance.
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6. SEVEN DOORS Gathering 7 cuisines in one place is why this restaurant stands out. From Italian, French and Greek cuisines passing by Turkish and Moroccan to Lebanese and Egyptian cuisines; you’ll find all that under one roof in Sheraton. 7. MOOD SWING Whatever your taste is and whatever mood you have, Mood Swing has a dish with a musical taste served for you to the sound of live music to satisfy your appetite as well as all your music whims. That’s a spot for feeding your senses in the heart of Korba. 8. BEIT SETTY With an old style atmosphere of a simple Syrian home, Beit Setty restaurant is offering a Syrian menu in a small cozy restaurant in Maadi. With Syrian chefs, you’ll be served authentic Syrian meals in a genuine Syrian ambiance. 9. YELLOW MOON Located in Heliopolis, Yellow Moon offers quality fresh ingredients from farm to table with their own home recipes. Their menu is seasonal; it’s updated regularly according to which season we’re in. You’ll never know what to expect before going there. 10. LOUKO MAMA Attention all, Greece has just landed in Heliopolis. Louko Mama offers you a real pleasure of different flavours that splash into your mouth; experience the best Louko Puffs in Egypt made the Greek way!
CORSETS
SPAGHETTI STRAPS The epitome of 90’s cool. Swap out the polyester versions for more luxe renditions of the simple camisole or cowl neck that exudes simplicity.
It doesn’t matter if you are seriously gothic or hopelessly romantic, a figure enhancing bustier will do the trick. Wear it with jeans to dress it down, or on top of an evening skirt to dress it up.
TOP 5 PICKS OF THE
Nineties
by Nahed Kazziha
There is no doubt that the 90’s are having a serious moment in the fashion world. The comeback is heralded by the gods of the catwalk and has found its way into everyday street style. To be on trend, you can either dig into the depths of your closet or go out and repurchase your old new favourites.
ICONIC BAGS All hail Maria Grazia Chiuri for campaigning the return of the iconic Dior Saddle Bag. Look out for more vintage comebacks from Fendi alike.
LOGOS
SLIP DRESSES
Taking branding to a whole new level. Channel the old Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger campaigns with up and coming brands and wear that loud logo proudly.
The barely there liquidlike fabric that skims your figure rather than hugs it. It is ideal for layering and comes in a variety of lengths from mini to midi to maxi.
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BEAUTY
HAIR & SKIN
REPARATIONS by Neamat Eltouby
After the long luscious summer days, rolling into winter with damaged hair and skin can be challenging. After spending so much time in the sun, it is typical for your hair to grow weaker, and your skin to appear damaged. However, reversing the damages caused by the sun is only a few easy steps away. 16 IDENTITY
FOR YOUR SKIN Typically, we tend to explore the sun a little too much during the summer. We love our tans and our sun bathing, who doesn’t? The aftermath, however, is the issue. To fix your skin after the harsh summery sun, is only a simple process that takes a maximum of two weeks to fulfil. EXFOLIATION Primarily, exfoliate. Exfoliate your skin regularly. This tip is crucial to any time and to fix any issue. Yet, for fixing summer skin especially, exfoliation to remove the dead skin layer is key. During summer, sunscreen, oil and the sun rays create a combination of thick skin layer that needs to be peeled off before you start the cool winter. For that, use scrubs to rub off the dead skin to be able to rejuvenate after. HYDRATE After removing the dead skin, your body needs to sulk in moisture. Thus, cold showers, moisturizing cream, and soothing oils are your
go to. Experiment with coconut oil or Jojoba oil along with your favourite moisturizing lotion. FEED YOUR SKIN During summer, caring for our skin is close to nonexistent, and so is a healthy diet. Yet, after, it is crucial to feed our skin the healthy vitamins it needs. As winter fruits grow back in, revolve your diet around Vitamin C filled foods, such as oranges. Our skin especially is in dire need for Vitamin C to replenish after the hard summer days. UNCLOG YOUR PORES There are many ways to unclog your pores, naturally, and medically. If you choose to do it naturally, it is easy to simply cut up a citrus fruit, preferably a lemon, and rub it over your slightly wider pores and let it set for 5 minutes. Later, rinse off the lemon juice with lukewarm water. If you choose to use products, you could probably opt for pore strips that are both easy to use, and easy to find.
FOR YOUR HAIR REPLACE LOST MOISTURE The summer sun and constant swimming are major contributors to losing moisture in your hair. Is it easy to retrieve it? Very. With a few simple, low-chemical products, your hair will be back to softness in no time. Although it is best to avoid hair products in general, it is also beneficial to use moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, with the help of natural moisturizers, like coconut oil. REMOVE YOUR SPLITS The hardest thing we do at the end of summer is snip off our lovely locks. Yet one little split end snip can go a long way. Removing the split ends the summer sun and sea have caused is an easy way to rejuvenate your hair and get it ready for the harder winter days. BE GENTLE Due to the fact that the sun and sea have dried up your hair, it is without a doubt, more tangled than ever. Yet, being aggressive and tugging at the tangles is no help, it is more damaging. If in need, you could use detangle spray straight
after your shower, and be keen on untangling any knots carefully. Start at the tips of your hair with a wide toothed comb and work your way up to your scalp slowly. The procedure may be slow, yet it avoids damaging your hair more than it’s already damaged. GIVE YOUR HAIR A BREAK FROM PRODUCTS AND HEAT When you get back from vacation and finally face reality, you must avoid chemicals and heat. Whatever products you may use on your hair such as things that contain sulphate, chlorine, C colours and fragrances; stay away for at least a month. Give your hair a chance to regrow and replenish before going through chemical cycles again. Heat is also a monster when it comes to damaged hair since it weakens strong hair as it is. Avoid curlers, straighteners, and even your average hair drier after the summer as it will weaken your strands and slow down your hair’s healing process.
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Egyptian
PRODUCTS WE LOVE by Aya Aboshady
As Women, at least the vast majority of us; are known to be obsessed with skincare and beauty products. Most of the time we find ourselves spending a fortune on them because they are really pricey brands. Thankfully, we shouldn’t worry anymore, because Egyptian brands are REALLY beginning to step up their game. Here are SIX of our favourite Egyptian skin care and beauty products:
Urban Ducks From body lotions to face scrubs; this natural, vegan, cruelty-free, Egyptian skincare brand has everything your body will ever need! Their Pink Lemonade Natural Lotion and Green Tea and Rice Body Scrub, are a must try!
Areej Aromatherapy The first of its kind in Egypt, this natural essential oils based brand has treatments and special lines for skin problems like acne and stretch marks; they even have bath bombs for you to enjoy a relaxed Lavender scented bath!
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Amanda There is hardly an Egyptian home that doesn’t have an Amanda nail polish, but other than those; Amanda’s makeup and beauty products are equally unreal. They are of extremely high quality considering their really affordable prices. You just can’t miss using their foundation or brow mascara!
Joviality With its natural, powerful, exotic ingredients from all over the world, Joviality is also an Egyptian brand that is worth all the money, and it’s already affordable! They are known for their cool Peppermint Natural Deodorant and their French Lavender Lip Balm enriched with Shea Butter and Coconut Oil!
Nefertari This brand is made of all natural, chemicalfree, handmade, accentuated Egyptian body care products. Their Coconut Oil, as well as their Coffee Beans Body Scrub are known to be the best!
Imtenan Health Shop Many of us are already familiar with Imtenan products. The affordable, healthy and organic brand literally satisfies all our needs. It has everything starting from the natural Aloe Vera Gel, to the deep cleansing Dead Sea Soap!
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STYLE
Fall
FASHION FOLLIES by Nahed Kazziha
Opening Ceremony
Loewe
Kenzo
As summer tans fade away, we turn our excitement to fall wardrobe to straddle the ever-changing weather flip flop that is October. The runways have bestowed a fresh lineup of demi saison delights that are beckoning trial. Put your style to the test with some of autumn’s hottest picks for the season.
TOSS: Breton Stripes TAKE: Varsity As the sun sets on the French Riviera, it is time to put all your energy into back to school. Live out your teenage dreams in varsity inspired athleisure that will help turn back time.
T by Alexander Wang
TOSS: Monochrome TAKE: Chocolate
Burberry
It is never as easy as black and white. Embrace the warm tones of brown that will give you a glow and some mega retro vibes reminiscent of 70’s contemporary casual.
Victoria Chloe
TOSS: Sock Boots TAKE: Slouchy Boots It’s all about the slouchy calf boot. Set your sights on an everyday staple in neutrals or change it up with a statement soft leather heel that will make your outfit pop. Miu Miu
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Valentino
Alexandre Vauthier
Gianvito Rossi
TOSS: Plastics TAKE: Intergalactica Do away with your plasticized jackets and purses. This fall, we are discovering the final frontier in translucent metallic that will dazzle day and night.
Proenza Schouler
Prada Sies Marjan
TOSS: Pinstripe TAKE: Plaid Set aside your uptight pinstripe for fantasy plaid. Whether soft pastels or clashing patterns; there is a smorgasbord of tartan prints to choose from.
Acne Studios REDValentino
Maggie Marilyn
Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
Gucci Sonia Rykiel
TOSS: Houndstooth TAKE: Animalistic TOSS: Graphic Florals TAKE: Dainty Florals Jumbo and geometrical flowers are out. Look for softer variations carrying the promise of eventual spring on darker backdrops of black for some fall drama.
Stella McCartney
Adam Lippes
Charlotte Olympia
Bye-bye giant houndstooth; hello leopard! Recurring again this season is the wildcat comeback that only a splash of animal print can remedy.
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TOP PLACES TO SHOP THIS FALL! by Aya Aboshady
O
ur favourite season of the year is upon us once again. Fall is about all the trendy dark catchy colours. From burgundy to burnt orange, fall makes everything look better on you; whether it’s a scarf, a nice long sweater or a pair of fancy boots.
Because we know everyone loves fall and all the fashion trends that come with it; we brought you the top places to shop for all your favorite rocking season outfits!
ZARA Who doesn’t just LOVE Zara? It’s where you can mix and match your favourite items to suit all occasions; like this buttoned long sleeved V neck with colourful details, which you can wear with the white skirt, or even a pair of denim jeans!
MASSIMO DUTTI Massimo Dutti is famous for its range of classy brownish colours; not just in tops and bottoms, but in shoes as well. They offer exactly what any woman needs for fall; take a look at this belted caramel wool cardigan and this pair of glossed up burgundy leather derby shoes!
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H&M This one just HAD to be on our list. H&M has everything from basics to long elegant winter coats; and it definitely has the coolest fall outfits too! This calflength striped skirt just speak FALL, especially when matched with this white camisole top!
URBAN OUTFITTERS This shop literally has EVERYTHING; Urban Outfitters is the place for every woman’s dream outfits. Whether it’s summer, winter or fall, this is where you can always pair up the best items, like this stunning yellow UO checkered mini slip dress with a denim jacket!
TOPSHOP This place is known for its trendiest clothes that suit every season; and when it comes to fall, Topshop is the place for you. Take a look at this cinnamon twist front midi dress, this piece just speaks fall!
MANGO Mango is known for its sophisticated, super eyecatching collection. Don’t miss out on creating your perfect fall outfit from their stores, like this rocking short maroon leather pinafore dress with the black high neck!
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HOW TO DRESS YOUR
Night Out by Neamat Eltouby
With the crazy rapid updates in fashion trends it must be confusing to keep up with latest vogues. Yesterday, the trend was floral prints and jumpsuits, today its metallic colours, spaghetti straps. We hereby are keeping your eye set on the newest, most trendy pieces that will make you set your decisions a bit more rapidly and confidently!
Topshop
SILVER ROMPER AND BLUE METALLIC DRESS With metallic colours being the new black, many stores are displaying full body pieces in gold, silver and mixtures of metallic colours; and we must say, we love it! Dressing in a metallic coloured romper or dress for a night out will surely make you stand out and shine. Whether it’s a neutral like silver, or sort of an experiment like blue with purple highlights, you will definitely look unique.
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Bershka
RUFFLE ZARA DRESS
BURGUNDY BERSHKA DRESS Put on a sexy colourful flapper dress for the night. Ignore all myths about ruffles being cowboy-ish or outdated. Flapper dresses accentuate your long lean legs and your tiny shoulders, while keeping you comfortable and dance ready all night.
Since this fall/ winter is all about colour, we’re recommending short, long sleeved colourful dresses for any night out. Who said cozy and style don’t go together?
WHITE SHINY TOPSHOP DRESS Since metallic is in, metallic shiny eggshell is in as well. Taking a metallic eggshell dress into a night out is certainly the way to go. Cami top dresses are never out, but Cami metallic dresses are our new favourites.
SHEER ZARA DRESSES Embellished sheer dresses are in this season as you get to cover up from the cold, and still look fabulous. Whether it’s long sleeves or spaghetti straps, black sheer is the sexiest way to transform into the night with your LBD. Whether it’s faux pearls, rhinestones or just spots of colour; embellishments and sheer go together like a bun and a pair of hoops!
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THE COMEDIENNE Who: MARGE SIMPSON Why: Undoubtedly the funniest cartoon mother out there, who hasn’t aged one bit in the last 31 years!
Kazuri Beads
Why not to: If arts and crafts aren’t your thing, finding a blue wig will be challenging.
Ferragamo
Herve Leger
Halloween Hotties:
Get the Look by Nahed Kazziha
Touristic
Bazaars
Azza Fahmy
THE QUEEN Who: CLEOPATRA VII Why: Arguably the easiest costume to score at your local bazaar shop that won’t break the bank.
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Why not to: Copious amounts of dramatic eye make-up. You better have a brilliant make-up remover on standby. Peter Pilotto
THE SEDUCTRESS Who: JESSICA RABBIT Why: She is the best excuse to wear a glitzy red dress. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to emulate the sultriest ‘toon human to grace the big screen?
Guante Varade
Why not to: That flaming red hair might be tricky to pull off.
Christian Louboutin
It is Pumpkin Spice Latte season and Halloween is on the brain. Little houses of horrors a’haunted and scattered throughout the city will open their doors to the scariest of crowds. If you would rather flaunt your sense of style, you can take a page out of the celebrity costume guidebook and play dress-up of the non-horrific variety. This year, cast aside the terrifying bride of Frankenstein getup and dismiss the oversexed lingerie plus animal ears look for something a little more glam.
Azbro
THE GOOD GIRL GONE BAD Who: SANDY OLSSON from the musical Grease Reem Acra
Prada
Why: You will look smoking hot in form fitting black and heels- add a leather jacket if it’s chilly. Why not to: Getting your full head of hair to curl to perfection. Marc Jacobs
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INTERVIEWS 28 IDENTITY
10 FEARLESS WHO WILL ENCOURAGE
ACCOMPLISHED WOMEN YOU TO CHASE YOUR DREAMS
Photographer: AMR EL GOHARY Assistant Photographer: OMAR EL SHAFEI Art Director: AMR ALIM Makeup Artists: SARA ERIAN - RANDA TAWFIK - SUZY EL TOBGY - WEDYAN MOHY Jewellery: REEM JANO Organised by: STARDUST
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Makeup: Suzy El Tobgy
Shosha Kamal Interior Designer & Founder of Shosha Kamal Design House
W
ith the exceptional ultimate goal of using design in favour of humanity, the outstanding Shosha Kamal is one of the most recognizable names in the design field worldwide. Interior design, exterior design, product design, public design, green design and fundraising designing; Kamal has carved her name across the entire design field. After many years of leading a marketing career in one of the world top FMCGs companies, Unilever, Kamal made the brave decision of shifting her career path and doing something she is really passionate about, the designing world. In order to kick-start her career, she has studied design at Florence Design Academy in Italy, the world capital of design. Her previous experience in marketing and business exposure alongside with her expertise in design allowed her to found her Psychology Based
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Design Company in Cairo and receive international recognition in no time. The International Product Design Award in London named her Wing Sofa as the best sofa design for 2016, and it also shortlisted her Scarab Chair among the best 5 chairs designs in 2017. The Society of British Interior Designers nominated her work for the Best Designs of the World in 2013 in addition to nominating her as an A* Design Award Winner in Milano in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and naming her in this same year a Design Hero for her efforts in making the world a better place through good design. And not to mention getting recognized by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi during the 2017 Youth Conference for her efforts in displaying the Ancient Egyptian heritage across all her design disciplines. The prolific Egyptian designer has established a new design discipline in 2013: “Fundraising Design�. The innovative field aims at helping different humanitarian entities and NGOs to fundraise donations through good design.
Artist and Founder of Joud Home Accessories & Tamara Fabrics
eena Fadel is an entrepreneur, fine artist and designer who managed to make a living out of pursuing her passion and building her own brand; Joud Home Accessories & Tamara Fabrics. Born and raised in the UK, and later moving to Qatar, Deena is an accomplished artist who received numerous awards in the field of Arts and Design. She won her first national drawing competition at the age of three, and the rest was history! In addition to her awards, Deena participated in several local and international exhibitions in Egypt, UK, Qatar, and Turkey, just to name a few. Deena moved back to her home country Egypt, where she is currently residing. She was nominated to take part in the Sharm Biennale Competition, where she was rated as one of the top ten competing artists. Before she founded her brand, Deena was an Art Director in an esteemed advertising agency. After working there for five years, Deena decided to follow her passion, and created her own brand – Joud Home Accessories – in 2010. The brand name quickly made an impact in the market, and grew exponentially. After the success of the simple idea that was born in Deena’s brain, the brand is now a fully operating company – Inspiration LLC, exporting to 6 different countries and owning 4 local branches. The brand Joud later expanded and started producing a fabric line – Tamara Fabrics – where Deena produced line upholstery and curtains to complete the home décor set up.
Makeup: Randa Tawfik
Deena Fadel
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Deena’s success has been picked up by numerous media outlets; including Forbes.com, BBC, Al Jazeera and Dubai TV. Deena was featured by BuzzFeed as one of the top 16 women entrepreneurs who are changing the way of business in the Arab World; she was also featured in the e-book Arab Women Rising, published in 2014 by the Wharton Business School.
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Photographer
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oucla Refaat is a commercial and travel photographer, and every adventurer’s role model. Coucla started her journey with photography in 2005, and eventually travelled to over 30 countries, achieving a success – in photography and life – that barely anyone achieves. Specializing in advertising and creating original photography and video content on digital platforms for all brands and entities, Coucla managed to have exhibitions in several countries, published her own book, taught, and led, photography expeditions in Asia. In 2010, Coucla was named the “Ambassador of Arts in Egypt” for her artistic and documentary photography project, exhibited at the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, and revolving around the Cremation rituals in Bali. Her first book, “Dance of Life” was released in 2012, where she shared her story and photography as a young woman traveler in Thailand. Coucla was representing the Royal Kingdom of Thailand in Egypt and in the Middle East, and commissioned by the Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo. Coucla also represented Asian embassies, including the likes of India, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, in Egypt and the Middle East; documenting their culture and exhibiting photography work along the years
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Makeup: Sara Erian
Coucla Refaat
Nofal was bold enough to change tracks in order to chase after her dream even though she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. Turning her passion for movement, health and wellness into a career, she has started her long athletic story through CrossFit and functional training by getting her ISAA Fitness Trainer Certificate and her CossFit Level 1, Level 2 and Weightlifting Trainer Certification from the Unites States.
Yoga Instructor & the Founder of Eden Wellness
education and awareness everyday among various communities. Now, Farah has certificates from 500 hours RYT Yoga Teacher in Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga & Yin yoga. She also has an integrative Nutrition Health Coach Diploma and offers nutrition consultations through her Eden Wellness.
Makeup: Sara Erian
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arah Nofal is one of the most inspiring athletes in Egypt. Though her primary form of training in the meantime is Yoga practice, she is an ex basketball player, track & field, CrossFit and functional training athlete. When it comes to flexibility, she has adopted a self-teaching method to learn Yoga which has shifted her perception on health and fitness and has led her to discover true physical wellness.
Farah Nofal
Her love story with Yoga started to take shape in 2015 after realizing that stretching physically and mentally has opened more than just her shoulders. And from here came the idea of Eden Wellness. The main reason behind creating it is to offer practitioners a destination where they can satisfy all their needs; whether physical, mental or emotional. Nofal believes in Bio Individuality; she seeks to spread contentment detachment and inner peace though raising the health
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May Yacoubi
Chef & TV Presenter of May’s Kitchen
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ith a Master’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the American University in Cairo and a career in production, the self-taught chef, wife and mom of two kids May Yacoubi has managed to live her dream by pursuing a career in the culinary field and now has her own cooking show. Makeup: Wedyan Mohy
Already exposed to different cultures and consequently different cuisines by growing up in the cosmopolitan city of Dubai, her cooking skills have expanded by traveling around the globe.
May started her career as a food blogger, which allowed her to combine her passion for food and photography, and was subsequently recognized by the upscale supermarket and food chain, Gourmet Egypt. Appointed as Consultant Chef, she was responsible for managing a team of chefs to produce delicious unique readyto-eat products, producing food content and recipes as well as product development and food photo-shoot styling. By running her own cooking classes, Yacoubi was the first cooking icon to be classified as a social media influencer and influential media personality at once. Her talent has contributed in spreading the passion of cooking among her followers.
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Based on her desire of combining her food passion with her media experience, the distinctive chef’s vision of her program May’s Kitchen was to incorporate a reality show with an international cooking program. Airing on the Middle Eastern food and lifestyle channel FATAFEAT, May’s Kitchen was produced and directed by her husband Ahmed Kardous who was part of the show as well, along with her two adorable kids.
Rasha Salama
Couples and Marriage Counselor and the Founder of the Relation Retreat “RE”
ith a BA in Psychology Counseling and an MA in General Counseling from the American University in Cairo, Rasha Salama is mainly specified
in relationships counseling, and is contributing in the growth of the mental health field in Egypt. Besides being a couple’s therapist, Salama is familiar with art therapy, hypnotherapy, sexuality, homeopathy and family constellation. She is also a certified Reiki energy healing level 1 practitioner, a scuba diver and a kite surfer. With over 10 years of experience in the psychological counseling field, Salama has founded RE; the first customized couple retreat service in the Middle East with culturally sensitive programs addressing the challenges facing different relationships. The main logic behind the RE is that “every relationship has challenges that couples need to address and work on to maintain a satisfactory relationship. Going on vacation with your partner is necessary for a healthy relationship.” Salama has managed to creatively tailor a retreat for Egyptian couples providing 3 sets of services; individual couple’s retreat, group couple retreats and events.
Makeup: Randa Tawfik
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The advocate of happy marriages perceives every relationship as a unique adventure; her dream is to change the negative perception of marriage and educate people about the science and art of relationships.
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Nesma Herky Singer
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esma Herky is a marvelous Nubian rooted Egyptian singer and a skillful music composer, who is taking steady steps toward the limelight of the music scene in Egypt.
Makeup: Suzy El Tobgy
Born in Cairo in 1984, Herky’s journey with music and singing traces back to an early age, but her real musical awakening occurred when she joined several musical projects such as “El Tamey Musical Theater” and “The Choir Project” during her college years. That’s when the world of music widely opened its door to this talented artist. In 2011, Herky started to write and compose her own original songs; she conveyed her feelings and emotions through lyrics and musical notes. Simultaneously, seeking to learn, evolve and hone her craft; Herky enrolled in the workshops of many Egyptian music icons such as musician and Grammy award winner, Fathy Salama, and the phenomenal opera singer, Neveen Alouba. Herky also participated in the “Fabrica Musical Theater” where she worked with the one and only Sheikh Zain Mahmoud. Herky’s voice is memorable; you can easily recognize it on the radio, in TV jingles and ads. She’s the voice of “Dou’ El Lahaza” campaign by Coca Cola and many more ads. Herky collaborated with many musicians and singers including the likes of; Hisham Kharma, Cairokee, Hany El Dakaak, Hany Adel, Bushra, Hanan Mady and many more in several released single songs. Herky’s music is composed of a great mixture; her Nubian and Sudanese roots evidently color her musical notes, while the sharp strong jazzy character of her voice lights up any of her songs. Hence, Herky’s voice is taking her somewhere else entirely that none of us could reach, only witness.
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Makeup: Wedyan Mohy
Mai Galal Stylist
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ai Galal is a highly talented Egyptian custom fashion designer and personal stylist who boasts a remarkable reputation among celebrities and public figures. Galal discovered her passion for the fashion industry only at the age of eight and decided to follow her heart and pursue her dream with a special eye on the movie industry. As any ambitious designer, she decided to pursue her studies in Italy at the “Istituto di Moda Burgo”, a professional fashion school in Milan where names such as Cavali and Versace have graduated. From there, Mai decided to open her own atelier “Dresses by Mai Galal”, and it was a turning point in her career. Throughout her career, Mai focused on growing and achieving constant development. She was keen to work and train with the best fashion designers in the field to enhance her skills. Nevertheless, she aims at keeping track of the latest trends in fashion and enriching her knowledge by traveling and exploring new talents around the world. Her first milestone was in the movie “Matab Sena’ei” where she showcased her real gift. From that point, Mai has worked in 10 TV shows and 30 movies. In
2011, Mai received her first honours at the Cannes Film Festival for the movie “18 Youm”, followed by another international recognition from the Arab Television Network. Mai has now become one of the most inspiring talents in the fashion industry in Egypt and has been chosen to style many public figures including Egypt’s First Lady in several events. Despite her thriving career, Mai is determined to achieve balance in her personal life and find time for her husband and three beautiful children. She sets a true example for women empowerment in Egypt.
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Sara Onsi Fashion Designer
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ara Onsi is a young exceptional Egyptian fashion designer who set herself and carved her name on the map of fashion exactly four years ago when she began her professional career, not just benefiting herself, her name or label, but definitely bringing pride and joy to Egypt as well.
Following her fashion design diploma, the talented designer started developing bridal gowns as she was initially passionate about that specific niche in the fashion world. Her first collection at such a young age marked the stunning start of Atelier Sara Onsi, as the classical beautiful neutral colors “Capteur De Reves” collection was displayed for the first time at the official
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Makeup: Suzy El Tobgy
Sara’s love for fashion and creativity knew no boundaries; her passion defeated anything and everything in the way of her success as she began creating her masterpieces. Onsi also participated in Paris, New York and London Fashion Weeks.
New York Fashion Week. Owning a place in the fashion world, Onsi keeps outdoing herself on an international scale as well as in her home country; dressing up some of the most beautiful celebrities such as Injy El Mokaddem, Dorra and many more for red carpet events, award ceremonies and festivals. The signature style of Onsi’s brand is all about refined craftsmanship and modern elegance; her designs simply speak for themselves as they’re internationally renowned for their stunning materials, colours, handmade embroidery lace and astonishing cutouts. She carved her name in the fashion world, and it will stay there for good.
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Nesma El Shazly
esma El Shazly is an inspiring career oriented, optimistic and ambitious woman who decided to literally take the world by storm, never taking anything into account except her passion for what she does.
Songwriter and Executive Producer
Nesma has always been a strong lighthearted girl with passion for everything, but her passion for writing surpassed all. As any college girl walking the path of self-discovery, Nesma simply found it in writing at that time. She kept learning, evolving and getting more creative until she pushed through everything to become who she is today; a very successful songwriter as well as Hisham Kharma’s executive producer. Being a wife, a successful woman, and most importantly a mother all at the same time is definitely not an easy job; however, that never lost Nesma her balance. The extraordinary woman knows exactly how to balance between her personal life and pursue her career goals all at once. Her love for music led her to create a world of her own where she does what she loves in a unique way. Nesma is not just an extremely talented songwriter, the incredible woman also has a sense of social responsibility that is hard to find these days.
Makeup: Sara Erian
Along with music, she has made it her mission to speak out and write about important matters knowing that she has the opportunity and voice to help out. Examples include Ahl Misr Foundation’s song “Shouf B Albak”, and her recent “No2ta Beida New Version” collaboration with Cairokee for UNAIDS. Some of Nesma’s most significant works are, “Shams Youm Gedid”, the official song for UN Women’s short film about girls’ education “Mariam Wel Shams”, as well as her recent outstanding joint effort with Hany Adel and Kharma, “Yomein”. Staying true to herself, Nesma is one of those exceptional people who perfected combining their own personal passion and the greater good to make a living, and those kinds of artists, the ones who are not oblivious to what happens around them, are always the best.
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Stars
ON THE RISE by Amina Moustapha
Every so often, the acting world births a new rising star that makes his or her way to their acclaimed spot of fame. Since 2018 was a killer year for film and series, Identity took a glimpse at the careers of already bright stars as well as up-and-coming talents and we realized the entertainment world has an embarrassment of riches. We then interviewed Ahmed El Naggar, Asmaa Galal and Malak Badawi; three rising stars we believe will soon be stealing the show.
Asmaa Galal How did your career kick off?
How much luck does an actor need?
I was always in love with the acting world and being in front of the camera. While in college, I joined the college theater and started to take acting workshops, such as Marwa Gebrils’ & Ramy El Gendy’s. I started modeling and did a few commercials. before I started going to auditions. Thankfully I got my first role in “El Ab El Rouhi” as Hayah, and things started from there.
A lot of luck! It’s not really a good thing, but I think that most of the actors and actresses became stars due to luck. But on the other hand, if they weren’t talented enough, they would never ever be able to progress in their careers. Luck can serve you once or twice. You will get fine roles in a movie or a TV series, but eventually if you’re not talented, you will run out of luck.
Is the industry as glamorous as you expected?
What do you want to achieve in the next 10 years?
I think it is. I went into acting with no expectations in mind; I only wanted to do this to act. I believe this is what I am cut out to do. Yes, there are lots of disadvantages and downsides to being part of this industry, but going to sleep after a very long tiring day of work while knowing that tomorrow I will wake up to do what I always dreamed of is enough glamour for me.
One of my big dreams and a goal I am setting my sight on achieving is to become an international actress. Therefore, I must prove myself here in Egypt first, and then I want to do the same in Hollywood.
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Ahmed El Naggar How did your career kick off? I first started my career as a video editor, and went into shooting commercials, documentary films and TV shows a few years after studying cinematography. In 2016, my acting career kicked off with a role in a TV series called “7 Arwah”, starring Khaled El Nabawy, Eyad Nassar & Rania Youssef. Is the industry as glamorous as you expected?
Malak Badawy How did your career kick off? I studied Media Design in college. Some of the projects I worked on were short films, and wanting to deliver certain messages through these films I decided to star in them myself, instead of asking someone to do that. I got much positive feedback on my acting skills, and that was when the seed was planted. Later on, my friends and I joined a competition called 48 Hours Film Projects; the winner would go to Cannes Film Festival. I was handling the production styling and art direction of our film, but someone had to play a role in the movie we were presenting, so I did it. I was awarded Best Supporting Actress in the competition, and started to take things seriously and even took acting workshops. I started to go to auditions and got accepted in the audition for “El Toufan”, things got going from there. Is the industry as glamorous as you expected? There are perks and drawbacks to the industry just like any other industry. It all depends on the work environment of the project. How much luck does an actor need? That’s a hard one! Sadly, luck does play a major role. For instance, how many talented, charismatic, skilled actors are there who still didn’t get a chance to actually star in a role just because they didn’t get an opportunity to audition or to even get their auditions seen? Too many! Lots of actors suffer from the circumstances not being in their favour. What do you want to achieve in the next 10 years? Life is full of surprises; you can set yourself on a path and eventually find yourself shifting onto another path. Our journey in life is full of twists and turns. All I know is that I have so much to give for the next forty years, not just ten, and I want to be iconic in what I do.
Since I worked in the industry before becoming an actor, I realized that it’s not all glam. It’s actually one of the toughest jobs you could ever do, and you might not stand it at all if you’re not really into it. After being an actor, I figured out that it’s a whole new level of stress. Sometimes you need to work under really hard conditions. For me, only if you do truly love this job, you will be able to survive and face the hard work that comes with it. How much luck does an actor need? From my perspective I think luck might initially help an actor succeed in their career like any other factor of the success equation. However, I do believe in hard work. Hard work really pays off. When you have the will, the commitment and the desire to be and do your best, there is no failure. What do you want to achieve in the next 10 years? A LOT, but it’s all based on the fact that I want to enjoy every single moment in my life doing what I love, and acting for sure is at the top of the list. I also wish to leave my own mark in the filmmaking industry.
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PERSPECTIVE
Relationship Boredom: FATAL OR CURABLE? by Marwa Rakha
Usually in strong standing, longlasting relationships, comes a phase of extreme stillness and boredom that stems out of the mundane routine called ‘life’. At this point in time, relationships get tested. Are they strong enough and in enough synergy to get over this critical phase, or will the couple give up on each other because it’s no longer fun, interesting and entertaining?! Here’s a tough question for the one who always has our backs when it comes to relationship advice, Identity’s Relationship Expert, Marwa Rakha.
When does this boredom phase usually start making its way to a relationship? There is no one specific timing when boredom erupts in a relationship; here are a few known and noted “boredom phases”: 1. Right before the couple commit to one another They have been flirting, hunting, chasing, playing hide-and-seek, and getting to know one another. Right before they commit, one of them, or both of them, feel bored. This boredom is doubt in disguise. They are simply unsure. 2. Right before an official step They have been dating steadily, and a step is
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expected; a proposal, a ring, meeting the parents, engagement, or even, marriage. Right before “the step”, boredom might creep in. This time, it is fearof-commitment in disguise. 3. Stagnant relationships They have been dating for what seems like forever; three, four, five, or seven years. Literally, nothing is happening. Stagnation kills relationships. Looking forward to getting engaged, making a home, living together, adopting a pet together, having a kid together, growing up together, etc. – when a couple does not grow and evolve, their relationship, naturally, withers and dies. They think it is boredom but it’s actually a standstill.
4. Losing focus This is seen a lot after marriage. The couple, or one of them, loses focus; they no longer know what brought them together. They no longer share a vision, a future, a dream, a hobby, or even a meaningful conversation. They grow up in different directions, and eventually, end up apart. 5. Rightful boredom This is the only case when boredom is simply boredom. After the lust and attraction fade away, there is nothing in common to keep them together. They feel bored and they break up.
Expecting the butterflies in the stomach, when you have been together for more than six months, is not a realistic expectation. But looking forward to hearing your partner’s stories of how their day went is more real. Expecting sex for the tenth time to be the way it was the first time, is ridiculously funny. It might not be as exciting, but it will certainly be more intimate. Sometimes, the problem is not with boredom; it is with our expectations that mislead us into a false sense of boredom.
How can a couple drift the wheel from their way to boredom and losing interest to the way of flirting and spicing things up like they just met?
For a couple to be happy together, they need to accept aging as a natural event in the life-cycle of a relationship.
Depending on the type of boredom that hit the relationship, a couple can stir the relationship back in the right direction.
Is there, by any means, a set of precautions that a couple can take to avoid –from the beginningfinding themselves stuck in this tedious phase?
If boredom hit right before they committed to one another, they need to just let it be. It is a high wave and they need to duck down. Resisting it will turn their boat overboard. If they are truly a match, it will pass, and they will be attracted to one another again.
There is no way to avoid wrinkles and grey hair. There is also no way to avoid feeling bored in a relationship.
If boredom hit right before an official step, they need to talk. Maybe one of them is not ready. Maybe there are reasons and justifications. They need to be open and frank about their feelings and needs. If you are bored because you are in a stagnant relationship, the obvious step is to move on. Doing something together that would bring you closer, and strengthen your bond is the best advice I can offer. If you are married, and are losing focus, you need to work to remember why you are on this journey together. Remember your common dreams, goals, and needs. Do not just look into the past, when the two of you first met, because you are no longer the same people. You need to rediscover yourselves and redefine your goals and vision for your future together. If you are in the wrong relationship, and boredom naturally happens, any effort you do to revive that relationship would be an equivalent to bribing your partner into staying with you; more outings, more romantic dinners, more wild sex, and more gifts – these are all bribes and desperate attempts.
The worst thing that could happen in a relationship is taking your partner for granted. When a person takes the other for granted, they stop listening, stop showing care, stop working on a relationship, stop talking about their feelings, stop thinking of the little things that would make their partner happy, stop going out of their way, stop sharing their dreams and daily details, and eventually, the relationship stops evolving and it dies. Think of it as someone who has a lovely mango tree in their orchard. The tree is leafy, blossoming, and about to bloom, when that person takes the fruits for granted. “It will bear its fruits, as usual, in the summer,” he says. Then he no longer waters it on schedule, no longer fertilizes the soil consistently, and no longer accurately removes weeds and parasites. The tree will not drop dead all of a sudden; there will be subtle signs that the tree is suffering; leaves with yellow spots, leaves falling, blossoms dying on the stem, fruits that are not growing, and more unhealthy signs that go unnoticed.
Do things really go back to the way they were before this dull phase?
That person has no clue that his tree is not going to bear any fruits in the summer. He thinks that by occasionally throwing in a bucket of water, and by occasionally adding nutrients to the soil, he is doing his best.
Expecting things to be as they were before a cloud of boredom is unrealistic. If a relationship survives boredom, the couple grows and matures just a little bit more.
But occasionally taking care of your partner, or occasionally talking about your relationship, or occasionally showing that you care, would not save a relationship from boredom, and eventually, dying.
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10
Things to do if you are suffering from any MENTAL PROBLEM
by Amina Elghandour 44 IDENTITY
Mental illness is a very lonely experience. Unlike other ailments, that show in scans or blood tests, mental problems are hard to diagnose as they manifest mostly inside someone’s head- and that person gets confused, ashamed and lonely. The diagnostic tools for mental illness rely heavily on one’s courage to speak up. Therefore, the best person to advise those afflicted is someone who has walked down this lane, and continues to do so with much courage and grace, every day. Nour Lotfy has been battling depression and Bipolar type II for the past year and a half; and here is what she has to say to those suffering silently. 1. Accept your condition & talk about it without shame You should not feel guilty about your mental illness. Even as a psychologist it was not easy for me. Then, I told myself it can happen to anyone, just like having a cold. Sometimes, it may be even caused by factors beyond your control like your genes or upbringing. I was surprised by the number of people who related to my problems when I started talking and blogging about them. These people turned out to be a source of great support, and saved me the stress of having to constantly wear a face to hide my illness. 2. Explain your mental illness to the family When those around you know how you feel, you become understood. My family was able to manage their expectations regarding my “performance” in various social situations. You would also be giving them a chance to develop coping strategies, and I encourage you to tell them to read about your condition. They could also be a great source of support especially if you have children to attend to. I asked for help and could not have done without. 3. Find reviews or opinions about the medical team who will treat you Knowing the success rate and humanity of your doctor(s) and their approach, is essential. I was personally agitated and affected by the level of commercialism within medical care. I also highly advise to ask about the availability of help outside your sessions should need be -and trust me you will need it. 4. Research the medicine and/or type of therapy before you begin treatment I went through harsh experiences with different medications that were prescribed to me. In hindsight, I should have researched or asked more questions. I am referring here to side effects or to
“tapering” - the process of reducing the dose which could be very complicated. 5. Have a clearly defined treatment plan It was inevitable for me to jump around from one therapy method/ medication to the other. This was harmful not only to my body but it also affected my hope of healing. Know your choices and have your doctor give you a plan B for your treatment. 6. Help yourself using non-medical techniques Along the way I tried to find natural ways to fight my illness. I tried different things varying from supplements like omega3, to exercise and listening to brain wave audio files, which I highly recommend. I also urge you to listen to your body - no one knows it better than you. 7. Sometimes hospitalization is the only option - and that is ok I had to go through that several times, and it was not a walk in the park. It was a necessity. Go for it without hesitation when self-harm is a real possibility, when adjusting drugs, or when you are weaning off medication. 8. On bad days avoid situations which trigger your illness as much as possible I do this especially when I am unstable. It is ok to say no to some social commitment; it is not the end of the world. Until you get stable, little by little you will know what makes you tick. There is no point of adding stress to your already overloaded mind. 9. On good days push yourself to do something you usually wouldn’t I feel down most of the time. When it gets better I try to go out and do simple things; a coffee with a friend or even going to the gym to do mild exercise. This helps regulate my mood naturally, and gives me a sense of achievement, of “normality”. 10. Be patient for you are a patient Unfortunately psychiatric medication takes time to kick in, which is very frustrating. I wish I could tell you that there is a magical pill or therapy. Patience will have to be your best friend.
Nour is an honest voice that bravely shares the darkest and most challenging aspects of her illness, and in the process she hopes to heal and empower others out there. To delve more into her journey, follow her blog ‘Happily Depressed’. https://happilydepressedsite.wordpress.com/ https://www.facebook.com/happilydepressedblog/
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Cairo’s Identity through FOLKLORE, ARTS AND CULTURE by Rana Ramez
When it comes to Cairo’ identity, only one word springs to mind: complexity. As one of the oldest cities in the world, our capital witnessed the plentiful change of eras throughout time. This has resulted in making Cairo one of the richest cities when it comes to arts, culture, heritage and folklore. IDENTITY has listed 9 of the most prominent events demonstrating the exquisite intricacy of the city’s identity. Wanas International Folk Music Festival by El Mastaba Center for Egyptian Folk Music El Mastaba aims at reviving Egypt’s unique performing arts heritage through reintroducing folk music in its original communities as well as preserving and documenting it. Thus, it demonstrates an inherent strength of Egyptian society, its pluralism, by managing a network of traditional musicians from diverse traditions in Egypt; Bedouin, Sufi, Nubian, Delta, Upper Egyptian, Sudanese and the Canal Zone. The center organizes Wanas Festival in order to raise awareness and appreciation of the richness and diversity of folk music in Egypt and throughout the world. Troupes from around the world participate in interactive performances with the audience to present world music genre to the public. Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival D-CAF The main reason behind the creation of D-CAF Festival is the revival and reclamation of downtown Cairo as the vibrant cultural center while capitalizing on its unique architectural and social heritage. Taking place over 3 weeks each year at multiple sites in downtown, the festival is the only international multi-disciplinary contemporary arts festival held in Egypt. It involves local, regional and international music, theatre, dance, visual arts, literature and film by cutting-edge artists from Egypt and the world. With the objective of engaging both audience and performers with the city in a new way, D-CAF uses established downtown cultural spaces and theatres as well as creating new ground by employing nontraditional sites like historical buildings, storefronts, alleyways, and rooftops for performances, events, and arts installations.
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Egyptian Handicrafts Festival The annual Egyptian Handicrafts Festival brings together artisans and artists from all around Egypt for a weeklong exhibition with the objective of showcasing their work. It is considered as a platform to celebrate Egypt’s varied handicrafts and artistic heritage, by featuring a wide range of handmade items by Egyptian talents in all its forms, such as painting, carpet weaving, jewelry making, pottery and wood crafting. It also includes the implementation of many workshops and performances. Taksir Sharki at ECCA Makan The Egyptian Center for Culture and Arts had embraced and supported the music ensemble Taksir Sharki which was formed at “Makan”. The ensemble presents the work of combining Egyptian folkloric music, such as Zar and Mawwal, with the contemporary music. These combinations result in sounds blending that are new to the listener’s ear, which creates unique sonic fusions distinct from all other musical experiments in the contemporary arts scene. Performances take place every Tuesday at Makan. Traditional Tanoura Show at Wekalet El Ghouri Arts Center Located in El Azhar area in central Cairo, Wekalet El Ghouri is an architecturally stunning arts center. The place has become an attraction for organizing cultural events; the most popular being El Tanoura dance performance which attracts both tourists and locals. Similar to the known whirling dervishes; this version of the indigenous Tanoura dance includes instruments and other additional elements. The Tanoura Troupe consists of a mix of male dancers, musicians and singers all performing traditional Egyptian styles and instruments dating back many centuries. Performances take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Samaa Festival for Spiritual Music and Chanting With a main purpose of acting as a platform for familiarizing with the arts and cultures of different peoples and religious heritage in its different forms
worldwide to ascertain the main message of all religions, Samaa International Festival for Spiritual Music and Chanting takes place every year at Salah El Din Citadel. The festival that coincides with World Peace Day every year responds to human hunger for spiritual conversation and music that not only expresses different cultures, ethnicities and religions but also reflects the human civilization and our belief in communication between different cultures. It advocates tolerance using art as the best way of expressing. Mazaher Ensemble for Zar Ritual at The Egyptian Center for Culture and Arts “Makan” The ECCA was interested in promoting the unique musical legacy of Zar by gathering together some Zar performers and motivating them to go through lengthy sessions of rehearsing and recording, which resulted into the creation of Mazaher Ensemble. The musicians of the Ensemble are all women among the last remaining Zar practitioners in Egypt. Their music is inspired by 3 styles of Zar music practiced in Egypt: the Upper Egyptian Zar, Abu Gheit Zar and the Sudanese or African Zar. Performances take place every Wednesday. Salah el-Din Citadel International Festival for Music and Singing For 27 rounds, the historic Citadel of Salah El Din hosts every summer the Festival for Music and Singing organized by the Cairo Opera House. The participation in the festival comprises some of the most prominent local, regional and international artists and performers who left their mark on the musical and cultural scene, locally and internationally. The music played ranges from oriental forms of music in the form of spiritual songs such as Coptic hymns and Sufi chants to Western music like opera performances and contemporary as well as mixing between oriental/ Western and classic/modern. International Festival for Drums and Traditional Arts With the message of ‘Drums Dialogue for Peace’,
the International Festival for Drums and Traditional Arts gathers musicians from across the globe with the objective of encouraging cultural dialogue and sharing musical visions. Every year the festival brings together various groups from different countries that are also given the opportunity to display handicraft projects reflecting their respective cultures. The performances take place in many historic and cultural venues such as the Fostat Tradtional Crafts Center Theater, Qubet Al Ghouri Theater and the Citadel.
From the ancient prehistoric times up until the modern era, Cairo remains the evidential city of time’s alteration. Embrace its complexity and enjoy its vibrancy and liveliness. IDENTITY 47
H E A LT H
10
OFFICE EXERCISES THAT YOU COULD DO DISCREETLY
E
by Salma Elfeqy
xercising is one of the most important things that you need to keep as part of your daily routine. It sometimes gets really hectic and you don’t have enough time for it. However, the bright side is, there are a few exercises you could do at the office that would almost give you the same results as going to the gym without actually wasting a lot of time. Here are 10 exercises that you could do at the office.
1. TAKING THE STAIRS INSTEAD OF THE ELEVATOR Instead of taking the elevator, take the stairs and you’ll notice all the difference. At first it will be very hard to go up for 5 flights, but later on it will be a piece of cake. Each flight of stairs helps you burn 5 calories; allocate 5-10 minutes a day and you’ll be adding simple cardio exercises to your day.
on your desk chair, put your hands on the edge of the chair and scoot your gluts forwardly till you are basically not sitting. Start lowering yourself below the seat by bending your arms. Then, straighten your hands back up to start sitting on the chair. Repeat for a number of times. In this workout, you’ll be working on your arms, back and butt muscles.
2. LEG LIFTS This can be done very easily while still being undercover. All you have to do is lift your legs under your desk while setting a timer of 20 seconds. Repeat this for as long as you want. If you want to level up this exercise, try moving your legs in circles and repeat for the other leg in both directions. Try to do this at least 5-10 times.
6. SPINAL TWIST Have both your knees aligned with one another while sitting on your chair. Put your right hand on your left hand and twist your entire upper body to the left while looking behind your shoulder. Hold it for a while, and twist back to your basic position. Repeat this on the other side as well, while switching hands. Your spine will feel flexible after working out your back muscles.
3. CALF RAISES Stand behind your chair and use it for support. Start raising your heels off of the floor till you reach the maximum level by standing on your toes. Hold that position for a couple of seconds and then slowly get yourself back to the floor. Repeat a couple of times. It is very easy and won’t consume lots of time. 4. RUBBER NECK This exercise is very important for your neck. All you have to do is sit still and start moving your head right and left till your ear reaches your shoulder. Move your head slowly and hold it still for a couple of seconds, and then return back slowly. Repeat this for both sides and you’ll feel your neck and shoulder muscles relaxing after this workout. 5. CHAIR DIPS This is a strength boosting exercise where you don’t even need to move at all. All you have to do is sit
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7. LUNGES You could either do it next to your desk or take it to the next level and do it anywhere in the office, perhaps when you are making yourself a cup of coffee. Put one leg in front of the other leg and gently lower the knee of the leg placed backwards the closest it could get to the floor. Repeat this move for both legs a number of times. You’ll be working your leg muscles, belly and back as well. 8. SQUATS These might make you a little uncomfortable if you decide to do them in the middle of the office. Instead, pick any free meeting room and do a number of squats. This exercise is very effective as it works on strengthening your lower body muscles. It might be hard at first but later on your muscles will get used to the move. Try to have different reps where one rep is 10 squats.
9. KNEE HUGGER Bend one knee, lift it up and try to grab it with your hands to get it closest to your chest, till you are almost hugging it. Hold it for a number of seconds and repeat for both legs. 10. WALK WHEN TALKING OVER THE PHONE There is a huge time allocated to phone calls when we are at work. You could utilize this time to do the needed exercises. So by doing this, you’ll be both
working and exercising. Walk when talking over the phone. This will be you flexing your leg muscles while burning calories without even noticing. Choose walking over sitting whenever it is possible.
These workouts can be easily incorporated into your work day. They will definitely make you feel more energized and will boost you with lots of energy, so now you have no excuses! IDENTITY 49
REVIEW
FLIGHTS
A TRAVEL NOVEL BY
OLGA TOKARCZUK by Rana Ramez
Written by Polish author Olga Tokarczuk, the novel “Flights” has won the Man Booker International Prize in 2018 as featured in the New York Times, making her the first Polish author to receive the award. Under the title “Bieguni”, the book was originally published in Polish and later on translated by the American author, critic and translator Jennifer Croft. Described as one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful authors of her generation, Olga has won 50 IDENTITY
the Nike Award, Poland’s top literary prize, twice. Following are 7 interesting facts about “Flights”. 1. FLIGHTS IS A FRAGMENTARY NOVEL Set between the 17th and 21st century, the novel is divided into a collection of stories; some of which are fictional while others are based on true stories, such as the story of the Dutch anatomist Philip Verheyen who wrote letters to his amputated leg and his discovery of the achilles tendon and the story of Ludwika Jędrzejewicz, the sister of the
Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, transporting his heart from Paris back to Warsaw. United by a single narrator, the novel is composed of 116 short pieces. Some are only one sentence long and others go up to as long as 31 pages. Readers will appreciate the author’s writing and pure talent with words and storytelling by reading each piece individually in snippets. 2. FLIGHTS IS A CONTEMPLATION ON TRAVEL While travel may broaden the mind, this travelthemed book stimulates it. The book offers not only a philosophical reflection on the modern-day travel and the meanings behind it, but also provides a series of imaginative mesmerizing meditations on travel in all its forms through captivating travel narratives and anecdotes taking us out of ourselves, and back to ourselves. Where are you from? Where are you coming in from? Where are you going? The author calls to the traveler and explores what it means to be a wanderer, a body in motion not only through space but also through time, by voyaging to the past, capturing the moments, exchanging and fleeting tableaux that compose life, back then and now. 3. A MASTERFUL CREATION OF CONNECTIONS “Flights” brilliantly interweaves perceptions on travel with some in-depth explorations of the anatomy of the human body, motion, migration, the nature of humankind, life and death. It creates originative and inventive links between wandering and various values through its thrilling characters and spellbinding stories; the quest of a Polish woman who emigrated as a teen but must return to her homeland to poison her terminally ill high school sweetheart; the Russian sect who escaped the devil through remaining constantly in motion, the story of Chopin’s heart as it made its secret journey to Warsaw kept in a tightly sealed jar beneath his adoring sister’s skirt and a young man who slowly descended into madness when his wife and child mysteriously vanished during a vacation and reappeared just as suddenly. 4. LOOPED PATTERNS Normally, travel writing presents a linear narrative as departures easily correspond to beginnings and returns to endings. But just like the book’s episodic structure, the interestingly complicated characters of the book resist neat demarcations by wandering in circles and loops. Just like a map, the author shows that even the loneliest travelers fit into a larger scheme through the disparate parts of the book that aren’t connected to each other but rather their contours clarify and define a wider impersonal whole. Whether acknowledged or not, Olga perceives that everybody is part of a worldwide network of beings, a dependent worldwide live chain.
5. AN OBVIOUS REFLECTION OF THE AUTHOR’S SELF-EXPERIENCE The book reflects a fairly straightforward firstperson account from the author or at least her fictional stand-in. The narrator talks about the regular nomadism of her parents that has been passed down to her, since she is constantly on the move after studying psychology in a communist city. She narrates about her love for cabinets of medical curiosities and she has diagnosed herself with Recurrent Detoxification Syndrome – specifically, a fixation on broken and flawed things. Based on overheard scraps of talks and conversations, the narrator is writing a book with the theme of travel, same as Olga. She expresses her marveling about the fact that an entire vacation can be minimized to a memory or two and perceives a detailed description of a place as a destruction of a new destination for the readers. 6. INCOMPLETE STORIES AND DREAMLIKE TALES As described by Tokarczuk herself, in this novel “life would turn into incomplete stories, dreamlike tales, would show up from afar in odd dislocated panoramas, or in cross sections – and so it would be almost impossible to reach any conclusions as to the whole.” Several stories are told, sometimes in parts, interspersed throughout the book; they seem unconnected across time and space. The mentioned topics are very diverse; from sleeping on trains, educational wrappers on sanitary pads, airports to travel-size packs and messages on airline sick bags. It represents an aggregation of travel and displacement observations in the modern world that are illustrated with twelve black and white maps and line drawings from The Agile Rabbit Book of Historical and Curious Maps. (2005) 7. MODERN DAY NOMADS The word “Bieguni”, the Polish title of “Flights”, is the key to this book. The Bieguni are wanderers; an obscure, mysterious and possibly fictional Slavic sect who have abandoned settled life for the constant movement as a lifestyle, in the tradition of the travelling yogi, wandering dervishes or itinerant Buddhist monks surviving on the kindness of strangers. In her book, Olga is concerned with travel in every sense and every direction; travels of pilgrims, immigrants, tourists, sailors and all human bodies that find themselves in motion. Our motivations are investigated through sharing the tales of wanderers.
In conclusion, “Flights” is a journey without destination. It is a constellation novel, where the reader can look at the elements and pieces of the stories and form their own constellation just like astronomers gaze at the stars and draw connections between them to form coherent shapes. IDENTITY 51
A RO U N D T H E WO R L D
Around the World this month
by Sandy Hossam
POLAR CIRCLE MARATHON When October 27-28 Where Kangerlussuaq, Greenland Have you ever felt that marathons could be really exhausting and a tad boring as well? Forget about that because the Polar Circle Marathon is the world’s coolest marathon where people compete on ICE! Be ready for facing endless glacier tongues, slippery land, and jogging in the freezing weather! The marathon takes place on the ice cap itself, but the main part of the course is the run on a snow covered road.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE TOUR When October 22 -24 Where New York, USA Beloved American singer, songwriter and actor, Justin Timberlake has just announced the dates of his upcoming 2018 tour between October 22nd and 24th in New York city. Justin Timberlake is known for his countless talents that also include his hyper dance moves, so if you want to dance till your bones break, Justin is coming for ya! 52 IDENTITY
FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR When October 19 -23 Where Frankfurt, Germany If you’re known to be the family’s bookworm, or have been nursing an increasingly growing admiration for books since childhood, this one is definitely for you! This place is for everyone in love with the written words. The 500 year old event holds a place of honour for being the most important book fair worldwide, hosting more than 7000 exhibitors from 100 countries. The public are invited for the last 2 days of the fair, which are filled with book signings, readings and other more exciting events!
MAROON 5 CONCERT When October 6 Where New York, USA Pop American band Maroon 5, together with sexy vocalist Adam Levine, are ready to sweep you off your feet and dazzle you with their concert in NYC on October 6th! So get ready and don’t forget to secure your tickets for a night to remember, literally!
VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE When October 31st Where Greenwich Village, NYC October is synonymous with Halloween, and if you’re a big enthusiast of its spooky vibes, you better head to New York city to participate in the 45th edition of the world’s biggest yearly Halloween parade that takes place there. All you have to do is sport a costume and join other participants in the most spontaneous way on the streets of The Big Apple. So get ready for all the jaw dropping performances and dazzling costumes! IDENTITY 53
T R AV E L
FALL
Getaways AGADIR & MARRAKECH 7 Days / 6 Nights Departs: Upon request Starting from: 18900 EGP Package Includes • Roundtrip economy airfare on board regular flights, including taxes • 3 nights accommodation in Agadir on a half board basis including taxes • 3 nights accommodation in Marakkech on a half board basis including taxes • Airport transfers in Morroco • All transfers between the cities For more information visit: Travcoholidays.travel
SAHL HASHEESH 3 Days / 2 Nights Departs: Upon request Starting from: 3000 EGP Package Includes • Per person for 2 night in double occupancy • Accommodation based on deluxe suite at the five stars Oberoi Hotel on bed and breakfast basis • Daily 2 bottles of water in the suite • Complimentary round trip private airport transfers by Mercedes Benz car for a minimum stay of 4 nights • Complimentary tea & coffee making facilities in the suite • Inclusive of service charges & taxes For more information visit: Travelchoiceegypt.com
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SRI LANKA 6 Days / 5 Nights Departs: Upon request Starting from: 17900 EGP Package Includes • Roundtrip economy airfare on board regular airlines, including taxes • 5 nights accommodation in Sri Lanka including breakfast and taxes • Roundtrip airport transfers in Sri Lanka For more information visit: Travcoholidays.travel
BEIRUT, LEBANON 4 Days/ 3 Nights Departs: 4/10/2018 Starting from: 7900 EGP Package Includes • The hotel accommodation in 4* downtown hotel on BB basis • The international flight round trip economy ticket • Transportation between hotel- airport & airport-hotel • Tour leader escorting from Egypt • Airline taxes For more information visit: Travista.com
SOMA BAY – EGYPT Movenpick Resort 4 Days/3 Nights Starting from: 2475 EGP Package Includes • Per person in double occupancy for 3 nights on soft all inclusive basis • Accommodation is based on a deluxe mountain view room at a five stars hotel • Inclusive of service charges and taxes For more information visit: Travelchoiceegypt.com IDENTITY 55
KENYA 6 Days / 5 Nights Departs: Upon Request Starting from: 23900 EGP Package Includes • Roundtrip economy airfare on EgyptAir regular flights, including taxes • 1 night in Nairobi on bed and breakfast basis in a standard room at Boulevard Hotel • 4 nights of a full board safari, all the properties are based on standard rooms • All parks’ entrance fees • A local SIM card will be given to you in your destination
THE HIMALAYAS – NEPAL
For more information visit: Travcoholidays.travel
9 Days/ 8 Nights Departs: Upon Request Starting from: 14,400 EGP Package Includes • Airport transfers • Accommodation in standard hotels in Kathmandu & Pokhara for 5 nights • Accommodation for 2 nights in mountain lodges in Dhampus & Sarangkot • Accommodation for 1 night in the Last Resort, camping in tents • Nepal Travel Permits • All transfers in a private vehicle For more information visit: Destination31.com
SPANISH PYRENEES 9 Days/8 Nights Starting: 2300 USD Departs: 12 October Package includes • Consultation on every aspect of the preparation including physical and mental • All public transports during the trip • All accommodation on a double occupancy basis in comfortable hotels and mountain huts • Experienced English speaking guides. • All activities as mentioned in the itinerary. • Branded T-shirt 56 IDENTITY
For more information visit: wildguanabana.com
ISLAND PEAK – NEPAL 18 Days/ 17 Nights Strating from: 2800 USD Departs: 26 October Package includes • All public transfers during the trip • Three daily meals during the trek • Internal Flight to and from Lukla • Basic lodging during the trek • Accommodation in tents for the climbing part • Group climbing equipment • First-aid kit and trained professionals in its use • Trekking permit (Everest Conservation fee) • Insurance for all staff including porters For more information visit: Wildguanabana.com
THE BALKANS
Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia 14 Days/13 Nights Departs: Upon Request Starting from: 38,000 EGP Package Includes • Accommodation for 10 nights in standard hotels in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Montenegro • Accommodation for 2 nights in a standard guesthouse in a forest village in Croatia • Accommodation for 1 night in a mountain hut in Bohinj in Slovenia • All activities and tours • All land transfers between the 4 countries in a private vehicle
MOUNT KILIMANJARO – TANZANIA
For more information visit: Destination31.com
8 Days/ 7 nights Starting from: 3000 USD Dates: 25 October Price includes • Consultation on every aspect of preparation inc. physical and mental • Hotel accommodation first night and day-use on the last day • Thick foam pad for sleeping • Top of the line expedition tents • Pulse oximeter, altitude sickness checklist, stocked first aid kit, custom evacuation stretcher, supplementary oxygen • All car transfers in Tanzania For more information visit: wildguanabana.com
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OUT & ABOUT
Bavarian Auto Group Starts Delivery of Third Generation, Locally Assembled BMW X3 As part of the expansion plans currently executed by the Bavarian Auto Group, which is the sole local assembler and importer of BMW and MINI brands in Egypt, the company has recently paved the way to start local assembly process to the third generation and all-new BMW X3. The All-New BMW X3 Now in Egypt in two different models Bavarian Auto Group presents the All-New BMW X3 in two models, which are the xDrive30i X-line and the BMW X3 M40i, assembled for the first time as models affiliated with the BMW M Performance family under the name M40i. BMW X3 xDrive30i X-line The BMW X3 xDrive30i X-line features a 4-cylinder TwinPower engine with a 2-litre capacity that generates 252 horsepower, and torque of 350 Nm connected to 8-speed automatic steptronic gearbox. This model accelerates from zero to 100KM/H in 6.3 seconds with the ability to reach a top speed of 240 KM/H, with an average fuel consumption of 7.6 liters per 100 KM. It also features electronic driving support systems such as the ABS brakes, the CBCCornering brake control, the DSC dynamic control system and the ECO Pro mode, which provides ECO Pro fuel economy. All this in addition to the Brake Energy Regeneration system, which converts power from braking to electrical energy, are what make this model a promising addition to the assembly line. The model offers many standard features to ensure comfort and luxury. The first is Acoustic Glass with
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X-line exterior, along with versatile leather-wrapped sports steering wheel, which supports the braking system. LED lighting with LED front fog lights with a panorama sunroof are also available, and sports seats with back support and Comfort Access complement this feature. This model also has a Navigation System Professional with a 10.2-inch data display, boasting a 20GB hard drive and gesture control that enable the driver to control sound and receive or decline phone calls. BMW X3 M40i The BMW X3 M40i model comes with many unique, exclusive features, on top of it is the attractive design of the exterior, with the M Sport Package and unparalleled performance of its powerful engine. This model accelerates from zero to 100KM/H in 4.8 seconds with a maximum speed of 250KM/H, and an average fuel consumption of 8.9 liters per 100KM. The fuel tank boasts a capacity of 65 litres. The BMW X3 M40i comes with the same equipment as the X3 xDrive30i X-line, plus the various M sports features, enhancing its performance and strength. The X3 M40i is available in the M Aerodynamic Package, which appears with the gray colour that identifies the M Performance. It also enjoys the presence of the M-type multifunction steering wheel with the powerful M Sport Brakes system, adorned in blue covers and 20 inch sports wheels. The BMW X3 M40i also comes with the M Sport Suspension system that offers unmatched stability, which is complemented by the variable Sport Steering feature, which provides precise car guidance through servotronic technology.
TATWEER MISR’S FOUKA BAY AWARDED TOP MEDITERRANEAN RESORT BY ‘THE MEDITERRANEAN RESORT & HOTEL REAL-ESTATE FORUM’
points out “At Tatweer Misr, our mission is to offer our residents and guests an exceptional quality of life and a state-of-the-art residential environment, combined with fully integrated sustainable solutions that encapsulate our vision of building value. The value goes beyond building houses and units to building a life by providing all that is necessary to ensure that those options be they for leisure or business are made available through the different services and facilities we provide”.
Cairo, September 13, 2018: Tatweer Misr was awarded Top Mediterranean Resort under development by The Mediterranean Resort & Hotel Real Estate Forum. The award recognizes outstanding mixed-use resorts and developments showcasing dedication, innovation and expertise in tourism and hospitality across the Mediterranean region. The shortlisted finalists are judged by some of the most respected and experienced names in the industry and the winner is selected through public vote. A nomination is a recognition of the nominee’s dedication to furthering tourism across the Mediterranean through industry leading design, guest amenities and services. Tatweer Misr is the first Egyptian Developer to achieve this award which was granted last year to Club Med in Marbella, Spain. Commenting on the award Dr. Shalaby, Tatweer Misr CEO and Managing Director said “We are extremely proud to be recognized for the pioneering work we are currently undertaking in Fouka Bay. Being recognized as best in class, amongst such an illustrious group in the Mediterranean region, is an incredible achievement and we are delighted to have achieved this recognition. “ Notable is that this recognition follows Tatweer Misr’s impressive performance at the Cityscape Awards, where it won the best in class in the category Residential Low Rise Future projects in all the emerging markets for its flagship project IL Monte Galala in Sokhna.
The MR&H awards recognize outstanding mixed-use resorts and developments across the Mediterranean region in two categories under development and operating. Part of the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) , the Mediterranean Resort & Hotel Real Estate Forum is an annual conference and networking event dedicated to facilitating investment and development in hospitality real estate in the Mediterranean. IHIF is the industry’s leading hotel investment conference, bringing together over 2,400 senior figures involved in all aspects of the hospitality and tourism value chain with a focus on the Mediterranean market which includes the markets of Southern Europe (including the key markets of Spain, Portugal, France and Italy), South-Eastern Europe (Adriatic, Greece), North Africa (from Morocco to Egypt), the Eastern Mediterranean (Turkey and the Levant) and island markets.
With its unique masterplan that ensures low building density and a water front for every house, Fouka Bay has set a new standard of expectations in architectural design and lifestyle options. Like its counterpart in Sokhna, Fouka Bay exhibits a number of amenities and life style options that are a trademark of Tatweer Misr offerings. Building value beyond housing this project includes a diverse range of lifestyle activities be it on or off the beach and finally a diverse array of F and B outlets in addition to Wellness, Fitness and spa options. Phase I of Fouka Bay is projected for delivery at the end of 2018.
Fouka Bay is another milestone project of Tatweer Misr, located on the North Coast with an extended one-kilometer long coastal front. The project, launched in 2015, is a mixed used touristic development spread over one million m2, incorporating residential and recreational aspects including , the recently launched and soon to open range of Kerten boutique hotels including Cloud7 and The House and Residence Hotels which represent a new concept solution and untraditional approach that is such a trademark of Tatweer Misr. As Shalaby
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HAVE THE FULL BRUNCH EXPERIENCE AT CONRAD’S SOLANA’S FRIDAY BRUNCH!
Brunch is now officially the main meal for millennials, but finding the perfect place for brunch might be tricky. The thing about brunch is it is not just about the food. The perfect brunch has to be a full experience. We may, however, have stumbled upon the perfect place for brunch. We visited Conrad’s Solana’s Friday brunch, and we experienced the full brunch experience! With the perfect location, overlooking the Nile River, the Conrad hotel has always been a favourite for Egyptians. The Solana restaurant, which serves Mediterranean food, is located on the second floor at the Conrad hotel; meaning it is overlooking the Nile while being close enough to appreciate the beauty of it. Most importantly, the best thing about Solana’s back to school brunch is that it’s not just about the tasty Mediterranean food that we all love; it’s also mainly an international buffet showcasing amazing cuisines of several food types to suit everyone’s preferences, like Asian, Egyptian and Lebanese restaurants, served in Jayda Lounge and Bar, Oak Grill and Kamala; what could be better for the little happy tummies?
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Solana’s Friday brunches usually have a theme to them, and the one we attended had a back to school theme. Families were enjoying their brunch alongside the live music and surrounded by Mediterranean food. By Mediterranean food, we mean all sorts of seafood – from sushi to full shelled crabs – to salads, to even chocolate fountains. But we must say that the star of the night had to be the Sushi. Going back to the brunch experience, the sushi was prepared right in front of us by Solana’s sushi master. Now you might think the sushi master just rolled a few sushi and placed it on our plates, but you are wrong. There was fire, flying sushi and karate moves we never expected to see happen while we’re served sushi. Solana’s Friday brunch takes place from 1 PM to 5 PM, for only (320 ++EGP) per person, while children under six receive complimentary brunches, and children from six to 12 receive 50% discount. And don’t forget to ask for your free parking pass!
YOUR EXTRAORDINARY ACCESS TO WELLNESS AT
THE NILE RITZ-CARLTON SPA
The Nile Ritz-Carlton Spa takes the wellness experience to new heights, introducing exclusive annual membership with a special offer until end of December 2018, offering one-of-a-kind experiences for guests and a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The spa promises a supremely relaxing experience, in beautifully appointed surroundings that are redolent of Cairo’s rich history. From the calming scent of jasmine and the soft glow of candlelight to the unabashed decadence of a milk foot bath, every aspect has been carefully crafted to ensure complete satisfaction. At The Nile Ritz-Carlton Spa, indulgence is encouraged, with a treatment menu that addresses the body from head-totoe, and tranquil relaxation lounges that entices guests to arrive early, and linger long after the therapy is complete. With panoramic views of the city from floor-to-ceiling windows, the gym enjoys inspirational views throughout the day and night. Advanced modern equipment, luxury changing facilities and the attention of expert personal trainers ensure a satisfying and productive session, whatever the member’s fitness aims may be. The single annual membership package fee is for EGP 18,000 inclusive of taxes and service charges and offers benefits including complete 24-hour access to all spa and gym facilities, including steam, sauna, heated marble lounge, relaxation area (Including public holidays), the use of our the lavish 52-meter outdoor pool, 25% savings on private pool
cabanas (subject to availability), 25% savings on spa treatments (60 minutes and above, excluding special offers), 15% savings on food and beverage (excludes alcohol), 25% savings on all fitness classes, 20% savings on laundry and dry cleaning, 50% savings on 3 nights’ accommodation at The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo (subject to availability). Also there is an option to freeze the membership for up to two months. Additional benefits for the single membership includes a complimentary dinner for two at any of the hotel’s restaurants (subject to booking and availability), complimentary one-hour massage (excluding special offers), two complimentary personal training sessions per member, six complimentary guest invitations and complimentary valet parking.
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CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL & OMAR KHAYYAM CASINO Celebrates the Merge of Marriott International’s Loyalty Programs August 18th, 2018 marked a very special day in the history of Marriott International. A new era has just begun for more than 110 million members of Marriott International’s loyalty programs – Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG). For the first time since Marriott International acquired Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 2016, the three programs that used to run simultaneously are now combined into a single Loyalty Program. Members can now earn and redeem points across full portfolio of properties, consisting of 29 brands and more than 6,700 participating hotels in 130 countries and territories.. Celebrations at the palace had their own charm. The hotel’s Guest Relations team spread happiness on both juniors and adults by offering cupcakes to all guests at the lobby. “Ask me about Loyalty” was a podium set at the hotel main lobby to answer guests’ questions about the program and explain all new benefits. The palace was flanked by flyers, rollups and other collaterals showing the new benefits of the program. Members now earn on average 20 percent more points per 1 USD spent and have their Elite status recognized consistently at every hotel as they indulge in the elevated benefits they have earned. Under the unified programs, members now earn Silver Elite status after just ten nights annually, Gold Elite status after just 25 nights, Platinum Elite status after 50 nights and Platinum Premier Elite status after 75 nights. All Platinum Premier members surpassing 100 nights and $20,000 annual spend
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will enjoy the highest level of personalized service – the popular ambassador program – along with all the other benefits in that tier. Members who have achieved Lifetime status will continue to have their status recognized under the new Lifetime Elite tiers that will apply across the unified programs. It is now easier to redeem free nights. The unified program does not only provide accommodation but carries a whole new travel experience beginning with a range of destination tours and day trips to exclusive member-only events. Members can now earn points on food and beverage, spa and other qualifying charges rather than only the room rate. Saving more by booking direct on any of Marriott International’s digital and mobile channels means members can take advantage of exclusive memberonly rates and free Wi-Fi. In addition, both the Marriott and SPG apps offer mobile check-in and check-out and send members alerts when their room is ready. Members can also chat directly with hotel associates before, during, and after their stays using Mobile Requests, and use their smartphones as their room key at more than 1,000 hotels. The information above represents a summary of certain features of Marriott International’s Unified Loyalty Programs and is subject to the program’s full terms and conditions. To learn more about the unified programs and benefits, please visit Marriott.com or SPG.com.
Safety. First Tetra Pak is committed to protecting what’s good in food, but how much do people really know about food protection and what can be done to ensure we protect ourselves against foodborne diseases? According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the majority of us will experience foodborne disease at some point in our lives . Most of us have experienced food poisoning because of poor food standards at least once, but did you know 1 in 10 people fall ill every year from contaminated food with 420,000 fatalities each year? You may be also shocked to learn, children under five are particularly susceptible to illnesses triggered as a result of ingesting food with harmful bacteria, toxins and chemicals. The elderly is also at high risk of getting seriously ill from bacteria and parasites in food.
Yousry Ali Joins Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis As General Manager Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo – Heliopolis is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Yousry Ali to the position of General Manager. Mr. Yousry’s Career spans over 30 years in the hospitality industry. Prior joining Radisson Blu Hotel, he served as General Manager for Movenpick Hotel & Resort in several destinations in Egypt.
Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir receives 6 consecutive prestigious awards Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir has once again been recognized as a top performing hotel based on guest reviews as it received the Guest Review and excellence Awards 2018 from Booking.com, TripAdvisor , Orbitz, Holiday Check , Expedia and Hotels. com the 6 top world leaders in booking accommodations online. Steigenberger El Tahrir is delighted to receive such prestigious awards which are symbols of excellence signifying that the hotel is considered a best guest experience provider among other listed competing properties on the six websites.
In collaboration with Dar Al Fouad Hospital, Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls launches its 10th annual heart health campaign ‘Feel the Beat’ to raise awareness on cardiovascular disease Complimentary heart testing and fitness classes for women at Mall of Egypt Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, launched its 10th regional health awareness campaign, Feel the Beat, offering complimentary cardiohealth screening for women in its shopping malls in the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon and Oman.
Novartis Egypt launches second training event for journalists on the latest developments in metastasizing breast cancer using the latest technologies In light of Novartis Oncology’s successful first training event, “Oncology On Air”, held in July 2018 with the aim of keeping media professionals up to date on scientific advancements and treatment solutions available for tumors in general, the company announced the launch of a second training event for media professionals on metastasizing breast cancer.
Mercedes-Benz Egypt launches the new C-Class family range at the 2018 Automech-Formula Motor Show Mercedes-Benz Egypt displayed its outstanding 2019 model range throughout its strong participation at the 25th Automech-Formula motor show. This year’s motor show takes place at the Egypt international Exhibition center from September 26-30, 2018. In addition to displaying the brand’s impressive line-up, the MercedesBenz stand was nothing short of impressive as well, featuring new digital capabilities and options.
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OPPO launches F9 debuts in Egypt with VOOC Flash Charge and Gradient Colours inspired from nature OPPO launched the all-new F9 smartphone -the sixth generation of the F series- in the Egyptian market. The F9 marks a new stage in OPPO’s transformative journey, in addition to the excellent selfie function, the F9 has made breakthroughs in fast charging, dual rear cameras, and gradient colour design, F9 comes with a price 5,790 EGP for the 4GB edition.
The First Center of Excellence for Hemophilia Treatment launches in Atfal Misr Health Insurance Hospital The New Center is Equipped According to the Latest International Standards The General Authority for Health Insurance and Novo Nordisk, the world’s leading manufacturer of insulin and hemophilia treatment, opened today the first Center of Excellence for the treatment of hemophilia patients at Atfal Misr Health Insurance Hospital in El Sayeda Zeinab.
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Pedal it out to bring Egypt’s heart beat back In commemoration of Heart Awareness Month, and World Heart Day later this month – (29th September), the Philips Foundation in collaboration with Philips Egypt and the Egyptian Red Crescent has launched a campaign called Back to Rhythm aimed at creating public awareness around cardiac health in Egypt and increasing the chances of survival of victims of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
Nestlé celebrates World Breastfeeding Week with 300 Egyptian mothers Nestlé is the world’s leading nutritional health and wellness company, with a purpose of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future. Driven by their care for children and mother’s health, World Breastfeeding Week with Nestlé’s contribution was heavily anticipated by mothers across the country.
Narrative PR Summit returns this October for the third year in a row Elite Members Money Can’t Buy Experiences At The Nile RitzCarlton, Cairo The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo, the iconic luxury hotel on the shores of the Nile, welcomes Elite members to the historic city in August. The landmark property will offer its esteemed members an opulent retreat in the heart of Cairo that is rich in history and intuitive in service ensuring that their stay is exclusive, unrivalled and memorable. The Ritz-Carlton’s loyalty team intends to astonish its members with unique and money can’t buy experiences that lasts a lifetime.
New Executive Chef at Sofitel El Gezirah Chef Jeremy Cayron brings more than 18 years of culinary experience to Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah. He has worked in some of the world’s top kitchens and exclusive hotels. Prior to his appointment at Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah he was the Executive Chef of Sofitel Bangkok, Thailand and also joined Sofitel in Budapest, Hungary.
Following success of its earlier editions, the global public relations gathering has won the patronage of Egypt’s Prime Minister Narrative PR Summit, Egypt’s first international public relations forum, will run for its third year next month, convening a stellar line-up of local and international speakers including Egypt’s influential female ministers H.E. Ghada Waly – Minister of Social Solidarity and H.E. Rania AlMashat – Minister of Tourism.
Coming from the south of France, Jeremy got involved into the “Art of Cuisine” at a young age. This interest, later on evolved into a passion and made him travel the world while discovering new cultures, flavours and spices.
Celebrating Your New Chapter At Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel SODIC awarded 500 acres in West Cairo through Bid on NUCA’s Co development Offering The 500 acres bring SODIC’s undeveloped land bank to a total of 8 million square meters Sixth of October Development & Investment Company “SODIC” announced receiving the official award letter for a 500 acre plot allocated by the New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA). The 500 acre plot is located in the Sheikh Zayed Extension area, is a mere 10 minutes’ drive from SODIC West, SODIC’s flagship mixed-use community in West Cairo.
Carmen Soliman Wows her Fans in a Live Concert at The District Mall “The District’s “Summer Hits” entertainment program hosted a spectacular concert for Singer Carmen Soliman who performed a collection of her most popular songs before a huge crowd of her fans.
Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel knows that it takes expert planning, access to the best quality resources, and a great deal of creative artistry to create the ultimate wedding experience. Knowing that many newly engaged couples may not have the time to source and coordinate all these important elements, the Hotel has thoughtfully designed a number of outstanding Weekend and Weekday wedding packages incorporating everything you will need to make your wedding a success. Choosing one of these packages will allow you to relax and enjoy all the fun and excitement leading up to your big day.
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Egypt’s Largest Hotel Group Rebrands Huawei Deepens Cooperation with Duisburg to Transform Germany’s Industrial Heartland into a Smart City Sören Link, Mayor of Duisburg, Germany, is leading a 19-person government delegation to visit Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, China and deepen their cooperation in smart city development. Their cooperation will focus on transforming Duisburg from a traditional industrial city into a serviceoriented smart city through smart government, smart port logistics, smart education, smart infrastructure, 5G and broadband, smart homes, and urban IoT.
Feel Alive Again With The New Ikea 2019 Catalogue Newly launched 2019 catalogue makes its way to Egypt celebrating the different ways we live at home IKEA, the region’s favourite Swedish home-furnishing retailer, has launched the 2019 catalogue in its 75th year, at an exclusive event at Al Futtaim Sales office, Cairo Festival City by celebrating the many different needs that people have in their lives at home and inviting them to feel alive again. As one of the most widely distributed prints in the world, produced in 35 accessible languages, the catalogue is now available in Cairo.
Lively Lebanese Evenings At Jw Marriott Cairo’s Ahlein Restaurant
KFC Celebrates Founder’s 128th Birthday by Inspiring Positive Acts of Colonel-ness Across the Region Beloved Colonel Sanders’ birthday celebrations to recognise the efforts of unsung delivery heroes across the UAE, KSA and Egypt KFC, the world’s largest chicken restaurant, has announced a new annual initiative in honor of Colonel Harland Sander’s 128th birthday, celebrating Acts of Colonel-ness that radiate kindness, inspire positive change within the community and remind people to be generous in thoughts and actions
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Jaz Collection Is Now Jaz Hotel Group. Egypt’s largest hospitality chain is reinforcing its presence with a new brand name presenting “JAZ HOTEL GROUP”. We are thrilled to announce the new modernized logo as part of the ongoing development. We have set foundations that evolved over the years, and we have refreshed our look to reflect who we are today. We analyzed our values as an organization and created a brand identity that reflects those values.
Seeking an authentic Lebanese dining experience in Cairo? Consider exploring JW Marriott Hotel Cairo’s much-loved Ahlein restaurant. Culinary Award at Le Méridien Cairo Airport. You will often see him exploring new flavours and preparing his signature creations, Meet the Master behind Le Meridien Cairo Airport savoury pastries ,Chef Sedhom, Egyptian Pastry Cup winner and Silver Medal Winner of Africa Pastry World Championship 2018.
Ahlein (which roughly translates to “a very warm welcome” in Levantine Arabic) has been sharing its delicious Lebanese cuisine, warm hospitality, and atmospheric live entertainment with guests for more than a decade. It is a preferred dining destination for locals in Cairo, and offers a comfortable environment for travellers wishing to enjoy live music and belly dance shows.
AccorHotels Management team demonstrate community commitment by visiting the Egyptian Food Bank to explore potential cooperation AccorHotels management team visited the Egyptian Food Bank, as part of its strategy to encourage its employees to play an active role in the community development activities, enhance their commitment towards their social responsibility and strengthening the internal interactivity among AccorHotels across Egypt.
Noura Ragheb New Commercial Director at Conrad Cairo Hotel Wolfgang Maier, General Manager at Conrad Cairo, announces the appointment of Noura Ragheb as the hotel’s new Commercial Director. Noura enjoys an extensive operational experience of over 10 years in the hospitality industry, eight of them with Hilton
New Beginnings Start At Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences Whether you are looking for an elegant open air ceremony, or a remarkable indoor classic wedding venue, we will ensure that your day is a resounding success. Menus start from EGP359 (including service charge and taxes). Our Chef will be delighted to tailor make your own menu or just select one of ours.
The MENA region’s First E-Commerce Summit Launches in Egypt This Year
The Creative Industry Summit’s 9th edition welcomes some of the best creative minds locally and internationally. Following its five year success streak, today we witness the 9th edition for the Creative Industry Summit in the Four Seasons Nile Plaza, where some of the finest local and international creative and marketing industries experts attended. The C-S shines a spotlight on Egypt’s creative work, which is a topic of interest for the international experts participating in the event.
The first event of its kind focusing on the latest e-commerce trends, innovations and future technologies. For the first time in Egypt, the launch of a dedicated e-commerce summit invites industry leaders to celebrate the success of various digital implementations and deliberate on the future of the business landscape in the region. The event – first of its kind – is set to become an annual destination for retailers to explore e-commerce solutions, the latest trends and innovations and future technologies transforming the retail market in the MENA region.
In support of Egyptian art and leisure tourism PepsiCo Egypt sponsors the second round of El-Gouna Film Festival (GFF) In support of the Egyptian national economy, PepsiCo Egypt sponsors the second round of ElGouna Film Festival to promote leisure tourism in one of Egypt’s most beautiful beaches. The festival will commence on the 20th of September, ending on the 28th in the tourist city of El Gouna in the Red Sea.
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SIGNS
Libra
September 23 – October 22 Strengths Caring, sociable and very understanding Weaknesses Escapes conflicts and holds grudges Most Compatible With Gemini, Leo and Sagittarius Love Libras are very romantic and outgoing and this is what they love about a partner. They don’t like the feeling of being tied down. When dealing with problems, they tend to be diplomatic and don’t like to resort to confrontations and fights.
LOVE COMPATIBILITY ARIES You two might feel that initial attraction when you first meet but you think of relationships a bit differently. Libras want their partner to be around all the time while Aries is more independent.
LIBRA This is considered to be the perfect match as you will be sharing a really strong mental and emotional connection. However, your indecisiveness might be the only problem standing in your way.
TAURUS It is quite a difficult match but not impossible. Libra likes the persistence in Taurus; however Taurus is impatient and wouldn’t always tolerate your shortcomings.
SCORPIO It is a dynamic pairing where Scorpios have a tendency to get attracted to the loving sensitive side of Libras. The only issue with this relationship is that you love freedom and Scorpios may become a bit possessive.
GEMINI You two have lots of things in common which will initiate the spark. Your diplomacy will help you overcome some of the difficulties caused by the unstable Gemini.
SAGITTARIUS The level of communication you two have is close to perfect which makes this relationship easy. You two have lots in common like tolerance, being adventurous and being inclined to new experiences.
CANCER It is a very hard combination given that Cancer is usually laid back and old fashioned, while you are more attracted to enthusiasts.
CAPRICORN It is not a very hard combination, but the success of your relationship solely depends on whether you two are willing to adjust or not.
LEO This relationship could prosper and go places. Leos love confrontation and even though you hate it, your diplomacy helps in resolving issues that may arise.
AQUARIUS You inevitably attract each other. This relationship will give you both the opportunity to develop and understand yourselves a little bit better.
VIRGO Given that you two are very outgoing, Libras make Virgos more outgoing and lively. You are open to criticism, which is a lot from Virgo’s side. But this makes you feel like growing more.
PISCES The only problem that you two will face is the fact that Pisces are a bit of introverts while you are sociable and bubbly which might hinder this part of you.
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Sheer Driving Pleasure
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