November/December 2022

November -

Visit us online at www.egypttoday.com

FEATURES

38 Classic Christmas Desserts

These delicious classics look like a dream and are guaranteed to be the perfect ending to any Christmas meal.

42 A Time for Giving

Five acts of giving that will help you spread Christmas cheer.

By Rana Hamdy

44 Seven Christmas Movies that Will Put You in the Holiday Spirit

The festive season is around the corner, and if you are the type of person who prefers to celebrate at home with family and friends, a nice dinner and a movie night can be an enjoyable alternative.

By Rana Hamdy

48 Jingle Bells

Our top 15 picks for your essential Christmas playlist. GIVING VOICE TO YOUTH AT COP27

52 Dream in Green: Empowering Youth for Climate Change

Barbara Martinez-Guerrero on how organizations can work individually to engage youth and why it’s important younger generations have a voice when it comes to finding solutions to climate change.

By Angy Essam

COVER STORY

CHRISTMAS CHEER

Our roundup of the holiday season's best places to celebrate the festivities, complete with a guide to food, music and gifting.

Cover design by Heba Mekky

32

54 Toward Zero Carbon Ben Sackler on the importance of listening to nations that are most affected by climate change.

By Angy Essam

56 The Role of Filmmaking in Fighting Climate Change Award-winning filmmaker Larry Engels on the impact media can have in the fight against climate change.

By Angy Essam

58 Encouraging Climate Action for Our Future Pam Allio on why we owe it to future generations to act now.

By Angy Essam

60 Fighting Climate Change through Collaboration Reshma Singh on the importance of impelling our society towards net zero carbon-built environments that promote equitable wellness and resilience.

By Angy Essam

64 Reconnecting With Our Nature Selena Feliciano on renewable energy as a tool, and not the solution, for climate change.

By Angy Essam

66 Voices for Climate Change through Film and Media

Filmmaker Sophia Nelson on mobilizing youth and bringing about change by supporting corporate social responsibility campaigns and exploring how businesses can engage in sustainable and ethical practices.

By Angy Essam

68 Connecting with Resources Youth environmental activist Alakoka Kailahi on the role of social media in eliminating climate change illiteracy.

By Angy Essam

70 Leading By Example AUC participates in COP27 with cutting-edge climate research, initiatives and activities.

72 How Can Businesses Create Positive Change Towards Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems?

Vice President, Climate & Biodiversity at Tetra Pak Gilles Tisserand assesses the operation of current global food systems and discusses the opportunity to develop actions and solutions to create more sustainable and resilient food value chains.

By Gilles Tisserand

74 Rebelling Against Climate Change

Extinction Rebellion Youth uses non-violent civil disobedience to compel government action against climate change, biodiversity loss and social and ecological collapse.

By Angy Essam

98 All Eyes on the Ball

The world looks to Qatar for a spectacular Football World Cup.

THE GUIDE

Music

10 The Violin Voice of Love

World-renowned violinist Daisy Jopling takes part in Irradiance at the Giza Pyramids, merging Western, Egyptian and African music into a spectacular sound and light experience.

By Angy Essam

Music 14 Music As An Inspiration For Fashion

Mall of Egypt Partners with FAD Dubai and Hisham Kharma to support emerging fashion talent.

Art 16 Bringing the Magic of the Orient to Life

In her 16th showing at Safarkhan, longtime resident talent Katherine Bakhoum brings us a new stellar output in her traditionally classical style of painting.

Books

22 A Story of Womanhood, Family and Loss

Fatma Qandil, winner of this year’s Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature, lifts the curtain on domestic violence in her debut novel, Empty Cages.

24 Pass a Book Working to revive reading in the Arab world, iRead Foundation announces the launch of “Egypt Collects 1 Million Books” project on the sidelines of the third edition of its iRead Awards.

Health

26 The Ultimate Rise Cairo Festival City raises awareness around mental health and wellbeing.

Culture 28 Celebrating the Heritage of North Sinai

The frst South Sinai International Festival kicks off in December.

FOOD TODAY

72 Breakfast With a View Rawi Restaurant is back at Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino.

74

Bitesize

Feschcano takes Egypt by storm and Chef Leonardo Nucera’s brings the taste of Italy to the Nile Ritz-Carlton's Vivo Restaurant.

FASHION TODAY 80 Guided by the Stars

At an extravagant event with the Grand Pyramids as a backdrop, Dior celebrated its 75th anniversary with the launch of its Autumn collection, part of the continuum of past, present, and future at Dior—with very much the future in mind.

84 Out of Balance: At the Intersection Between Individual Originality and the Outside World New footwear brand SEDI translates the asymmetry of the self into a fashion statement, debuting with a summer collection celebrating organic beauty and human duality.

TECH TODAY

88 At the Touch of a Button GV Development Showcases Egypt’s Industrial Giant Tarboul at Cairo ICT and GROHE announces its 2023 summit “Caring for Water”

ALSO...........

90 Around Town 98 Parting Shot

A Time of Festivities

It’s that time of year again when we’re celebrating with family, friends and loved ones. For our special annual holiday edition we bring you not only our regular Guide to Christmas and New Year’s but also a look at alternative things you can do this season to share the Christmas spirit and make a small difference in someone’s life. In “A Time for Giving,” we bring you five small acts of giving that will help you spread Christmas cheer and go a long way to putting a smile on the face of the needy. Check out “Christmas Cheer,” for the best venues you can gather with family, friends and loved ones for sumptuous festive feasts. But if you are planning cozier holidays this year, and you’re the type of person who prefers to celebrate at home with family and friends, a nice dinner and a movie night can be an enjoyable alternative. Delight your guests with our delicious dessert classics that look like a dream and are guaranteed to be the perfect ending to any Christmas meal. After that serve up some hot chocolate and snuggle in front of the TV and take your pick from our Christmas movie playlist. And speaking of playlists we've put together our 15 all-time favorite Xmas songs to put you in the festive spirit, whether at home or the office.

Elsewhere in our issue Deputy Editor Angy Essam sits down with a number of environment warriors who travelled from the four corners of the globe to attend last month's COP27 and make sure the voices of the world's youth get a chance to be heard. Read her one-on-one interviews with climate activists who are trying to change mindsets through film, traditional and new media, awareness training and non-violent rebellion.

COP27 wasn't the only major international event to be hosted by Egypt last month; Dior held their breathtaking collection launch at the foot of the Pyramids and world-renowned violinist Daisy Joplin also chose the same iconic backdrop for her recent concert. Read Essam's interview with Joplin in our Guide section.

On our Guide pages we look at a series of initiatives to raise awareness of mental health, reading for all and the cultural heritage of South Sinai, which will be showcased this month at the first Sinai International Festival. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year — Noha Mohammed nmohammed@egypttoday.com

BLACK BAY

unseen and dare all? This is the spirit that gave birth to TUDOR, a spirit carried forward by every woman and man who wears this watch. Without it, there is no story, no legend and no victory. This is the spirit that drives David Beckham every single day. This is the spirit embodied by every TUDOR Watch. Some are born to follow. Others are born to dare. CITYSTARS MALL HELIOPOLIS - T. 24802299, 01282708899 JW MARRIOTT, MIRAGE CITY - T. 24111444, 01271119272 WWW.FELOPATEERPALACE.COM - FELOPATEER@FELOPATEERPALACE.COM

The Violin Voice of Love

ART Bringing the Magic of the Orient to Life

In

BOOKS

A Story of Womanhood, Family and Loss

Fatma Qandil, winner of this year’s Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature, lifts the curtain on domestic violence in her debut novel, Empty Cages.

World-renowned violinist Daisy Jopling takes part in Irradiance at the Giza Pyramids, merging Western, Egyptian and African music into a spectacular sound and light experience.

MUSIC

The Violin Voice of Love

By Angy Essam

Against a backdrop of the Great Pyramid of Giza, Hany Adel and his Wust El Balad band performed alongside jazz singer Noha Fekry, world-class British violinist Daisy Jopling, and a band consisting of young refugees and Egyptian artists from the AfriCairo Collective.

Titled “Irradiance,” the show was a magical and breathtaking musical experience, merging Western, Egyptian, and African music into a spectacular soundand-light experience never seen before.

In addition to the main performers, the concert featured a choir of youth from underprivileged areas in Cairo, as part of a project supported by The Daisy Jopling Music Mentorship Foundation, giving destitute youth in Cairo a chance to build their confidence through the creative arts. The concert was also an opportunity for refugees engaged in music, film and event production to work alongside Egyptian professionals as part of a project by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and IEFTA that aims to facilitate their access to the creative sector of the Egyptian job market.

World-renowned violinist Daisy Jopling takes part in Irradiance at the Giza Pyramids, merging Western, Egyptian and African music into a spectacular sound and light experience.

Daisy Jopling is an internationally renowned violinist and composer who has played at world-class events since the age of 14. She has toured globally with her Daisy Jopling Band and with the creative string trio Triology, recorded major albums, collaborated with superstars worldwide, and composed music for various ensembles that has been performed in major concert halls throughout the world. Egypt Today sat down with the world-class British violinist to talk about her recent concert in Egypt and her extraordinary musical career.

What was it like performing at the Giza Pyramids?

As I waited to walk on stage before our Irradiance concert I was flooded with awe that I am performing in this iconic place. I am honored beyond words that I was able to have this experience. For me, the Giza Pyramids brought me into a place of high love vibration with great gratitude, and the musical vibration of my performance reflected that. I also know that my audience were feeling the amazement of seeing the pyramids lit up and feeling the transcendence of time through their presence.

Irradiance merges Western, Egyptian and African music into a spectacular sound and light experience. Tell us more about that.

A couple of years ago members of my team in the US suggested we perform at the Giza Pyramids. I couldn’t imagine how that could be possible, so I discarded the idea. But I felt inspired to research more about Egyptian culture and the pyramids, and I became absolutely hooked. It was so inspirational to me that I decided to travel to Egypt and explore the idea of a concert there. Within 24 hours of being in Cairo I met the amazing producer Ragnhild Ek, CEO of Red Amber Events. She and I share similar musical tastes and are both passionate about how music can transform children’s

lives. We decided to create a concert which merges Egyptian, classical and African music, all of which I feel deeply connected to. I also have a very strong artistic background, and I love to include a light show in my performances.

Tell us about your first cooperation with Hany Adel and his band Wust El Balad, Noha Fekry, young refugees band and the Egyptian artists from AfriCairo Collective.

Ragnhild connected me to Ahmed Omar, Wust El Balad, Hany Adel and Noha Fekry, who are all musicians I absolutely adore. We decided that Ahmed Omar would be our music director, and Ahmed and I chose my original music which we felt our Egyptian audience would relate to, then Ahmed enhanced my music by adding traditional Egyptian instruments. I chose two of my favorite Omar Khairat pieces, and also chose songs by Hany Adel and Noha Fekry because of the meaning of their lyrics, which really touched me. I feel both personally, spiritually and musically deeply

connected to all of these artists. It felt so easy and joyous to work with them. My friend Iman Mortagy also put me in touch with the managers of the Cairo-based children’s arts program Harakat. I was blown away by their amazing work, and I decided to invite them to perform in the concert with us. Having the children on stage enhanced our concert in a deeply meaningful way, and also was a transformative experience for these children. It was also truly wonderful to have the young star singer Mariam Magdy perform with us. I am thrilled that AfriCairo opened the concert for us, and being able to offer these uplifting experiences for refugees is something I feel privileged to be a part of.

One of your biggest achievements is forming the Daisy Jopling Foundation which brings mentorship by international musicians to the youth of the world and takes away the barrier of cost to attending concerts and music programs for children. Tell us more about the role of your foundation.

Through the work of my foundation I have seen firsthand for the last 12 years that giving a child the opportunity to perform and express themselves through music can be completely life changing. It builds up their confidence, opens doors, hearts and minds, and teaches them lifelong learning skills. So far, my foundation has worked with over 8,000 children, and we would love to collaborate with local organizations in Cairo to bring more music programs to children.

was by all means life-changing for you. How did the experience affect your musical career?

The experience of performing at the Royal Albert was indeed life-changing for me. Even though I felt incredibly nervous the week before, the moment I stepped out on stage, I felt like I was flying. The performance seemed to be over in a few seconds, and I realized performing is something I absolutely love. Having this kind of opportunity is something I love to pass on to the students in our mentorship foundation. I feel passionately that each person’s voice is important, and a performance is a moment of connection and listening for both the performers and audience.

Why did you study at three conservatories? And how has that affected your artistic path?

I initially studied at a world-class classical music institution, the Royal College of Music in London. My fantastic teachers, Frances Mason and Itzak Rashkovsky, gave me a firm technical foundation to my violin playing. I then studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, where I began improvising and to play different styles of music. Finally I studied at the Conservatoire in Vienna with world-renowned violin teacher Boris Kuschnir. Being in Vienna, surrounded by extraordinary, creative musicians and studying with Kuschnir gave me confidence and the courage

to become the musician I wanted to be—forging a new path to create something which has never been done before.

What is your most memorable moment as a musician so far?

Performing at the Giza Pyramids is something I will never forget! But I also have other deeply memorable experiences, for example performing at the Tajin Festival in Mexico, with a rainforest behind us and pyramids in front of us. I was performing with the creative string trio Triology, and we were playing a piece by the cellist Tristan Schulze which was inspired by Senegalese Birdsong. As we started to play this music, birds in the rainforest started to sing. We were all in awe. Tears of emotion were rolling down my cheeks, and as we finished the music, the birds carried on singing, and there was total silence in the audience. We were all transfixed by this magical moment.

I also loved performing for 30,000 people at the opening of the Vienna festival, just walking onstage and hearing the roar of the audience was extraordinary.

Tell us more about touring the world with international musicians.

I love exploring new cultures, new perspectives on life, and learning new musical styles on my violin. Music transcends all boundaries, and is a way to bring our world together,

connecting as human beings. I feel honored beyond words to have performed with many great musicians around the world, connecting in love, creativity and understanding. Being able to add the component of the refugees and children as well is incredibly rewarding.

You master fiddle in addition to violin—will we see you playing bluegrass one day?

I love that idea (laughs). Bluegrass music is a whole new world for me, and I hope someday that I will get into that world as well. I love the music and I am good friends with legendary bluegrass fiddler Mark O’Connor—he is a great inspiration to me.

What are your plans for the future?

With my violin voice of love, I am planning concerts in iconic venues around the world. We are looking at the Taj Mahal in 2023, the Acropolis in Greece in 2024, Copacabana Beach in 2025 and many more! I’ve also fallen completely in love with Egypt, and I would love to take our pyramids show to different venues around Egypt, and other countries in the surrounding area. I’m very excited by the explosion of creativity in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Dubai, Qatar, Oman and many other nearby countries, and I would be honored to share our musical collaboration with this part of the world.

AsMusic An ForInspiration Fashion

Mall of Egypt partners with FAD Dubai and Hisham Kharma to support emerging fashion talent.

By Angy Essam

partnership with leading fashion institution FAD Dubai Institute of Luxury Fashion & Style, and talented musician Hisham Kharma, at its exclusive “Fashion Glam.”

With campuses across the Middle East and India, FAD honors industry-integrated undergraduate, postgraduate and short professional courses with immersive engagement and global fashion and luxury brands, showcasing its talents at platforms such as London, Milan and Arab Fashion Weeks.

Building on Mall of Egypt’s vision to support, nurture and scale rising local talent, the collaboration will provide 15 young and established fashion labels with a scholarship to complete industry-mentored certified courses in both design and brand development to further expand and grow their businesses.

The programme was announced at an exclusive “Fashion Glam” event that kick-started Mall of Egypt’s fifth anniversary celebrations with a performance by Hisham Kharma, and that was attended by popular influencers and key opinion leaders.

The acclaimed industry courses will take place at Mall of Egypt starting from January 7 and will last for six to eight weeks. The candidates will get the chance to showcase their final looks at a runway show that will be held in March including music composed by Hisham Kharma especially for the event, where a jury will then pick a winner who will receive a dual certification, a lookbook photoshoot produced by one of FAD Dubai’s creative directors, in addition to the

opportunity to sell their products at a pop-up store at Mall of Egypt.

“At Mall of Egypt, we are invested in our local communities and believe in nurturing small businesses and entrepreneurs, welcoming them into our ecosystem in the pursuit of innovation, creativity and growth,” says Amgad Abdallah, General Manager at Mall of Egypt, Majid Al Futtaim – Properties. “This collaboration with the Middle East’s leading fashion institution further showcases our efforts to provide the local community with the needed skills, education and know-how to develop and grow their fashion businesses, perfectly in line with Majid Al Futtaim’s Mall of the Future vision, continuing to build strong, purposeful connections within and between our communities through innovative partnerships, offerings and services. We look forward to witnessing the amazing work and the immense talent waiting to be discovered here in Egypt.

FAD Dubai has been at the helm of supporting Arab and regional emerging talents at global platforms. Over the coming years, the school envisions to build a strong alumni of both design and creative talents and continue contributing to the region’s fast evolving creative economy.

“Egypt has a strong creative culture, heritage and resources to propel a sustainable fashion ecosystem in the country. From bringing world class education to Egypt and incubating existing fashion talents to providing global platforms, FAD is committed to investing in the development of the country’s evolving fashion landscape and emerging talents,” note FAD Dubai founders Shivang Dhruva and Shirin Aminian. “We are thrilled to partner with Majid Al Futtaim and composer Hisham Kharma on this initiative.”

Music composer and producer Hisham Kharma shares FAD Dubai’s excitement. “It is a great idea to use music as an inspiration for fashion, and I’m sure this artistic collaboration between the two worlds will inspire these young talented artists to be more creative and expressive. I am proud to be part of such an impactful collaboration at an event that brings together music and fashion to showcase art in its purest form. I‘m very excited to see the results of this multilayered process of imagination.”

For more information on the available courses or to register for the scholarship, please visit: www.moeg-fashionglam. com.

Magic

Bringing the of the Orient to Life

In her 16th showing at Safarkhan, longtime resident talent Katherine Bakhoum offers a new stellar output in her traditionally classical style of painting.

For her 16th showing at Safarkhan, longtime resident talent Katherine Bakhoum reverts to a predominant focus of her artistic oeuvre in the portrayal of the various cultural facets of the orient, which she has now accomplished in oil for the first time. Bakhoum’s artistic style is a marriage of her multicultural upbringing, which saw her spend her childhood years in Egypt, before moving to her native France later on. In this showing we see her characteristic realism in abundance yet again, where she shows an adeptness and mastery of theatrical lighting and staging of her subjects and themes ranging from landscapes to portraits to figurative group settings and scenes of an oriental nature. Her emphasis on tonality and

the effects of light on form and color set her painting style apart, since it is derived from the longstanding European atelier tradition of classical art. She combines these techniques to bring to life the mesmerizing world of her imagination influenced by the magic of the orient.

Bakhoum is renowned above all as an expert colorist, with the talent for combining diverse hues and working her palette in ways that few other artists can master. In this collection, we see her characteristic patterned backgrounds and rich drapery which attribute her works a sense of regal poise. There are dreamy landscape vistas, and intriguingly dressed characters set amidst layered and stylized bordering and backgrounds, that appear deeper than merely decorative

aspects of her canvases. We are also treated to vast vistas and landscapes which she punctuates with tiny figures to give a grand sense of scale and perspective, as these figures blend in perfect harmony and unison with their environments.

Bakhoum directs our attention with intuitive and detailed brushstrokes to the flowing garments and costumes of her subjects, as well as their intimate expressions and postures, which in many cases speak a wordless language of their own. There is a concerted effort to depict stage-wear in all its grandiosity, typically one of the striking aspects of Bakhoum’s art, and this collection is no exception. We often see billowing dresses with ornate embellishments, oriental subjects and characters such as dervishes, ladies in waiting, men and women in oriental garb, religious iconography, and outerwear from Bedouin to Geisha, cloaked in resplendent clothing that seamlessly blends with the patterns and aesthetics of their backgrounds. Bakhoum’s landscapes are ephemeral dreamscapes conjured from the artist’s rich imagination, one might even associate these impressions with stage design due to their almost idyllic yet seemingly natural impression. Bakhoum’s art renders the significance of time-honored classical training and skill in drawing and painting, a practice increasingly rare amongst today’s fastchanging and experimental contemporary art scene.

Courtesy Safarkan Art Gallery

“ Katherine Bakhum’s emphasis on tonality and the effects of light on form and color set her painting style apart. She combines these techniques to bring to life the mesmerizing world of her imagination influenced by the magic of the orient.”

‘Garden Lakes’ Doors are Officially Open in West Cairo By Hyde Park

Hyde Park Developments, the leading Real estate giant, hosted a major event in the heart of 6 October City to introduce and set forth their latest project ‘Garden Lakes’ in Hyde Park West, where they gave their guests a sneak peek at ‘Garden Lakes’ and what to expect from this new project, set to be the new talk of the town, and the place to call your own.

The successful inauguration of “Garden Lakes” comprised a top-class ceremony featuring performances by DJ Rodge, Kult Bierut Shows Direction, and DJ ZAWZAW – George Soussou. The event was attended by many celebrities, public figures, and VIPs such as Anas Bukhash, Tara Emad, Huda El Moufti and included multiple activities.

The event also displayed the wide and open spaces of a ‘Green Spine and Scenic Lakes through a collected guest journey inspired by the Garden Lakes elements. Leveraging on the unprecedented tranquility and stillness offered by the project, Garden Lakes is eminent as the best place to relax and unwind in its idyllic greenery atmosphere away from the noise of the city.

Garden Lakes is a matchless project located in west Cairo; it encompasses a variety of housing units starting from 104 sqm.

The project will also include many activities and happenings for all its residents to enjoy, including clubhouses, swimming pools, kids’ zone, social activities area, cycling and jogging tracks, outdoor activities capacities, reading and recreational areas, and co-working spaces, spacious gardens, a service area, as well as an underground car park.

The project will be launched in West Cairo, opposite to Tawny project, and spans over an area of 69 feddans, making it close to all services in that area. One of the largest scheme and design companies designed Garden Lakes, Eklego Design, which added a modern and unique architectural touch to the units and gave the project a more contemporary look.

A Story of Womanhood, Family and Loss

At press time The American University in Cairo Press had just announced the winner of the 2022 Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature as Egyptian writer Fatma Qandil for her novel Aqfas Farigha (Empty Cages).

Described by the judging committee as “an unflinchingly honest portrayal of the relationships of violence that lie beneath the surface of an ordinary middle-class Egyptian family; relationships of gendered power,” Qandil’s novel reflects the point where “the border between fiction and the biography of individuals and communities dissolves, as do the borders between rhetoric and representation, life-writing and art,” the judges added. “The book will make you question the normative boundaries between the biography and the novel and reexamine the definitions of both. . . . Fatma Qandil’s language is sly. As soon as the reader gets close to pinning the work down in a single category, it slips through our fingers. She is a poet after all. . . . In her rich and dense prose, we catch sight of poignant truths, which encompass both hope and disappointment, the weakness of human character and the struggle to resist it, and the pain and pleasure of discovery. . . . Confidently weaving the reader into the psychological texture of intimate and fraught relationships, Qandil tells a story of womanhood, family, and loss, which will stay with the reader long after the final page.”

Empty Cages is a brave novel, but there is a lot of fragility in it, too, the judges remark. “We observe the novelist as she examines her world, crammed as it is with many empty cages, with moments of celebration and sadness, with victories and defeats, with flourishing beginnings, and with endings, some of which include several deaths. Deaths both metaphorical and literal, deaths that were delayed, deaths that followed in quick succession. Deaths that resonate loudly in the novelist’s heart as she writes like “a stick banging against the floor of the theater” before the beginning of a performance.”

Born in 1958, Qandil is an author, poet, playwright, and translator, who is associate professor (emerita) in the Department of Arabic at Helwan University in Cairo and deputy edi-

tor-in-chief of Fusul, a magazine of literary criticism. She has published numerous collections of poetry, works of literary criticism, and translations into Arabic, and her work has been translated into many languages worldwide. Empty Cages is her first novel.

At the award ceremony, Qandil spoke about the powerful influence Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz had on her writing. “In Empty Cages there are echoes of Nafisa in The Beginning and the End and Zohra in Miramar, echoes of the Trilogy’s epic ambition and echoes of the Echoes of an Autobiography. I could hear all these echoes when I was writing. They kept me company during the loneliness of writing. If I can mention just one of the many lessons I learned from Naguib Mahfouz, it has to be observing people as they are, not as they should be. To see people confused and weak and yearning for the impossible.”

Qandil went on to mention how as a young girl she eagerly awaited the release of Mahfouz’s novels. “I consider myself fortunate to be part of a generation that had the privilege of waiting for Naguib Mahfouz’s latest book. We got to read them when they were still fresh and they changed my life. They were like letters written for me and me alone. I used to read them by myself, circling the treasured lines and writing in the margins. Each book became a part of my soul.”

At the ceremony the author also shared how she once wrote to Mahfouz to express her admiration for the Nobel laureate. “I’m very grateful to Naguib Mahfouz for getting back to me finally. I can still clearly remember the letter I wrote to him when I was sixteen years old. Back then all the girls were crazy about Hussein Fahmy, the star of the film Watch out for Zouzou, so when I wrote to Naguib Mahfouz at Al-Ahram Newspaper, I said, ‘Hussein Fahmy may be the man of every girl’s dreams, but not mine. You are.’ The great writer didn’t write back to me when I was a teenager. I guess he was waiting to make sure I was serious—to make sure I would become a writer—and now he has finally agreed to share the spotlight with me. Thank you, sir, and happy birthday.

—Courtesy The American University in Cairo

Fatma Qandil, winner of this year’s Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature, lifts the curtain on domestic violence in her debut novel, Empty Cages.

“I dedicate this award to Arab women writers. It is an honor to add this prize to the prizes they have won and the respect they have commanded. I must also dedicate it to young women, including those who are still navigating their own way to the magical world we call writing. I know they have a lot to say about the unsaid. They have many battles that they are destined to take up. Against themselves, against the world, against their texts. Perhaps this prize will show them that recognition always comes in the end. This celebration is the true compensation for the price that we, women writers in this part of the world, have chosen to pay for the sake of the euphoria of writing and nothing else.”

About the Naguib Mahfouz Medal

In its 25th iteration, the Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature was established in 1996 to promote innovative and creative writing from Egypt and the Arab World. When it was founded, the Nobel laureate called it “the most pleasurable event on [his] birthday,” that is the 11th of December. Consisting of a silver medal, a cash prize of $5,000, as well as translation into English and publication under AUC Press’s fiction imprint Hoopoe, the Mahfouz Medal is awarded to the best contemporary novel published in Arabic in the previous two years.

The AUC Press, which established the Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature in 1996, has been the primary publisher of Naguib Mahfouz’s English-language editions for more than thirty years, and has also been responsible for the publication of some 600 foreignlanguage editions of the Nobel laureate’s works in more than 40 languages around the world since the author won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988. With up to 60 new publications annually and more than 800 titles in print, the AUC Press is recognized as the region’s leading English-language publisher.

Pass A Book

Under the auspices of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, iRead Foundation announced the launch of one of the largest cultural projects in Egypt in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports entitled, “Egypt Collects 1 Million Books” planned for the first quarter of next year. The announcement came on the sidelines of the closing award ceremony of the third edition of the iRead Awards competition in the attendance of RMC Worldwide Partners, the strategic partner responsible for organizing the ceremony.

“I am pleased to be present among a large and diverse group of advocates of spreading culture and awareness among members of society, honor the winners of the iRead Awards competition, and announce the launch date of a very special project, ‘Egypt Collects 1 Million Books,’ marking the first steps of the cooperation protocol signed by the Ministry and iRead Foundation to achieve a common goal between the two parties which is to revive reading among all segments of the society,” Dr. Nagwa Salah, Head of the Central Administration for Youth Development at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, announced at the ceremony.

She went on to recall how Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Ashraf Sobhy showed interest in the idea when it was first proposed and even suggested a slogan for the initiative to encour-

encouraging them to share books through the project and create an educated and cooperative generation that supports the country’s investment in human capital, which represents the basis of the country’s goal of growth and development,” Dr. Salah explained.

On behalf of Minister Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Dr. Salah also participated in giving out awards to the winners of the third round of the iRead Awards competition, the largest event for writers and readers in Egypt and the Arab world. The iRead awards aim to recognize great writers and scriptwriters for their body of work in addition to supporting and empowering young generations of emerging writers by highlighting their inspiring works.

The competition awards are divided into the Best Short Story competition, which had 10 winners, including 15-year-old Mallak Hossam El-Din, for her story “A Beating Heart.” First place (with a cash prize of LE 25,000) went to Ibrahim Mohamed for his story “Hajj Mordechai.” The second competition was the Readership Voting Contest, in which Mahmoud Bakry won the Best Book award for his novel “Without Resurrection,” and Mohamed El-Sawy won the Best Emerging Literary Work award for his novel “5 Happiness Street,” in addition to the Best Publishing House award, received by Tashkeel for Publishing and Distribution.

Working to revive reading in the Arab world, iRead Foundation announces the launch of “Egypt Collects 1 Million Books” project on the sidelines of the third edition of its iRead Awards.

rad. The ceremony also included the distribution of honorary awards, such as the Golden Walk Award, which went to the late Nobel writer Naguib Mahfouz and was received by his daughter Hoda Naguib Mahfouz, and the Literature Uniqueness Award for the writer and novelist Ibrahim Abdel Meguid, and finally, the Best-selling award that went to Dr. Ahmed Khaled Tawfik and novelist and screenwriter Sherin Hanaei.

“We are proud to celebrate another success of the iRead Awards, which crowns the efforts of iRead Foundation in meeting the Egyptian and Arab society’s needs of launching more projects that develop citizens’ awareness and promote the importance of reading and its effective role in expanding horizons of knowledge and culture among members of societies in various fields,” Board Member of iRead Foundation Engy El-Saban said at the ceremony. “iRead is actively seeking to achieve these goals in various ways, such as the competition in which we celebrate the winners of the great writers and emerging writers, the iRead platform that contains the largest database of Arab books and writers, or through projects that we launch in cooperation with government institutions to work together to reach the largest possible number of individuals, such as the ‘Egypt Collects 1 Million Books’ project in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, whose launch we are celebrating today.”

The “Egypt Collects 1 Million Books” project, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in cooperation with the iRead Foundation within the framework of a cooperation protocol signed a few months ago, will collect 1 million books from governorates around the country over the course of an entire year, giving readers access completely free of charge. The initiative is expected to encourage competition among young people from different governorates to collect books and recycle unused editions.

Writer and screenwriter Ahmed Mourad, who is also a Board Member of iRead Foundation, expressed his pride in the success achieved by the foundation. “The third edition of the

iRead Awards competition comes as a culmination of the impressive success achieved by the first and second editions, as we receive increasing numbers year after year. This confirms the positive impact achieved by the iRead Foundation in its efforts to revive reading and emphasizing the importance of raising reading and writing among the priorities of individuals and peoples in the entire Arab world.” He added, “To complement this success, today, we announce the launch of the iRead Ebooks application, through which we provide a large electronic library that contains a variety of books in various fields to meet the unique literary and intellectual needs of different readers.”

Both the first and second editions of the iRead Awards competition were remarkable successes. The first edition was held on the sidelines of the Cairo International Film Festival, in the presence of the TV presenter Mona El-Shazly, Dr. Mervat Abou Oaf, and artist Mahmoud El Leithy, while the second edition was held at the Cairo Opera House.

This year’s award ceremony was attended by a number of iRead’s partners represented by Orange Egypt and Egypt Post as strategic partners, Al-Ahram Agency, the media partner, and Nile Radio Production Company, “Nogoum FM” and “Nile FM”, the official radio partner. Representatives of the Board of Trustees of the project also attended the ceremony, including Mr. Ahmed Mansour, Secretary General of the Egyptian National Post Authority; Ms. Hala Abdel Wadood, Director of Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability North Africa at The Coca-Cola Company; Mrs. Hala Hegazy, Executive Director and Managing Director of Nile Radio Production Company, Nogoum FM and Nile FM; Mr. Hesham Mahran, Chief Enterprise line of business officer at Orange Egypt; Ms. Lamis Negm, CSR Advisor to the Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt; Ms. Maram Moussa, Executive Director of Facility Management at Marakez; and a number of readers, writers, and artists who share the goals of iRead in reviving reading among members of the society.

The Ultimate Rise

Cairo Festival City (CFC), an affiliate of Egypt’s leading real estate developer, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE), recently organized “The Ultimate Rise” mental health day at The Marquee Theater. The event featured sessions that shed light on important topics associated with mental health to encourage individuals to talk about their issues and ways to deal with their emotions and feelings. The event confirms AFGRE’s keenness to play its role in society; taking into account that mental health is an integral part of the general health and well-being of individuals.

The sessions were provided by a group of mental health specialists and advocates, including entrepreneur and life coach Ismail Fouad Kassem, Chairman of Al Ahly Sports Facilities Company Ayman Ismail, and Dr. Hesham Hegazy, a

professor of psychiatry and a psychiatrist at Baheya Foundation. Completing the group were performance training specialist at Ignite Egypt Deana Shaaban, and Luli Akram, mental hHealth advocate and communication professional. They addressed different topics, including finding happiness, ways to support employee wellness, depression and anxiety among people living with and beyond cancer, mastering the mind and body, and the social stigma surrounding therapy and the discrimination people may experience. A free relaxing yoga session was also provided by renowned yoga Instructor, and founder of Eden Wellness and YogiThings Farah Nofal. With the event on the heels of breast cancer awareness month, the public had the chance to learn more about early detection of breast cancer and received vouchers, inviting them to visit Baheya Foundation for free check-ups and early detection.

Cairo Festival City raises awareness around mental health and wellbeing.

“Hosting ‘The Ultimate Rise’ event comes in line with the World Health Organization’s efforts in promoting mental health awareness by dedicating an annual day for the cause,” says Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AGRE) Eng. Ashraf Ezz El Din. “Through it, we envision a world in which mental health is valued, promoted and protected; and where everyone has an equal opportunity to boost mental health.”

Expressing AGRE’s commitment to raising public awareness on the importance of mental health, Ezz El Din also champions the importance of “normalizing the request for help from specialized doctors whenever needed so that people can perform their tasks and duties while enjoying healthy relationships within their community. The event

highlights AFGRE’s keenness on providing people with the necessary support and educating them on making mental and psychological healthcare a top priority, as people who sustain a balanced mental health have a better chance of living a safe and happy life, in addition to reaching greater heights in creativity and innovation, which will help them achieve their goals and communicate with people around more positively.”

Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate pays great attention to community work, especially public health, placing it at the top of its priorities by focusing on the importance of giving and improving quality of life. The group continuously dedicates its capabilities toward achieving its social responsibility by serving sustainable goals that benefit the society as whole.

Celebrating the Heritage of North Sinai

The first South Sinai International Festival kicks off in December.

The South Sinai International Festival is launching its first edition on December 20-28. Four days of the festival will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh and the remaining four days will be held in Dahab with the program including a variety of literary, artistic and sports activities, as well as environmental and community development events. The goal of the festival is to revive Egyptian tourism in the governorate of South Sinai, and an attempt to encourage and support individual and collective arts.

Helmed by artist Abdel Rehim Hassan, the first South Sinai International Festival will feature competitions in literary composition, performing arts, sports, photography, design, handicrafts, and exhibitions of South Sinai heritage.

In addition to the main competition, the festival will organize fringe events including initiatives for community development and environmental preservation, and will engage the local artistic community on its sidelines.

The first South Sinai International Festival will be held under the auspices of several governmental and private entities and institutions, most notably the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Culture and the Governor of South Sinai. Bringing together guest attendees from all over the world, the festival will also welcome veteran Egyptian actors such Samiha Ayoub and Ahmed Fouad Selim.

For more information about the festival, visit their facebook page at South Sinai International Festival - يلودلا ءانيس بونج ناجرهم

Deck the Halls

Our roundup of the holiday season’s best places to celebrate the festivities, complete with a guide to food, music and gifting.

Christmas Cheer

Exclusive venues to celebrate and ring in the New Year.

Glittering Celebrations at an Iconic Destination Festive Season at Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski

Discover the dazzling spirit of the festive season at The Royal Palace Maxim Kempinski. With a choice of delightfully tempting cuisine, activities and family entertainment, welcome to the perfect place for enchanting festive moments

Christmas Eve Dinner at Yana: Enjoy the company of loved ones over a festive dinner of Yana favourites. Sample a menu of Asian delicacies overlooking the pool and listen to the chilledout music.

Christmas Eve Dinner at Lucca: Savour the flavors of Italia and taste a curated menu by Chef Giovanni from Italy. Sit indoors in a romantic ambiance or enjoy a candle lit dinner outdoors, overlooking the pool and enjoy the winter breeze.

Christmas Eve Dinner at Romanov: Christmas Eve is an elegant affair, with dinner served overlooking the pool. Savour five exquisite courses accompanied by a selection of beverages and chilled out jazz live entertainment.

A Royal Festive Getaway: Brighten your spirits and book yourself a magical holiday break at The Palace, where every little detail is taken care of, so you can spend more time celebrating with your loved ones. Devour our most sumptuous festive menus at our signature outlets where you can enjoy special live entertainment during this festive season.

Forfoodandbeveragesreservationormore information,callorWhatsApp+201097111151 oremailfbresv.royalmaxim@kempinski.com. BookyourlavishstayfortheholidaysatThe Palace.

Email reservation.royalmaxim@kempinski.com or call +20222495300 for more information.

The Festive vibe is in Every Corner of Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino

It’s time to discover the wonders and merriment of the festive season with an endless list of things to do at the world’s gathering place, Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino.

On Christmas, jingle those bells and come together with your family and friends to enjoy a wide variety of Christmas delicacies at Rawi’s Christmas buffet overlooking the Nile on the 24th of December from 10pm to 3am.

As for the New Year’s Eve celebration the options are endless at Sheraton Cairo Hotel and Casino.

Start the New Year in style at our VIP club lounge with a magnificent gala dinner. Enjoy a great live entertainment show, a belly dancer and many more with a stunning 360 views on the amazing city of Cairo. Indulge in an Egyptian night full of delicacies and authentic entertainment, Arabic singer and belly dance Show at El Mawardia. Sip into your favorite cocktail and kick off the New Year with us 70s style at Studio 70. Gather around the table and experience some Japanese magic at Sapporo restaurant. Treat yourself to a New York Italian style New Year at Giannini’s restaurant.

At Sheraton Cairo hotel and casino we will make sure you will have a great celebration for the best time of the year.

Forfurtherinformationandreservations,please call: +201022216883

Make New Year’s Eve Special This Year At Al Alamein Hotel

Al Alamein Hotel is inviting you to an indulgent and prestigious New Year’s celebration to end the year on a high note.

An epic New Year’s Eve celebration awaits at Origins Restaurant, where our culinary team will headline the night with sumptuous festive dinner buffet with live entertainment that will keep things live up to the countdown.

Ring in the New Year in a luxury accommodation package per double room for two nights including breakfast and New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner.

Make New Year’s Eve special this year by bring your loved ones to join in the celebrations and create new happy memories At Alamein Hotel.

Formoreinformationandreservations,please call 0464681600

Celebrate This Holiday Season, Brazilian Style

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and although we think of golden sandy beaches and crystal blue oceans when we think of Brazil, the tropical country has so much to offer during the festive season. The country comes alive with spectacular light shows, Christmas parades, festive markets, acrobats, street dancers and more.

Serra Gaucha: This festive season, discover one of the most festive destinations in Brazil – Serra Gaúcha. Serra Gaúcha has enchanting natural beauties such as araucaria forests, canyons, waterfalls, mountains and, during the festive season, the region is invaded by the holiday spirit, decorations and celebration of the Christmas Light.

The Serra Gaúcha region is in the northeastern part of Rio Grande do Sul. Rio Grande do Sul is a state in Brazil’s southern region. The region is made up of a dozen communities and is heavily influenced by German and Italian culture.

Gramado: Gramado is a modest mountain resort town with a European aesthetic. The town has the ambiance of a Swiss mountain village, with high-end boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and hotels that resemble Swiss chalets. Gramado is a wonderful piece of paradise in Brazil for many visitors, offering something distinct and special to experience.

In Gramado is a huge celebration and is considered one of the biggest festive events in the world. It attracted 2 million visitors last year. The city is beautifully decorated every year and until mid-January, Gramado breathes Christmas with music performances, special shows, concerts, parades and theatrical shows.

Formoreinformation:https://www.natalluzdegramado. com.br

Canela: Canela is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Serra Gaúcha. Canelo is 7 km from Gramado and is part of the Romantic Tourist Route. Because of the frigid weather and several tourist attractions ranging from shopping to ecotourism and adventure, this route was given this title. It is also well-known for its exquisite cuisine.

Sonho de Natal has been producing albums since 1988, and hundreds of people have been delighted by the programs and decorations in Canela throughout the years for the Christmas season. It is a one-of-a-kind, memorable, and entertaining event filled with visual effects and cutting-edge technology. The 35th Christmas Dream promises to deliver joy and beautiful memories to the streets of Canela. The festival will offer a rich free program with 272 presentations taking place throughout the event.

Formoreinformation:https://www.sonhodenatal.com.br/

Curitiba: Curitiba, the state capital of Paraná, has plenty of charming sights. The local culture is heavily impacted by European immigrants; newcomers to the city quickly perceive the impact on architecture, cuisine, and traditions. Parks and natural spaces are very important in the city, and modern architecture fits nicely with local nature, creating a unique atmosphere.

Christmas in Curitiba - Luz dos Pinhais 2022 begins on November 23 and, like in the previous five years, will be the greatest free year-end festival in the country; An abundance of festive activities across 31 days.

Formoreinformation:https://www.curitiba.pr.gov.br/noticias/natal-de-curitiba-2022-comeca-em-23-de-novembroe-tera-31-dias-de-espetaculos/65356

Classic Christmas Desserts

These delicious classics look like a dream and are guaranteed to be the perfect ending to any Christmas meal.

Festive seasons are all about food and while turkey takes pride of place on the Christmas table, it’s the sweet classics that make the best ending to any Xmas spread. Most of the following recipes do require quite a bit of time and effort in the kitchen, but the good thing is that some can be made well in advance and will keep. They can also make great options to gift your host if you’re invited to dinner.

Eggnog

No need to fear raw eggs in eggnog. The eggs are gently cooked to kill any potential bacteria in this nonalcoholic version of the traditional dessert. You will want to keep this rich and creamy eggnog on hand all through the holidays.

Ingredients

6 large eggs

2 egg yolks

1/2 cup sugar (plus 2 tablespoons)

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 cups whole milk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

1/4 cup heavy cream (whipped to soft peaks)

Instructions

•Combine eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a heavy pan, whisking until well-combined.

steady stream until completely incorporated.

•Turn on the burner to lowest possible heat setting.

•Place the pan on the burner and stir mixture continuously until an instant-read thermometer reaches 160 F and the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Be patient. This should take about 45 to 60 minutes.

•Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a large bowl to remove any accidental small cooked bits of egg.

•Add vanilla extract and nutmeg, stirring to combine.

•Pour into a glass pitcher, decanter, or container and cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate this egg custard mixture to chill at least 4 hours or up to 3 days before finishing.

•When ready to serve, pour heavy cream into a bowl and whip until it forms soft peaks. Fold whipped cream into cold custard mixture until combined.

•Serve eggnog in chilled cups or glasses and garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

La Bouche de Noel

Classic yule logs come in countless flavor combinations but vanilla is one of the favorites among Egyptian families celebrating Christmas. This snowy looking buche de Noel recipe hides layers of airy vanilla sponge hidden under thick, silky white chocolate buttercream frosting. Meringue mushrooms are the traditional choice for garnishing yule log cakes, but this particular dessert looks gorgeous surrounded with edible sprays of chocolate twigs, sugar-frosted cranberries, and a light dusting of powdered sugar “snow.”

Ingredients

For the sponge cake

4 eggs (room temperature)

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup cake flour

For the white chocolate buttercream

9 ounces white chocolate (chopped)

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (softened)

3 3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cups heavy whipping cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

•Preheat the oven to 400 F. Butter a 10 x 15-inch baking pan with a 1-inch lip (jelly-roll pan) and line it with parchment paper. Butter the parchment or spray it with cooking spray. Set the pan aside.

•Beat the eggs for 5 minutes, until they turn thick and foamy.

•Add the sugar, vanilla extract, and salt to the eggs and continue beating for 2 minutes.

•Fold the flour, a few tablespoons at a time, into the whipped egg mixture.

•Gently spread the batter into the prepared pan. There will be peaks of batter; gently smooth over them, but do not press the batter down.

•Bake the cake for 10 minutes, until the cake is just set.

•Invert the baked cake onto a clean, dry kitchen towel and peel off the parchment paper. Wait 3 minutes and then gently roll the cake, still in the towel, starting at the 10-inch end. Allow it to cool completely.

•To make the white chocolate buttercream, melt the chocolate in a double-boiler and allow the chocolate to cool.

•Add the softened butter, powdered sugar, and salt

to a large mixing bowl and beat the mixture on medium speed until it becomes smooth and fluffy.

•Switch the mixer speed to low and add the cream and vanilla. Beat the frosting on medium speed until it becomes fluffy again. Beat in the melted, cooled white chocolate.

•To assemble the log, unroll the cake and set aside the towel.

•Evenly spread 2 cups (or desired amount) of the white chocolate buttercream on the inside of the cake and following its natural curve, gently form it into a cake roll.

• Cut off the ends of the cake roll on the diagonal and reattach them in the center of the cake with a bit of buttercream to fashion a “branch” coming off the main yule log. Spread the exterior of the buche de noel with enough white chocolate buttercream to cover it and gently pull a butter knife or small offset spatula through the frosting to give the appearance of rough tree bark.

•Add a Pere Noel figure and marzipan mushrooms to complete the festive look.

•Chill the cake before serving it and refrigerate any leftovers.

—Recipe courtesy thespruceeats.com

Stollen

This delicious yeasted cake filled with dried fruit and a swirl of marzipan is a German classic. It takes time to make but is well worth the effort.

Ingredients

500g strong white flour, plus extra for flouring 100g caster sugar

10g fast action yeast

10g salt

150g unsalted butter, softened 250ml full-fat milk

Pinch ground nutmeg

Pinch ground cloves

½ tsp vanilla extract

2 drops almond extract

55g blanched almonds, finely chopped

200g raisins

100g currants

125g candied peel

25g butter, melted

225g marzipan

To serve

25g butter, melted

2 tbsp icing sugar

Instructions

•Put the flour and sugar in a large bowl. Add the yeast on one side of the bowl and the salt on the other. Add the

softened butter and 200ml/7fl oz of the milk and stir.

•Add the remaining milk and bring the mixture together to form a soft dough. Transfer to a generously floured work surface and knead for 6-7 minutes, or until smooth and pliable.

•Mix the nutmeg, cloves, vanilla and almond extract, almonds, dried fruit and mixed peel together in a large bowl. Put the dough on top and knead from the outside into the centre incorporating the dried fruit and spices as you go. When everything has been fully incorporated, cover the bowl with cling film and leave to rise for 1-2 hours in a warm place, or until doubled in size.

•Flatten the dough and roll out on a lightly floured work surface to a rectangle about 45x35cm (or so the short side of the dough matches the longest side of your baking tray). Brush with the melted butter.

•Roll out the marzipan to about 35x15cm (the long side should approximately match the width of the dough).

Place on top of the dough in the middle. Roll the dough up to enclose the marzipan and transfer to a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Cover and leave to rise for about an hour, or

•When the dough has risen, bake for an hour. Remove from the oven, brush with melted butter, and dust with ic-

A Time for

Giving

By Rana Hamdy

Five acts of giving that will help you spread Christmas cheer

Christmas is a time of joy and cheer and while we get caught up in its festivities and preparations we might forget what really matters, acts of giving. Sad as it may sound, there are a lot out there who are not as fortunate and don’t get to spend a joyful Christmas like everyone else. So, this season, let’s spread some love with acts of giving and make it better for those who are less fortunate.

1. Donate supplies to charity. With many struggling to survive, it is our role to contribute and make a difference. Donate food, money, and clothes in good condition to charities. No matter how small, a little goes a long way.

2. Gift toys to children’s hospitals and orphanages. Some children have a really tough life either hospitalized or not having a home and family to feel the warmth and love. Visit those children at hospitals and orphanages, and gift them toys to draw a smile on their faces.

3. Give out blankets and food to the homeless. Imagine how harsh it can be for those living on the streets to survive with no food, a clean home, or a roof above their head, and the struggle must be tougher with winter’s weather conditions. Gather your friends and give out some blankets and food for those who have nothing to live off. Also, keep in mind those who work late at night like janitors and security guards.

4. Visit the elderly in nursing homes. The elderly living in nursing homes feel lonely and unloved all the time. It would be a nice gesture to keep them company and make them feel they’re not forgotten as they get older. They would love to have someone to sit and talk with. It is an experience that will teach you a lot of things.

5. Help animal shelters with monetary donations or food supplies. Shelters struggle financially in keeping up with the number of abandoned pets and stray animals they need to care of. You can also keep some dry food in your bag or car to feed stray cats and dogs you come across.

7

Christmas

Movies that Will Put You in the Holiday Spirit

The festive season is around the corner, and if you are the type of person who prefers to celebrate at home with family and friends, a nice dinner and a movie night can be an enjoyable alternative.

By Rana Hamdy

Come the holidays, it’s wonderful to just snuggle up on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate and a list of movies to channel the vibes of the holiday season. We’ve compiled a list of Christmas movies, old and new, that will put you in the Christmas mood.

Love Actually (2003)

2 3The Christmas-themed romantic comedy delves into different aspects of love narrated through 10 different stories which are later revealed to be loosely interrelated as the movie progresses. All the 10 stories take place a month before Christmas in London.

Home Alone (1990)

1Eight-year-old Kevin is accidentally left behind at home alone while all the family rush to the airport to catch their Christmas Holiday. All on his own, Kevin has to deal with a lot of things including protecting his house against a pair of bungling burglars.

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

The movie tells the story of siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce, who plan to catch Santa Claus on camera on Christmas Eve. Their scheme takes an unexpected turn of events where they embark on a journey that is better than any dream.

The Polar Express (2004)

A young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. The journey teaches the child a lot about bravery, friendship, and the spirit of Christmas.

5

The Grinch (2018)

6 7A grumpy Grinch gets annoyed with all the growing festivities taking over Whoville village so he decides to team up with a dog in an attempt to ruin the joyful and festive spirit.

The Holiday (2006)

The movie tells the story of two girls who live in different countries and swap homes for the holidays to escape their problematic boyfriends and relationship issues. Both girls’ lives change unexpectedly when each meets a local guy and falls in love.

Klaus (2019)

When Jesper, a new postman, proves himself to be the worst in the academy, he is sent to a freezing town in the north where he meets a toymaker named Klaus and they become good friends. Together, they spread holiday traditions with their toys and gifts.

Jingle Bells

Jingle Bells

The jolly season isn’t complete without festive background music to bring on the holiday spirit—so if you’re looking to add a Christmas vibe to your home or office this month, here’s a rundown of Egypt Today’s essential Xmas songs.

The most iconic Christmas song in the world, Jingle Bells has been covered endlessly, and in lots of different languages and productions, but the original song was written by James Lord Pierpont and was at first titled One Horse Open Sleigh and released in 1857. Since then, famous acts like Louis Armstrong, The Beatles, The Million Dollar Quartet, Luciano Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and Ella Fitzgerald have paid homage to the song in their own renditions.

All I Want for Christmas Is You

This song written by pop star Mariah Carey appeared on her Christmas album Merry Christmas (1994), and became an instant holiday hit. Although essentially romantic, the song maintains the traditional beats of Christmas songs, including the sound of bells in the background. Throughout the album, Carey also covered many classic Christmas songs such as Santa Clause Is Coming to Town.

Deck the Halls

This popular yuletide classic was originally a traditional Welsh song that dates back to the 16th century but was rewritten in English by Thomas Oliphant in 1862. The line “Tis the season” has become synonymous with the festive season.

Lonely This Christmas

Another song about separation, Lonely this Christmas was originally released by the glam rock legends Mud in 1974 but has since been covered by several other artists. The song is about a lonely Christmas after being separated from a loved one.

Silent Night

One of the most famous Christmas carols, Silent Night was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber and the lyrics were written by Joseph Mohr. The song originated in Austria’s Oberndorf Bei Salzburg city in 1818 and was declared an intangible cultural heritage by the UNESCO in 2011. Our favorite renditions include those by Michael Bublé, Elvis Presley and Mariah Carey. This one is an impressive, and quite enjoyable, song by English pop legends Wham. Released in 1984, the inescapable holiday favorite about love and friendship is the 10th most downloaded holiday song in history according to Billboard and Nielsen SoundScan, and is played nonstop after lead singer George Michael passed away on Christmas Day.

Last Christmas

Our top 15 picks for your essential Christmas playlist.

It is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Appearing on the Andy Williams Christmas Album in 1963, this song is full of energy and spirit. Revolving around parties and gatherings, the tune brings gentle warmth to a cold holiday. It was written in 1963 by American songwriter Edward Pola and American conductor George Wyle.

Blue Christmas

A classic rock and roll hit released by the legendary Elvis Presley, this is a mixture of country music and the blues and is all positivity and joy. The song was originally released on Presley’s first Christmas album Elvis’ Christmas Album.

So This Is Christmas

One of the best-loved Christmas songs, this track symbolizes the inner struggle between New Year’s hopes and wishes versus the reality of what was actually achieved. It is originally composed by the legendary John Lennon, and was covered by crooner Celine Dion. The sounds of bass with acoustic guitars intermingled with beats of the triangle creates a contradictory atmosphere between black and white, warmth and cold, and joy and sorrow.

2000 Miles

This Christmas song is composed by the American Rock band The Pretenders and was released in 1984 on the album Learning to Crawl. The song portrays a scene of vast lands painted in white snow and a lonely lady standing waiting for her lover. It is all about separation, telling the story of a lady who spends a whole year waiting for her lover to come back and can’t feel the passing time, but finally recognizes Christmas when she hears the children singing.

Coldplay recently performed a cover of the song, using only the piano.

It is the Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Christmas Eve

This one is a metal cover of the classic Christmas Eve, released by leading heavymetal band Savatage. It was released on Savatage’s Christmas Eve and Other Stories album with Trans-Siberian Orchestra in 1996. The song sets an epic musical atmosphere delivered through symphonic instruments and the powerful tunes of guitars.

Merry Christmas, Darling

This could be one of the most underrated Christmas songs, though it is a real romantic classic. The song was released in 1966 by the Carpenters and is full of beautiful vibes and Christmas symbols. The impressive saxophone solo adds to the catchy jazz tune.

The Christmas Spirit

A song by Johnny Cash, one of the most influential artists in the 20th century, this Christmas spirit track is highly spiritual and takes the form of a poem. The track was released as part of Cash’s first Christmas album Christmas Spirit in 1963.

Portraying the perfect scene of a home hosting a Christmas party, the song captured a detailed picture of children enjoying their new toys, Christmas trees and the season’s clothes. It was written and composed by the American composer Meredith Willson in 1951 and has been covered by many singers, including Perry Como.

Joy to the World

This is one of the oldest, and most most-known Christmas carols and was written by Issac Watts in 1719. It has been performed by a number of leading singers, including Mariah Carrey and Whitney Houston, whose version is closer to jazz and pop music than the original classic.

Youth at COP27: A New Generation of Climate Warriors

Youth environment warriors travelled from the four corners of the globe to attend last month’s COP27 and make sure the voices of their peers get a chance to be heard. In this dedicated series, we bring you one-on-one interviews with climate activists who are trying to change mindsets through film, traditional and new media, awareness training and non-violent rebellion.

Dream In Green:

Empowering Youth for Climate Change

By Angy Essam

Egypt Today visited the Dream In Green organization as part of the environmental program organized by the US Department of State and the US Embassy in Egypt to find out more about the role of the nonprofit organization in mitigating climate change. “Being able to continue for 16 years proves that the services we are providing are not all only needed but wanted as well, so I think that is a great achievement,” says Managing Director Barbara Martinez-Guerrero, noting that the Florida-based organization celebrated its 15th anniversary last year.

One of Dream In Green’s major achievements is that it was able to reach 135 schools this year, the highest number reached since the inauguration of the organization. ‘’Now we’re actually expanding not only in MiamiDade County, but we started working with schools in Broward County and we are planning a pilot program for Palm Beach County as well. So that means we have three really big counties here in South Florida that we’ll be working with. So I think that is a great achievement.”

This is Martinez-Guerrero’s first participation in a COP conference. “We were involved a little bit last year through a partnership with the British Consulate since COP26 was in Glasgow. We actually worked with the British Consulate last year to do a student symposium that had students from Miami-Dade College, which is our largest community college in US with two schools in Great Britain as we did a virtual symposium with the students, so COP26 was our kind of introduction,” she explains.

At COP27 Dream In Green has been working with a national organization called Climate Generation that brings delegates every year. “I applied to participate in COP27 and participated in the second week of COP27 where I spoke at one of its panels focusing on youth empowerment,” she adds. “The common aspect among all of us as American delegates participating in COP27 is that we all work with youth or work with leaders of youth organizations. So the purpose of the panel is to share what we do individually to engage youth and why it’s important for us to give them a voice when we talk about climate change and solutions to climate change,” MartinezGuerrero notes.

Hoping to connect not only with local boots on the ground but also with organizations that are doing work with youth and empowering them to have a voice, Dream In Green arrived at COP27 to see what is on the table to make decisions that are going to impact climate policy and how to bring that all back to Miami. ”What I am really hoping to get out of COP27 is to see what solutions other countries have and to know more about the successful work other organizations are implementing,” says Martinez-Guerreo, who organized live video interviews with stakeholders in the US during COP 27.

“I think it’s great to have the COP27 in Egypt because if the whole purpose of COP is to bring us all together it can’t just be held in developed countries otherwise then we shut out half of the population and this will be very elitist,” Martinez-Guerrero

Barbara Martinez-Guerrero on how organizations can work individually to engage youth and why it’s important younger generations have a voice when it comes to climate change and solutions to the crisis.

shares, adding that having Egypt as COP27 host has brought the focus to an important part of the world. “I am glad to be part of COP 27 and super excited because I feel like it shows that there are other countries that are stepping up and not just from the G7.”

But she also recognizes how hard it is to draw the international community’s attention to climate change. “I feels that it’s easier now than it was 10 years ago, and media has played a role in raising awareness about climate change. There are a couple of local news stations that now have their meteorologist and their press give special focus to environmental issues and every week on the weekends, our meteorologists, every time talk about a storm or they talk about a system coming through, they also bring in climate change and how it has been affected,” she explains.

The activist’s message to the international community is to listen to the people who are working on the ground, have the needed local expertise and know their solutions to the climate change crisis which requires regionally specific solutions. “You need to have those experts, those local organizations that can tell you this solution is not going to work for this particular community or for this particular environment because of X, Y and Z. For example Florida is a huge state, their environment and the way they

do things is very different than Miami, so the US can’t really know everything about every particular region in the country and what they’re going through. That is the importance of the local community: being at the table and really guiding their government of what’s going on and what can be done.”

Martinez-Guerrero also believes youth play a significant role in climate change and that they’re driving the movement. ‘’I think even though we had the Paris Climate Agreement that brought the big players and big countries to the table, the youth are the ones who are holding these countries accountable and they are the ones saying yes we can do it, and you haven’t done this, and I think that this adds the needed pressure on countries and corporations so leaders have to listen to youth voices,” she highlights.

Through Green School’s Challenge Program, they are keen to make sure that the teachers have the knowledge and the information to empower their students about specific topics. ”What’s the science behind this project? What’s the history? How can we promote conservation and why should we? So we build that base and then it’s up to the students to take it further and go in front of their government officials and advocate for improvements,” Martinez-Guerrero explains.

Amira Nour/Egypt Today

Toward Zero Carbon

By Angy Essam

Since July 2011 the Climate Reality Project has been working to raise awareness of climate change and advocate for its mitigation. Born from the consolidation of two environmental groups, the Alliance for Climate Protection and The Climate Project, both of which were founded by Al Gore, the non-profit initiative organizes climate reality training sessions every year around the globe to educate interested activists about climate science, climate justice and other issues related to climate change.

“Our sessions are tailor made to educate climate activists so they can distribute this knowledge to people in their own community. The main speaker in our training sessions is our founder and chairman, former US vice president Al Gore,” says Ben Sackler, community manager of Climate Reality Project.

The initiative is keen to teach climate activists how climate change is impacting the world and what to do to address it in order to raise awareness of people in their communities to find climate solutions to the global crisis. “Climate Reality Project plays an educational role and promotes youth activism as well, lobbying work, legislative advocacy and all the issues related to climate change,” Sackler explains.

He adds that they advocate for the climate change solutions that are economically viable, like using wind and solar energy, because these sources of energy are extremely cheap, clean, safe and accessible as well. “They are renewable sources of energy; we will not run out of solar energy or wind energy, unlike non-renewable sources of energy like fuel which not only will run out but are also harming our planet by in-

creasing greenhouse gas emissions. These gases are trapping heat to the atmosphere and warm the earth, causing temperatures to rise at a very fast rate.”

Sackler maintains that the transition to renewable sources of energy is the primarily solution to climate change crisis. “There are a lot urgent topics now like the war in Ukraine but I think climate is really unique because it is a little bit slow burn; it progresses slowly and people have to educate themselves how critical climate change is,” Sackler warns.

That said there are things people can do in their personal lives to cut down greenhouse gas emissions like reducing the use of plastic, which are personal lifestyle choices,” Sackler says. “We need to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for the damage they are doing,” Sackler adds.

And Sackler has seen things change over the past years when it comes to environmental activism, and that there is an obvious increase in climate change awareness. “The main conversation about climate recently revolves around extracting greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere, limiting greenhouse gases and limiting carbon to avoid global warming. Also at the forefront of the conversation is how specific countries and communities around the world are being more impacted by climate change more than rich countries. Countries in the Global South are affected by climate change way more than countries in the Global North and we need to listen more to our folks who are marginalized and they should sit with us at the same table,” Sackler adds.

Sackler points out that at COP15 it was agreed the Global North would con-

Ben Sackler on the importance of listening to nations that are most affected by climate change.

tribute US$100 billion to countries in the Global South to help them counter the effects of climate change. Unfortunately that promise wasn’t met and Sackler hopes for it to be fulfilled in COP27. “I am looking forward to hearing what will come out from COP27 in terms of loss and damage. When we talk about loss and damage we don’t talk about adaptation, we talk about irreversible damage and Global South countries who suffer severely from the consequences of climate change. There are countries who suffer from displacement, climate immigration where people have to move from one place to the other because of the climate crisis,” Sackler explains.

He elaborates that there is also an economic aspect to loss and damage as tourism is affected by climate change and the agriculture industry as well because the weather has negatively affected crop yields in many countries. “So what are we going to do to address the loss and damage because of climate change that many countries are experiencing? What will the world do to stop further damages because of climate change? I think people in the Global North who contribute more to greenhouse emissions owe people in the Global South money and resources to counter the effects of climate change,” Sackler argues.

Egypt is a case in point, and Sackler says that it is in a unique position as host of COP27. “Africa is severely affected by climate change and contributes the least to greenhouse gas emissions, so Egypt will advocate for these countries. My message to the international community is listen to those who are most affected by climate change and know their stories.”

“Africa is severely affected by climate change and contributes the least to greenhouse gas emissions.”

The Role of Filmmaking in Climate Change

Award-winning filmmaker Larry Engels on the impact media can have in the fight against climate change.

By Angy Essam

Whether it’s documentary, pub-lic service announcements, commercials or even social media, media is all encompassing in terms of raising awareness about the climate change crisis and is considered an effective way to communicate climate crisis. “Film is ubiquitous because it’s everywhere, whether it’s on TV, or streaming via digital platforms,” says Emmy awardwinning producer, writer, director and cinematographer Larry Engel. “Movies are an important and critical medium for communicating and sharing the deep concern, especially of youth, about climate change,” adds Engel, who has worked on over 250 projects for domestic and international broadcasters and cable channels, and is now in the fifth decade of his filmmaking career which has spanned all seven continents.

Currently an associate professor at American University’s School of Communication, associate director of the Center for Environmental Filmmaking, and filmmaker-inresidence with the Investigative Reporting Workshop, Engel maintains that regardless of the film genre or topic, even average films can successfully raise audience awareness. “When I go to the theater or when I’m watching a movie on one of the streaming services, the topic may sound really interesting but the film itself maybe dreadful. “An Inconvenient Truth, the big-screen adaptation of former U.S. Vice President Al Gore’s slide-show lecture about the perils of global warming, won Academy Awards for documentary feature and best song despite it not being terribly compelling. I think it received Oscars because the Academy acknowledged that this topic needed to be recognized, it needed to be known, and therefore it was effective,” Larry explains.

Even Ted Talks can be remarkably compelling and it’s just the person on a stage

with dramatic lighting, he says, adding that it’s the way the story is told that could make for a compelling climate crisis or climate change documentary. “Broadly, our role in environmental filmmaking, wildlife filmmaking and conservation filmmaking is recognizing the importance of reaching a diverse audience, which means then that we need to have more people, more diverse voices on both sides of the camera. And I think that will help with making strong stories about climate change,” the filmmaker says.

In 2005 American University established the Center for Environmental Filmmaking with a focus on environmental filmmaking and wildlife filmmaking. Today the center is paying more attention to environmental justice, environmental racism, and decolonizing the practice of documentary and environmental filmmaking. “We are participating with several outside organizations to empower local people, local communities in environmental and wildlife filmmaking with a current emphasis on Africa,” Engels explains.

Looking back at his career, Engels says the documentary he considers a milestone is a film he worked on for National Geographic in the 1990s, titled Height of Courage: The Norman Vaughn story. “It was a documentary about Norman Vaughn who was an 86-year-old adventurer living out of Alaska. Norman went to Antarctica as a dog musher, and he led a dog team to an area that was near the South Pole, so basically 66 years after Norman was in Antarctica, he had the opportunity to lead an expedition back to Antarctica,” he says, calling the movie “a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

In 2009 Engels worked on a film for a public television station. “We did an episode called Bangladesh Water World, and it was the first time that the United Nations ever declared a climate change refugee status to

the people of Bangladesh. It was the first, that was a long time ago. And we interviewed experts in Bangladesh who predicted where we are right now, where we have climate change refugees who are immigrating from water-laden countries, lands that are not viable for human habitation.”

That year Engels also published a book with a British friend about sustainable filmmaking. “I recognized probably from the 1900s through the 2000s when I was going around the world filming environmental stories or wildlife stories that the world was really changing, so we published the code of best practices for sustainable filmmaking in 2009. Mother Earth doesn’t care about us, she’s just rotating around the sun. What we do to protect ourselves and other species is critical and it’s critical right now,” Engels highlights.

Thankfully youth are taking care of this planet better than his generation or generations before. To Engels, the role of youth in climate change is really simple as they have no choice. “I will not be impacted in the same way as my children, my grandsons and youth in general, so they have to lead the revolution. They will need to take power in countries around the world and wield the civic duty that we ought to be wielding right now. But they can’t do this because politicians and policy makers are greedy and don’t care. After World War II, many films reflected that adults gave up and it was up to the youth, the young people, the children, to be responsible. It’s the children who take on the responsibilities because the adults have abandoned their responsibilities to their children, to their society, so it’s up to youth.

Engels goes on to share his message at COP27: “My ultimate hope is to save our planet, cooperate together as countries and people to save ourselves through saving our planet. A direct message from a humble filmmaker and professor to the international climate community is make the change right now. The world is literally burning up. My message to political leaders is that you have an obligation to protect your citizens, not your institutions, not your power. You have an obligation to protect your people and the other inhabitants in your countries. It’s as simple as that, let the scientists do their job, let the environmentalists do their job, Let the youth, who know better than you, do their job.”

Amira

Encouraging Climate Action for Our Future

Allio on why we owe it to future generations to act now.

By Angy Essam

Climate Reality Project’s Bay Area Chapter’s communications chair Pam Allio has extensive experience working in sustainable technology and mentoring a wide range of youth environmental activists. “We have about 1,500 members across eight of the counties around the Bay Area,” which is impacted by climate change, including sea level rise, drought and wildfires. The effects of the wildfires in 2019 and 2020 caused smoke to linger in the air for over 30 days, says Allio. “I’m sure you saw the pictures where San Francisco skies were orange. I was actually driving through San Francisco on that day. It was quite scary.”

Allio joined the chapter in July 2020 after attending the first virtual training for the Climate Reality Leadership Corps. Soon after, she became the communications chair, eventually leading a team of over 20 volunteers to educate and bring awareness about climate change to the Bay Area community. “Managing and growing this communications team has been one of the most rewarding experiences. We enjoy it, we’re passionate about it, and we’re making a difference. We are a team of volunteers that created a platform for people of all ages, to encourage others to take action on climate change.”

The initiative’s website, www.climaterealitybayarea.org, has hits from over 35 countries around the world, and their newsletter goes out to about 1,300 people every month. “Our newsletter highlights a broad range of topics, emphasizing local action and events for our chapter members. Our blogs highlight current issues from water conservation to sustainable development issues and more. We focus our efforts on what Bay Area people care about,” Allio recounts. “Recently, we launched a new podcast series, Everyday Climate Champions, with a focus on local climate activists.”

Allio and her team have set up an infrastructure and process that leaves a legacy for the next group of leaders to take and move forward with their own creative ideas. She is looking forward to leading the Bay Area chapter next year as Chair and is confident her communications team will be in good hands, with a 27-year-old stepping up to lead. Allio’s goal is to encourage participants from all ages, all walks of life and all religions to be able to come together to make a difference.

Championing education as a tool to fight climate change, Allio notes, “It is very important to mentor and help empower youth to use their voices, and to help those interested in developing their own careers in sustainability. I’ve had the opportunity to interview many young adults who are graduating from universities around the world with degrees in sustainability and environmental science. The passion around sustainability is clearly there, but many need help in navigating career options. Stepping up to mentor others is a very important and rewarding role and is an important part of being a Climate Reality Leader.”

The Climate Reality Leadership Corps training is led by former US Vice President Al Gore. Regarding his “Truth in 10” presentation, a ten-minute pitch highlighting what’s happening globally due to climate change and the solutions available, Allio said it gets updated every time there is a new leadership training. In 2021 and 2022, Allio mentored a new group of Climate Reality Leaders, and noticed there is no shortage of new, devastating climate events happening around the world every six months.

“The “Truth in 10” that Al Gore delivers includes the devastation that happens due to climate change, creating that sense of urgency that we must act now. Fossil fuels are a huge catalyst for driving climate change. But there is hope; we have renew-

Pam

able energy solutions today. The conclusion of the presentation encourages new Leaders to use their voice and encourage others to act,” Allio says.“Besides relying on renewable sources of energy, we must eliminate carbon emissions by eliminating fossil fuels. I read that Egypt is trying to help drive down the cost of electric vehicles, which is a step in the right direction. This is an area we need to strive for globally: making electric vehicles more affordable for all.”

In addition to countries in Europe requiring businesses and cities to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions and implement sustainable business practices through legislation, Allio highlights that there have been great strides from all stakeholders in driving corporations to focus on sustainability. This includes investors, the Board of Directors, customers, partners, and employees, especially the millennial generation. “Young adults don’t want to work for a company that doesn’t truly meet their sustainability commitments. Businesses need to begin their journeys by creating a company-wide sustainability plan for a net zero future and deliver on their commitments.”

She notes that the level of activism from all walks of life is certainly a major change. “Over half of the world’s population is under 30 years old. Youth and young adults have witnessed climate change since the day they were born. And they look at older generations and ask why we haven’t done something to stop it. Thankfully, youth around the world are realizing they have a voice and can help drive change. A 16-year-old trained Climate Reality Leader led a Green Schools campaign to install solar panels across his school district, and the campaign spread nationally. Empowering and engaging youth, and making sure they feel safe in doing so, is crucial, Allio notes, adding that youth have an important role in our climate future and thinks that there’s nothing they can’t do. “Young people believe in facts and the science behind climate change. They speak authentically and truthfully.”

To Allio, the most important aspect in climate change is that we must continue to strive toward minimizing warming to one and a half degrees Celsius. “We are way off track, and certainly the war in Ukraine and other crises have contributed to that. We need to get back to the pledges and commitments made in the Paris Agreement and hold countries accountable. Regarding climate finance, we need to focus on countries that are most affected by climate change to help with mitigation, adaptation and loss and damages,” Allio says.

The climate activist’s message to the international community is that there is still time and hope, we just need to act now. “We need to look ahead four, five, or even six generations and ask what the world is going to be like, especially because the effects of climate change have multiplied year over year. We owe it to future generations to act now.”

Amira Nour/Egypt Today

Fighting Climate Change through Collaboration

By Angy Essam

Reshma Singh is a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office. Concurrently, at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, she is the founder of the U.S. Department of Energy’s technology-tomarket IMPEL program and the new Cradle to Commerce climate-tech incubation engine. She previously served as Program Director for the Presidential U.S-India Center for Building Energy Research and Development and the California Energy Commission’s R2M2 Microgrids effort. Singh holds cleantech patents and brings over 10 years of experience advancing urban sustainability and cleantech innovation and working with complex international ecosystems in the US, India, and Singapore. Her research lies at the intersection of design and technology of smart buildings and cities, with a focus on energy, data analytics and UX, and IoT sensors and controls. Singh serves on the Advisory Board for the Carbon Leadership Forum, and the U.S. Department of State’s TechWomen program as a champion for women’s leadership in climate tech innovation.

On the fringes of COP27, Egypt Today chats with the inspiring host of TechWomen emerging STEM leaders and climate tech entrepreneurs from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East at Berkeley Lab.

Tell us about your IMPEL program, the California Energy Commission’s R2M2 Microgrids program, and the Presidential U.S.India Center for Building Energy Research and Development.

Buildings contribute a mind-boggling 40% of energy-based emissions that are causing climate change. Buildings represent the largest economic heft, emotional weight, and environmental lift of any sector. Buildings and

construction have immediate climate impacts and lasting market and societal implications.

You’ve encompassed three of my major programs that take a laser focus on this critical sector. We aim to decarbonize the built environment, that is the homes that our families live in, the buildings that we work and shop in, the schools that our children learn and play in, and our relationship with the natural environment around us.

The first program, IMPEL, incubates new climate technologies toward market adoption. The aim is to impel our society towards net zero carbon-built environments that promote equitable wellness and resilience. As you know, millions across the world don’t have access to even dignified shelter, let alone clean energy, and are extremely vulnerable to increasingly frequent climate events such as flooding and wildfires. Through IMPEL we are empowering equitable entrepreneurship for early-stage buildings and climate technologies–essentially we are an incubation engine. I am passionate about how we can encourage inclusive innovation in the clean tech sector, to include marginalized and under-represented community members, when the intended beneficiaries themselves become entrepreneurs.

The second program is California Energy Commission’s R2M2 which stands for resilient, replicable modular microgrids. Microgrids are an essential way to get clean energy into the hands of people. Modular microgrids make it possible to decentralize energy and take it to the furthest reaches of the planet from Egypt to Kazakhstan, from India to Indonesia. Whether you have an island country, a country with a lot of sunshine, or a country with a lot of wind, we can harness the power of our natural resources and use replicable microgrids to bring access to clean electricity and empower all toward economic prosperity.

Reshma Singh on the importance of impelling our society towards net zero carbon-built environments that promote equitable wellness and resilience.

The third program that you mentioned, the Presidential U.S.-India Center for Building Energy Research and Development (CBERD), has been a great partnership between the United States and India. Through this joint R&D project, our teams developed science and technology-based techniques, innovative building materials and digital technologies, and energy-efficient cooling equipment that would enable the decarbonization and digitalization of buildings. And I feel I am a daughter of both these countries, having spent half my life in each!

My last ten years have been at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, one of 17 U.S. Department of Energy national labs, a worldleading hub for scientific discovery and innovation. Our research and development budget is around $1 billion annually through which we conduct multiprogram research, which encompasses discovery science, clean and efficient energy, healthy earth and ecological systems, and the future of science, and is supported by 22 scientific divisions in six research areas. With such a massive force for innovation behind it and the mission to drive global change through its work, Berkeley Lab has been instrumental in developing these programs so that we can drive climate-focused innovation.

You have years of experience advancing ur-

ban sustainability and cleantech innovation and working with complex international ecosystems in the United States, India, and Singapore. How we can we achieve the equation of achieving sustainability and fighting climate change through collaboration?

In mathematics, one plus one makes two. But in collaboration between partners, I believe that one plus one makes eleven! Global collaboration on urban sustainability can be tangible and powerful. Climate change has no boundaries, so technology and green capital should have no boundaries.

Let’s look at the building ecosystems of developed economies and emerging economies. For instance, the U.S. and Singapore are countries with large amounts of building renovations geared toward energy efficiency, electrification, and decarbonization. Renovation and retrofit (rather than rebuilding) provide a stage for the demonstration and deployment of innovative solutions in the built environment. On the other hand, the massive amount of new commercial buildings and affordable

“Buildings contribute a mind-boggling 40% of energy-based emissions.”

housing construction happening in emerging economies can provide leapfrog opportunities for the appropriate design and operations of buildings. These opportunities include significant energy efficiency on the demand side, particularly for the provision of cooling in our warming world, to renewables and storage on the supply side, with underlying digital solutions to monitor, control, and optimize clean energy systems.

So, the built environment is really the exciting stage of climate action–it’s not just about buildings, it’s where renewables like solar and wind energy can be added, where energy storage can be added, where electric vehicles can be added, and they can all be beautifully integrated around buildings.

And it is essential to develop a global partnership for knowledge sharing and innovation creation and to use the built environment as a connection point between clean energy production and utilization, circular materials and economy, humans and nature, and ultimately and climate resilience and the earth’s wellness. That is why creating a collaborative, missionoriented trifecta of government, research, and industry is of the utmost essence to collectively drive the big, organizational, and country-level commitments, like those being made at this year’s COP27 in Egypt. The public and private sectors collectively have the potential to create change to capitalism, consumerism, and the climate crisis. Fundamental changes are critical to preserving the one planet we have. To preserve our Earth, our first stakeholder.

Your work lies at the intersection of design and technology of smart buildings and cities, with a focus on energy, data analytics, UX, and IoT sensors and controls. Tell our readers more about that.

I believe that there are three key drivers for sustainability in the built environment: decarbonize, democratize, and digitalize.

Let’s take these three drivers one by one. The first, decarbonizing towards ‘net zero’ is pursued by radically reducing embodied and operational energy. How? First, design the built environment to consume as little energy as possible in its construction and operations, and then add renewables/storage/EVs so the community produces enough clean energy to meet or exceed its needs. The second driver, democratizing, is about all of us. How do you bring resilience, biodiversity, and wellness to urban areas? It means equitable access to clean energy and technologies, by empowering hu-

man capacity, inclusive innovation, and community participation in clean energy solutions. The third driver, digitalizing towards connected transformations, i.e.connecting equipment, buildings, and energy systems with organizations’ data-driven decision-making. Some digital solutions can provide meaningful feedback for people like you and me to learn how to switch off lights, turn off taps, use renewables, and make sure we are using our resources efficiently.

Our aim is a net zero built environment that promotes equitable wellness and resilience for everybody on this planet. These three drivers of decarbonize, democratize, and digitalize enable us to achieve sustainability meaningfully. And how we build today, sustainably, can alter the course of history.

You previously founded GreenExcel, an education startup, and IMPEL, a climate tech incubator, both entrepreneurial ventures. Could you tell us more about the roles they play as effective tools in fighting climate change?

Green Excel was my first entrepreneurial baby in 2009! I realized that to have more people be aware of climate action, you have to start at the very basic level of education, which becomes even more powerful if you put the information into the hands of the right people. Information becomes knowledge and knowledge becomes power. Green Excel was an online edu-tech platform where people learned how to design and build greener and smarter buildings with a goal of a triple net zero paradigm: zero energy, zero water, and zero waste. It focused on helping public and private sector organizations to excel in green policy, green technologies, and green investments.

And excelling in a green lifestyle is something that is very doable even at a personal level. Each of us can take that pledge today to become climate warriors. We can employ circularity to get to zero energy, zero water, and zero waste. So how do you use zero energy? It’s by first embracing energy efficiency through smart passive and active design in buildings, followed by using renewable energy with electric vehicles. How do you use zero water? It’s by recycling water, capturing rainwater, and making sure that the gray water coming out from your kitchens is recycled and put back into irrigation for your gardens. Zero waste is all about recycling and upcycling. So yes, I think each one of us can take a climate pledge and make sure that we can take aspects of Green

Excel and excel in making our own lives, our own communities, organization, and our own nations green.

From that journey has come another more recent venture, IMPEL. IMPEL is the first U.S. Department of Energy program focused on incubating building and climate technologies. We help entrepreneurs from small businesses, academia, and science translate the premise and promise of their technology into the language of business, boosting their chances of bringing it to market. These individuals, or as we call them, IMPEL Innovators, have a passion for the building lifecycle (design, construction, operations, and circular technologies) and for energy technologies that integrate with buildings (onsite renewables or grid integration incorporating electrification, energy storage, and electric vehicle charging). The buildings sector has been notoriously challenging for bringing tech to market, where many new projects or businesses fall victim to the notorious ‘valleys of death.’ IMPEL tries to knock down these barriers. In its three years, IMPEL has successfully incubated 150 early-stage startup teams who have conducted over 60 pilots, generated hundreds of green jobs, and raised over $45 million in funding to commercialize their early-stage climate technologies. But what we are most proud of is that IMPEL embraces equitable entrepreneurship; over half of our IMEL Innovators are women and people of color.

You’ve played a big role in empowering women entrepreneurs. Can you share examples of the most prominent Egyptian entrepreneurs that you have empowered?

If I had to think about it, my work has developed along three vectors: building and climate technology, international development, and women’s empowerment. And at the intersection of these three vectors is my involvement over the past decade with the international TechWomen program of the U.S. Department of State. TechWomen empowers, connects, and supports the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East by providing them the access and opportunity needed to advance their careers, pursue their dreams, and inspire women and girls in their communities by exposing them to female role model mentors.

Apart from being on the TechWomen Alumni Council for three years, I have had the privilege to mentor over 18 emerging leaders from 12 countries. Some Of them have stood for national election in their country on a platform of clean energy, others have developed STEM mentoring programs for school children back in their country. My mentees have included three emerging leaders from Egypt. I am proud of my mentees Inass Aboukhodier who is working in renewable energy, Mariam Elnahrawi who is working on geosciences and energy, and Hamis Elgabry of Mozare3 who was recently helped by our IMPEL entrepreneurship program and won the first prize in the growth-stage startup category at the Africa-wide the PitchAgriHack competition.

These TechWomen represent the start of a renaissance for Egypt’s and in fact, global climate action.

Reconnecting With Our Nature

Selena Feliciano on renewable energy as a tool, and not the solution, for climate change.

By Angy Essam

Selena Feliciano is the national campaign coordinator for Energy Democracy Project and has worked in the renewable energy field for a number of years. Today she is focusing more on environmental and climate justice, arguing that renewable energy as a technology is a tool, but that it is not the solution for climate change. “We can have a sustainable economy with the use of solar energy, but we can’t expect a climate tech company or a solar panel manufacturing company to save us. At the end of the day, we’re the ones who know what we want and how we want the world to look like, we want it to be flourishing and we want to be able to not only survive, but to thrive as well. We all want clean air, clean water and we want the same for the upcoming generations. She maintains that solar energy can be used as a tool to help people understand that our relationship with the sun can be so much greater than what it is currently. “We have to understand that solar energy can power our homes, seeds grow because of the sun and we get our vitamin D from the sun. The sun is power so solar energy is just a tool for us to deepen our relationship with the sun.”

Feliciano adds that human stories help us to determine how we perceive the world around us. Through Energy Democracy she is leading a new campaign to invite people to tell their own stories. “We figured out that our stories are also quite similar and that we all want the same thing. By telling our stories we will be able to connect, we will start to recognize that we’re not alone in what we want and we can actually move forward and work together,” she explains.

Energy Democracy Project is a coali-

tion of about 35 different organizations, each organization is doing its work on the ground. “Some organizations are hosting community workshops to help people understand what energy is, while others are doing policy and advocacy work, trying to pass some policies at the federal level for communities to be able to own, control and manage their own power. So it’s a pretty diverse group and a pretty diverse set of stakeholders. But I’d say at the end of the day, we are really trying to work towards unity and trying to figure out how all of these organizations can work in tandem,” Feliciano says.

She can see that within climate activism as a movement, youth are leading really radical things. “It’s the youth who are able to think outside of themselves as individuals and do some really incredible activism. Youth have always been at the forefront because they also know that they’re going to be the ones who are facing a lot of the consequences of climate change.”

As a climate activist she has been tracking environmental changes over the past years and says she has also started to see a greater acceptance of the intersection between the climate movement and a lot of other movements. “So for example in 2020 we saw the uprisings that occurred in the United States after the murder of George Floyd and we saw a sort of cultural reckoning with understanding that our history as a country is pretty dark and specifically exploits a lot of people. So when we think about the climate movement in the past few years, I think there has been more conversations around that,” Feliciano explains, adding that low-income communities of color are impacted first and worst by climate change

so they’re the ones who know what needs to happen.

On how hard it is to attract the attention of the international community to climate change, Selina admits that it is challenging because within the context of the United States, climate is a political issue and there are many people who don’t believe that climate change is even a real thing. “So again it is a matter of how do we tell the story? How do we tell the story in a way that’s irrefutable and that invites people into this movement and makes them understand that the desire for a safe home and community is a climate issue in the first place as we see for example how people move from one place to the other because of rising sea levels.”

Feliciano says another change that can be seen in recent years is the big influx of profit-driven initiatives to fight climate change. “Of course we need the companies that are developing the solar panels, and of course, we’re going to need those who are developing technologies as tools, but at the end of the day, it’s capital, it’s money, it’s profit that has gotten us here. So it’d be naive of us to think that the very same people who have been funneling money into the extractive systems are the ones who are going to take us out of it. We must move into a justice framework and ensure that we are allowing the voices of those who have been historically pushed aside to be the loudest and the clearest, because they’re the ones who have been left outside of this extractive system and haven’t benefited at all.”

“At the end of the day, it’s capital, it’s money, it’s profit that has gotten us here.”

Amira Nour/Egypt Today

Voices for Climate Change through Film and Media

By Angy Essam

Sophia Nelson was in seventh grade when the Sandy Hook shooting unfolded in Connecticut. “I was scared as were the teachers at our school and the adults around us. We students turned to each other and talked about what would happen if it happened to us. I think that same feeling of having comfort in peers and the numbers around you really translated into social justice work for me in high school and things like that,” says Nelson, who now has a major in film and media as well as a passion for environmental science.

“I realized that in most cases, young people are the majority in the room as there is one teacher and 24 students, so if we talk to each other and we understand each other and we will get over these little gaps in knowledge that we have and then we will have more power,” Nelson says.

In her documentary, the young filmmaker and producer depicts a series of little stories united in these little pockets of environmentalism to tell a very specific message. “And whatever that message is, it’s those unifying numbers and understanding of one another that really create the change,” says Nelson. “I think film and media are the only digestible ways to unite voices for climate change. Social media is an international platform and is accessible to anybody who has technology and internet. Now, I’ve seen probably

in the last four years since I started studying film and media that there’s a plethora of information out there. TikTok has become a huge thing and although people use it for all different reasons, I’ve found a lot of people use it to advocate for the climate to even show off demonstrations or protests that they’re doing for climate change.

Nelson believes that as long as young people have their cell phones, they can film anything. “We can film all the stories we want and that has never been the case before. Now we can choose topics that we want to document,” she says, adding that the creativity behind expressing the content of documentaries has also improved with virtual reality. “There are so many mediums of documentary and ways of expression now that I think visually they are more engaging and more diverse. We are now able to bridge these ideas between science, media, politics, national and international and community issues. And seeing those connections I think is inspiring. Knowing how the network is built and knowing where the resources are.”

Commenting on the role of youth in climate issues Nelson says that power and numbers are everything. “If youth can mobilize, that is how change is going to come. If we can hold this momentum as youth and keep going into our twenties, keep going into our thirties, keep

Filmmaker Sophia Nelson on mobilizing youth and bringing about change by supporting corporate social responsibility campaigns and exploring how businesses can engage in sustainable and ethical practices.

pushing this ahead, we are not only paving a path for the people younger than us, but we’re going to be able to create the real change we need; youth action groups are able to see things from a new perspective or, in other words, a clean perspective.”

But with the world already feeling the negative impact of climate change, Nelson believes younger generations will need to take a much more radical approach on how to address environmentalism. “Youth can think outside the box and can be unrestricted by the history and the negativity of the past. I think your bubble is so small when you are young, and that is powerful because it’s a microcosm for all that’s happening in the world. If they can see that even for a second, people listen to them or give them money to support the ideas they have, that is something they can bring into their careers ahead of them, so I think youth inspiration is essential for tackling any future environmentalism issues.”

Addressing the international community, Nelson calls on stakeholders to take a second and listen. “Connect and listen, empathize, understand and immerse yourselves in community, and I think that is absolutely essential to understand or reconcile an international solution,” Nelson adds.

“film and media are the only digestible ways to unite voices for climate change.”

Amira Nour/Egypt Today

Connecting with Resources

By Angy Essam

Alakoka Kailahi believes that as a platform where individuals can highlight things that they care about most, social media can play a powerful role in eliminating climate change illiteracy. “A lot of people understand that their actions can affect their current environment, so although not everyone knows much about climate change and ecological systems, they do know if their friend is being affected by the climate crisis,” says Kailahi, the Communication Committee Lead, Newsletter Editor and Media Designer of Climate Reality Project.

A distinguished youth environmental activist in the United States in general and the Bay Area Chapter specifically, Kailahi directs Climate Reality Project’s social media to hold up a mirror to society emphasizing how things are really happening and what they look like today. “We use social media to promote what we can do to save the planet by highlighting how people are addicted to overabundance and the exorbitant use of fossil fuels, and because we just love our current way of life. If we think more about the future, the nation’s economic systems will need to be shifted, which will help us to fight climate change.”

Kailahi recalls that as a teenager she knew about climate change, but didn’t think it was an imminent threat that required fast action. It was only during the pandemic, when more and more people took to social media, that Kailahi began to realize that time was start -

ing to run out.

“The pandemic actually catalyzed the effects of climate change in the environmental sector and negatively affected many of the developing countries compared to those that were already more established nations. But it’s important to note that you don’t have to be an environmentalist or a climate activist to make a change, you just need to encourage people to make a change or adjust themselves slightly. I think that is part of one of the greatest changes I’ve seen,” the activist says, adding that through social media we are more able to see the destructive effects of climate change.

She also identifies youth as a key factor when it comes to addressing the climate change crisis. “When I think about youth, I think about kids, teens, young adults and how they actually have unique views on climate change issues compared to many older adults today. Youth are the future so they deserve to have a powerful voice because honestly, youth make up 25 percent of the entire population, but they’re 100 percent able to produce a solution.”

The environmental activist encourages youth to step up and take center stage. “I think another important aspect I want to talk about is that It’s really important to have future entrepreneurs, future politicians, and future diplomats because these people are going to make the new foundation of climate change that we don’t have yet today.”

She also argues that developed na -

Youth environmental activist Alakoka Kailahi on the role of social media in eliminating climate change illiteracy.

tions that contributed the most to carbon emissions should financially support developing countries who have been severely affected by the consequences of climate change, and yet contribute the least to the amount of carbon emissions.

“So I think that Egypt being the first developing nation in Africa to host a COP conference speaks volumes because Egypt is a country located in Africa, the one [continent] that’s most affected by climate change,” Kailahi says. “Egypt is trying to make a difference and has the tools to make a change to its existing systems, so it is important to recognize that. Another cool thing is that African countries are more connected with their resources than many of the developing countries today.”

“Youth make up 25% of the entire population, but they’re 100% able to produce a solution.”

Leading By Example

The American University in Cairo (AUC) brought its academic and research expertise to COP27, the world’s largest climate conference, with a team of 85 AUC scholars, 35 students and several staff members to showcase the University’s innovation in sustainability through faculty research, green campus initiatives and students’ activities at the Pavilion (P-22) in the Green Zone. AUC prepared a 10-day program encompassing a wide range of activities, spanning all schools and the majority of disciplines.

“AUC’s participation in a global and important conference like COP27 is a chance to discuss the solutions we have developed to mitigate climate change challenges. It is an opportunity to show our innovation in sustainability, design and engineering; organize events and panels that add to the conversation and connect with other participants as a springboard for possible collaborations and exchange of expertise in the future,” says AUC President Ahmad Dallal.

Over the years, AUC has established itself as a key resource in Egypt in the fight against climate change, adds Dallal, and has built expertise and demonstrated serious and impactful commitment to this cause, “making us pioneers in climate action as an institution of higher education.”

Khaled Tarabeih, university architect, associate professor of sustainable design and chair of AUC’s COP27 Task Force, adds: “Our participation in COP27 is a continuation of our pioneering green architecture and sustainability in the region. We will be showing case studies, leading by example and primarily disseminating our knowledge and innovative strategies through stage presentations of our faculty, students and staff research. Our pavilion will also include innovative and sustainable technologies prototypes that showcase our solutions to combat climate change, poster and screen areas to

show our current research to contribute to finding solutions for a number of challenges in Egypt.”

Tarebeih also pointed out the significance of COP27 as a robust platform and event to engage and network with other institutions and entities and build bridges across the globe “to help us find further innovative solutions and help others through disseminating our knowledge and education.”

AUC launched its Climate Change Initiative last June in response to the worldwide climate change challenges and the active role academic and research institutions can play in understanding and addressing these challenges.

Adham Ramadan, associate provost for research and dean of graduate studies, who is overseeing the Climate Change Initiative, says: “The initiative aims at enhancing AUC’s role as an academic hub on climate change and sustainable development in Egypt and the region.” The initiative’s main objectives encompass showcasing and further strengthening AUC’s expertise in climate change and sustainability as well as supporting and enhancing multidisciplinary research collaborations across the University and between AUC and national, regional and international partners. The initiative, which includes research, student activities, teaching and learning and outreach activities, highlights the different activities taking place at the University in relation to climate change and sustainability. “Participating in COP27 is an excellent opportunity for AUC to showcase its activities and successful initiatives in this regard,” adds Ramadan.

Sustainability on Campus

According to Tarabeih, AUC’s efforts go back more than a decade. “Ever since we moved to the New Cairo campus, we have been able to enact strategies to coexist with the desert environment in the middle of a

AUC participates in COP27 with cutting-edge climate research, initiatives and activities.

new city with all the challenges of water, transportation, and energy. We have built a campus that is an embodiment of green architecture. It copes with the climate and environment, utilizing stone, materials and energy-efficient strategies, ventilation, and passive design to create an oasis in the middle of the city.”

AUC is the first University in MENA to produce a biennial carbon footprint report to quantify its ecological and environmental impact by looking into the carbon emissions emitted from the use of energy in heating, cooling, waste and composting, among other factors, on campus.

A climate-conscious campus, AUC was

able to reduce its energy use by about 35% due to energy-efficient building design and operation. The University succeeded in reducing the energy used for the cooling of the campus by about 40% due to the proper environmental design of the campus buildings as well as the spatial design of indoor and outdoor spaces.

According to Yasmin Mansour, Director of the Sustainability Office at AUC, the University’s sustainable practices include 48 waste sorting stations throughout campus, 7.4 million plastic bottles saved through 35 water dispensers on campus–over the past two years, recyclable cups and bags at most of the campus food outlets, treated wastewater for nearly 100% of campus irrigation. AUC gardens are home to 6738 trees and 1,155 palm trees.

In 2015, AUC established the Center for Applied Research on the Environment and Sustainability (CARES), a leading hub for the adaptation to climate change in Egypt and the region, the development of solutions for food insecurity and research on desalination and food farming. “CARES has for several years focused its research on aquaponics and sandponics, investigating sustainable applicable solutions for food security and nutrition. Several research publications were released to increase the concept’s awareness and knowledge among academia and the public.

Several studies investigate the potential of growing crops using saline irrigation water under hydroponic conditions in CAREScontrolled greenhouse facilities,” says Yasmine Abdel Maksoud, senior technical manager at CARES.

The center has established two desalination units, one a semi-commercial unit that has the capacity to produce 5m3 of fresh water a day and the second a solar energypowered research-based unit that produces freshwater and brine that can be used for agricultural purposes.

AUC was selected as the only college outside North America in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges and was named first in Egypt and Africa by UI GreenMetric World University Rankings in 2021.

Seed reactor- first stage in water desalination

Vertical planting project at CARES

How Can Businesses Create Positive Change Towards Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems?

By Gilles Tisserand

In recent decades, food systems have delivered major human development benefits through massive increases in productivity. Yet, today’s systems are no longer fit for purpose as we battle mounting hunger and challenges around obesity. Food systems are currently failing to deliver healthy diets, whilst at the same time bearing high hidden costs - amounting to some $12 trillion each year - and having a detrimental impact on our environment. They generate about 1/3 of global greenhouse gas emissions and are the single largest contributor to biodiversity loss.

At this year’s UN Climate Change Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, we saw the first ever Food Systems Pavilion. It is a positive recognition of the need to relook at how our current global food systems operate, and an opportunity to develop actions and solutions to create more sustainable and resilient food value chains.

As world leaders, governments, businesses, and changemakers gather for COP27, the focus needs to be on how system thinking, science-based decisions and collaborative innovation can help drive the decarbonisation of food systems for the achievement of the Paris Agreement goals.

Moving from discussion to implementation isn’t enough. A long-term, collaborative approach needs to be at the heart of all pledges, initiatives, and agreements to make this transformation happen. We need to reinvent how we source, produce and process our food, its transportation and the materials we use to package it. Examples of positive change is in the preservation of the world’s biodiversity as well as reducing our reliance on carbon-heavy materials, processes and sources of food.

Protecting and preserving our ecosystems

Biodiverse, healthy ecosystems provide us with oxygen, regulate weather patterns, pollinate our crops, and produce our food, feed, fibre and essential raw materials – all of which are at serious risk if we fail to act with speed, impact and scale.

According to the World Economic Forum, half of the world’s GDP is either moderately or highly dependent on nature – equivalent to $44 trillion. Biodiversity in our soil, crops and animals must increase to improve the food system’s resilience to external shocks and enhance long-term food security. And this is best achieved through responsible sourcing practices and strategic partnerships.

It is crucial for private sector companies to seek external expertise and skills, to guide restoration and, in turn, enhance credibility and visibility of their social responsibility. In 2022, we launched with Brazilian NGO, Apremavi, the Araucaria Conservation Programme, a pioneering land restoration initiative in Brazil.

The project intends to restore up to 7,000 hectares of land – equivalent to 9,800 football pitches – by 2030, to protect biodiversity in the region and generate positive economic and social benefits for the local communities. Apremavi, which has extensive experience in conservation and restoration projects, is helping us target an area of particular risk, the Forest of Araucarias, which today only has 3% of its original area preserved. It’s one example of how a company with a global reach can work with a local partner for the benefit of many. As part of the pilot, we have already planted 38,000 seedlings of native trees – including araucaria, maritime pine and mountain guava.

Vice President, Climate & Biodiversity at Tetra Pak Gilles Tisserand assesses the operation of current global food systems and discusses the opportunity to develop actions and solutions to create more sustainable and resilient food value chains.

Driving down carbon across packaging materials, processes and sources of food

Packaging plays a vital role in protecting food, while helping to reduce food waste and improve access to nutrition even in remote areas of the globe. However, materials for packaging alone cause more CO2 emissions than global aviation pre-COVID. If we do nothing, the sourcing and processing of packaging materials will account for nearly one third (~32%) of all global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Focusing on an innovation pathway driven by renewability and recyclability is key.

At Tetra Pak we are already on this journey. In 2021 alone, we sold 17.6 billion plant-based packages and 10.8 billion plant-based caps, which saved the equivalent of 96 kilo tonnes of CO2, compared to fossil-based plastic. More recently, we have tested a fibre-based barrier replacing the thin aluminium layer in our aseptic cartons, a first for food carton packages under ambient conditions. Early results suggest that the package with a fibre-based barrier will offer substantial CO2 reduction when compared to traditional aseptic cartons, while being more attractive for paper mills; thus, this concept presents clear potential for realising a low carbon circular economy for packaging. While negative sentiment around packaging has vastly increased in recent years, many still fail to grasp how protecting our planet and contributing to food security go well beyond innovating ‘solely’ in this specific area. We need to take a holistic environmental approach, one encompassing all steps between food sourcing and end of life. Here, Tetra Pak is partnering with several innovative companies, such as Swedish start-up EnginZyme, to transform potential food waste into sources of nutritious food. In addition, we recently joined forces with Mycorena to build a greenfield production facility for fungi fermentation. Along with a lower carbon footprint, alternative protein-based food applications proteins offer scope for significantly reduced land and water use, compared with traditional sources. We are also working to reduce the biggest chunk of GHG emissions across our value chain, generated by processing and packaging equipment operating at our customers’ sites. We have committed to halve food waste, water consumption and carbon footprint in our best practice processing lines by 2030 compared to 2019.

Looking to the future

While the preservation of ecosystems and decarbonisation are pressing issues that require the industry’s full attention, we must go even further. As a global company with thousands of suppliers around the world, we have an opportunity – and a responsibility - to promote responsible sourcing practices. We believe that collaboration is key to driving sustainability across the supply chain. All of this combined is paramount to conserving and restoring biodiversity, while advancing in our net zero journey. The risk of inaction today is a world we won’t recognise tomorrow. That’s why we’re excited to be part of Sweden’s COP27 Business Delegation this year, using our global footprint and food industry expertise to accelerate actions and enable a shift towards resilient and sustainable food systems and healthier diets. Our progress depends on being able to embrace a mindset which drives both growth and sustainability for a better future.

Rebelling Against Climate Change

Extinction Rebellion Youth uses non-violent civil disobedi-

ence to compel government action against climate change, biodiversity loss and the risk of social and ecological collapse.

By Angy Essam

Extinction Rebellion Youth is the autonomous youth wing of the global environmental movement Extinction Rebellion (XR), made up of activists under the age of 30 working to counteract the impact of climate change by focusing on non-violent direct action.

“Climate change and social justice were bringing in the impact of climate change on marginalized groups and together they form what we describe as climate justice. Fighting for climate justice will help push the entire movement forward,” says youth environmental activist Aiden Less.

One of the major changes that he has seen over the past years is centering youth activist. “We have always been part of it, but there is a shift that I have witnessed recently which is youth being the focal point,” Less says. “I believe the role of youth is to really push the conversation forward; climate change and climate justice are always the number one priority to governments and corporations so we have to work consistently.”

Less added that attracting the attention of the international community to the climate change crisis is an almost impossible task, “but we can interface what is going on in the world with climate justice, so taking what is relevant now and trying to interface it with climate justice is a great way to ensure that people are talking about it.”

At COP27, Less and Rebellion Extinction Youth are aiming to put youth voices in the center and making sure that youth committees are intersectional. “I hope that COP27 brings climate change

and climate justice back to the minds of people, media and the whole international community,” Less says, predicting that legislators, politicians, corporate officials, youth and local leaders will work together to make tangible change with the passion and mindset that comes from COP27.

He describes Egypt hosting COP27 as a really a good transition and a necessary step for COP27. “We have to learn the impact of climate change on places like Egypt, so having a conversation about climate change in Egypt is really a great thing. My message to the international community is that everybody should get involved, everyone has a role to play especially youth, so my message to everyone is get involved, take your friend, classmate or co-worker and start building that community that solves climate change crises, use all your talents to make the maximum change you can make and try to push the conversation forward to make progress. I think this is one of the main reasons why youth climate justice activism is important.”

It’s time to Alleviate the Anxiety Around EVs to Accelerate the Auto Industry’s Move to Electrification

By Ankush Arora, CEO of Al Mansour Automotive

Volatile prices of fuel and gas are hurting consumers and businesses, and while we can look at this difficult time as simply that – difficult – we can also look at it as a turning point for clean energy and an opportunity for the accelerated adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and EV culture, as well as to fast-track the electrification of Egypt’s mobility sector as a whole.

At Mansour Automotive, we’re big advocates of moving towards the electrification of the industry, and we see real genuine consumer interest in EVs in the local market. Yet, consumers’ reservations about purchasing EVs and going electric are still prevalent.

As with any major advances or changes to a nation’s lifestyle, the fear of the unknown – as with only 380 EVs registered in February 2022 according to a report by Egyptian Group for Compulsory Vehicle Insurance, many Egyptians have never driven nor even seen an EV – has led to a lot of uncertainty and anxiety.

However, it is important to note that people’s hesitancy around electric vehicles is multifaceted, and in order to further strengthen Egypt’s EV revolution and boost the utilization of EVs for the average consumer, there are vital elements and misconceptions that must be dealt with.

Currently, the biggest concern among the EV-curious is charging convenience, which has somewhat skewed their decisionmaking due to range anxiety – the idea that EV batteries will not last long enough between the occasional EV-charging station and are unable to take long journeys. In truth, the latest advances in battery technology have actually extended their range to more than 300km, making the true challenge the development and expansion of sufficient EV-charging station infrastructure.

For consumers to switch to EVs, they must have the confidence and knowledge that they will run into a charging station as often as they would with a traditional gas station.

Egypt’s preparations for the transition to emobility have seen EV-charging stations grow exponentially in just a few years, with EV charging stations to reach 3,000 by the end of 2023,

and, as part of its electrification strategy, Egypt is also aiming to produce the first electric vehicle by next year.

From a financial perspective, consumers tend to believe that there is a large trade-off between saving the environment and saving money, particularly within the current business climate as even traditional auto sales have plummeted, but EVs come with great savings in operation and fuel costs.

This will become even more prevalent as the government accelerates its strategy to increase locally-produced green energy – with the expectation of lowering energy prices – with international studies revealing that even with rising electricity and energy prices, EVs remain the most cost-effective choice over time.

On that note, we must continue to encourage the government to develop more incentives and financial schemes to support Egypt’s EV revolution by, for example, subsidizing or standardizing the sales of EVs – for both the average consumer and to businesses.

Electrification will play an important role in transforming the mobility industry and reducing the burden of rising fuel prices on the average citizen. To accelerate the widespread use of e-mobility and EVs, launching new EVs into the market is a vital step as well as alleviating the anxiety around EVs.

In the next 3 years Mansour Automotive plans to locally assemble/manufacture affordable EV in Egypt.. We also introduced high-end EVs to Egypt during COP27, in which Mansour was the exclusive mobility principal partner and provided 150 EVs – including electric Cadillacs which will be available in Egypt by the end of next year - for the conference as part of its agenda to reduce the event’s carbon emission.

There is no way around stating that the transportation sector needs to build its capacities to transition to electric modes of transport, particularly as the global energy crisis and inflationary pressures have led to skyrocketing prices of traditional fuel. However, we feel that this transition will enable Egyptians to save money, protect the environment, and progress as a nation.

Guided by the Stars

At an extravagant event with the Grand Pyramids as a backdrop, Dior celebrated its 75th anniversary with the launch of its Autumn collection, part of the continuum of past, present, and future at Dior—with very much the future in mind.

An autumn’s evening in Giza, at the setting of the sun behind the Great Pyramid . . . as the light changes, silhouettes emerge from the desert, in motion, reflecting the colors of the sky, the landscape, and the passage of time. As night falls the stars reveal themselves; an influence on ancient and modern civilizations alike. After all, the star was and is part of Dior lore; for both the man and the brand. It was Mr. Dior’s tripping over his ‘lucky star’—a literal object found on the Rue du

Faubourg Saint-Honoré—that convinced him his destiny was to start his own haute couture house, a house frequently guided by his belief in astrology. His debut collection, with its ‘new look,’ revolutionized fashion; we are here today, in its 75th anniversary year, to celebrate that event. It is a culmination of this year’s shows that began at dawn in winter on the Pont Alexandre III, traveled via Granville

“My interest in ancient Egypt is about the stars and the sky. It’s that fascination with the ancient world and the parallels with what we look at today; what we inherited from them and what we are still learning from the past. It links to Christian Dior in that sense and by way of his fascination with symbols and superstitions that recur throughout his life and work, one of which is the star. In both the collection and the show there is an idea of ‘guided by the stars’ and what that can entail in many ways.

It’s about how the past shapes the future or an idea of the future from the past.”

—Kim Jones

and Charleston during a balmy summer’s day, to be in Egypt this evening at the Great Pyramid, where an idea of the future from the past emerges. Here, Kim Jones, the Artistic Director of Dior Men, presents his Autumn collection, part of the continuum of past, present, and future at Dior—with very much the future in mind.

In the collection, a gradation of grays gives way to the palette of the desert—from daytime to nightfall, with hints of a fiery sunset filtering in between. There is a movement from our closest star to ones in galaxies far, far away observed by NASA’s space telescopes, light years away brought near in engineered prints. Behind all are the principles and rigor of the Dior archive past and the men’s atelier present, with a practiced focus on pattern cutting. The collection absorbs the lessons of the past and applies them to the present and future: metamorphosing the feminine to the masculine in tailoring; uniting couture finishings with technical practicalities in outerwear; archival embroideries take on a notion of futuristic armory; leather goods reinterpret luxury into a new, organic utility; footwear flirts with futurism, but not without a grounding in traditional savoir-faire united with excellence in contemporary, technical know-how. In short, extravagance is achieved with an easeful, pragmatic elegance.

Like a stratification of history, clothes are layered textures, outerwear, and accessories swathe, with cocooning protection attained by all. In this living history, always in flux,

movement, ease, and fluidity are key; from the purposeful technical jacquard transparencies that reveal rigorous underpinnings in tailoring and outerwear; to the new, crin-like wool demi-kilts, originating from the bias pleated skirt of a Dior archival dress from the fifties called ‘Bonne Fortune,’ that becomes at once a nod to this most ancient of men’s garments and part of a new technical language as an overgarment. Bags and shoes unite, working with the carnage and the diamond codes in a mix of contemporary techniques and textures, from high-frequency neoprene paneling and injection molding to anodized metal finishes. At the same time, nothing negates the need for comfort and practicality: the ultimate luxuries.

Fashion | Collections

Out of Balance:

At the Intersection Between Individual Originality and the Outside World

New footwear brand SEDI translates the asymmetry of the self into a fashion statement, debuting with a summer collection celebrating organic beauty and human duality.

There’s no doubt that we all have the desire to simultaneously conform and stand out—to embrace our truest truth yet feel connected to each other and understood. Honoring the diverse nature of our identities, homegrown footwear brand SEDI Studio came into being to represent this notion through its debut collection “Out of Balance” for SS22.

The brand was founded by Sarah Eid, the creative director of her namesake brand, SEDI. Following her graduation from the American University in Cairo with a degree in Communication and Media Arts, she decided to start her journey toward her true passion, which is fashion design and more specifically shoe design and production, which she embarked on by taking a course in fashion entrepreneurship at the London College of Fashion at the University of the Arts London.

Eid’s aesthetic can be defined as modern minimalism,

which is manifested through unconventional artforms and expressed through fashion statements. Her debut collection “Out of Balance” boldly carries this aesthetic at its forefront, laying the groundwork for her brand’s vision and mission to inspire women to be bold and bend the rules all while having fun through fashion.

The collection is a nod to each person’s true self. It reflects the organic and, at times, contradicting nature of the self with all its virtues and vices portrayed through the asymmetry that is so prominent in the designs. “Out of Balance” represents the interconnection of the individual’s originality with the outside world and its effect on how it forms and shapes us.

Featuring asymmetric abstract designs crafted out of premium-grade genuine leather, the pieces are handcrafted using the best craftsmanship and finest materials. Whereas the production process stands for our strive towards perfec-

tion, the design represents self-acceptance, self-love and the freedom that comes with shedding all the layers that stand in the way of our true essence and natural form.

SEDI’s debut spring/summer collection features four designs available in three vibrant colors each, making for a total of 12 summery pieces. The pieces share the same star feature defining this collection and giving it its playful flair, namely asymmetry. The clean-cut lines and modern design make the pieces suitable to be dressed up or down, allowing for a smooth transition from morning to night for the modern, on-the-go woman. The collection includes both flats and heels, ensuring both comfort and confidence.

SEDI’s vision is all about playfulness, self-exploration and shattering unrealistic beauty standards. The brand’s aim is to contribute to a foundational redefinition of the fashion landscape as we know it by stretching the boundaries of what it means to look and feel beautiful from the ground up. This is rooted in the brand’s deep respect for the individual’s desire to freely and fully express themselves through how they dress. Championing slow-fashion, the brand’s elegant, minimalistic yet complex aesthetic provides the perfect canvas for this journey of the self through the self, coupled with the message that a little chaos can keep us young for longer.

SEDI is stocked in Can Limon Stores in Cairo and the North Coast and MONKIE Concept store in Cairo. The collection will also be available to shop through the brand’s website www.sedi.studio.

ABOUT SEDI

SEDI is a homegrown brand that embodies the spirit of the age. It is a response to the overperfection, emphasis on the formality in consumer grade design and lack of emphasis on experimentation. This is embodied, design-wise, in the asymmetry of the pieces. This asymmetry communicates a desire to push life a bit out of balance, even by a small measure: to refuse quietly and elegantly the status quo and to introduce a bit of designed chaos to the industry.

With a View Breakfast

Rawi Restaurant is back at Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino.

There’s nothing better to start your day than a delicious breakfast with a scenic view.

Rawi Restaurant at the Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino is a perfect choice.

First opened in 2017, Rawi Restaurant has just been renovated to take advantage of the enjoyable view of the Nile.

Through the large glass windows that are a signature of the restaurant, guests are able to dive into the roots and origins of the beautiful Egypt through the stunning Nile view and the marvelous city of Cairo. The newly added outdoor terrace is the perfect place to enjoy breakfast on a sunny morning.

Rawi Restaurant is known for its fresh bakery and exquisite breakfast which features a mix of buffet and live cooking stations, in addition to the chef’s special menu. As guests enter the restaurant, they will find the bakery station and the colorful fruit corner as well as many more local and international items.

The restaurant opens from 6:30 to 11am for breakfast, and serves as the hotel’s main restaurant. Rawi operates during lunch and dinner as an à La Carte restaurant for groups and individuals.

Chef Leonardo, who was born and raised in Reggio Calabria, Italy, finally landed in The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo’s Italian haven Vivo where he is expected to bring the authentic taste of Italy into marvelous cooking creations.

Chef Leronardo started his career as a chef right after graduation, first in his city, then in other cities such as Rome, Florence, Milan and Taormina. To enrich his experience he decided to spread his wings and work abroad. He took his skills and passion on a tour through Spain and Greece but soon after in 2017 he had the opportunity to start working as an Italian Sous Chef at Ritz-Carlton Almaty, Kazakhstan. Shortly after, in 2018, he moved to the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Riyadh and as his passion grew and got more skillful he was head-hunted in 2020 by Intercontinental hotel in Muscat, Oman to take the position of the Italian Head Chef. Being one of the Ritz-Carlton’s gentlemen all along, this year Chef Leonardo makes a grand come back to the world’s finest Ritz-Carlton chain as the Italian Chef de Cuisine at Cairo’s iconic property, The Nile Ritz-Carlton.

While each and every experience left a mark with Chef Leonardo and has intrinsically contributed a lot to the brilliant Chef he is today, it is with no doubt that the key factor that ignited such passion for skillful cooking was his father and grandmother in the early days of his childhood.

“I have always loved cooking for as long as I can remember. It all started from watching my grandmother prepare food for the whole family using our family’s traditional recipes. I first stepped foot in the kitchen when I was very young. After school and on weekends while kids sneaked out to play I preferred to sneak in kitchens of restaurants to observe and start learning about being a cook,” says the hef.

With the same admirable passion and enthusiasm, Chef Leonardo has already started leaving his print in Vivo’s menu introducing some of the finest and most flavorful Italian dishes Cairo is about to witness. His dishes are a bit of a synthesis of the professional path he has experienced, from his homeland in Southern Italy to date. What is magnificent is the accuracy in executing each dish with a flavorful mix of tradition and personal style. “I didn’t abandon neither my tradition nor my belief in the simplicity of flavors, I always try to use quality raw materials for a fusion of the past and present revealing to my guests a Mediterranean-creative cuisine of excellence”.

With his indulgent creations and Vivo’s Italian allure, paired with a premium Nile view, it sure looks promising that an Italian heart-melting experience is now available for Cairenes to spoil themselves with. Guests can also enjoy the nostalgic sounds of jazz music by Okasha every Saturday for a picture-perfect dinner.

The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo Introduces New Authentic Italian Flavors With Chef Leonardo Nucera’s Arrival At Vivo Restaurant

Introducing Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino’s New Executive Chef, Nader Bernaba

Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino is excited to introduce the incredibly talented Nader Bernaba as the new Executive Chef! He will now be taking the helm in the legendary Sheraton Cairo’s kitchen to introduce his own vision of seasonal and international cuisine to our hotel. The new menus are now available in our restaurants and in room dinning menu.

With over 20 years of experience working in five star hotels and having earned his degree in culinary arts and hospitality at EGOTH, High Institute of Tourism and Ho-

tel Management, he has a deep understanding and appreciation for different types of cuisines. Combined with his natural creativity and extensive training, Nader Bernaba has the ability to transform Egyptian classic recipes into delicious, unique, and revolutionary dishes.

Nader shares a vision for creating seasonally focused menus, which highlights the best of what our hotel has to offer.

Feedback from customers who have had the opportunity to try Nader Bernaba’s creations has been nothing but exceptional.

Freshcano Looks Ahead to Cooperation with the Egyptian Food Sector

The leading European “Freshcano” for fresh canned peaches participated at the Food Africa 2022 exhibition in participation with the largest Agricultural Cooperative of Greek Exporters ALMME as part of the promotional campaign for agricultural products produced in Greece and funded by the European Union. A delegation of senior executives from the association held a number of meetings with major importers, distributors, and key players in the Egyptian food sector market, to explore the opportunities for enhancing the cooperation between Greece and Egypt in this vital sector.

George Mouscha, on behalf of the Agricultural Cooperative of Greek Exporters ALMME, said: “Egypt is a strategic partner for Greek products, and we are looking forward to further strengthening our cooperation with the Egyptian food sector through our participation in Food Africa 2022.”

On the sidelines of its participation in Food Africa 2022, an introductory conference was held to introduce the European campaign for promoting European agricultural products produced in Greece. The conference was attended by more than 120 representatives of major fresh fruit import companies, distributors, retailers, bloggers and journalists, who had the opportunity to learn about the benefits and importance of consuming European fresh fruits produced in Greece.

In addition, Freshcano presented elements related to the cultivation and production of the fresh fruits (peaches, nectarines, kiwis, cherries, apples, grapes, etc.) promoted by the European campaign, as well as all the necessary systems of integrated management and certification adopted by the producers of the participating coops. Especially, regarding safety standards, it was noted

that the fruits produced in Greece, closely follow the European legislation and are certified with ISO 9001, ISO 22000 (HACCP), ISO 14001, BRC, IFS, ensuring the correct procedure at all stages of production, packaging and marketing. Cultivation is based on certified integrated management systems such as AGRO 2, and under internationally recognized protocols like GlobalGap ensuring the limited use of pesticides and fertilizers, in order to protect the consumer and the environment as well.

GV Development Showcases

Egypt’s Industrial Giant Tarboul at Cairo ICT

GV Development participated in Cairo ICT’s 26th edition where it conducted a session titled Let’s Talk Tarboul showcasing Egypt’s new giant industrial city of Tarboul. The session shed light on the latest updates of the construction process in the city and what the city will include as part of its infrastructure, from the industrial, residential, business, education and commercial areas.

The session was attended by Dr. Magdy Ghazzi, CEO of Tarboul, as well as one of the lead consultants for the project, Mr. Ali Gaber the CCO of GV.

During the session, the panelists explained the importance of the project, and the benefits brought to Egypt. In addition, the session tackled how the services provided by the project will help in the creation of an ideal city that revolves around the latest tech and services that will help to make the city into a more robust and all-encompassing hub that includes all the services needed from both residents and industry and will use the latest technologies out there. Tarboul Industrial City uses the latest innovative technologies aiming at energy efficiency across the whole city. and develop a world-class digitally based transit hub complete with a road network that helps to push the city into the modern age of digital transformation.

“ICT is a great platform to introduce the wider public to the features and concept of Tarboul Industrial City, it is a great place to show how much we have striven to incorporate the latest technology in the design and infrastructure of the city and that it is so much more than an industrial city.” Mr. Sherif Hammouda, Chairman of GV Group said.

“Tarboul Industrial City will include the latest in construction processes and the best available technology to be

used in its construction. This session aims to raise awareness amongst the wider community, including the tech community, of how we have been able to successfully integrate the latest in sustainable development measures to be in line with the vision of Egypt’s future.” He added further: “This project will enable Egypt to become a central global hub through the use of the latest tech in not just the construction phase, but also in the day-to-day running of the city.”

GV is one of the leading real-estate developers, and Tarboul is set to become the first green, smart and livable industrial city in Egypt and one of the largest in the region. The project aims to enhance manufacturing and competence across local, regional, and international levels through advanced infrastructure with a competitive price as well as providing a dry port serving all industries at the highest level and supplying the different needs of industry while saving energy and preserving the environment by adhering to international standards.

Spanning over 109 million square meters, Tarboul Industrial City serves as a pivot, connecting Upper Egypt and the Golden Triangle project to Cairo’s major economic hubs. This mega project is embracing a “mix” of industrial activities, integrated housing, commercial outlets, logistics facilities, modern services, office buildings, social services, and opening the employment horizon for many in the country. In addition, it will enhance industry given its proximity to several investment areas, including Food Technology Valley, Automobile Axis, Engineering Axis, the Textile and Clothing Centre, the Building Materials City, and Chemicals and Plastics City.

Orange Egypt partners with TOD and brings its “Orange Premier” customers sports content and complimentary subscriptions for up to 12 months

Orange Egypt, the leading network for integrated communications services, announced its partnership with TOD, MENA’s leading OTT platform for sports and entertainment. This partnership reflects Orange Egypt’s keenness to partner with major international companies specialized in digital content to meet the current customer demands and enhance their viewing experience.

Under the agreement, Orange will provide its customers with exclusive access to the beIN SPORTS network including streaming the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM matches in up to 4k quality combined with Dolby Audio on TOD. This offering fits perfectly with Orange’s strategy to provide comprehensive and diverse sports content to its customers, ensuring them a unique experience.

TOD is a new OTT platform launched in the MENA region that allows its customers to watch the most important international football events including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, UEFA Champions League, English Premier League, Spanish League, Tennis Championships and the National Basketball Association (NBA) competitions. The platform supports popular smartphones and large screens, ensuring seamless content enjoyment anytime and anywhere.

On this occasion, Mr. Ahmed El-Abd, Chief Commercial Officer at Orange Egypt, expressed his pride in the distinguished partnerships that Orange holds, especially with TOD as it fits the company’s broader strategy of offering entertainment solutions especially for the Football fans in the region. He added that Orange Premier customers will receive access to TOD’s exclusive sports content complimentary for up to 12 months.

For his part, John Paul Mckerlie, Vice President of Marketing and Sales, TOD, said: “We are pleased to establish this partnership with Orange Egypt. This cooperation allows us to bring unrivalled sports content to Egypt. With interactive timelines, match countdowns and bookmarking features, TOD’s deployment of latest technology guarantees a second to none user experience for all of its viewers.”

GROHE

announces GROHE X Summit 2023 “Caring for Water”

GROHE, a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, has announced the GROHE X Summit 2023 which will take place on the brand’s digital experience hub GROHE X from March 7-9, 2023. Themed “Caring for Water”, the three-day event will include a variety of formats, from inspiring keynotes to thought-provoking panel discussions and masterclasses, to explore and discuss the answers the sanitary industry needs to find to the challenges of our time, how sustainable building can thrive, and the central role water plays in all of this. The program will be complemented by showcases of new products and technologies, demonstrating how GROHE’s product portfolio is ready for the future and providing customers with the best possible support to grow their businesses in a sustainable tomorrow.

“To address the social and environmental issues we face today, it is more important than ever to share knowledge and spark new ideas. The GROHE X Summit program is designed to inform, inspire, and bring our industry together to make change happen. This event is taking our hybrid customer experience to a new level, providing a platform to face the challenges of our time together and looking into the future with honesty, optimism and a firm sense of collaboration. At the same time, this is also a kick-off for us for several physical events that will immerse customers in our sub-brand worlds over the next year,” says Jonas Brennwald, Leader, LIXIL EMENA.

Expanding GROHE’s hybrid customer experience

Launched in March 2021, the digital experience hub GROHE X has been the launchpad for GROHE’s hybrid customer experience. With over 200 content pieces and 14 language variants it has enjoyed nearly 2 million page views. This digital community was expanded in spring 2022 with the opening of the GROHE X Brand & Communication Experience Center in Hemer, Germany. The center combines a physical visitor facility and five state-of-the-art studios for training and content production as well as hybrid events. In addition to the GROHE brand’s participation in smaller local trade shows to facilitate physical meetings with customers and tangible interaction with the products, three GROHE X Motion Trucks can bring the brand experience directly to the customer.

This hybrid approach, which is further strengthened by the GROHE X Summit, allows GROHE to offer flexible and tailor-made interaction with craftsmen and wholesalers as well as project customers.

More information on the GROHE X Summit can be found on the digital experience hub GROHE X. Registration links for specific events will follow in January. Follow GROHE on social media via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

The 5th Edition Of Cairo Design Award Celebrated Winners From 8 Categories At The Baron Palace

Cairo Design Award (CDA) celebrated its 5th edition during a grand ceremony attended by the Italian Ambassador in Cairo, His Excellency; Michele Quaroni, and the Portuguese Ambassador in Cairo, Her Excellency Manuela Franco, at the iconic Baron Palace Empain. The CDA ’22 edition honored 8 categories of design that included architecture & landscape, interior design, fashion design, jewelry design, set design, product design, and graphic design. The Event featured tunes by HOH, CDA ’22 set the seal on the first edition of Cairo Design Week, which took place across different key landmarks in Korba over the course of 7 days in the period between 19-25 of November.

CDA acts as Egypt’s primary platform for local and international designers through providing an innovative, all-encompassing community that supports and celebrates achievements in the design industry. “CDA has been the destination for designers in Egypt for 5 years, our community has grown since 2017 and attracted innovators who work to make their visions a reality. That couldn’t be possible without the guidance of our jury represented by a lineup of experts who employed their expertise towards the development of talents throughout,” said Hisham Mahdy, Founder of CDA and President of Cairo Design Week, to guests at the gala dinner.

Administered by 7 juries, represented by a total of 14 local and international jury members, CDA ’22 featured Brendan Macfarlane and Ebtisam Farid representing the Architecture and Landscape category; Kegham Djeghaliain and Yasmine Yeya representing Fashion Design; Ghalia Elsrakbi and Hani Mahfouz representing Graphic Design; Gauthier Guillaume and Karim El-Hayawan representing Interior Design, Alia Mouzannar and Amina Ghali representing Jewelry Design; Guillame Credoz and Cherif Morsi representing Product Design; and Monica Alberte and Mohamed Attia representing the Set Design Category.

CDA’22 is in partnership with WE, POD, DMC, MO4/ SceneHome, V Digital, Mega FM, 3 Brothers, Marmonil, Hi Lights, FAB Misr, LMD, IMAGE, GLC, i-Con Smart Solutions and Aroma.

The awards went to Aley Baracat, Alia Tobala and Nora Abushadi (Graphic Design); Mohamed Shebeny, Two Emms Design Studio and Mahmoud Ragheb & Yasmine Ammar of MYS Architects (Interior Design); Sammar El Sawy, Nada Elhadad and Kione Art and Yasmine El Biali (Product Design); Undefined, Mohamed Mamdouh El Haddad and Ahmed Shawky and Mostafa Wagih (Product Design); and Salma Taimour, Eslam El Banna and Ahmed Shaaban (Set Design).

Aldau

Development Lights Up

Hurghada With The First Edition Of Aldau International Art Festival

In a blaze of color, ALDAU Development celebrated the first edition of ALDAU International Art Festival (AIAF) in the jewel of the Red Sea, Hurghada, held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities and the Red Sea Governorate, as an initiative to boost the tourism scene, value the importance of art and appreciate its role in our society to be a global destination for creators.

The festival was organized by ADD Art, an art subsidiary of ALDAU Development, member of Sami Saad Holding, with the presence of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, his Excellency Ahmed Issa, the Red Sea Governor, Major General Amr Hanafi and the Chairman of ALDAU Development, Eng. Bassel Sami Saad, during this special event, along with key personalities, influencers and media representatives.

The event unfolded with an enormous week-long art workshops from September 22nd until September 27th, at the ALDAU Art Promenade’s open gallery, with the participation of 40 national and international artists from Lithuania, Japan, the USA, Tunisia, and Egypt, among others, who featured an explosion of colors in all forms from painting to sculpture and other types of art.

Amongst the artists participating are: Ahmed Allam, Ahmed Saber, Al Hameem Al Mahy, Ali Mostafa, Alia Ahmed Eissa, Ammar Shiha, Antanas Obcarskas, Erik Kulmanov, Fatima Azimova, Fatma Abodoma, Fatma Salah, George Fadel, Hanan Ramadan, Hazem El Mestikway, Ibrahim Khatab, Katsu Shimmin, Leah Kay Manatis, Maram Walid, Margot Paris, Mark Butler, Mina Isaac, Mina Ossama, Mohamed Abd El-Hady, Mohammad Aljaloos, Mohamed Elmasry, Mohamed Elbehairy, Mostafa Rabie, Mourad M. Mourad, Najet Dhahbi, Nessrin Hassan, Noha Nagui Arafa, Nour Hussien Hassan Ali, Omar Senada, Othman Shihab, Sarvinoz Kosimova, Sherif William, Taha Nasr, Tasneem ElMeshad, Walid Ebeid and Walid Jahin.

The masterpieces were later presented at ALDAU Exhibition Hall from October 2nd until October 7th, highlighting the best work of the talented artists, inspired by their surroundings and their love for the art.

The closing ceremony concluded with a successful celebration under the stars, performed by the one and only legendary composer Omar Khairat.

“I am proud to officially announce the release of the first edition of the ALDAU International Art festival. This festival is under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, whom we’d like to thank for being true supporters of our establishments and initiatives.” highlighted Malak Shenouda, Head of Arts and Events at ALDAU Development Holding.

Global Auto, BMW Group Importer in Egypt

BMW Group, the world’s leading premium manufacturer of luxurious, sporty, and electric automobiles, has announced the appointment of Global Auto Group as the new importer of BMW and MINI in Egypt. In a press conference with the presence of Dr. Thomas Rinn, BMW Group President for Africa and Eastern Europe, Fahad Alghanim, Chairman of Global Auto Group, Mohamed Kandeel, CEO of Global Auto Group, H.E. Mr. Ghanem Saqr Alghanim, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Cairo Mr. Jan Noether, CEO and Board Member of the German-Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce, as well as senior officials from BMW Group and Global Auto Group.

Global Auto Group has also acquired Bavarian Auto Group—the former importer of both luxury brands in Egypt— in a deal that includes the existing network of service centers, showrooms, and the BMW assembly plant. BMW’s assembly plant has three production lines with a capacity of 10,000 cars per year.

Global Auto Group established from a successful partnership between Kuwait’s Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive, Saudi Arabia’s Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors, Al Organi Group and Al Safi Group of Egypt. With over three decades

of experience serving the premium car market in the state of the State of Kuwait and the Republic of Iraq as a BMW Group importer, Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive has established an excellent reputation in the region. Similarly, Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors is the exclusive BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce importer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for over two decades, and it has a stellar track record of sales and aftersales services. Both veteran entities, in collaboration with the two large Egyptian groups, are confident of replicating the sales success they have reached in Kuwait, KSA, and Iraq by offering the highest quality premium products and aftersales services, while maintaining strong customer satisfaction.

Catering to the growing demand for BMW and MINI in one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, Global Auto has an ambitious plan for expanding its presence in the Egyptian market. Their plan includes refurbishing the existing showrooms and service centres of the two premium brands, along with opening new showrooms and service centres across the country, especially in new urban cities, while adopting the new global BMW Group corporate identity (BMW Retail Next). Global Auto also shares BMW Group’s commitment to sustainability, focusing primarily on conserving natural resources. To achieve this goal, Global Auto will introduce BMW i all-electric cars in the Egyptian market, along with using electricity generated from solar energy and water recycling methods in its new showrooms—all in line with BMW Group’s ultimate goal of becoming a fully sustainable company and aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and its sustainable development plans.

Aside from offering customers in Egypt the full range of BMW, BMW M, BMW i, MINI vehicles, BMW Premium Selection pre-owned cars, Global Auto also provides a one-stop shop for its clients, including financing plans and insurance schemes.

Orascom Construction Consortium Announces Groundbreaking Ceremony at a New 500 MW Build-Own-Operate Wind Farm in Egypt

Orascom Construction PLC (NASDAQ Dubai: OC; EGX: ORAS) announces that its consortium with ENGIE (France) and Toyota Tsusho Corporation/Eurus Energy Holdings Corporation (Japan) together with the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of a new 500 MW BuildOwn-Operate Wind Farm in Ras Ghareb, Egypt.

Orascom Construction has an equity stake in the project and will execute the construction of the wind farm.

Once fully operational, the project will be capable of delivering clean power to more than 800,000 Egyptian homes. The project also helps accelerate Egypt’s transition to renewable power generation and will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 1,000,000 tons annually.

This new 500 MW wind farm project builds on the past success achieved by the consortium in developing Egypt’s first renewable energy Independent Power Producer (IPP) project of its kind and size (completed in October 2019 ahead of schedule).

This project also further reinforces Orascom Con-

struction’s position as a leading player in the power and renewable energy sector in the Middle East and Africa. The Group’s total power track record is comprised of projects executed or under construction with a capacity of 30 GW, placing Orascom Construction as the largest player in this sector in Egypt and one of the largest in the region.

Creative Industry Summit concluded its 14th edition, which ran from 27 to 29 September 2022, in Cairo Business Park (One of Misr Italia Properties projects), as the summit’s 14th edition main partner. Discussing “creative economy”, the event witnessed the participation of global, regional, and Egyptian experts in their disciplines, including global speaker Mark Adams, Senior Vice President and Head of Innovation at Vice Media and other entrepreneurial figures and leaders from various creative industries fields. This year’s edition saw an enormous turnout of attendees that exceeded expectations and all previous editions with more than 1,400 participants, 150 speakers, and 18 exhibitors from various companies, creative and media agencies to deliver more than 30 panel discussions and 9 workshops.

Creative Industry Summit is the only creative industry platform in the Middle East and North Africa that celebrates the region’s achievements in creative economy; establishing itself as a dedicated platform for youth, where it enables, empowers and inspires them in various creative fields. The summit is an annual gathering hub where young minds can exchange experiences, views, opinions and open new opportunities for cooperation.

This year, the summit discussed several key topics in creative economy in more than 25 tracks, including Startups & Entrepreneurship, Innovation, E-Commerce, Media, Film, Food Innovation, Art, Tech & AI, Sustainability, Fashion, Advertising, and Content Creation, to name a few, in addition to dedicated discussions on environmental sustainability in conjunction with the United Nations Climate Change Conference next November. The summit covered numerous creative topics such as the different aspects of Metaverse, a new era of hospitality: what has changed and what remains

the same? How to build a resilient business model, escaping Climate Emergency through greener technologies, strategies to breakthrough leadership barriers, creating meaningful brand stories, and digital solutions for startups. Moreover, the summit hosted Chef Mohammad ElKhaldy in “ Bridging Cultures Using Culinary Experiences” and other important panel discussions and talks that hosted high profile decisionmakers from major local and international companies. Mai Salama, Founding Partner of Creative Industry Summit, said: “We are proud of the interest and participation we receive annually in Creative Industry Summit, which has followers from more than 17 countries. The summit aims to drive the conversation and the way forward in creative economy, expand cooperation between local, regional, and international giants, and bring industry leaders from around the world. The summit is now a platform for creative celebration, inspiration, and education in Egypt and the Middle East, as It helps creative minds transform their ideas into lucrative businesses.”

Mercedes-Benz Egypt hosted its second MercedesMasters Golf Tournament in 2022 on September 23 at Katameya Dunes Golf Club in New Cairo. This tournament included 70 players, as well as spectators who all enjoyed the luxurious MercedesMasters experience including the playoffs, an introductory golf clinic, live entertainment, a dinner gathering & a prize giving ceremony. All of which was complimented with an impressive display of high end Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG models such as the SClass, GLS, GLE, G-Class & the Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Coupé.

In addition to the MercedesMasters trophies & prestigious Mercedes-Benz collection items presented to during the prize giving ceremony, two lucky winners were given the highly exclusive opportunity to officially compete at the anticipated Asian Tour International Series due to take place for the first time in Egypt this November.

“Mercedes-Benz enjoys a strong association with the professional sport of golf on the highest level, including in Egypt through our renowned MercedesMasters Golf Tournament and our partnership with the Egyptian Golf Federation” said Sascha van Ryssen, Marketing and Sales

Director, Mercedes-Benz Egypt. “This biannual opportunity to engage some of the most competitive golfers in Egypt with the Mercedes-Benz unique luxury experience reinforces our longstanding dedication to the perfect drive both on and off the golf course.”

For more than 30 years, Mercedes-Benz has supported golf around the world, from partnering with the most prestigious majors & tournaments in the professional game to engaging with thousands of players around the globe, while linking tradition with innovation and luxury.

Mercedes-Benz Egypt Hosts the Second round of the Prestigious MercedesMasters Golf Tournament in 2022 at Katameya Dunes Golf Club

Creative Industry Summit celebrates the closing of the 14th edition with the participation of more than 150 speakers and 1,400 visitors at Cairo Business Park

RIF Trust and Latitude Group, the world’s leading government-authorized Residency and Citizenship by Investment firm, hosts a star-studded event to celebrate the launch of its operations in Egypt. The prestigious Gala Dinner was attended by prominent business leaders, key media representatives, and socially renowned figures including Hisham Ashour, Razan Maghrabi, Khaled Eleish, and Merihan Amr as well as famous Influencers such as Alicia Innacone, Mahmoud Elsisi, Mohamed Zowail, Mo Elsherif and Dala Mohandes. The speeches given at the event shed light on the opportunities the industry helps create for sustainable economic growth on a global scale.

With its headquarters in Dubai, RIF Trust was founded with the aim to provide investors and business people with the freedom of mobility and visa-free travel needed to expand their business on a larger, global scale through Residency and Citizenship by Investment. A governmentadvisory firm, RIF Trust has succeeded in strengthening its position in the market and expanded with more than 22 offices around the world offering over 20 programs to serve global business-people and investors.

RIF Trust, with a thorough understanding of the current global market, its needs, and the fast pace of business operations, has decided to expand its presence in the Egyptian market for the prosperous growth of its economy. In addition, RIF Trust’s launch in Egypt will enable residents inside the country or Egyptians living abroad to diversify their investment portfolios. Moreover, the freedom of visa-free travel will facilitate access where they can expand their business across different continents around the globe.

“We are confident and fully trust our decision to start operating in Egypt given its political stability, proximity to Europe, as well as its growing exports. As a government-approved firm, we have helped many people grow their investments and conduct their business with the freedom that our diverse programs offer. We are optimistic about our presence in the expansive market of Egypt which holds several opportunities in the field of Residency and Citizenship by Investment. The programs we offer will help many Egyptian investors broaden their business horizons with more ease of access to several countries. We dedicate our efforts to opening more channels that can contribute to the growth of economies in the MENA region.” said Mimoun A. Assraoui CEO of RIF Trust & Vice Chairman of Latitude Group.

Toyota Egypt Group announced the opening of Automark new showroom for certified pre-owned vehicles at Cairo Festival City, Fifth Settlement.

As part of its aim to provide integrated services to Toyota customers and fans in Egypt, Autmark’s new showroom is the first-of-its-kind being an open-air showroom providing an unparalleled customer experience.

Launched in 2019 Automark is Toyota Motor Corporation’s Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle (CPOV) one stop shop that provides the services of selling, buying and trading-in used Toyota vehicles in a robust, trusted and hassle-free experience.

Mr. Ahmed Monsef, CEO of Toyota Egypt Group said: “Toyota Egypt is always keen on serving its customers and enthusiasts and meeting their changing needs. After Automark’s success throughout the past years, we were encouraged to open the first and largest open-air showroom for certified pre-owned vehicles at Cairo Festival City. We are proudly proclaiming the facility as the No. 1 place for certified pre-owned Toyota vehicles accommodating a variety of vehicles, giving our customers the opportunity to confidently choose between a range of vehicles trusting the quality of the vehicles and the credibility of the transaction of purchasing a certified pre-owned Toyota, selling their used vehicles or requesting a trade-in.”

“Despite all the global and local challenges that we are all witnessing, which have particularly affected the automotive sector since the beginning of 2022, Toyota Egypt is always determined on maintaining Toyota’s market leadership position in the Egyptian market. Through its robust efforts to grow, Toyota Egypt will always put its customers’ demands and aspirations as a top priority.” Monsef added.

Automark service provides an exceptional and distinctive customer experience to sell, buy and trade-in Toyota used vehicles all in one place through the following services: Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle – CPOV - Service

For the first time in the Egyptian automotive market, Automark offers certified pre-owned Toyota used vehicles. All used cars acquire certification once they undergo a rigorous 99 checkpoints inspection process utilizing the latest evaluation systems approved by Toyota Motor Corporation to ensure best technical condition when resold to the end customer.

Toyota Egypt Launches a New Showroom for its Certified-Preowned Service “Automark” at Cairo Festival City

RIF Trust Reinforces Its Presence in the Middle East and Africa by Launching Its Operations in Egypt

Kwai, the region’s leading short-form video platform, witnessed unparalleled success this month as it celebrated its partnership with entertainment powerhouse, Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF). As part of its commitment to entertain, educate and empower its audiences, the platform joined forces with the 44th edition of the festival as the official social media partner, creating incredible experiences for its community and bringing the region’s top talents to a global stage. To kick off this partnership, Kwai launched #FilmOnKwai an in-app campaign that challenged its users to unleash their cinematography skills and reflect their love for movies and cinema through their content – sharing their unique stories with the world. The campaign had over 260 thousand posted videos, generating over 500 million views in total.

With powering innovative storytelling amongst emerging and established creatives, artists, and filmmakers a top priority, Kwai invited the winners of the campaign – the users behind the highest trending videos Fares Ayman, Mahmoud Omara and Adham Sabry – to attend the closing ceremony of CIFF where they got the chance to connect with the industry’s leaders, critics, and key professionals and got a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of one of the top film festivals globally.

At the event, which took place from November 13-22, Kwai brought a variety of exciting activities and surprises to the red carpet, which included placing a glambot that captured exclusive footage of some of the biggest stars of Arab cinema. It also collaborated once again with the social media personality Ahmed Rafat, who led special segments on the opening and closing nights of the festival – interviewing and interacting with different celebrities.

Commenting on the partnership, Chris Zhou, Kwai Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, said: “We’re honored to have had the privilege to partner with one of the most iconic players in the entertainment space, both in the region and beyond, to capture golden opportunities for content creators to dive into the filmmaking and acting industry and turn their career goals into a reality. We’re proud to say that through this synergy, we were able to successfully deliver creative ways for our community to engage with the world of cinema as well as nurture the talents of the next generation’s artists, filmmakers, and creatives.”

Stunning Cadillac Heralds Electrifying Era of Luxury and Refinement in Egypt

Cadillac will redefine luxury motoring in Egypt, starting with the stunning design and artfully integrated technology of the LYRIQ luxury SUV, General Motors (GM) and Al Mansour Automotive announced today. Globally, Cadillac will be all-electric by 2030, with the LYRIQ spearheading the transformation of the brand synonymous with American luxury and innovation. Cadillac’s all-electric future in Egypt kicked off this week at the COP 27 global sustainability conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, where the LYRIQ is part of GM’s EV demonstration fleet being utilized by attendees. Mohamed Mansour, Chairman of Al Mansour Group said “In a month when Mansour Automotive and GM are Principal Partners of COP 27, the world’s most important climate conference, the launch of Cadillac represents an exciting glimpse of a cleaner and greener future for Egypt. Our two great companies have partnered for well over 40 years and this is another significant moment in our long-term relationship.”

“There is no doubt that the future is electric; the only questions that remain is when, and how?” said Shilpan Amin, Vice President and President of General Motors International. “Innovation is in Cadillac’s DNA, and in partnership with Mansour Automotive, we have no doubt that Cadillac has the legacy and expertise to make it a closer reality in Egypt. Not only that, but we are also making it extraordinary by promising a completely new ownership and driving experience, that will redefine what we want and need from our luxury vehicles”.

Sharon Nishi, Managing Director of General Motors Egypt stated “Cadillac has an illustrious history in Egypt, especially hailing from the time of the golden age of the Egyptian Cinema when Cadillac was the ultimate definition of luxury. We are thrilled to announce the return of Cadillac to Egypt with its all-new all-electric lineup from 2023. Egypt is one of the most important markets for General Motors Africa and Middle East. Bringing our luxury brand, Cadillac, as an all-electric brand in its 120th year is a milestone for us, and we cannot wait to start our journey with Egyptian luxury customers”.

“We are committed to deliver on Cadillac’s first-class and sophisticated customer experience to the Egyptian market. Al Mansour Automotive Company has been a market leader since inception and continues to bring innovative products, services, and technologies for the discerning Egyptian consumers.” Stated Mr. Ankush Arora, CEO of Al Mansour Automotive.

Cadillac is defining the future of luxury transportation through a series of exciting new electric vehicles, including the 2023 LYRIQ which sold out in the United States within two hours of its launch to customers earlier this year. Cadillac is a true icon of luxury automotive with a 120-year heritage – and its all-electric future will continue to position the brand at the leading edge of technological advancement and luxury for customers.

Kwai’s Successful Partnership with Cairo International Film Festival Creates New Ways of Engaging its Community

Tatweer Misr Flows West with Rivers

Tatweer Misr is finally flowing west with its latest of projects, Rivers, creating more destinations and placing its real-estate footprint in all strategic locations in the Egyptian market. Situated on 100 acres of far-reaching greenery and turquoise waters, every unit is guaranteed a waterfront and landscape view with intertwining rivers and central parks.

Flowing west – Rivers is inspired by contemporary architecture and the beauty of everyday life where nature takes over the buildings, and the space of homes along the far-stretching rivers tells the story of serenity with a glimpse of future living.

With a prime location in the heart of New Zayed, Rivers is only three minutes away from Sphinx International Airport, 12 minutes from Sheikh Zayed, and 35 minutes from Downtown. The project also allows direct access to Dabaa-Roud Al Farag Axis, Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road, Dahshur Road and El-Mehwar.

Construction works will start in 2025 with start of delivery expected in 2027. The project’s total land area is 100 acres divided into 6 zones with a total number of units of over 700. The total built-up is more than 150,000 square

meters (m2) with a footprint of 16%.

Unit types include single family homes varying between standalone, twin house and town house. Unit areas vary between 180-350 square meters (m2).

Facilities and amenities will include a clubhouse; central parks; outdoor gym; commercial hub with cafes and retail stores; in addition to walk lanes and bike lanes.

Misr Italia Properties Continues Its Expansion

Plan by Acquiring a New 400 Acres Land in the North Coast with Investments of EGP 23 Billion

In line with the government’s vision, including the development of the western part of the North Coast, Misr Italia Properties announced the acquisition of a 400-acre piece of land located in Ras Al Hikma at km 199 Alex-Matrouh Road. As part of Misr Italia Properties plan to expand across Egypt, this milestone brings the company’s total land bank to a total of 7.1 million m2.

“Misr Italia Properties is keen on expanding its portfolio by embarking on the development of new innovative and high-quality projects. We are also determined to be present within the market’s most distinguished and high-demand areas with the aim of reaching targeted customers and accordingly, the company is set to launch its new 400-acres North Coast project soon, leveraging our experience of more than 20 years in the Egyptian real estate market.” said Mohamed Hany El-Assal, CEO and Managing Director of Misr Italia Properties.

He further explained, “We pursue partnerships with leading international design and consultancy offices with the aim of introducing a homogenous and cohesive project that puts sustainability and smart solutions at the top of its agenda, while making optimum use of the area’s potential and natural assets.”

From his side, Mohamed Khaled El Assal, CEO and Managing Director of Misr Italia Properties, added that “As Misr Italia Properties aims to meet its customers’ expectations and to fulfil the highest level of luxury, comfort, and entertainment, the project is planned to be built on different levels; allowing the largest number of units to have open sea views of the coast’s signature crystal clear waters.

The project’s investments amount to EGP 23 billion; as it encompasses a variety of residential units, two hotels, entertainment and commercial areas all surrounded by water features and greenery spread throughout the project. The project is expected to start delivering by 2027.”

It is worth mentioning that Misr Italia Properties is also the first private-sector real estate developer to invest in the New Administrative Capital upon the government’s directives with its projects IL Bosco and Vinci, and therefore the first to deliver units in the NAC. Also, with EGP 4.2 billion gross contracted sales during the first half of 2022, Misr Italia Properties stands among the three biggest real estate developers in terms of sales in East Cairo. Misr Italia Properties achieved a growth rate of 58% compared to the first half of the previous year.

2CELLOS in Red Sea for First Time in Egypt

Survey commissioned by IHG Hotels & Resorts reveals

value when they travel

IHG Hotels & Resorts revealed the Egypt results of a pan-Arabic survey commissioned to better understand how consumers like to enjoy their time as a hotel guest, as part of the launch of its global “Guest How You Guest” campaign – which aims to amplify true-to-life travel moments and celebrates individuality – encouraging guests to be themselves.

Supporting the Egyptian tourism sector, Egypt’s leading tourism investment company and real estate developer, Abu Soma Touristic Development Company, owner of Somabay, hosted the grand concert of the 2CELLOS International Band at Somabay Resort - Red Sea, during Luka Šulic and Stjepan Hauser’s final live tour together as a team. This comes in collaboration with RMC Worldwide Partners and MBC Group; In line with Egypt’s ambitious plan to revitalize and endorse the Red Sea as one of Egypt’s most prominent touristic places, with the aim to promote investments in tourism and highligh the importance of artistic and musical events.

’

The survey aimed to explore guest preferences and desires during hotel stays generally. The insightful survey also revealed guests want to be their true selves when staying at a hotel – to stay the way they want to –something that IHG Hotels & Resorts celebrates. The company’s newest global campaign, Guest How You Guest, is a celebration of hotels and taking a break from having to do it all. IHG is passionate in its belief that when people are taken care of – they feel free to be themselves and live their best lives.

Egypt’s survey results revealed what guests from the country are looking for in a hotel experience, with the three most popular features of a hotel stay rated as the facilities (pool, sauna) at 53%, entertainment options (51%) and room service (50%). Meanwhile 37% said they enjoyed not having to cook for themselves, and nearly a quarter enjoyed not having to clean up after themselves (24%).

Marriott Mena House, Cairo has been named among top ten city hotels in the MENA region by worldrenowned Travel + Leisure Magazine

Further exploring how Egyptians like to guest in hotels, the research showed that a fifth (20%) like to get changed for dinner to look their best, while 18% are comfortable enough slouching in their pajamas and hotel slippers, and 36% are even content walking around a hotel in their beachwear – among the highest across the pan-Arabic survey.

The highest percentage across the region, 94% of respondents, agreed they could be totally themselves when staying in a hotel. Yet only 48% felt they are completely relaxed during a hotel stay, compared with 61% from the UAE, for example, while 26% worry their kids will misbehave and disturb other guests.

IHG also created a series of ‘hotel guest archetypes’ as part of the research. Amongst these, 33% classed themselves as a “groupie”, most likely to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends, 23% are “memories-makers”, focusing on creating memorable experiences and touristing around the local area. Only 15% admitted to being “romancelovers”, enjoying luxurious, romantic trips with their partners, while 20% are “party people”, using the pool by day and going for drinks at night. A further 9% said they are “explorers”, going off the beaten track to discover new experiences.

Among the many architectural treasures and cultural hubs that make up the hotels found throughout the Middle East and North Africa, Marriott Mena House, Cairo has been recognized as one of the best hotels in the world - a ruling made by the people at world-renowned travel magazine Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best Awards survey in 2022. Each year, the readers of Travel + Leisure — the largest travel media brand in the United States, with an audience of 4.8 million readers — vote for their favorite destinations, city hotels, resorts, and more in World’s Best Awards survey.

what consumers

Cairo Marriott Hotel celebrates 40 years of success in Egypt

Cairo Marriott Hotel celebrates 40 years of success in Egypt in 2022. To mark the anniversary, the hotel organized a high-profile mega event featuring an impressive fireworks and lights show and an exclusive video by J.W. Marriott, Jr., currently Chairman Emeritus of Marriott International, Inc. The evening continued with an exciting concert by superstar Ragheb Alama in addition to DJ Rodge playing throughout the night. Satya Anand, President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International commented, “For more than four decades, Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino has maintained its position at the forefront of Cairo’s hospitality industry and occupies a special place in the hearts of Egyptian nationals, residents and guests from across the globe.”

Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences receives Egypt Leading Hotel Suite 2022 Award at the

World Travel Awards

Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences has won the award of Egypt Leading Hotel Suite 2022 by the “World Travel Awards” organization. This award was received according to the highest number of votes among the guests, customers, and loyal guests of Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences. The Hotel has been selected out of all other competing hotels.

Tarek Zaki, General Manager, Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences said: “The award is a testament to the hotel team’s hard work and dedication.

It is an outstanding achievement to win such a prestigious award.

Pauline Tadros as

Marketing

Communication supervisor at Sheraton Cairo Hotel and Casino

Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino proudly announced the promotion of Pauline Tadros to the position of Marketing Communication Supervisor.

Pauline started her career after graduating from GUC with a major in Business Informatics as a digital marketing consultant at Purple Digital Marketing in 2016.

Pauline joined the Marriott family as a PR coordinator at the Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino in 2017 as part of the pre-opening team. With her passion for travel and hospitality Pauline proved herself to be a great asset. In 2019, Pauline put her career on hold for the great call of motherhood as she became a mother of two under two. After giving her care for her kids, she re-joined the Marriott family again as a marketing coordinator in February 2022 with the same passion, enthusiasm and recharged to do more.

Hilton Appoints Ahmed El Hady as Egypt Country Manager

Hilton recently announced the appointment of Ahmed El Hady as Country Manager & Senior Director, Operations, Egypt. Ahmed is responsible for leading Hilton’s operational strategy in Egypt, as well as overseeing operations at the company’s 14 trading and 11 pipeline properties in the country.

An Egyptian national, Ahmed is widely recognized as a seasoned hotelier, with close to 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and a proven track record of successfully managing all aspects of hotel operations. Ahmed leads over 6,000 Team Members across Hilton’s operating hotels in Egypt, which are being managed under the company’s Hilton Hotels & Resorts and luxury Conrad Hotels & Resorts brands. Ahmed also oversees operations for the company’s development pipeline, which will see more Hilton brands being introduced for the first time in Egypt- namely Waldorf Astoria, one of Hilton’s iconic luxury brands, as well as DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn.

“With ambitious plans for Egypt, Ahmed joins Hilton’s team to continue driving our longstanding legacy we’ve build locally for more than 60 years,” said Kamel Ajami, Vice President of Operations for KSA, Egypt & Levant, Hilton. “Ahmed’s capable leadership and vision will underscore our strong presence and diversified pipeline in a market that houses many spectacular destinations where travellers from all over the world come to visit.”

All Eyes on the Ball

Qatar wowed fans from all across the globe last month, pulling off an extravagant Football World Cup 2022 that was all about bringing nations, fans and spectators together in harmony. At press time Argentina was celebrating an exhilarating World Cup win against France.