Qaaf Art Space, a welcoming and spacious hub located on a quiet side-street a few minutes away from Hadayeq El-Maadi metro station, is the most recent addition to an ongoing project initiated by a young creative group of Cairene freelancers, artists and independent music lovers. “You know where our name Qaaf came from?” Omar, the venture’s manager, asks us. “It originates from the song “Qaaf Ya3ni Qawem” (Q means Resisting) by Egyptian singer Aly Talebab, a line that can also be found stitched onto their t-shirt labels, a colorful and original collection of which are on display and for sale in the Qaaf Gallery entrance area that now extends on into Qaaf Art Space at the back. Why they selected this particular phrase has mainly to do with how they envision their brand and, by extension, their identity as individuals and as a small community. “Have your own passion; resist the pressure to be like everyone else,” are the guiding principles of the team and their creative vision, Omar further explains to Egyptian Streets. This meanwhile multi-functional concept started out as a fairly low-key affair back in 2014, when the…
A Quick History Run Down of Cairo’s Demolished Heliopolis Tram
The tram of Heliopolis, or as many prefer to call it “Tromay”, used to be one of the most important features of the neighborhood. Although it is over a century old, sadly, in recent years, the tramway has suffered from extreme neglect. Since it was announced last month that the tram will be completely removed from the neighborhood, social media users have been expressing their sadness over what has become of the neighborhood of Heliopolis’ important heritage. The history of “Tromay Heliopolis” goes back more than 120 years that have witnessed three different lines. In the 1970s, more than half of the tram was removed to accommodate the growing use of cars. The only operating lines at the time remained in Heliopolis and Helwan. However, the latter line was shut down in 2011, while the Heliopolis line was largely removed in 2014 after plans to expand the streets and pavements. The Council of Ministers had in 1894 granted a concession to a Belgian company to establish eight tramlines in Cairo. The company has meanwhile appointed 400 Egyptian workers in the new project. Many newspapers have also published advertisements encouraging people…
“Knowledge is Power”: Arab Digital Expression Camp Bringing Arab Youth Together
Every summer since 2007, the two-week long Arab Digital Expression Camps (ADEC) have been bringing together an average of 60 youngsters from 11 Arab countries with the aim of immersing them – through a variety of creative workshops – in different forms of self-expression. A focus is thereby placed on digital technologies, since being able to proficiently understand and use such tools and resources is vital for critically navigating today’s world. It is especially important to foster independent-thinking youth that are both aware and active, and that are able to ‘express themselves and produce knowledge for the benefit of their society,’ as the Arab Digital Expression Foundation (ADEF), the non-profit organization behind the camps, notes in its mission statement. Held annually in various locations across the Arab world – this year in Alexandria – the camp curriculum is developed and implemented in collaboration with young artists, techies, journalists and researchers from across the region. By empowering the young campers, who not only come from different countries but from different socioeconomic backgrounds, the aim is to provide a fruitful space for them to create ideas that reflect their individuality as well…
Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh to Become Eco-friendly
On Tuesday, Egypt’s Minister of Environment Yasmin Fouad said that the government has plans to turn Sharm El Sheikh into an eco-friendly city with the help of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). During a meeting with the governor of South Sinai Khaled Foda, the minister discussed the development of South Sinai’s nature reserves including prominent locations like Blue Hole and Ras Abu Galoum protectorates. The ministry has plans to turn Gharqana village in Napq Protected Area, which is located near Sharm El Sheikh, into an eco-friendly village. In 2018, the project was led by the Egyptian government to transform the touristic seaside into a green city by incorporating waste recycling plants, environmentally-friendly technology for renewable energies and water recycling. The UNDP financed the project by providing USD 5 million to kick start it. In recent months, Egypt has made several efforts to encourage its citizens to lead an environmentally-conscious life by familiarizing Egyptians with recycling as well as ceiling the amount of plastic consumed. With the arrival of summer, governor of the Red Sea governorate, General Ahmad Abdallah, recently announced that plastic bags in Marsa Alam would soon be…
Minister of Civil Aviation Announces Fees for Passengers Departing from Egyptian Airports
On Wednesday morning Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation Minister Younis al-Masry announced a decision to collect fees from passengers departing Egyptian airports, whether they be foreign or domestic flights. These fees, to be collected in US dollars or their local equivalent, would be imposed in exchange for various services offered at Egyptian airports starting from 15 November 2019, according to al-Masry al-Youm. US$25 are to be collected from every passenger departing on scheduled flights and charter flights. For passengers boarding domestic flights a service fee of $5 is to be charged. Al-Masry also stated that passengers would be requested to pay $2 at Egyptian airports and $4 at Sharm el-Sheikh airport, fees to contribute towards the development of airport security systems and procedures. The minister also decided to increase the landing and parking fees by 15 percent. Back in March, the Civil Aviation Ministry announced in a statement that from November 2019, it would increase by $5 a fee it collects indirectly from passengers departing Egyptian airports. While the ministry did not clarify how this fee will be charged and collected, historic trends suggest that it will be incorporated in…
A Guide to Cairo’s Top 3 Flower Shops
One thing you might have noticed while driving or walking around Cairo is the abundance of flower markets across the city. In almost every district, there are street sellers with a pretty diverse flower collection, perfect for those looking to brighten up their garden, flower collection, or wanting to gift someone a flower pot on a special occasion. And while street sellers offer a variety of flowers for sale, many flower shops specialize more in flower design. Flower shops not only offer rare plant collections, but also offer to decorate events, rooms, spaces and provide additional services such as delivery and wrapping. Flower Power Not only is Flower Power one of Cairo’s fanciest flower shops, but it is also the first flower design store in the city that boasts more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Flower Power was founded by Malak Taher in 1986, comprising three stores in Cairo located in Mohandeseen, New Cairo and 6 October, as well as an online store where you can buy a variety of roses and orchids. The shop soon became known for decorating weddings as well as hotels. Fleurinjy Founded…
“Al Awda”: Tasting Palestinian Cuisine in Cairo
Palestinian cuisine is known for its rich flavors, its refined use of a range of spices and olive oil but also its indulgent sugary sweets. In general, it closely resembles the cuisine of other Levantine countries, including Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. We decided to try and locate a Palestinian restaurant in Cairo, which should not be an impossible task, considering that ever since the establishment of Israel in 1948 rendered thousands of Palestinians refugees, a significant Palestinian population – many of whom Gazans – have come to live in Egypt. A stint of online research presents us with the restaurant “Al Awda” (the return), which immediately rings a bell for anyone familiar with the ongoing Palestinian struggle, at the heart of which lies their demand for a ‘right to return’ to their homeland. The restaurant seems to be well known in Nasr City, the suburb in which it is located, as we receive encouraging nods when asking a couple of people for directions: “Ah yes, Al Awda is right up there on your right.” Indeed, on a side street just up from the more bustling Abbas El-Akkad, we spot the…
CAPMAS: Egyptians Affected by Poverty Reach 32.5 Percent
Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) has released a report in which it announced that 32.5 percent of Egyptian citizens are living below the poverty line. The news, which came as little surprise with the recent increase of prices for services the government is no longer subsidizing, was announced by Chairperson of CAPMAS Khairat Barakat on Monday. The famed research center also estimated that the country’s extreme poverty rate was of 6.2 percent among Egyptians. In 2017-2018, the extreme poverty line for one individual reached EGP 5,890 (US$ 346) per year. Although Barakat explained that this reality was on par with Egypt’s economy reform program, the 4.7 percent increase from 2015, when 27.8 percent were living below the poverty line, is a stark reminder that some segments of Egyptian society have had to shoulder the economic brunt more than others. The new percentage was based on surveying 26,000 families from all Egyptian governorates. These families were visited eight times in the duration of two years. Set at EGP 735.7 (US$ 43) per month and EGP 8,827 (US$ 519) per year, the national poverty line set by CAPMAS…
Egypt to Open Royal Vehicle Museum in September 2019
Egypt is set to open the Royal Vehicle Museum in September 2019, Head of the Projects Sector at the Ministry of Antiquities Waed Abul Ela announced. The minister revealed that the development process of the museum has begun and the electro-mechanic works is almost done. The museum, located on July 26 Street in Zamalek, is covered with geometric patterns and horse head embroidery. Royal Vehicle Museum will be considered one of Egypt’s most significant museums displaying Mohammed Ali and his family’s royal vehicles’ collection including the collection of rare vehicles that belonged to Khedive Ismail. The featured vehicles total at 78 cars including 22 cars that were gifted by European countries. They were used by the Alawite family for several celebrations including concerts or weddings as well as car and horse accessories used in that time period. Some of the iconic pieces one display will be vehicles gifted to Khedive Ismail by Napoleon III and Queen Eugenie during the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, which the Khedive later used in his wedding and the queen during the opening of the Parliament. Enclosed by a large courtyard, the space…