There is something enchanting about the idea of a café that doubles as a bookshop. Add an art gallery to the mix and you have Bibliothek Egypt, the perfect place for seekers of beauty and knowledge, looking to find an escape from the noise and bustle of the city. I struggled a little to find the place, as it was hidden in the new extension of Akran Plaza El-Sheikh Zayed. However, the bright and welcoming entrance made up for any time I spent searching in the chill springtime breeze. Upon entering, you can go one of three ways: into the brightly lit bookshop stocked with volumes in Arabic and English, into the small and cozy self-service café, or along the curved wall into the ambient-lit exhibition space. Knowing I would want to explore every corner of this new discovery, I started by entering the exhibition ‘Imagining A Landscape,’ which featured pieces from Egyptian artists such as Imane Ibrahim, Meram Adly, Mostafa Abo Aly, and Alia Bassioni. After a stroll through the art pieces and a mental note to ask if they were available for sale – which they were, for…
Bibliothek Egypt: a Perfect Nook for Art, Literature, and Escaping the Noise
March 17, 2022
