Arts & Culture

In Photos: Megalet Mickey’s Ramadan Editions

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In Photos: Megalet Mickey’s Ramadan Editions

It’s a warm morning in 1959: piles of magazines are stacked at newsstands and the ol’ smell of comic books inhabit the racks – ‘Megalet Mickey,’ (Mickey Magazine) is passed down to all family members to read and consume – and all is well.

Megalet Mickey is Egypt’s generational wealth, it knows no age, and is passed down from family to family.
The magazine was first published on a monthly basis in 1959, but due to popular demand, became a weekly magazine in 1962.

From mystery riddles to inspiring stories, it featured stories that taught children – and adults – courage, instilled in them adventure and curiosity, and evoked a sense of purpose.

An attachment grew to the main character, Mickey Mouse, but also to his famous companions Bondok, (Goody), Batout, (Donald Duck), Minnie Mouse, ‘Aam Dahab,’ (Scrooge McDuck), and others. Most of the stories featured Mickey’s attempts to maneuver life with his friends against his antagonist, Dongol (Pete), and others.

Each year, the magazine would publish a special edition for Ramadan. The Ramadan editions would celebrate the season with Ramadan stories, funny riddles, and special Ramadan adventures with the characters.

The comic magazine, which was distributed in Egypt in colloquial Egyptian Arabic mixed with standardArabic, was initially licensed by Walt Disney in 1959 in various languages, until its production was halted in 2003. However, Nahdet Misr Publishing House continued its production in 2004 due to its continued popularity in Egypt.

Until this day, Megalet Mickey remains a relic of the once simple past. Here are some covers of the magazine’s Ramadan editions from decades past.

Mickey 1967

Mickey with Ramadan Lanterns |  image via blogspost

Mickey 1966

Several editions of Mickey with a Ramadan lantern | image via Arab Books

 

Mickey 1971

Mickey cooking Ramadan’s famous Konafa | image via blogspost

Mickey 1967

Mickey, Donald, and friends celebrating Ramadan | image via Twimg

Mickey 1990

Mickey with Ramadan lanterns | image via blogspost

Mickey 1965

Mickey, as a Ramadan ‘mesaharaty,’ inside a Ramadan lantern | image via twitter

 

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Farah Rafik is a graduate from the American University in Cairo (AUC) with a dual degree in Multimedia Journalism and Political Science. After being an active participant in Model United Nation (MUN) conferences both locally and internationally, Farah discovered her love for writing. When she isn’t writing about Arts & Culture for Egyptian Streets, she is busy watching films and shows to review. Writing isn’t completed without a coffee or an iced matcha latte in hand—that she regularly spills. She occasionally challenges herself in reading challenges on Goodreads, and can easily read a book a day.

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