“The whole country will be bridges and buildings?” “Instead of exporting art, you want to destroy it?” These are only some of the questions to be heard in the Al Fakhareen neighborhood in Old Cairo. Once a hub for the artisan community, today, the area’s physical features are in danger of facing drastic change. On 27 July, the popular Egyptian contemporary arts and culture center, Darb 1718, announced that they have been notified by local authorities that they are to evacuate their main building as it is set to be demolished. To expand the street connecting to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), Darb 1718 and two other buildings on the same row are scheduled to be demolished by the end of this week. Although the evacuation notice has been given to three buildings out of many others in the area, the announcement of the demolition sparked outrage among the artisan community in Fustat, as well as the community that it serves, be that locals or tourists. This week, Egyptian Streets visited the neighborhood and spoke to the owners of Darb 1718 and the two buildings that are set…
Heritage Versus Highways: The Battle to Save Old Cairo’s Creative Heart
August 3, 2023
