Community Times November Issue by Community Times

Since 1996

November 2018

IN TUNE WITH THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1996

TAHA EL KORANI: THE PEOPLE’S ARTIST

DR. YOMNA LEADS HAPPINESS REVOLUTION URGENT CALLS TO SAVE DAMIETTA’S ANTIQUITIES ECO-FRIENDLY THANKSGIVING DECORATIONS

THE YOUNGEST SCHOOL PRINCIPAL IN EGYPT

In tune with the community since 1996

November 2018 / Issue 268

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Publisher Live Colors, Nicosia Managing Partner Najla Riad Associate Partners Ahmed Samy Mohamed Maher

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT

EDITOR’S NOTE

Editor-in-Chief Moguib Roshdy Acting Editor Najla Riad Assistant Editor Rawan Abdel Latif

WRITERS Ahmed Kafafi, Katharina Froehlich, Noha Kandil, Rana Kamaly and Rehab Saad

Dear Reader

ART DEPARTMENT

“Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in Canada, the United States, some of the Caribbean islands, and Liberia. It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Similarly named festival holidays occur in Germany and Japan. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States, and around the same part of the year in other places. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated as a secular holiday as well.” - Wikipedia. However, Egypt is also thankful for many things. We thank God that, so far, we don’t have floods like what occurred in many countries around the world, several in the United States, in Italy, Jordan and Lebanon, among other countries. Our weather is tolerable most of the year and many potential projects are taking place at the same time that will render a better economy in the near future. A few days ago, I left the house early, and on the ring road I witnessed a huge number of people getting out of public transport and hurrying to their places of work. Some carrying tools, and others were carrying brief cases. I felt proud that there is production and producers and, after tumultuous times we experienced not long ago, Egypt is back on track.

Senior Graphic Designer Hania Hindy

SALES DEPARTMENT Sales Director Rania Halim Rana Touban

PRODUCTION MANAGER Enas Adly

ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT Distribution Manager Rana Ezzat Salem Tantawi

Office Manager Magda Adib

FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS Hazem Abdel Tawab Mohamed Mostafa

Office Clerk Mohamed Adel Office Custodian Ismail Othman Distribution Al Ahram, Next Media Mohandessin, Zamalek, Heliopolis, Maadi, Nasr City, New Cairo, 6 October City, Sheikh Zayed City

A few interesting topics are featured in this issue. On antiquities and heritage, which is very important to address, especially when there is a slight comeback of tourism in Egypt, please review our three main features. In the education section, you should read about the youngest school principal and her views on the future of education. Vietnam in the travel section is a must-read. Though I visited Vietnam from a different perspective than what is featured here, I truly recommend that if you get a chance, it is definitely worth going to. Not the least important, and especially if you are entertaining during Thanksgiving, are our yummy recipes for a successful table in the cuisine section. Wish you a happy November month and always remember to thank God for what you have, remembering that there are many who suffer in the world, especially the refugees dispersed in different countries in camps that are not suffice to protect them from cold and hunger.

Prepress & Printing: Sahara Printing Company

Address: 48 Abdel Moneim Hafez Street, Midan El Sabaa’ Emarat, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt Tel/Fax: (+202) 2290 8127 - 2415 8762 Mobile: 0100 005 2322 - 0100 005 2323 E-mail: editor@live-colors.com Website: published by LC Live Colors Nicosia, Cyprus

!e Editor editor@live-colors.com

Ct | november 2018

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CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2018 TOWN TALK

BUSINESS

06 Talk of the Town News

42 Business News 44 Interviewing CC Plus’ Managing

CULTURE 14 ART

Photography Through the Ages

Director

DESTINATIONS 46 TRAVEL

Vietnam: The Land of Wonders

16 BOOKS

Newest Releases

18 Know Your Man Book Launch 26 20 EVENTS

Events You Do Not Want to Miss

23 FILMS

Movie Releases

FEATURES

MIND, BODY & SOUL 52 How to Stay Healthy During Winter

54 First Center for Hemophilia

COVER: Since 1996

November 2018

IN TUNE WITH THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1996

TAHA EL KORANI: THE PEOPLE’S ARTIST

Reviving Mamluk History

Urgent Calls to Save Tabyet Orabi

Taha El Korani: The People’s Artist

URGENT CALLS TO SAVE DAMIETTA’S ANTIQUITIES ECO-FRIENDLY THANKSGIVING DECORATIONS

Ct | november 2018

THE YOUNGEST SCHOOL PRINCIPAL IN EGYPT

COMMUNITY 34

DR. YOMNA LEADS HAPPINESS REVOLUTION

Treatment

REAL PEOPLE Dr. Yomna Sameer Leads Happiness Revolution EDUCATION Youngest School Principal in Egypt GREEN COMMUNITY Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving Decorations

CUISINE 56

Thanksgiving Sides

SOCIETY 60 Social Events and Gatherings

SIMPLY BE..

*FULL OF HAPPINESS CHINOIX SALUTES ASIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MOST DESIRABLE CUISINE. INSPIRED BY CHINESE TRADITION, DISCOVER DISHES THAT FEEL LIKE A WARM, DELICIOUS HUG.

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TOWNTALK Avon Announces its Breast Cancer Promise 2018

Seeing as October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Avon, one of the biggest female-driven companies in the world, has launched the Pink Light Project, a global commitment to raising awareness of breast cancer. Locally, Avon Egypt has partnered with the Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt (BCFE) to operate a medical convoy to give awareness workshops throughout the month of October, providing free initial checkups for eligible women and free mammography for women above 40 years, who need it.

To help raise awareness of breast cancer, Avon Egypt has created a three-part social media video series as part of Avon’s promise to help every women understand the complications of breast cancer, symptoms and early detection as well as what to do in case of being diagnosed with breast cancer by dispelling myths about the disease. The video features numerous well-known and respected personalities including Dr. Mohamed Shaalan, professor of Surgical Oncology, NCI and Chairman of BCFE; Ghada Salah Gad, Breast Cancer Survivor and BCFE Women’s Health Center Director; Indjy Aly, TV Anchor and Marwa Ezzat, Breast Cancer Survivor. Through the Pink Light Project, Avon’s aim is to empower its unique and powerful woman-to-woman communication platform of six million representatives worldwide will help raise awareness about the risks, signs, and what action to take when it comes to breast cancer.

Torab el Mas and Wahet el Goroub Win Gold Trophies Cairo Design Award concluded its three-day annual event with an award ceremony held at one of Cairo’s hotels where mega star Mahmoud el Esseily and Cairo Steps performed. Several celebrities such as Arwa Gouda, Ghada Adel, Edward, Engy Ali, Amina Khalil and Eman attended the event where CDA awarded excellence in six categories including Jewelry, Set Design, Interior, Landscaping, Product Design and Architecture. The awards were presented by CDA’s esteemed jury of pioneering Egyptian designers including Azza Fahmy, Amr Helmy, Onsi abo Seif, Kareem Mikhtigian, and Tarek Naga. CDA 2018 also featured, for the first time in Egypt, the “Design Showcase” where more than 40 established and upcoming designers collaborated with leading industry suppliers to create more than products but in fact entire showcases with installations that displayed excellence and artistry and offered real messages. The award ceremony honored participating works in each category, with winners receiving gold, silver and bronze trophies. In the set design category, Wahet el Ghoroub, the famous Egyptian TV show featuring Khaled el Nabawi and Menna Shalaby, vied for and won the gold trophy whilst Torab el Mas, from the silver screen, earned the same award for its exemplary set design. The CDA is an annual competition that seeks to establish a design platform that will enable designers in different fields to explore new opportunities for the expansion of their work locally and internationally. CDA also aims at setting and defining clear standards of excellence for future generations of designers to rely on and to support the growth of the industry at the global level.

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SCCT and TCI Sanmar Sponsor the Second Egypt CSR Forum for the First Time in the Suez Canal Region The Suez Canal Container Terminal (SCCT) and TCI Sanmar Chemicals lead the platinum sponsorship of the Second Annual CSR Forum held in Port Said for the first time. SCCT’s philosophy for social responsibility serves three main pillars: Education, Health and Environment. One of the most important projects that the Terminal fulfilled in the field of education was the professional training project P.T.I. It was launched in 2014 in cooperation with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport under the initiative of “Better Education for a Better Future” in 2007 to elaborate efficient caliber of Port Said’s people in the business of ports, shipping and heavy equipment. Since that date, the program has succeeded, through hands-on training and theoretical study, to have about 600 graduates from four training programs, where about 25% of trainees had real job opportunities. TCI Sanmar has devoted great care to societal service and it believes that education in all its forms is the spine for developing nations and advancing societies, especially in countries that recognize their human-resource capabilities and whose youth are the fuel for economic development. Chairman PS Jayaraman said that the company’s interest in vocational training arises from an understanding of its role as a base for societal development and raising the standard of living for citizens through urging them to create and effectively contribute to the country’s developmental journey. TCI Sanmar conducted the first phase of its vocational training program which included electricity and argon welding training, English language courses, and computer training courses for non-technical education graduates, providing life skills development programs for craftsmen, and developing labor market skills for the trainees. The event witnessed high-level government and official private sector, attendance General Adel El Ghadban, Governor of Port Said, Mr. Lars Christensen, CEO of Suez Canal Container Terminal, Engineer Sherif El MenoufiCEO of TCI Sanmar Chemicals and Mr. Hany El Nady, Head of Public & Government Relations and Security Affairs of Suez Canal Container Terminal.

EM and Methanex in Egypt Celebrate the Delivery of to the Egyptian Market The Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM) and Methanex in Egypt celebrated the achievement of a new milestone through the delivery of 500,000 tonnes of methanol to the domestic market. ECHEM is the only marketer of locally produced methanol in Egypt. Methanex in Egypt is the country’s only methanol producer and largest Canadian Joint Venture. Methanol produced in the company’s state-of-the-art plant in Damietta is either exported or sold domestically, and is a main feedstock enabling a wide array of industries dependent upon methanol including construction products, plastics and formaldehyde.

november 2018 | Ct

TOWNTALK Egyptian Architects Set Sights on Europe with Leading Cairo-headquartered architectural and interior design firm Archiform Consultants plans to drive new growth in its European business with the opening of offices in London and joint venture with Stibich Hospitality Solutions (SHS) in DĂźsseldorf. The firm, which is a finalist in the Office Design category of the SBID International Design Awards 2018, has already delivered projects in Germany and the United Kingdom, building on its long track record in the Middle East. Archiform Consultants design and build turnkey architectural and interior design projects for residential, commercial and public spaces. The firm boasts its experience in a broad range of projects including villas and townhouse developments, hotels and leisure facilities, commercial facilities, offices, international airports and educational institutions. They have also delivered interior design projects for a number of royal palaces and yachts in the Middle East. The design firm is a finalist in the Office Design category of the SBID International Design Awards 2018, organised annually by the Society of British International Design (SBID). Celebrating talent and design excellence across all aspects of the interior design industry, the SBID Awards has become one of the most prestigious accolades in the business accepting entries from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

Ruen Thai at Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo held a press conference on the occasion of receiving the reputable Thai Select Premium Seal Award. The event was attended by the Thai Ambassador his Excellency Khun Chainarong Keratiyutwong and officials from the Thai Office of Commercial Affairs to present the award. The press conference was followed by an authentic Thai lunch presented by the Ruen Thai Master Chef Thongbai. Thai Select is essentially aimed to certify and promote authentic Thai cuisine around the world. It is a seal of approval granted to the Thai restaurants overseas that serve authentic food, processed Thai food products. A Thai Select stamped restaurant guarantees superlative quality while maintaining authenticity.

Ct | november 2018

Each SBID entry undergoes a rigorous two-tier judging process by panels of leading industry experts for both technical content and aesthetic creativity, as well as evaluating brief compliance, budget, health and safety, and fit-for-purpose design. Votes from industry members also plays a large part in the awards, with more than 100,000 unique voters participating last year. Archiformâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founder Medhat M. Nehad, founder and president of Archiform Consultants, is a professional accredited member of SBID (Society of British International Design) in London, UK, and a professional active member of the Syndicate of Professional Engineers in Cairo, Egypt. Archiform is a family business that was established in 1997 by founders, Medhat Nehad, now president and his wife Rehab O. Zordok (MBA-Liverpool), now executive director. Over the years, the firm has completed projects for the Asia and Europe and the Middle East.

Uber launches Safety Toolkit for riders and drivers Uber announced the new Safety Toolkit, which will be rolled out to the millions of riders, drivers and couriers using the app across Europe, Middle East and Africa. The toolkit will introduce new innovative features which aim to raise the bar on safety, and increase transparency, accountability and peace of mind for all users. Since launching the app, Uber has provided millions of people with technology that allows them to get a ride at the push of a button, track every trip with GPS technology and report any issues 24/7 with a dedicated safety team. With the introduction of new safety features, the company aims to double down on safety and help make the Uber community safer. Features that will be introduced as part of the new rider and driver safety toolkit, include*: t t t t

Caller Privacy - Riders and drivers will be able to call each other while maintaining the privacy of their number while using Uber Trusted Contacts - Riders can now easily designate five friends or family members as “trusted contacts” and, with a single tap, share their trip information which are easily customisable in their trip sharing preferences. Safety Centre - A new app-housed safety information hub where users can find information on some of the key existing safety tools in the app, including our 24/7 team, information on the driver and the car, trip GPS-tracking and our rating and feedback system. Driver Verification - This feature prevents fraud and helps protect drivers’ accounts from being compromised. It also protects riders by building another layer of accountability into the app to ensure the right person is behind the wheel.

With safety being Uber’s top priority in Egypt, Uber engaged in significant partnerships to enhance safety for all riders, drivers, and delivery partners. Among them is Uber’s partnership with AXA to provide all riders, drivers, and delivery partners in Egypt with full insurance coverage in case of accidents while on trip, provides drivers with auto insurance, protection from the financial cost of injury, and medical expenses or lost-earning opportunities. With a high percentage of school-bus accidents in Egypt, Uber has partnered with NADA Foundation for Road Safety to provide trainings for bus drivers and staff, and the tools to help fix roads that surround elementary schools. Nevertheless, Uber partnered with Nacita AutoCare to provide mechanical support through an Uber app product called UberRescue during the summer, ensuring safe travels on the road. In partnership with Harassmap, Uber also provides training for all drivers against sexual harassment during their onboarding training.

Etihad Airways to Increase Frequency to London for the Festive Season 15 December 2018 - 13 January 2019, Etihad Airways will increase its flights from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow, from three to four daily services, to meet peak demand this festive season. The flights will be operated by a two-class Boeing 787-9, featuring 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats. James Harrison, General Manager for Etihad Airways in the United Kingdom and Ireland, said: “We are thrilled to announce more flights to London over the festive period. This is a busy time for local guests travelling between both capitals and the extra service will allow more choice and flexibility in their travel.” The additional services will also provide more connecting opportunities for passengers travelling between London and key destinations on Etihad’s global network.

november 2018 | Ct

TOWNTALK

t" KFXFMFE LBUBS EBHHFS GSPN *OEJB UI $& JOMBZFE XJUI SVCJFT BOE almost one hundred emeralds, a weapon worn at court as a symbol of wealth and power. From the region, the acquisitions include

Louvre Abu Dhabi Unveils Exceptional New Acquisitions and Loans from October Louvre Abu Dhabi will unveil 11 new acquisitions in its permanent galleries and 40 new loans throughout the year including ancient, modern and contemporary masterpieces from around the world. The new acquisitions will join the 657 artworks on display along the permanent collection of Louvre Abu Dhabi. The new acquisitions in Louvre Abu Dhabiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s permanent collection include: t" NPOVNFOUBM DN Avalokiteshvara Buddhist sculpture from China (11-12thC CE) representing Guanyin, a divinity of compassion, made in the Buddhist classical form from the Song dynasty (960-1279). t" +BQBOFTF 4BNVSBJ BSNPVS (18th CE) bearing the crests of the 4th Lord Nabeshima, feudal lord of Saga in Hizen, a masterpiece by famous armour maker Miyata Katsusada (1707-1730). t" SPDL DSZTUBM LOJGF XJUI B KFXFMMFE parrot from India (ca. 1600), a ceremonial knife that is as much a piece of jewellery as it is a weapon.

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t" SBSF "MCBSFMMP EFDPSBUFE XJUI GMFVST EF MZT GSPN 4ZSJB PS &HZQU UI -15thC CE), used for medicines or perfumes belonging to a group of Syrio-Egyptian ceramics of the Mamluk period influenced by Chinese Yuan dynasty (1268-1644) ceramics. t" 5ISFF .FEBMMJPO .BNMVL $BSQFU GSPN &HZQU MBUF UI$ $& OBNFE after the characteristic of the decoration of the piece, the carpet is an exceptional and rare example of court workshop in Cairo, made in the style of the typical Moorish decoration seen in stucco or woodcarving at that time. t" .BNMVL #PXM GSPN &HZQU PS 4ZSJB MBUF UI PS FBSMZ UI $& BO example of early metalwork that flourished under the Mamluks, at a time where the inlaying tradition, one of the jewels of the arts of Islam, was EFWFMPQFE DPNNJTTJPOFE CZ "INBE JCO BM +VOEJ BM 5BSSBC B IJHI SBOLJOH mamluk officer under the sultanate of al-Malik al-nasir Muhammad ibn Qalaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;un (1299-1340). His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Louvre Abu Dhabi is Abu Dhabiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gift to the world and a story of long-standing friendship and collaboration with France. The galleriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; update will not only invite visitors to discover new acquisitions from the museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing collection, and new loans from our partners. It also illustrates our commitment to train and champion the next generation of Emirati museum professionals who have been working over the years and now take great care of Louvre Abu Dhabiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection and galleries.â&#x20AC;? Many of the museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exceptional loans remain on display, including iconic masterpieces such as La Belle FerroniĂ¨re by Leonardo da Vinci and Woman with a Mirror by Titian from MusĂŠe du Louvre; Portrait of the Artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mother CZ +BNFT "CCPU .D/FJMM 8IJTUMFS GSPN .VTĂ?F E 0STBZ BO PSOBNFOUFE Buddha from Cambodia from MusĂŠe national des arts asiatiques â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Guimet, BO BOUISPQPNPSQIJD NBTL GSPN .FYJDP GSPN .VTĂ?F EV RVBJ #SBOMZ +BDRVFT Chirac and The Belvedere Apollo by Francesco Primaticcio from ChĂ˘teau de Fontainebleau. F1.5 for lowlight), as well as smarter, more expressive photos: color and contrast optimization and live focus with Bokeh effect: adjusting depth of field, among other advanced features. 0UIFS GFBUVSFT JODMVEF JSJT BOE GBDF SFDPHOJUJPO XJUI CFUUFS VTBCJMJUZ BOE improved security, secured folders, water resistant and premium listening built-in stereo speakers tuned by AKG for a sound that is 1.4 times louder.

Egyptian Animal Activist Nets Lifetime Achievement Award from PETA A Lifetime Achievement Award is on its way from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to Amina Abaza, founder and president of the Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt (S.P.A.R.E.), for her dedication to advancing animal protection in Egypt and around the world. The award came just ahead of World Animal Day (October 4), when she delivered a speech at an event organized by S.P.A.R.E. at the Hilton Zamalek hotel calling on modern Egyptian society to emulate the ancient Egyptians in their respectful—and kind—treatment of animals. In addition to speaking up for animals on various animal rights issues, Abaza’s work on behalf of animals includes campaigning for Egyptian lawmakers to include animal welfare in the Egyptian constitution, calling for an end to the live import of sheep from Australia into Egypt, acting as Egypt’s ambassador for World Animal Day, and working with media and government officials in Jordan to raise awareness of PETA’s investigation revealing the systemic abuse of donkeys in Petra. In addition, S.P.A.R.E. campaigns for companion animals to be spayed or neutered, and it operates a veterinary clinic and a mobile clinic. She has used her high profile to pave the way for animal rights in Egypt by empowering others to speak up for animals and changing the way in which many in the country view dogs and other animals. PETA’s motto is “Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way.”

Brunching at the Palace is Back Cairo Marriott’s Friday Brunch is finally back at the Garden Promenade. The buffet is filled with an endless sushi station, Cairo Marriott’s kitchen signature BBQ specials carrying an array of Kofta, Burgers, Shish Kebab, Chicken Tikka and much more. It is the time for Italian cuisine lovers to find a huge variety of fresh pasta and Italian delis. For those craving sea food, a very special station rich with fresh fish and shrimps is also part of the brunch buffet. Not only this, the brunch buffet has space for vegetarians too with a lot of options found at the veggie station. The mouthwatering desserts are not to be missed. Classical tunes are heard all around the palace as a Jazz band is playing a selection of 50s and 60s songs to take guests back to the golden era. Brunch is served every Friday from 1 pm till 5 pm.

november 2018 | Ct

TOWNTALK Samsung Celebrates the Fifth Anniversary of its Bani Suef Factory

Samsung Electronics Egypt celebrates five years of producing “made in Egypt” high-quality TVs. This factory is Samsung’s first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa, applying stateof-the-art technologies to render cutting-edge QLED TV sets. With total investments of $270 million, Bani Suef’s factory is one of Samsung’s 14 worldwide factories specialized in TV production.

“Samsung’s factory in Bani Suef is a remarkable success story from the onset. The factory has been established and inaugurated in 2013, to produce a wide range of locally made product lineup starting from 24” and up to QLED and 82” TVs,” said Eng. Kassem Hassan, Head of the TV Department at Samsung Electronics Egypt. “Moreover, the factory invests heavily in the skill development of its employees and has trained over 180 workers and technicians up to date on the latest manufacturing technologies applied in the factory. As a testament to the high-quality products rendered by the factory, 80-85% of its production is being exported to Middle Eastern and African countries.” Building on Samsung’s legacy as the number one TV manufacturer globally for 12 years, the factory is well equipped to respond to the local market demands and also export overseas, which in turn contributes to the overall economy by securing steady foreign currency flow. Moreover, the factory’s production capacity is six million units annually.

InterContinental Hotels Group Egypt Employer Accreditation by Aon Hewitt For the second consecutive year, InterContinental Hotels Group Egypt scoops “Aon Global Best Employer 2018” accreditation by Aon Hewitt. The accreditation is part of the “Aon Best Employers” program, which evaluates an employer’s effectiveness in creating a workplace environment that engages and enables its people to deliver competitive advantage. Assessment is done through survey data collected directly from colleagues based on four indices: Engagement, Leadership, Performance Culture and Employer Brand. AON chose to accredit InterContinental Hotels Group Egypt along with other six countries, from a list, which included 14 countries from India, the Middle East and Africa Region. Similarly, in the Middle East, IHG was named “Best Employer” in four countries, which are, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan.

Ct | november 2018

BRUNCHI NG AT THE PAL ACE .

BBQ BRUNCH IS BACK!

Stroll along our Garden Promenade Café… listen to the grills sizzle …Savor the tantalizing aromas as our chefs rewrite the brunch menu. We have all what your taste buds desire from a fresh fish market and an endless sushi station to BBQ specials with veggie options, all while enjoying the live jazzy sounds sifting through the waving palms. Grab your family and friends for a great day of #BrunchingAtThePalace. M a ke a d ate eve r y Fri d ay f rom 1pm - 5pm for the best brunch in town!

16 SARAY EL GEZIRA ST., PO BOX 33 ZAMALEK, CAIRO 11211, EGYPT. T: 00. 202.27.28.3000 CAIROMARRIOTTHOTEL.COM ARABIC.MARRIOTT.COM/CAIEG

CULTURE

PhotograPhy through the ages By Noha Kandil

e grew up believing that photographers see things differently from the rest of us and perceive them more deeply. Photographers are also privileged, if you think about it, as they get to turn their visions to reality, allowing us to see things the exact way they see them. !at being said, photography also has a rich history behind it that goes back 200 years.

Camera Obscura Also known as Pinhole Camera, Camera Obscura is the first technique used to capture images, or more precisely to reflect it. Camera Obscura involves a dark room/box with a pinhole on the wall allowing the light and the image to be reflected on the opposite wall. !e image reflected is usually reversed, and can be traced onto a paper by an artist. !e first historic reference for the concept dates back to 400 BC and was accredited to Mo Tzu, the Chinese Founder of the Mohism Philosophy. !en, through the ages, prominent inventors had contributed to the development of the pinhole technique; among those inventors is the iconic mathematician Ibn Al Haytham, who actually went beyond the conceptual process and built the very first Camera Obscure and carried multiple practical experiments.

Joseph Nicéphore Niépce and Heliography If there is a single man we should thank for all the memories we can document now, he would be Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, a 19th Century French inventor who decided to capture reality like it was never captured before, driven by his inability to trace and draft live images. With the help of Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre, an artist, Niépce was able to invent Heliography, the process through which the very first permanent photo was taken. In the Heliographic technique, Niépce used a substance called Bitumen of Judea, also known as the Syrian Asphalt, which he applied to a plate on which an image was reflected through the Camera Obscura. When the Bitumen of Judea is exposed to light, it hardens, leaving a permanent etching of the image reflected. !e very first permanent picture that Niépce took, and the first of its kind in history, was for a sight outside his window, which was called “View from the Window at Le Gras”.

Ct | November 2018

Camera Obscura !e Daguerreotype and Commercial Photography After assisting Niépce with inventing Heliography, Daguerre continued to develop the photography technique until he invented the Daguerreotype, which was the first successful commercial technique. Daguerreotype involves the usage of copper plates varnished with iodized silver for image reflection, with mercury vapor that made parts of silver that is exposed to light visible; then, he added salt solution to the light-exposed parts to make it permanent. !e Daguerreotype technique had reduced the photo development to 30 minutes instead of eight hours, and the first picture that was successfully developed using it was in 1837. Two years later, the French government acknowledged the importance of such an invention and acquired all the patent rights from Daguerre and Niépce’s son.

Calotype and Photography Printing Following Niépce and Daguerre came many inventors who tried to make the art of photography more accessible and convenient for people, while mainly focusing on reducing the time that developing an image took.

Kodak Calotype Trials went on until an English scientist came up with the pioneering idea of using salted light-sensitive paper for developing images; and thereby Henry Fox Talbot provided the world with the concept of image printing. Calotype is also the first technique that involved having a negative for an image, allowing people to have copies of the same photo.

!e Revolutionary Eastman Kodak If we are going to talk about making photography accessible, we have to thank George Eastman. !e American entrepreneur and founder of the internationally renowned Eastman Kodak company spent three years of trials and errors to invent lightsensitive gelatin dry plates, saving the photographers the time and effort consumed in coating a plate before taking every single photo, as well as ditching the tripod. In 1888, Eastman introduced the first-ever handheld camera, Kodak, with 100 exposure rolls. For a whole year, photographers would return the camera to the factory every time the roll ends to install a new one. !e following year, Eastman introduced the commercial transparent roll film to the market that can be easily installed by users, after buying the patent from Peter Houston, the inventor. Kodak was also the first company to introduce digital/electronic cameras in 1975 thanks to an engineer named Steve Sasson. !at eight-pound invention was much more than just a camera: it was a photography technique that paved the road for many of our modern-day photographic creations, like phone cameras for instance.

Digital Age Photography Photography has changed tremendously in the digital age, with social media altering its dynamics. Documenting an event or a memory is no longer the mere reason people take photos, but sharing and seeking approval are becoming more urging reasons. While mobile cameras made photography an instant process, an aspect photography pioneers aimed at from the beginning, the story and the psychology

Heliography behind the process, however, became much more complicated than before. !ere are studies now dedicated to analyzing the type and frequency of the images you post and what they reflect. Other studies are solely focusing on selfies; there is even a psychological condition called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Selfitisâ&#x20AC;? that identifies taking selfies as an addictive behavior in people suffering from lack of self-esteem. Moreover, the accessibility and ease of photography nowadays is taking away from the professionalism and history of photography as an art. Of course, there are still professionals and the field of photography is still one of the most celebrated forms of modern arts, yet the fact that anyone with a phone can capture an image made it rare for people to recognize the history and depth of that art form. In Egypt, photography has become a trend, particularly following the 2011 revolution, after which Egyptians became more aware of the impact of social media platforms. Since then, more of the younger generations use these platforms as a tool for generating work and money rather than communication. !e rise of amateur photography profiles is a perfect example of such usage, especially with the easy access to rental cameras and equipment, as well as the number of places teaching photography for amateurs. While this trend helps many people increase their income level and even helps others discover a long-hidden talent, it might not the best thing for the photography job market as it saturates.

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CULTURE Books

Newest Releases Dry By Neal Shusterman, Jarrod Shusterman !e drought — or the Tap-Out, as everyone calls it — has been going on for a while now. Everyone’s lives have become an endless list of don’ts: don’t water the lawn, don’t fill up your pool, don’t take long showers. Until the taps run dry.

The Ragged Edge of Night By Olivia Hawker Set in Germany in 1942, this book tells the story of Franciscan friar Anton Starzmann who is stripped of his place in the world when his school is seized by the Nazis. He relocates to a small German hamlet to wed Elisabeth Herter, a widow who seeks a marriage — in name only — to a man who can help raise her three children. Anton seeks something too — atonement for failing to protect his young students from the wrath of the Nazis. However, neither he nor Elisabeth expects their lives to be shaken once again by the inescapable rumble of war. As Anton struggles to adapt to the roles of husband and father, he learns of the Red Orchestra, an underground network of resisters plotting to assassinate Hitler. Despite Elisabeth’s reservations, Anton joins this army of shadows. When his schemes are uncovered, Anton will embark on a final act of defiance that may cost him his life — even if it means saying goodbye to the family he has come to love more than he ever believed possible.

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Suddenly, Alyssa’s quiet suburban street spirals into a warzone of desperation; neighbors and families turned against each other on the hunt for water. When her parents don’t return and her life, as well as her brother’s, is threatened, Alyssa has to make impossible choices if she is going to survive.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea By Tahereh Mafi It is 2002, a year after 9/11: an extremely turbulent time politically, but especially so for someone like Shirin, a 16-yearold Muslim girl who is tired of being stereotyped. Shirin is never surprised by how horrible people can be. She is tired of the rude stares, the degrading comments and even the physical violence she endures as a result of her race, her religion, and the hijab she wears every day, and so she has built up protective walls and refuses to let anyone close enough to hurt her. Instead, she drowns her frustrations in music and spends her afternoons break-dancing with her brother. But then she meets Ocean James. He is the first person in forever who really seems to want to get to know Shirin. It terrifies her as they seem to come from two irreconcilable worlds, and Shirin has had her guard up for so long that she’s not sure she’ll ever be able to let it down.

The Dream Daughter By Diane Chamberlain When Caroline Sears receives the news that her unborn baby girl has a heart defect, she is devastated. It is 1970 and there seems to be little that can be done. Hunter, her physicist brotherin-law, appeared in their lives just a few years before — and his appearance was as mysterious as his past. With no family, no friends, and a background shrouded in secrets, Hunter embraced the Sears family and never looked back.

All You Can Ever Know: A Memoir By Nicole Chung What does it mean to lose your roots within your culture, within your family, and what happens when you find them? Nicole Chung was born severely premature, placed for adoption by her Korean parents, and raised by a white family in a sheltered Oregon town. From early childhood, she heard the story of her adoption as a comforting, prepackaged myth. She believed that her biological parents had made the ultimate sacrifice in the hopes of giving her a better life; that forever feeling slightly out of place was simply her fate as a transracial adoptee. However, as she grew up — facing prejudice her adoptive family couldn’t see, finding her identity as an Asian American and a writer and becoming ever more curious about where she came from—she wondered if the story she had been told was the whole truth.

Now, Hunter is telling her that something can be done about her baby’s heart. Something that will shatter every preconceived notion that Caroline has. Something that will require a kind of strength and courage that Caroline never knew existed. Something that will mean a mind-bending leap of faith on Caroline’s part.

Consumed By J.R. Ward Anne Ashburn is a woman consumed by her bitter family legacy, by her scorched career as a firefighter, by her obsession with department bad-boy Danny McGuire, and by a new case that pits her against a fiery killer. Strong-willed Anne was fearless and loved the thrill of fighting fires, but when one risky decision at a warehouse fire changes her life forever, Anne must reinvent not only her job, but her whole self. Shattered and demoralized, Anne finds her new career as an arson investigator, a pale substitute for the adrenaline-fueled life she left behind. She doesn’t believe she will ever feel that same all-consuming passion for her job again - until she encounters a string of suspicious fires setting her beloved city ablaze. Partnering with premiere fireman Danny McGuire, who is in the midst of a personal meltdown, to find the fire starter, the arsonist begins to target Anne.

With warmth, candor, and startling insight, Chung tells of her search for the people who gave her up, which coincided with the birth of her own child.

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CULTURE Books

Know Your Man ...

IsmaIl Fouad Kassem’s manual to decodIng the arab man and WIn hIs heart

smail Fouad Kassem, Life Coach, Entrepreneur and Author, released his first book “Know Your Man” by Roznameh Publishing House. !e book signing event took place in Virgin Megastore in the Fifth District in the presence of media, fans and followers of Ismail on his social media outlets. !e book presents valuable insights and tips to all women from a man’s perspective. !e book takes you on a journey into the Middle Eastern man’s mindset, showcasing how women can win his mind and heart. !e author believes that women should be comfortable showing their feminine vulnerable side, keeping in mind the fact that men and women do see things through different perspectives. !e book also thoroughly displays a wide range of male character types and sets smart strategies in handling each type; while alerting women of the most common red flags to detect before it’s too late.

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Finally, the author encourages each woman to focus on developing herself, understanding her strength and growing her ambition. Not only would this create a strong platform for her as a human being; but it would also resonate with men, who would perceive her as more enigmatic and attractive which will enable her to make a stronger impression. !e author also advises the woman to use both her intelligence and intuition to read between the lines; and to be sensitive to her partner’s spontaneous behavior in different situations, such as anger, anxiousness and pressure because these will reveal his true colors and give away any masks he may be wearing intentionally or at the beginning of the relation. Ismail is an MBA holder, and an AUC graduate with degrees in Political Science and Psychology. He is also a certified practitioner in NLP, Time Line therapy, Hypnosis; and is also a Reiki Healer.

CULTURE Events

EvEnts not to bE MissEd

aCadEMiC book Fair auC nEw CaMpus 4 to 8 november

!e Academic Book Fair organized by AUC Bookstores will be taking place at AUC New Campus. Shop at very special prices on academic and textbooks at LE50 and LE100. Open to the public from Gate 4. Time: 9 am to 4 pm

apHasia play roManCE tHEatEr 16 november

Aphasia is a play based on the novel by Khaled Zeidan, and is directed by Mahmoud Abdel Aziz. Time: 5 pm and 7 pm

Tickets available at TicketsMarche.

CHristMas bazaar 2018 all saints’ CatHEdral 5 MiCHEl lutFallaH st. zaMalEk 16 november

Cairo intErnational FilM FEstival Cairo opEra HousE 20 to 29 november

!e 40th annual Cairo International Film Festival will be held at the Cairo Opera House for nine days. !e CIFF is organized by the Ministry of Culture and is one of the most popular film festivals in the Arab World. Originally launched in 1976, when Egypt was very popular in the Arab World’s cinema, the festival aims to continuously show the country’s strong role and support of the filmmaking industry.

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!e Annual Christmas Bazaar at All Saints’ Cathedral in Zamalek is a unique event in our community. Many vendors with a wide selection of gift items of around Egypt will offer their wares. !ere will be children’s activities, Christmas music, and delicious food at low entrance fees. Time: 11.30 am to 3.30 pm

swiss Club CHristMas Fair 14 dECEMbEr A wide array of seasonal gifts, goodies and other delights available to buy from the many booths and stands, along with fun, games, food and drinks. Time: 11.30 am to 8 pm

CHristMas MarkEt bazaar britisH CoMMunity assoCiation, Maadi 1 december

Time: 10 am to 5 pm

thE photoGrAphiC GAllEry: SCEnt oF timE AuC nEw CAmpuS 4 november to 13 december

yEhiA KhAlil ConCErt CAiro opErA houSE – SmAll hAll 15 november

Yehia Khalil, one of the most respected and talked about drummers, bandleaders, creative producers and jazz musicians who is a phenomenon in the music scene today will be playing at the Cairo Opera House.

ShErinE El bAroudy CordobA Art GAllEry 19 novEmbEr to 6 dECEmbEr !e exhibition titled “What’s Next” by talented artist Sherine El Baroudy will be on display. El Forat St. Mohandessin. Tel: (02) 3338 1005

!e Photographic Gallery at !e American University in Cairo is hosting a photographic exhibition entitled “Scent of Time.” !is exhibition brings together four remarkable photography projects by current students from the Journalism and Mass Communication Department at AUC. Each student has been drawn to photograph time, record it and extend it with image and text. !e impressive photography work displays the student’s talent and ability to capture the beautiful, the moment and offer new visions onto contemporary Egypt. Participating photographers are: Ingy Hafez, Menna Haroun, Nour El Malt and Nada Mawsouf.

Exhibition tAlK by: SørEn pAGtEr on the 29th of november from 1 to 2 pm.

Søren Pagter is the head of the world famous photojournalism education at the Danish School of Media and Journalism. For the past 20 years he has taught and educated Danish and international photojournalists both at the school in Aarhus and at various workshops around the world, for instance in Nepal, Russia, Armenia and Iran.

!e Photographic Gallery: New Campus, American University in Cairo, Abdul Latif Jameel Hall, Plaza Level. Gallery hours: Sunday through !ursday, 10 am to 5 pm.

AuC ChriStmAS booK FAir AuC tAhrir CAmpuS 24 to 28 november

!e annual AUC Christmas Book Fair will be back at AUC Tahrir Campus.

AymAn KAdry Exhibition CordobA Art GAllEry 1 to 15 november

Artist Ayman Kadry will be presenting his talented pieces of art at his “Land of Kemt” exhibition.

tel: (02) 3338 1005

!is year,AUC Bookstores are offering 20% off all books and special prices on numerous books starting at LE50. !e biggest selection of children’s books will be available, so bring your family and enjoy your Christmas Shopping! Time: 10 am to 6 pm

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CULTURE Events

oMar khairat orChestra alexaNdria oPera house

Volt Fest aMPitheater, auC New CaMPus

Legendary soloist Omar Khairat will entertain the crowd with his piano masterpieces.

Popular singers Tamer Hosny and Mahmoud El-Esseily will be performing together at a concert organized by AUC Developers Inc, Insider, FEC and CEA.

Time: 8 pm

22 and 23 November

MiNd Mazes PerForMaNCe el GoMhouria theater 21 and 22 November

9 November

Tickets available at TicketsMarche.

liVe FroM the MetroPolitaN oPera - MarNie Cairo oPera house – sMall hall

!e Egyptian Modern Dance !eater Company will be performing “Mind Mazes” at El Gomhouria !eater, Abdeen Square.

10 November

Time: 8 pm

!e opera is by Nico Muhly to a libretto by Nicholas Wright, and was first performed in 2017 at the English National Opera.

“Marnie” is an opera based on the novel by Winston Graham.

Time: 8 pm

Fuddy Meers Play Malak Gabr arts theatre, auC New Cairo

soCial JustiCe FilM FestiVal Falaki theater, auC tahrir square 7 November

14 November

Fuddy Meers tells the story of Claire, a woman who awakens each morning having forgotten everything from the day before. Her husband and teenage son must teach her about her life each day but chaos erupts when Claire is abducted by a limping and lisping man who claims her husband wants to kill her. Time: 7 pm to 9 pm

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!e AUC Film Program by the Department of the Arts will be hosting the Social Justice Film Festival. Writing on Snow (directed by Rashid Masharawi, Palestine/Tunisia, 2017) will be presented). Rashid Masharawi will introduce the film and conduct a Q&A. Time: 6 pm to 8:30 pm

kolthouMiat arab MusiC iNstitute 25 November

A night dedicated to Om Kolthoum’s greatest hits. Time: 8 pm

Movie Releases to Look Out For Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Release Date: 14 November Genre: Drama, Fantasy Director: David Yates Cast: Johnny Depp, Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law Synopsis: In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans of raising pure-blood wizards to rule over all non-magical beings, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided world.

Bohemian Rhapsody Release Date: 7 November Genre: Drama, Biography Director: Bryan Singer Cast: Rami Malek, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello Synopsis: Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. !e film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound. !ey reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by darker influences, shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career. Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music.

Overlord Release Date: 7 November Genre: !riller, Mystery Director: Julius Avery Cast: Wyatt Russel, Iain De Caestecker, Jovan Adepo Synopsis: On the eve of D-Day, American paratroopers drop behind enemy lines to penetrate the walls of a fortified church and destroy a radio transmitter. As the soldiers approach their target, they soon begin to realize that there is more going on in the Nazi-occupied village than a simple military operation. Making their way to an underground lab, the outnumbered men stumble upon a sinister experiment that forces them into a vicious battle against an army of the undead.

The Girl in the Spider’s Web Release Date: 7 November Genre: Drama, !riller Director: Fede Alvarez Cast: Claire Foy, Sylvia Hoeks, Adreja Pejic Synopsis: Based on the book with the same name by David Lagercrantz, this movie is a sequel to David Fincher’s “!e Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” and the second installment in the “Millennium” film series. It is about journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander, who encounter a web of spies, cybercriminals and government corruption.

Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 Release Date: 21 November Genre: Fantasy, Adventure Directors: Rich Moore, Phil Johnston Cast: Sarah Silverman, John C. Reilly, Jane Lynch Synopsis: !is animation movie produced by Wald Disney Animation Studies is the sequel to the 2012 film “Wreck-It Ralph”. In this movie, Ralph and Vanellope embark on an adventure inside the Internet to find a spare part to fix a video game.

Widows Release Date: 21 November Genre: Drama, Mystery Director: Steve McQueen Cast: Viola Davis, Liam Neeson, Michelle Rodriguez Synopsis: Veronica, Linda, Alice and Belle have nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands’ criminal activities. Tensions soon rise when they take fate into their own hands and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.

November 2018 | Ct

FEATURE By Rehab Saad:

YOUSSOF OSAMA REVIVES MAMLUK HISTORY E

gypt is the cradle of various ancient civilizations, including the Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic, Jewish and Islamic, and possesses more than one third of the world’s monuments spread throughout its various governorates. Since tourism is one of the main pillars for national economy, monument conservation and restoration projects became one of the government’s priorities, and several projects took place during recent years, such as the renovation of Cairo Khedivate, el Moez Street, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, plus others that are currently undergoing. On the other hand, there are individual efforts by people who are passionate about Egyptian monuments. Youssof Osama - a graduate of Archaeology who is fascinated with the Mamluk period - launched a page on Facebook in April 2017 called “Mamluk ‫ “ ﳌامﻟﻴﻚ‬to authenticate all the forgotten and neglected monuments, besides delivering valuable historical information and knowledge about forgotten treasures to the largest possible number of followers. !e page includes videos that are a blend of culture and entertainment presented in a simple but accurate way to a broad audience. Osama narrates historical events as if he is reciting a story, explaining every detail related to the monument, using reliable sources, in addition to reading and explaining the inscriptions on the stones. He always begins his videos with a description of the location and how to access it. To find out more about his efforts, we had a talk with Osama. WHY ARE YOU FASCINATED BY THE MAMLUKS IN PARTICULAR? I believe that the Mamluk era was the greatest in Egyptian history, as it represented a very strong military state during the medieval ages. Besides, I believe that although they ruled the country for over 200 years (from 1250 to 1517), they were unjustified by history and people, as some believe that they were a group of cavalry horses and killers, while the truth is, they drove back the crusade, resisted the Mongol invasion and defeated the Tatars. HOW HAVE PEOPLE RECEIVED THIS PAGE? It proved to be successful as it reached more than 139,000 followers in one year. What happened exceeded my expectations, because when I launched the page, my only target was to document the forgotten monuments and provide people with useful information. !e page was noticed by National Geographic, Nile TV, BBC, Youm 7, El Dostour, Rosa el Youssef, El Ahram and Sot el Arab. I was interviewed by some of them, and others suggested offers to cooperate with them, but I didn’t accept, as I felt that they might distract me from achieving my main goal. I even refused to get financial support offered by one of the followers in Australia, as I’m not looking for any financial gains. HOW DID YOU BOOST YOUR PAGE? At the beginning, my followers were friends, professors and people who are interested in monuments. After I published the video of “Gabakhana of Mohamed Ali Pasha” (a place built by him for manufacturing and storing weapons), the number of followers increased significantly, reaching 5,000 in one day, and then the number rose steadily afterwards.

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WHEN DID YOU FIRST START ORGANIZING TOURS? HOW DO YOU PLAN VISITS? I started to organize regular visits in August 2016, beginning with four tours per month. I plan these visits according to a map that includes Islamic monuments and sites. Prior to any tour, I usually visit these places individually to shoot and record videos with my mobile. I also read several books in order to support my information, and verify the historical background I am delivering, especially since the groups usually include academic professors from different universities. Until now, I have recorded more than 400 videos, and put together 65 tours, which included from 40 to 50 people. Tours are usually published on the page, with a very small fee. I also organize free-of-charge tours for students, as well as courses for tour guides, which proved to be successful. THROUGHOUT YOUR VISITS, HAVE YOU EVER FACED AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION? HOW DO YOU HANDLE IT? During one of my first tours, I was talking about Salah el Din el Ayoubi, and someone corrected me. However, at the time, I did not have enough experience to respond in a diplomatic way, and so because of my nervousness I insisted that I was right. During another tour, I was talking about one of the Othoman princes, and a child asked me about the name of the ruler at that time, which I did not know because during that period rulers were unknown, as only their leaders were historically acknowledged. AFTER YOU VISITED THE TOMBS OF THE JEWS LOCATED IN EL BASATEEN, YOU WERE ATTACKED BY ONE OF YOUR FOLLOWERS WHO CLAIMED THAT YOU ARE JEWISH. HOW DID YOU REACT TOWARDS THIS? I usually disregard such things. Some people are unaware of the archaeological significance of the place, however, my concern in any tour is to provide people with historical facts without any bias to any particular direction. !ese tombs are one of the most important memorials in Egypt, and one of the oldest in the world, as they were built during the Ahmed Ibn Tulun era, who granted the Jews the land to build their tombs. As per my assumption, the land was given to them in return for another that was used to build “El Tala’e” - the new

capital. Moreover, the tombs also include old documents and books in a place called “El Geneiza” - an expression in the Jewish heritage that means the method of storing old documents to protect them against damage or theft, as they consider them sacred. !e tombs were originally built on 140 acres, but have now become a quarter of that due to building new residential buildings overlooking the Ring Road. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MONUMENTS THAT STOOD OUT TO YOU REGARDING ITS STATE? I enjoy all tours, yet I grieve for the condition of most of the monuments I come across. One of the most incredible moments for me was when I discovered the Mohamed Sherif Pasha graveyard (1826–1887), who was an Egyptian statesman of Turkish origin. He served as the Prime Minister of Egypt three times, from 1879 to 1884, and was named the “Father of Constitution” because he founded the system in Egypt. I was also saddened by the state of several prominent streets in Cairo that embody dozens of valuable mosques, mausoleums, tombs, domes and castles, and that were subject to destruction. !is included the Gabbkhanna Mohamed Ali. Despite the significance of the building, it was neglected due to lack of cultural awareness. It was even known as “Stabl Antar” as it was located in an area with the same name, and others attributed the name to cavalry Antaara Ibn Shaddad, thinking that he created the place, while others called it “Ezbet El Hagana” referring to the soldiers who inhabited the area in the past. Several years ago, individuals seized the land by force, and built slums and sold parts of it at low prices. !e grave of Ibn Hagar El Askalani, the medieval ShaiiteSunni Muslim scholar, found in Old Egypt is also an essential monument. He established the final summation of the Science of Hadeeth. !ough Imam El Askalani was one of the most important figures in Islamic History, his grave was neglected without protection or maintenance, and was not even registered, where the main door was stolen, and replaced by stones. Shahin el Khelwati Mosque, a unique Islamic construction model that was built in Mokkattam in the late 10th Century

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FEATURE during el Sultan Qaitbay rule, is also one that requires restoration. El Khelwati is an Iranian who, as per some historical stories, believed that there was a piece of paradise on the hill, and so he used to ascend the mountain to pray with his followers. After his death, he was buried there, and his son built the mosque for him. !e minaret is considered the third one of its kind in the Ottoman era. El Zaher Beibars mosque, located at el Daher, became subject to underground water, garbage and stray animals. A huge facility built by Prince Azdomor Aldwadar in 1502 A.D. that consists of a mosque, sabeel, kottab, worship areas, and graveyard domes, was almost destroyed during the French military campaign, where the only thing left is the beautiful minaret. Qawson Palace is located at el Moez and was built by Bashtak Mahdy el Nassery in 1337 A.D. !e building and its façade were considered an exceptional example of Islamic architecture during the Mamluk period. !is area is known as “Bayn al-Qasrayn”. !ere were 10 mosques, four temples and the mausoleum of Qalawon, which was built around the palace and was destroyed during an earthquake in 1992. Although it was restored by the German Archaeological Institute, it only included relics of the palace. !e building overlooks shops on el Moez Street, and originally consisted of five levels, where eventually three of them collapsed. !is area is considered as one of the major districts, as it is an area where Mamluks built their palaces. !e School of Sultan Hassan replaced two of them, and is located near the palace of Manjac el Selehdar. It is devastating that such a significant area is neglected and abused to the point that it has become home to garbage and stray animals. In December 2017, an agreement was signed between the Supreme Council for Antiquities and the Standing Committee for Islamic and Coptic Foundation, for the renovation of El Charaibi Bath, named after one of the great Moroccan traders during the Ottoman era. !e project was funded by a grant from the Prince Claus Fund. !e bath was originally built by Konsowa el Ghouri in 1500 A.D., adjacent to the shrine of “Ali Nemly”. !en, El Charaibi renovated the bath and built an agency for selling Indian textiles and porcelain, due to its location in the market. !e bath includes three rooms, the first of which was used as a fitting room, the second for showering and the third for massaging. !e bath operated until the 1970s, before becoming subject to negligence, reaching a saddening condition. Complete renovation and structure reinforcement is needed. El Ashraf Street, in El Caliph District, is one of the most renowned streets in Old Egypt, full of domes and shrines of stature and value, representing great significance in the history of Islamic architecture. !e street is home to Al Ashraf Khalil dome, which is located near el Sayeda Sakina and Shagaret el Dor mosques. !e area also includes the Sayeda Aisha and El Gaafari domes, as well as the Fatma Khatoon Mausoleum. !e mausoleum’s window used to be the first of its kind in Islamic architecture, where now the worship area is destroyed and all the walls collapsed. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? First of all, I am looking forward to covering Islamic Cairo, and then I am planning to expand tours to include Kous, Rasheed, Gerga, Upper Egypt and Alexandria. After touring all of Egypt, I will work on issuing an encyclopedia or a book with all the Islamic monuments. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT TOWARDS THE NEGLECTED MONUMENTS? I think that the country has to develop cultural awareness towards the significance and value of these monuments. Also, these sites need to be protected and secured against encroachment, damage and tampering, and sufficient funding should be provided for restoration and conservation. All we have to do is to conserve these invaluable places and protect our heritage. Focusing on these monuments that are at risk is an essential part of maintaining one of our main sources of national income.

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FEATURE

URGENT CALLS TO SAVE TABYET ORABI Written and Photographed by Ahmed Kafafi

abyet Orabi, a military fortress built by Bonaparte during the 18th Century in Ezbet Elborg, was also used by revolutionary leader Ahmed Orabi’s forces to repel the British occupation. Today it is regrettably in a negative state due to long decades of neglect. Impressed by its magnitude and history, many are calling for its immediate restoration. For decades, Ezbet Elborg’s strategic location, 20 kilometers north of Damietta, has made it home to fishermen and boat makers as well as a historical landmark. However, very little attention has been paid to it in spite of it being one of the most striking monuments in east Delta. Tabyet Orabi stretches out over 25 acres making up a rectangle that extends 300 meters from north to south and 200 from east to west. !e fortress was first restored by Mohamed Ali, and then by Khedive Abass I, followed by Khedive Ismael. !e fortification had proven handy as the British army attempted to colonize Egypt in 1882. Part of leader Ahmed Orabi’s forces camped in the

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fortress to resist the British invasion, and since then it carried the name of the Egyptian commander. Following the war between Egypt and Israel in 1967, some of the Port Said locals took shelter in the military unit for months after their city was evacuated due to severe bombing. Why would a relic with such magnitude remain unshapely and obscure? Entire barracks, towers, fortifications, ammunition storerooms, a court, an execution room and a kitchen, in addition to other facilities, are all imposingly present in a ruinous condition between two high arched walls. !ey are all established in one area leaving behind a huge yard, the end of which is marked by one of the arched walls. !is is the wall facing the Nile, which is adjacent to the reputed Ezbet Elborg’s dockyard, one with a reputation for making huge boats and yachts for some of the world’s billionaires. Ezbet El Borg is located on the Nile facing the famous sea resort of Ras Elbar, which features the eastern Nile estuary of Damietta (Boghaz).

CURRENT CONDITION !e fortress was built by Napoleon Bonaparte to secure his forces in Damietta and the region of east Delta including the Manzala Lake that evinced stubborn resistance in the face of the French invasion. !at being revealed, many wonder why a monument that bears witness to a significant part of Egypt’s modern history should stay hidden and neglected. While the yard is sometimes used for soccer games and as a picnic destination for horse-drawn carts, the ruins are also a den for the malpractices of delinquents and drug addicts as well as a dumping area for dead animals.

DECISIONS TO RENOVATE With the size of the fortress, the task is appallingly costly and backbreaking. !e fortress’ premises would become a museum and an open picnic area. Sources reveal that the French government offered a donation for its restoration 13 years ago, but nothing has been achieved. “Sometimes, decisions like that are not taken seriously by the Egyptian authorities,” says Dr. Mahmoud Ibrahim, professor of Islamic antiquities at Cairo University. “!is is because restoring a place like that where many Egyptians were tortured and massacred would translate into the revival of imperialist ages. Other reasons for neglect could include the fact that the place isn’t registered as a monument. But even when those could be valid reasons, I don’t agree that a relic like that should be left unattended.” During medieval times, the village was provided with a tower that was built at the order of the Abassi Calip Al Motwakel in 854, with the aim of protecting the access to Egypt at this strategic point, for the country was the target of many invaders including the Crusaders. !is is why it was called “Ezbet Elborg” (!e Tower Estate). “!e building of this military unit on this location has triggered the necessity of protecting all of the strategic points along the Egyptian coast from Saloum to Arish,” informs Dr. Mokhtar El Kasabani, professor of modern Egyptian history at Cairo University’s Faculty of Archaeology. “Mohamed Ali raised fortresses in several similar spots, because the tool of defense had already changed from swords, arrows and armors to artillery, so it was essential to establish

towered fortresses to detect enemies at a distance and fire at them before they could reach the shore.” El Kasabani continued: “In my opinion, Tabyet Orabi should stand as a symbol of the Manzala region’s struggle against the French. It was the stage of some the fiercest battles between the popular resistance and Napoleon’s army. When the French troops moved to the place, it rained heavily, causing the soldiers to stumble into a sea of mud. !e locals then killed and injured hundreds, and as an act of retaliation, Bonaparte decided to establish the unit on their village.” !e boat makers at the dockyard claim that wealthy foreigners who come to commission the making of yachts regret the sorry condition of the place and inquire about why the place is not being developed into a tourist attraction, especially since it could be accessed by sea from Ras Elbar and by car from Damietta and Port Said. !ey are calling on the governor of Damietta and its department of antiquities to react so as to place the fortress on tourists’ maps. Officials from Damietta’s department of antiquities have been cited as saying that there are several virgin archaeological sites in the coastal city, including Tal Eldeir, Tal Elkom Elahmar, Tal Eldahab and Tal Elsheikh Farid, among others. However, the problem is always the lack of financial support as well as the recovery from the blow dealt to the development plans that have been blocked following the 25th of January Revolution. No mention has been made of Tabyet Orabi. Archaeologists as well as restoration experts highlight that the strategic locations of such coastal cities still maintain their old military and defensive importance, so much so that their restoration becomes only the duty of the army. All those historic forts such as that of Taba, Qoseir, Arish, Salahudin and others have been rebuilt by the military, and so Tabyet Orabi could be waiting for its turn. !e town of Ezbet Elborg is truly in need of such development to improve the living conditions of the locals whose hardships range from housing problems to unemployment. !e restoration of the fortress is hopefully one of the assets that will encourage tourism, provide employment and reshape the town into an international tourist destination.

NOVEMbER 2018 | Ct

FEATURE

TAHA EL KORANI: THE PEOPLE’S ARTIST By Rehab Saad

Ct | November 2018

“!e Current Stage”

Sharing the concerns and sufferings of the less fortunate through art gives the people an inside look into our society. Taha El Korani, a graduate from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Alexandria University, reflects these issues in almost all his murals, as seen in “!e Revolution”, “!e Friday Market”, “El Mouled” and “El Zar”. His subjects emanated from the people he actually met in the streets, roaming the different governorates. And for that, he was given the title “!e People’s Artist”.

El Korani was also overwhelmed with the problems that plastic artists face, and issued the book “Unspeakable Plastic Arts”, in which he writes about the artists’ rights for living a decent, secured life by providing them with pensions, medical insurance and subsidized housing.

and I focused on visual, cultural and artistic aspects and made more than 20 sketches, before linking groups together while maintaining separate personalities and attributes. !e design allows the eye to move from one subject to another while maintaining the overall design.”

Early Life and Career

“I used to visit the market frequently to watch vendors arrange their goods, perform daily activities, and keep in close communication with people. I filmed everything so I could review it when I was working in the atelier, and even created the same atmosphere of the market inside the studio. I listened to the same radio channels people were listening to and all of this helped to refresh my memory and personalize events,” continues El Korani.

Born in Imbaba, he lived his childhood near the local markets, surrounded by a neighborhood besieged with life, activities, vendors, inhabitants, visitors, as well as traditional heritage. He later went on to work as an interior designer, then in the media and finally as an artist. He held more than 50 exhibitions in various venues and participated in many collective exhibitions in Cairo and Alexandria. His artwork became famous collectibles in a number of institutes and museums and governmental institutes in Egypt and abroad. In 2010, El Korani piloted his first live painting experience on both Arab and international levels, at the Opera House. “My goal is to present the marginalized community through my artwork, and to deliver a message to officials on their behalf,” he comments.

Artwork

“!e Friday Market”

El Korani scored a world record in the Guinness Encyclopedia for the world’s largest mural named “!e Friday Market” (Souq el Gomaa) at 23 meters by 1.4 meters which included around 1,200 people from different parts of Egypt embodying their sufferings during the period that preceded the 2011 Revolution. “I never thought about being recorded in the Encyclopedia, but it was my concern to portray everything I observed like the various humanitarian situations inside the market,” he says. “I passed through several preparation stages that took me four to five years,

“!e Friday Market”

“!e Revolution”

El Korani walked through various governorates to draw the faces of the public whom he met during the revolution in this painting. !e mural contains 16 panels, with an area of 2.45 meters by 1.45 meters each. !e painting embodies the revolution’s events moment by moment, even during the violence experienced on specific days. He managed to get into the heart of events and monitor them for three consecutive years. !e panels were related in terms of the subject and separated in terms of the most important events that changed the course of the revolution. !e last part of the painting expressed the elections and the establishment of the Constitution. !e Minister of Culture at that time asked El Korani to send the mural to the National Library and Documentation. “I presented the mural in Abbassya for one day, on the occasion of the fall of the last martyr there, and then I moved it to El Tahrir square also for one day, as a tribute to the martyrs of the revolution, to join forces with the revolutionaries and to emphasize the fact that art must share in the people’s pain . I then held an exhibition at the Opera House for 10 days.”

“!e Revolution”

November 2018 | Ct

FEATURE

“El Mouled”

“!e Current Stage”

“!e Current Stage” is a 20 meters by 1.5 meters mural that symbolizes the Egyptian civilization, which provided the world with human urbanization and scientific development.

“El Mouled”

“El Mouled” reflects a more powerful expression, and was painted on an oil canvas that included 5,000 people. !e artwork is of an enormous carnival, congested with thousands of folks coming from everywhere in Egypt to celebrate this yearly event. Prior to painting such a panoramic mural, El Korani spent seven years visiting around 3362 mouleds including Sufi Mouleds, in which people all become equal during “el zekr” circles. !e mural included reciters, singers, sellers and people from various social levels, which mouleds usually embrace. “Art is an important part of Egypt’s culture, as Pharaohs registered their daily events on the walls, I do the same but add emotions and the drama of humanity to my artwork,” says El Korani. Critics considered “El Mouled” as another attempt by El Korani to allow art to interact and cohere with the public. !e painting brought together people of different beliefs and cultures, while presenting the genuine Egyptian features with their diversity of customs and traditions.

Ct | November 2018

It also brought forth a rich blend of symbolic colors, each related to a specific mouled. For example, red is the symbol for the el Dessouki mouled, while green with blue and yellow is related to el Shazelya. “I used more than 300,000 boxes of colors to establish the final form, which took me four years to film and paint. !e painting is not funded by anyone and I never thought of selling this mural, but I only hope that the Ministry of Culture would adopt it as one of the works that presents our culture and heritage,” comments El Korani.

“El Zar”

One of the popular heritages that grabs the attention of people is “El Zar”, a way to escape from psychological and social pressure. !is compelled El Korani to study the aesthetics of its rituals. For example, the red zar is derived from the language of Abyssinian and the meaning of the wicked visitor. Women who perform el zar are called Kodya or sheikha, and work on removing evil spirits by beating the tambourine and burning incense. “!e mural places the viewer in the middle of a dramatic scene showing a state of expression and plays a significant role in reformulating the artistic concept. !e idea of re-introducing the vision of the zar is considered an added value to my previous work,” he mentions.

“El Zar”

Art is an important part of Egypt’s culture, as Pharaohs registered their daily events on the walls, I do the same but adding emotions and the drama of humanity to my artwork.

A Televison Program

El Korani launched a TV program called “Atelier”, an educational program that is being presented on Nile Culture channel since 2012. “!e idea came from my continuous determination to improve artistic performance and change the image of the artist through a different method than that which has been presented in other programs,” he explains. “Since I believe that art includes politics, society, economy, tourism and literature, I linked all of these issues together to prepare a wellrounded program to the viewers. I presented plastic art, music, singing and chanting and hosted renowned people in different fields like: artist Dr. Ghada Absi, composer and singer Ali Ismail, writers Gamal el Ghetani, Mourad Wahba and Youssef el Kaeed, as well as late poet Sayed Hegab, among others,” he continues. Besides his charismatic character, El Korani’s know-how capabilities, as well as his objectivity and professionality in discussing critical issues, are the main elements for the success of the program, attracting more than one million viewers. !e Atelier workshops are held outside the studio, in various ancient and historical places. “!e program contributed in the creation of a wide cultural artistic mobility. Besides, I used to organize painting competitions among young artists, amateurs and professionals, to support and encourage youth and develop their artistic skills,” he says. “We also organized workshops where I explain the know-hows of plastic art, including how to design, how to build a panel, to use the

sponge in distributing colors, and the difference between the dark and the light,” explains El Korani. “I also explained the difference between the various material used and how to use the pallet’s knife.” A great part of El Korani’s dreams and ambitions have been achieved during the recent years through his television program. On top of these goals is the amendment of the Syndicate election law pending approval. !e Syndicate also started to organize developmental training programs in the fields of painting, photography and decoration, in addition to other training for the elite young artists and syndicate members experienced in teaching and training courses. Contests were held to encourage and support young artists like Spectra, which took place in January 2018 to support the youth to not only host exhibitions, but also to discover their talents through different art fields. Such events highlight artists’ abilities and allow them to learn from their peers, and enhance their self-assessment and expertise. Contests include 55 artists under the age of 30, from different media, competing for eight awards, including Grand Prix (Golden spectrum) plus seven awards for each professional contest. Spectra 2 will take place in January 2019 under the auspices of the official sponsor of the contest, artist Abdel Aziz Al-Tamimi. !ere is no doubt that El Korani has made a huge impact in the art scene today, portraying the ordinary Egyptians’ struggles and emotions through impressive paintings, and highlighting the importance of art through TV programs.

November 2018 | Ct

COMMUNITY Real People

LEADING THE HAPPINESS REVOLUTION AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH DR. YOMNA SAMEER BY KATHARINA FROEHLICH

rowing up in Cairo’s busy Hadayek al Koba area with two siblings and hardworking parents, Dr. Yomna Sameer is a great example for all of you who are going from normal to extraordinary. Dr. Sameer is a well-known Egyptian motivational speaker and professor at the Abu Dhabi University in the UAE and also the Founder of Flourish Foundation in Egypt. She is an entrepreneur educating people on the topic of positive psychology and teaching us how to be happy under any circumstances. !e professor is a perfect role model for all women out there, whether they are working or not, always reminding us that life should always be lived joyfully. Between projects with Harvard University in the U.S.A., talks in the University of Barcelona, the success of her inspirational speeches and the current book she is writing, we have been lucky enough to get a quick glimpse into Dr. Sameer’s life through a personal interview with her in her Dubai home.

Ct | November 2018

You have achieved a lot in your life at the young age of 33. You have successfully written your Ph.D. at a well-known university in Germany, are currently working in a popular university in the UAE and at the same time you are married and a loving mother of two beautiful girls. Did you imagine your life to be like this when you were younger? To be honest, I didn’t have any clear imagination about my future. !e thing that I knew though was that I loved writing and I wanted to become a journalist when I was a child. When did you start thinking about becoming a university professor? When I was a college student I saw the motivation that my own teachers brought to educating others, that is when I knew that I want to be able to make this kind of impact on someone else, too. Tell us about your childhood. Was there a particular person who influenced you? In general, I would say that all of my close family members have somehow

influenced and shaped me into becoming who I am today. I am the youngest child, which has made me stay alert because I needed to fight for what I wanted with my elder siblings. My brother, Ahmed, is seven years older and my sister, Yousra, is eight years older. I love all of my family and up until this point we are very close and visit each other often. !e one I have always been closest to is my father, who has been my inspiration in everything. He himself has traveled a lot for work when I was young and has always been a hard-worker, which is probably why I love getting around so much myself. Are you parents living in Dubai too? Unfortunately no, but thankfully I never go too long without seeing them. I have also been taking my father to several conferences like the one in Boston at Harvard University where I presented a research for my Ph.D. What was the topic of your presentation there? I was lucky for the opportunity to go to Boston, especially since there were

thousands of other applicants for the same conference. But of course, it wasn’t only that, I put a large amount of work into getting to where I am today. Harvard has been one of my biggest steps in my career up to this point since it had always been my dream to present my Ph.D. there. Achieving that after all these years of hard work was truly a life-altering moment. !e part of my research that I presented was concerning the question of if the happiness of an entrepreneur affects the success of the business. What was your database for this research? !e American University in Cairo promoted my survey to around 20,000 entrepreneurs in Egypt. After six months, I got a return of 300. !at is what I based my research on. How was the reaction of the community at Harvard after your presentation? !e feedback was great, and the best thing about it was that through this conference I had the chance to meet somebody from Harvard Business School who enabled me to start a project on how happiness can ultimately save costs in health care, which is one of the main projects that I am currently working on. Harvard University is currently supporting me in my research and also giving me strategic support. From all the universities you have visited for your talks on positive psychology, which ones did you like the most? I would say that my current favorite is probably Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

Before you moved to Dubai, you were lecturing management at the German University in Cairo. Why did you make the choice to go to Dubai? I felt like it was time for a new challenge, and so I chose Dubai because I like the city and also for its proximity to Cairo. I am still teaching the same subjects as in GUC, except now I can see Burj Khalifa from my office at the Abu Dhabi university’s campus. What’s more inspiring than that?

from our brains, so don’t keep any hard feelings in your head. When there are some challenges in your life, always remind yourself that it is temporary and it will pass. You are celebrating your 11-year wedding anniversary now. What is your recipe for a happy marriage? !e key to a happy marriage is to find the balance between having enough alone time and time with the partner and the kids.

Next to your teaching and your research, you are also currently writing a book. Could you tell us more about it? It is called “Far7eti” and I am hoping to publish it next year. My main target audience is Egyptian women. I want to tell all the ladies out there that they deserve happiness and it is in their own hands. I feel that especially in Egypt, a lot of women feel that life in a way ends after marriage because that is the time when many new obligations start and things change. I want to tell them and show them examples that it are not always like this and give them tips on how to lead a happy and satisfied life in our Egyptian society. I have been triggered to create this project for quite a while now after observing the structures of marriage and people’s behavior in Egypt. You are already an inspiration to many women who are following you daily on your social media channels with your talks on Positive Psychology. What is the most important advice you can give them?

From my experience, all of the magic tricks guiding us in our lives come from our brains, so don’t keep any hard feelings in your head.

From my experience, all of the magic tricks guiding us in our lives come

november 2018

Real People Many couples don’t give each other enough free space, which can lead to feeling constrained in the relationship. !erefore, it is important for both of them to maintain going out alone with their friends and keep some individuality. It is not necessary to become one person once you get married. Also, understand that your partner may also have his ups and downs and don’t judge his actions without knowing where their roots lie. At the same time, try to do romantic things no matter how long you have been married. Go on date nights, take a weekend trip together and if you have the possibility, try to take at least one longer trip without the children per year. However, it is just as essential to spend time as a family and travel and grow together. Finding the balance is the key! Do you have any time for hobbies in your daily routine? I am practicing yoga and running on almost a daily basis. I always try to make my hobbies one of my priorities in my personal life to keep my mood elevated no matter how much pressure I have in other parts of my life. I have a little morning routine of doing a short yoga and meditation sequence every day for maximum half an hour to start the day feeling excited and ready. I also love writing poetry and I’m obsessed with words. What are your secrets for staying on top of everything when life gets stressful? First of all, of course, I am not doing everything by myself. I have always had great support from my friends and family, especially my husband as we try to synchronize our schedules to organize our lives together. My general advice is to find a job that allows you to be flexible and that makes you happy. If you like what you are doing, you will do it more efficiently and quicker, which gives you more time for other parts of your life. !e most important thing that I recommend, especially for working moms, is to delegate tasks if they are delegable. Let your children help in the daily housework too. If you let them choose the tasks themselves they will like it and do it happily. Any last words you would like to share with us? Don’t wait until tomorrow to be happy. You have only this one chance of living, don’t waste it and make yourself love your life. You are not a tree that is stuck in one place! Homepage: yomnasameer.com Instagram: dryomnasameer Facebook: Dr. Yomna Sameer Group: Far7eti

Ct | April 2018

WE BRING YOUR BUSINESS TO LIFE

48, Abdel Moneim Hafez Street, off Nozha St., Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt Tel/Fax: (202) 2290 8127 - 2415 8762 Mobile: 010 005 2322 - 010 005 2323 Email: editor@live-colors.com - rania.halim@live-colors.com DEC 2017 | Ct

COMMUNITY Education

Farida Serag El Din: The Youngest School Principal in Egypt By Rana Kamaly

hen we think of a school principal, rarely does the image of a 23-year-old female comes to mind. Farida Serag El Din, the youngest high school principal, is a graduate from the American University in Cairo with a double major in political science and philosophy in addition to a minor in psychology. Serag El Din then went on to work at CIRA, a K-12 education group in Egypt with 24 schools operating under the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Futuresâ&#x20AC;? brand, as a community and stakeholder engagement officer. The schools offer national and international curricula at mid-market pricing, as well as British, American, French and German education tracks in select schools. She is now a principal for grades 7-12 at Futures British School, and has been so for under a year. We had the opportunity to sit and chat with Serag El Din to find out more about how she got there, and what her visions for education are. Did you always know you wanted to be in the education industry? I dreamt about opening up my own school that would be different in all ways since I was little. This is still

Ct | november 2018

my dream and I believe I am working towards it. When I worked at CIRA, I began realizing that working from the upper management office was not good enough, as I was not really able to make a difference on the ground. When the principal position opened up at one of the schools and the CEO whom I work closely with nominated me, I was over the moon, as it finally felt like I would really be able to make a change. What did you not like about your school that inspired you to want to make a change? I was born and raised in El Gouna. As a community, I loved my school, but it was the way we were learning that did not resonate with me. The curriculum was one-sided, and I wanted to be familiarized with the other perspectives. I began asking myself questions: Why do we only learn in a certain way? Why make 100 people take the same exam? Why get evaluated using the same methods when we are all different? However, when I came to Cairo and saw the other schools and how they operated, I realized that my school was top notch in comparison.

What is the relationship between what you studied and your current job? The courses I was studying at university made me depressed at times, as I had absolutely no clue where I was going with this. Even after graduation, I only applied to CIRA because my mom worked there. One thing led to another and here I am. Now I know that what I studied proved to be the perfect mix for being a principal, as political science taught me how to deal with situations, and that at the end of the day, everything is politics. Psychology taught me how to deal with different people and students, and philosophy always gives me an idea about why I am dealing with specific situations in the first place. It all turned out for the best. What inspired such a tough career at a young age? I think it is a benefit that I am young, as I can speak from a more honest perspective. I understand the students better, and they open up to me a lot faster because I am close to their age and so I can relate to them, unlike when the principal is much older. They talk to me about drug problems and sexual problems. I feel like when we are closer

in age, they are willing to believe what I say because it is more realistic to them. Kids often come to tell me “finally there is someone who can actually feel what we are going through.” I believe that because of how close I am with the students, that by end of the school year, bullying will decrease drastically. All you have to do is talk to the students, put them in the shoes of the kid they are bullying and make them understand the whole situation, and then keep doing so everyday. So far this technique is working. Reverse psychology is very successful. What was your family and friends’ response? My family is my perfect support system. They tell me that they have always known it, but then again all parents do. My friends are proud of me and like to show me off which is a great mood booster always, but then there are some who just laugh at me and see me as a conspiracy theorist and wonder what I have to teach the kids. What progress have you made since becoming the principal? The school was not in the best shape because they have had four different principals in under a year. There was a lot of organization needed before making any changes just to keep everything intact. I have established a hierarchy, where everyone knows who they are in the team and what their role is, and I have implemented the rules that were lost between principals. Now, I am trying to change the attitudes and perspectives of students, teachers and parents towards school and education, especially to make teachers and parents focus less on grades and more on the individual wellbeing, and to listen more to the kids and to try and stop enforcing their own opinions. I am also trying to improve the quality of knowledge; the way they learn. There has to be space for students to question, and I want the teachers to offer all the different perspectives, not just the one they need for exams. What are the major challenges you face? How do you deal with managing older employees at such a young age? Imagine a 23-year-old, ex-Gouna resident, AUCian who is the principal and the youngest employee in school. Trying to break the ice while being respectable and decent and while remaining an effective leader is the major challenge, especially with the teachers. Because they are older and have been here for longer, they aren’t willing to change as much, especially when a person my age is urging them to. A lot of them think and even sometimes say: “who are you to tell me” or “what do you know to tell me to do so.” Trying to fix things without referring back to my idealism is not an easy thing. You can’t always be kind and caring as sometimes you just need to be the boss. Another challenge is knowing that 300+ students have their future in my hands, as the foundation of their personalities is being shaped here. This thought really scares me. Punishing

children is also very tough for me, and so I try to change the situation so I don’t need to do it. To strengthen my leadership skills, I attended a leadership program at AUC to make sure I am doing things right. Ironically, my relationship with the parents is going great, even though I thought it was going to be the other way around. For now, I am trying to make this school feel more like mine, and then maybe turn it into my dream school. I am just trying to create the healthiest environment within the boundaries I have. How is your dream school going to be different and what are its characteristics? I dream of a new system, where wellness - in terms of mind, body, spirituality and inner peace - is valued and put first in education, while being aware and knowledgeable about the world around us. I believe in a system where students at a young age can choose the subjects they want to study, so they can focus on what they are good at while also learning other subjects but not in as much detail. Assessments and development will be available, but without the standardized examination system. They will also be encouraged to be fluent in at least two languages, have good survival skills, learn self defense, and be good in art and music. They will learn all the different perspectives in everything, not just the one offered. Religion will be offered as spirituality lessons so kids of all religions can join in the same class. I just basically want to help raise children who are fully rounded individuals in all aspects of life. It is no secret that the educational system in Egypt is struggling. Do you see that there are some efforts to change that? In general, parents and teachers struggle to accept the idea of change. Most of them don’t care so much about school and education, and just want a diploma. I have a problem with this mentality: how can you not care about what is being placed inside your kids’ heads or how it is being placed? I think that all of the efforts being put in now are positive, but when you look at the bigger picture, I just think that there is not enough harmony between the government, the society and the stakeholders involved in the educational industry. Think about it, many people view teaching as a normal job, the people training teachers are not efficient, parents just want grades that will get their children into university, and the government is a bit oblivious to the needs of the society. Everyone is going in a different direction. Simply put, I think the academics in education is a mafia and that schools have become businesses rather than sanctuaries in a more in-your-face way.

november 2018 | Ct

Green Community COMMUNITY Green Community

eco-Friendly Thanksgiving decoraTions

hile the festive season always encourages us to gather friends and family for a memorable night, !anksgiving is all about being grateful for what you have, and so we must not forget to be environmentally-friendly and kind to our surroundings even when celebrating. We have put together a few do-ityourself decorative ideas that keep the environment in mind for anyone celebrating !anksgiving this month.

BoTTle cenTerpieces Instead of throwing away glass bottles, you could always recycle them by using them as decoration or even centerpieces during dinners. For example, you could always spray paint them, stick letters on them to spell different phrases or even place a few flowers or leaves in it to create a homey atmosphere.

Ct | November 2018

Thanksgiving Tree While this is a popular home-dĂŠcor item for this particular festivity, the surprise is that you can do it at home. Grab a few branches from a tree outside, and place them creatively into a recycled jar. Cut out leaf shapes from recycled paper, and allow guests to write down what they are grateful for, before hanging it up on the tree.

spice Tins and Flowers You can also stick to the recycling theme by placing colorful spice tins around your home and filling them with flowers that fit the color scheme. !is will give your home a more rustic, up cycling vibe all the while reusing items in your kitchen. Feel free to use tins of different sizes, colors and designs as long as they fit the fall theme.

Fresh Fruits and

Fall leaF candles

Vegetables

Since !anksgiving takes part during the fall weather, you can always go outside and collect a few of the fallen leaves, and place them in a mason jar with a candle. Not only does this fit into the seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme, but it is also a way to decrease the amount of lights you turn on, saving electricity while making your dinner party feel more intimate.

Edible centerpieces definitely fit under being eco-friendly. Whether you still have pumpkins left over from Halloween, or opt for other in-season fruits and vegetables like squash, cranberries or pomegranates, you could always place them in a bowl in the center of your dinner table as dĂŠcor that guests can dig into during the meal. Another option would be using them as bowls to place appetizers or snacks in such as nuts and olives.

KraFt PaPer tablecloth For the Kids

door greeting

If you have children over during your dinner party, it would be great to seat them at a table all together, and cover the table with kraft paper that you can find at a stationary shop. Make sure to stock the table with plenty of colorful crayons so they never run out of things to draw.

!e first thing guests see when they come over for a dinner party is your entrance, so it is important to make a good impression. If you have a small chalkboard at home, write a nice greeting note to your guests, and place it on the door, or somewhere in your entryway, and decorate it with branches, leaves and berries.

Pinecone Place card holders Pinecones are great decorative items that can be used during the fall months that add to the rustic and cozy atmosphere, while giving out a pleasant scent. Place a pinecone next to or on each personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plate, and add the place card holders printed or written on recycled paper onto it.

november 2018 | Ct

BUSINESS

MERCEDES-BENZ EGYPT LAUNCHES THE NEW C-CLASS FAMILY RANGE AT THE 2018 AUTOMECH-FORMULA MOTOR SHOW

ercedes-Benz Egypt displayed its outstanding 2019 model range throughout its strong participation at the 25th Automech-Formula motor show. In addition to displaying the brand’s impressive line-up, the Mercedes-Benz stand was nothing short of impressive as well, featuring new digital capabilities and options. For the first time in Egypt, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its all-time best selling model, the new C-Class family range. Also, on display was the new E-Class Sedan and E-Class Cabriolet, in addition to the new SUVs, the segment leading GLC 250 SUV and GLC 300 Coupé. Mercedes-Benz Egypt also introduced at the motor show their top luxury Saloon flagship, the S-Class. Last but definitely not least, the compact segment display included the new model year of the popular CLA and GLA. !e new C-Class Family range !e new C-Class family range is available in 3 variants, Sedan, Coupé, and Cabriolet. It comes with a new sporty design and advanced driving features that define the next level of intelligent driving, Energizing Comfort, and the new all-digital instrument Display. !e New E-Class Cabriolet and E-Class Sedan A true dream car status for the utmost luxury experience, the new E-Class Cabriolet combines the masterpiece of intelligence of the E-Class family with the beauty and classic virtues of a Grand Coupé and numerous technical innovations. !e E-Class family is equipped with the smooth 9G TRONIC automatic transmission for an effortless ride.

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!e Mercedes-Benz GLC 250 SUV and GLC 300 Coupé Mercedes-Benz Egypt also introduced the new GLC family to the local market, and this year the GLC family is available for booking and delivery. !e GLC SUV and GLC Coupé wowed the visitors at the Mercedes-Benz stand with their sporty-dynamic character and unique design concept. Both models offer a diverse range of equipment and sportiness coupled with an elegant design and the advantages of an SUV in terms of seating position, interior flexibility, enabling GLC customers to enjoy true luxury and exclusiveness. !e new Mercedes-Benz GLA and Mercedes-Benz CLA Also on display at the Automech-Formula are the 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA and CLA. !e widely popular GLA features a fresh sporty design and a strong stance supported by stylish elements, a diamond radiator grille and new light-alloy wheels, rendering the new GLA, a best in class status. !e interior also benefits from numerous enhancements, new trim parts and chrome-plated controls. While the CLA always offered a concept that is unique in this class of vehicle. It now comes with more unique styling elements and subtle updates that reaffirms the CLA’s unrivalled position and desirability.

INTRODUCING THE NOKIA 7.1 TO EGYPT HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, announced the Nokia 7.1 - the first smartphone to come with PureDisplay screen technology, which will take your viewing experience to the next level due to its high contrast ratio, greater clarity and enhanced colours across all of your content. !e Nokia 7.1’s stunning HDR display lies within a masterfully crafted, gorgeous design and offers an advanced imaging experience powered by a dual rear depth sensing camera with 2PD and ZEISS Optics to ensure you never miss a moment. Introducing PureDisplay !e Nokia 7.1 is the first smartphone to come with PureDisplay screen technology for stunning HDR10 cinematic quality entertainment inside and out. With YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime now supporting HDR content, take your viewing experience to another level with higher contrast and great clarity, revealing the detail in both light and dark areas with stunning vibrant colours. !e Nokia 7.1 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 636 Mobile Platform, which supports a major leap in enhanced performance making it great for streaming HDR content with ease. !is platform is optimised for content consumption with first-class graphics performance and battery efficiency enhancements so you can enjoy your audio and video for even longer. !e USB type-C fast charging port delivers up to 50% of your battery back in 30 mins , to get you back up and running quickly and easily.

Tell your story with advanced imaging !e Nokia 7.1 highly sensitive ZEISS Optics 12MP/5MP dual cameras with 2PD enable fast, accurate autofocus giving great shots in both bright and low light conditions. Capture professional studio style shots with the rear depth camera supported ‘bokeh’ mode as well as effortless front portrait shots. Pure, secure and up-to-date, reinforced with Android One !e Nokia 7.1 joins the comprehensive line-up of Nokia smartphones in the Android One family, delivering a highquality software experience endorsed by Google. Nokia smartphones with Android One offer great storage and battery life right out of the box and come pre-loaded with the very latest in AI-powered innovations developed by Google. !e Nokia 7.1 will receive three years of monthly security patches and two years of OS updates, as guaranteed in the Android One programme. In addition, Google Play protect scans all the apps on the store and on your phone to keep it safe from malware.

REAL MARK DEVELOPMENTS INVESTS A TOTAL OF 750 MILLION EGP IN WEST MARK During a press conference held at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza, Real Mark Developments, an integrated real estate company with a long-term approach to building premium residential and commercial developments, made its debut in the Egyptian market introducing West Mark. A mixed-use complex with a built-up area of 27,000 m2, West Mark offers a new line of thought to office & commercial real estate in Egypt. Situated within the upscale community of Jedar, Iwan Developments’ newest project in 6th of October City, West Mark enjoys a prime location on a 10-meter elevation above the 26th of July Corridor. !e project will see 750 million EGP in investments and is expected for delivery by 2020. West Mark stands as the product of a partnership between Real Mark Developments and Business Mark, a subsidiary vehicle from renowned Saudi company, Al Hussan Group. Business Mark signed a sale contract with Iwan Developments enabling Real Mark Developments to carry out the development, design, construction, marketing, sales, and property management of all commercial plots within Jedar. !roughout the past decade, developers have been incorporating retail & office facilities within residential projects in order to establish the ultimate destination, one that attracts investors and caters to a wide range of residents. According to JLL, the second quarter of 2018 has witnessed an increase in the office stock to reach 1,050,000 million m2 of gross leasable area, where around 142,000 m2 of retail space are projected to enter the market by the end of this year. West Cairo is expected to witness a potential pick up, in response to the increasing number of residential projects, as well as the anticipated opening of the Sphinx International Airport, which is set to have a major impact on the accessibility and business operations across the area. November 2018 | Ct

BUSINESS

NARRATIVE SUMMIT’S THIRD SUCCESS INTERVIEWING CC PLUS’ MANAGING DIRECTOR

hile the past few years have sparked a change in our country, following political and economic unrest, it is very important for private companies and the government alike to begin promoting our country positively, through a variety of aspects such as art, culture, sports and investments, among others. Narrative Summit has done just that, coming back last October for their third edition in promoting “Nation Branding”. CC Plus, the PR company and brains behind this summit, focus on growing the audience and participants of this event, to help Egypt take a few steps forward. We sat down with CC Plus’ Managing Director, Lamia Kamel, to find out more about what makes this year’s summit different than the rest. Please tell us a little about the 2018 Narrative Summit. Narrative Summit started as an event, and evolved into becoming an initiative; a movement to encourage and energize the notion of Nation Branding. Narrative Summit 2018 has developed since 2016, seeing as it won the patronage of the Egyptian government –the prime minister– and engaged top tier speakers and officials. Our vision is for Narrative to reflect on and support Nation Branding by creating and growing leadership. !is year, we have very strong partners besides the Egyptian government, including the UNFPA, US Embassy, SEBA, AUC, Injaz, EJB and Oxford Business Group. Each of these platforms has a good reach to expose our message on global platforms.

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Nation Branding is a common theme throughout all of the Narrative events. What do you do to build on this topic every year? We took it a step further. !is year, our speakers have involved more global players like the World Bank, the UNFPA and the American embassy. Besides the legitimacy of being under the Egyptian government, it shows Narrative is taking a serious and more defined route. Last year, we provided documented recommendations and insights and shared them with the presidential office, PM office and all ministries. After receiving positive feedback, we received the auspices of the government. !is in turn up-scaled our speakers and encouraged more international organizations to support it. What challenges did you face during last year’s summit that you overcame in Narrative 2018? Last year and this year have seen financial challenges. People need to know that this is a self-financed initiative, where sponsors cover up to 80% of the costs, and we cover the rest. !is is not a product up for sale, but rather a movement, which we and many professionals in the field believe in. Sometimes, we feel like we are too ahead of ourselves, and that our surroundings may be slower. !is year we built momentum early on and focused on fundraising early on.

In your opinion, how important is it to focus on arts and culture programs in Egypt? What about sports and athletics? It is exceptionally important, as it is the recipe that brings us together not what separates us. !e younger groups need to reconnect with us. !ey relate to sports, art and entertainment, and see it as an integral way to communicate. We must hold more events, and focus more on art and culture. !e private sector has to engage in sports to be able to validate Egypt’s position in those areas. Raneem El Walily, the squash world champion, was on a panel discussing the key challenges and brought some excellent points. Amr Mansy did a live interview on doing sports events. What are some of the short-term and long-term effects you are expecting out of this event? What opportunities will arise from Narrative 2018? I expect that Narrative’s Nation Branding will turn into a real movement, and will take a strategic side and become a reality, not just a single event. I expect Narrative will be a wake up call. We are also expecting international exposure, more interest in the country, positive word-of-mouth and more interest down the line. Until now, Narrative is confined to the niche group of the elite, and I think that word-of-mouth, the interesting agenda, the engagement of culture and sports, and the participation of popular figures such as Nelly Karim and Raneem El Walily will help us open up to a younger audience. How do you believe our country’s image is changing? I believe it takes people like us, who have education, stamina and reach and who are able to ignite the change. As we use our assets, more will join our cause. !is year, we had 23 speakers and five people on a panel. We had international institutions backing us up like the UNFPA and American embassy and we have the state giving us support. !is is the right formula. Stakeholders are engaged and want to make a difference. What are the major steps businesses can take to help better Egypt’s Nation Branding? To do our part. Today, you as a media platform, are doing it. You are providing quality content and are opening up to these notions and supporting them. Create ideas, and if you can’t, at least open up your platforms to them. We have a cause and we must take it to the end. What advice would you give to start-up PR companies? I would say focus on what you do best. PR is a wide spectrum, with many pieces. Select a piece and specialize and invest in the right content and the right people.

November 2018 | Ct

DESTINATIONS Travel

Vietnam: the Land of Wonders Written by Rana Kamaly Photographs Courtesy of Rana Kamaly and Dilara Rateb

Travelling to Vietnam might not be the first place that comes to mind when you are booking for your next vacation. However, for those who enjoy a physically challenging trip that allows you to test your limits, it is your go-to destination. If you are looking for a budget trip that is very well organized were you do not have to worry about the details, travelling with Gazef will provide just that. Not only do you get to travel with an interesting group, Gazef makes a chaotic country more organized so your sole focus is to just enjoy the journey. Last September, I was in a place in life where I needed a change, and my friends and family did not have the time to travel along. After a lot of researching, I decided to go to Vietnam with Gazef. !e trip was nothing like I imagined or expected, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Our group was a small one: we were a total of six girls including our guide, which made bond-ing very easy.

Ct | november 2018

Hanoi Hanoi, the capital, was the most chaotic place I have ever been to. I have been to many cities in Asia, but nothing like Hanoi. At first, it was really hard to get used to the thousands of motor bikes and lack of traffic control, but after the first day, I started to realize that there is hidden order evident. I started to really enjoy the beautiful lakes, the amazing street food and above all the night market that opens during weekends from 7 pm where you can find all the local handmade goods for incredible prices (even more so if you bargain well). !e variety of products is end-less, and everything there is artistic and colorful, especially the silk scarfs and handmade bags. You can buy a beautiful patterned scarf for under 100 EGP without bargaining. Long story short, Hanoi is chaotic, adventurous yet great for street shoppers.

Sapa After Hanoi came one of the two major highlights of the trip. It took us six hours with the sleeping bus to arrive at Sapa, which was an experience on its own. With sleeper seats, it felt very comfortable and allowed us to sleep through the night without wasting the morning hours. Sapa is a huge valley consisting of green mountains, home to kind and hospitable people with extraordinary physical strength. After a six-hour hike, we were all extremely exhausted and our Vietnamese guide was just getting started with a pair of plastic slippers, as this is part of her daily routine. !e scenery was breathtaking; every way you turn is filled with greenery and farm animals living peacefully. !e village people have very few facilities, yet they are content and proud of their culture. During our stay there, I learned how to let go of any expectations when it came to the technological world. !ere was no need for Internet all the time, no need for my special coffee or the usual bathroom I am used to (the one available was a very simple yet clean shared bathroom). It felt amazing to sit back and enjoy nature. november AUG-SeP 2018 | Ct

Travel After the long hike, we spent a day and night at Maoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homestay. Mao is a traditional Vietnamese woman who rents her home to tourists, and also provides a tour guide for the hike, the food and the nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entertainment. Her house is a large wooden villa on top of the mountain overlooking the incredible valley. Mao was really hospitable and the food was good there. What made our stay even more special was the yoga session Hana El Ramly (our Gazef guide) prepared for us on the terrace. It was just the perfect way to end the day after a long hike and swimming in a waterfall that we encountered along our trail.

Halong Bay !e second major highlight was Halong Bay, which offered spectacular views of the ocean with hundreds of small green mountains around it. We took a cruise for two days, and it was amaz-ing, to say the least. !e place was huge, the rooms were clean and spacious, and the deck at night was like a scene from a movie with ships, green mountains and the stars above us. Dur-ing our time on the cruise, we were escorted via a smaller boat to different areas in the bay to enjoy cycling, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and a number of water activities.

Islands After the cruise, a small boat took us to a small island called Nam Cat, which consisted of a huge mountain with a small beach and a resort. It was picture perfect. !e wooden cabins overlooking the ocean and the greenery were fairytale like, but the place was a bit basic with bungalows overlooking the ocean. When it started to rain, we went in for a swim, which was a magical moment that everyone should put on their bucket list.

Ct | november oCTober 2018 2018

After that, we went to Cat Ba, the largest island in the area, which felt more like a city. !ere wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t anything too special about it except for the sunset view from the Cannon Fort. It was breathtaking after a nice hike and scooter ride up the mountain. We also went on a very tough hike in Cat Ba, where the humidity was almost 98% and it was extremely hot. !e hike was very challenging with the trees closing in on you and in some are-as we had to climb rocks or slide down. At some point I almost fainted, but El Ramlyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motiva-tion and the team cheering for me made me want to persevere and push myself. When I completed the hike, I felt like it was a huge accomplishment, but I came to find out that we still had 30 minutes of cycling to reach the ferry that was going to take us back. I almost lost it, but El Ramly reassured me that it would be worth it, and I must admit, she was right. !e scenery was incredible, and there was something magical about riding a city bike in the middle of mountains and the ocean. !e road was pretty smooth, and so it was not too physically challenging. After the tough hike, it felt amazing to breathe in the oceanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scent and jump into the refreshing water.

Food In my opinion, Vietnamese cuisine is very tasty. !ey have a variety of fried rice and noodles mixed with different proteins and delicious spring rolls variations. For me especially, as a vegetarian, it was great to see that it was normal to order a veggie plate. I have to inform you though that they put eggs in nearly everything, having them as part of their breakfast, lunch and dinner. International cuisine is available, but only in the capital and big cities. Food is very affordable, where the fanciest meal we had was for 200 EGP. On most days, however, you can eat a meal for under 80 EGP (most meals were included in the pro-gram).

november 2018 | Ct

Travel

We learned how to push our limits, to expect the least from the world around us and to be happy with whatever comes and to allow ourselves to enjoy the moment. 50

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Budget Vietnam is a really cheap country that I believe is very underrated. You can see and experience a lot of things in 10 days for a very small budget, apart from the ticket price (which would be affordable if you book in advance). Aside from the package price which included transportation, accommodation and most meals, I spent $300 for extra meals and street shopping. I would highly recommend getting a massage, which is professional and relaxing after the long hikes. A full body massage at a decent place would cost 200 EGP at most.

to Sum up Traveling with Gazef was the first time for all of us, but for sure not the last. Our guide, El Ram-ly, made everything so smooth, transportation was always on time, each activity was well planned and organized, and her yoga skills made the trip even more relaxing, seeing as she could always strike a pose or hold a mini stretching session on the go. Her spirit and love for her work was evident in how stress-free and relaxed she made us feel. !is trip changed all six of us. For starters, we all came from different backgrounds and be-longed to different age groups, but we just fell in love with Vietnam and with each other. We learned how to push our limits, to expect the least from the world around us and to be happy with whatever comes and to allow ourselves to enjoy the moment. Each of us had something to teach the other.

november 2018 | Ct

MIND, BODY & SOUL

HOW TO STAY HEALTHY DURING WINTER As the temperature drops, we all tend to get a little lazier, whether referring to eating right or exercising right. Maintaining your health and fitness during these colder months is essential to avoid any illnesses and to keep depression and stress at bay. We have put together a few tips on how to stay healthy during the winter.

COOK WITH SPICES As simple as that sounds, the results can be very effective. Not only do spices like ginger, garlic and cinnamon add strong flavors to your meals, but they also help give your immune system a boost. Turmeric is also a good addition, as it is a spice used in Chinese and Indian medicine, seeing as it is a powerful antioxidant that helps with inflammation.

VISIT A SAUNA OR STEAM ROOM Sometimes the colder weather causes increased stress and depression, along with drying up the skin. A good way to avoid these is to head to a sauna, as the steam helps to relax tense muscles, calming down the body. The high temperature also makes you work up a sweat, which is a positive way to detoxify your body and skin.

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CONTROL CARB CRAVINGS The temperature drop tends to bring out our cravings for carbs, since comfort food increases our serotonin levels, making our brains believe that we are happier. To try to eliminate these cravings, eat a protein-filled breakfast before you start your day to keep your energy levels high. Also, keep healthy snacks with you to eat throughout the day.

WORKOUT AT HOME Encouraging yourself to get up, get dressed and go out into the cold is not always effective. Fortunately, the amount of online exercises have become endless, and so plan your workout a week in advance, assigning specific trainings to specific days, moving between yoga, strength and other bodyweight exercise. You can also search for workouts that do not need any equipment, and that will keep you fit throughout winter without having to leave the comfort of your warm home.

EAT MORE FIBER Soluble fiber is a great way to decrease inflammation, boost your immune system and reduce cholesterol levels that may rise with the drop in temperature. Maintaining a high-fiber diet will help protect your digestive systems. Sources of soluble fiber include apples, nuts and oats.

INCREASE OMEGA 3 INTAKE This healthy type of fat can reduce stiffness, joint pain and even lower levels of depression, which are all common symptoms during the short winter days. Omega 3 fats are also natural antiinflammatories that will help you battle flus, and are found in fish, plant seeds and nuts.

MOISTURIZE AND STAY HYDRATED Because of the absence of heat, we sometimes tend to forget to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Keep a bottle with you at all times to monitor your water intake, and follow up by drinking herbal beverages such as lemon chamomile to help you detox and relax your body. Herbal teas are also great antioxidants. Before bed, be sure to moisturize, as the cold can dry out your skin.

november 2018 | Ct

MIND, BODY & SOUL

The First Center of Excellence for Hemophilia Treatment Launches in Atfal Misr Health Insurance Hospital

he General Authority for Health Insurance and one of the Novo Nordisk, the world’s leading manufacturer of insulin and hemophilia treatment, opened the first Center of Excellence for the treatment of hemophilia patients at Atfal Misr Health Insurance Hospital in El Sayeda Zeinab. !e center will be fully operated by the General Authority of Health Insurance, while Novo Nordisk Egypt will provide technical support and training. !e total cost of the new center is approximately EGP 2 million including all medical equipment, furniture, construction and renovations. !e Center of Excellence is equipped according to the latest international standards with an integrated medical team to serve patients, and came as a result of the fruitful cooperation between the General Authority of Health Insurance and Novo Nordisk. It aims to develop an integrated plan to provide the highest level of health care to Egyptians with hemophilia through the development and implementation of a protocol to provide the latest treatments available in this field, while continuing to develop the scientific and clinical expertise of Hematologists to benefit hemophilia patients.

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For its part, Novo Nordisk organizes training programs for continuing medical education for all specialists in the center. !ese programs cover the most recent methods in the management of the Center with the help of local and international training programs such as REACH, the remote therapy program for Hemophilia patients, in addition to Meet the Expert program. In addition, Novo Nordisk provides the center with all the modern equipment specialized in diagnosing the disease, as well as equipping an integrated laboratory for hemophilia, including blood coagulation assay devices and other equipment. !e Center is also equipped with an electronic database management system for patients, as Novo Nordisk seeks to help with developing a national database for hemophilia patients. It will provide the required electronic system and train employees to use it so that the collected data are fully owned by the Health Insurance Organization and will be synchronized and consolidated at the central computer of Atfal Misr Health Insurance Hospital. “!e main goal of hemophilia treatment lies in preventing bleeding and its immediate treatment through providing

the patient with clotting factors that the patient lacks, to ease the severity of the bleeding, which would reduce complications in the long term,” said Dr. Soheir Abd El Hameed, Head of General Authority of Health Insurance. “For those with the disease, 70-80% of most bleeding manifestations occur in the joints, 10-20% in the muscle/soft tissue and about 5% in CNS, with other types of bleeding that may threaten patient’s life and require immediate treatment,” added Dr. Naglaa Shahin, Head of Hematology Department at Atfal Misr Hospital. “Over the long term, the presence of blood in the joints and re-bleeding leads to chronic synovitis, development of a target joint, and progressive arthropathy.” Such chronic deterioration of joint status mainly affects patients with severe hemophilia as they are characterized by more frequent spontaneous joint bleeds leading to disability if not treated. !is was the key driver behind the establishment of the first Center of Excellence for Hemophilia Treatment, as to cater to healthcare needs of hemophilia patients, by offering them a comprehensive solution.

with linear double heights for mobile comfort. Combining true luxury with highly specified comfort; the modular spaces bring the outdoors inside by infusing raw punctuations from nature not only allowing light and greenery to unfold all around, but also transforming each home into an exclusive private island of utmost privacy.

SURROUNDED BY A PULSING DOWNTOWN DISTRICT BLOOMFIELDS combines the quality of living in a breathing green environment with the excitement of enjoying a central urban lifestyle; all seamlessly interconnected by linked activity bridges for homeowners to appreciate luxury living at varied heights. The Downtown Zone is the lively hub enjoying a direct connection to the lifestyle area at BLOOMFIELDS; from a cutting-edge business park, an assortment of recreational areas, quaint coffee shops, to contemporary fine dining experiences, a daily vibrant fix is only a few steps away from home.

Bloomfields - In the Heart of it All Savor the New Levels of Integrated Living

Purpose and versatility have never taken a better shape as BLOOMFIELDS shapes new standards of intentional living right at the heart of Cairo. Surrounded by the enterprising community of Mostakbal City, the dynamic community of BLOOMFIELDS is designed to oﬀer something for just everyone in search for fresh, bold ideas with sweeping views over sun-kissed parks, open-air galleries, top-notch education, a burgeoning cultural scene, world-class facilities, and a sustainable lifestyle. Set to become Egypt’s hotbed for startups, entrepreneurs, as well as makers and doers who wish to execute flawlessly in all aspects of their lives, the interconnected town is the ultimate place to grab a piece of the magic that balances the best of community living, education, and work.

Tatweer Misr’s latest addition is nestled between New Cairo’s Golden Square, and the New Administrative Capital, within close proximity to road 90, and the New Administrative Capital’s Train Station and International Airport. The project also enjoys a strategic location just 45 minutes away from Ain El Sokhna, and can be easily accessed via the Middle Ring Road as well as the Regional Ring Road. Master-planned by world-renowned Italian architect, Gianluca Peluffo and Partners, in collaboration with internationally acclaimed Egyptian architect, Raef Fahmy, BLOOMFIELDS is inspired by the tree of life; artistically conceived to branch out, unfolding a fully integrated town. The project’s lively center is grounded by an impressive college town spreading out to boast a variety of gated residential neighborhoods clustered in the shape of a leaf reflecting an evergreen theme.

LIVING WITHIN THE HEART OF INNOVATION With a breakthrough perspective on integrated living, BLOOMFIELDS unveils an innovative contemporary concept, streamlined to offer a variety of incredible amenities reflected in its mixed-use buildings. With an array of luxury homes ranging from extravagant villas, twin-houses and townhouses, to spacious lofts and apartments; the project is aesthetically designed to embrace cascading green terraces, floating pools, and interactive roofs, as well as breakthrough flying residences for homeowners to connect and relax. In addition to clean contemporary lines, and unadorned interiors with panoramic glass window facades; homes at BLOOMFIELDS are carefully planned to offer an abundance of private balconies, sundrenched open kitchens, and duplexes

A THRIVING EDUCATIONAL & ENTREPRENEURIAL DISTRICT IS THE COMMUNITY’S BEATING HEART Developing outstanding urban communities goes beyond urban designs and construction, to create a unique life experience for all residents. Developing an integrated urban community with the economic engine being the educational area represents original thought and a peerless sense of value. Boasting Egypt’s first entrepreneurial university and a lineup of internationally acclaimed schools the 90-acre educational district at BLOOMFIELDS will harbor the first global ‘Hub for Innovation & Entrepreneurship,’ providing first-class education focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship education and SME development. It will be the first college in Egypt to graduate the next generation of entrepreneurs.

CUISINE

The Perfect Thanksgiving Sides

Cranberry-Apricot Sauce Ingredients: Đ ĐCUPĐSUGAR Đ vĐCUPĐFRESHĐORANGEĐJUICE Đ ĐTABLESPOONĐVINEGAR Đ Đ uĐINCH THICK ĐFRESHĐGINGERĐSLICES Đ Đ INCH ĐCINNAMONĐSTICK Đ ĐCUPSĐFRESHĐORĐFROZENĐCRANBERRIES Đ vĐCUPĐCHOPPEDĐDRIEDĐAPRICOTS

$IRECTIONS Đ Đ "RINGĐRSTĐ ĐINGREDIENTSĐTOĐAĐBOILĐINĐ AĐMEDIUMĐSAUCEPANĐOVERĐMEDIUM HIGHĐHEAT ĐSTIRRINGĐUNTILĐSUGARĐISĐ DISSOLVED Đ Đ 3TIRĐINĐCRANBERRIESĐANDĐAPRICOTS ĐANDĐ RETURNĐTOĐAĐBOIL Đ Đ 2EDUCEĐHEATĐTOĐMEDIUM LOW ĐSIMMER Đ STIRRINGĐOCCASIONALLY Đ ĐTOĐ ĐMINUTESĐ ORĐUNTILĐBERRIESĐBEGINĐTOĐSPLITĐANDĐ MIXTUREĐBEGINSĐTOĐTHICKEN Đ 2EMOVEĐFROMĐHEAT ĐCOOLĐ ĐMINUTES ĐĐ $ISCARDĐCINNAMONĐANDĐGINGER Đ Đ 0OURĐINTOĐAĐ CUPĐMOLDĐANDĐCOVERĐ ANDĐCHILLĐFORĐ ĐHOURSĐORĐUNTILĐSET

Onion Dip Ingredients: Đ ĐTABLESPOONSĐOLIVEĐOIL Đ vĐCUPSĐDICEDĐONIONS Đ vĐTEASPOONĐSALT Đ vĐCUPSĐSOURĐCREAM Đ wĐCUPĐMAYONNAISE Đ uĐTEASPOONĐGARLICĐPOWDER Đ uĐTEASPOONĐGROUNDĐWHITEĐPEPPER

$IRECTIONS Đ Đ )NĐAĐSAUTýĐPANĐOVERĐMEDIUMĐHEATĐADDĐOIL ĐONIONSĐ ANDĐSALT Đ Đ #OOKĐTHEĐONIONSĐUNTILĐTHEYĐAREĐCARAMELIZED Đ ABOUTĐ ĐMINUTES Đ Đ 2EMOVEĐFROMĐHEATĐANDĐSETĐASIDEĐTOĐCOOL Đ Đ -IXĐTHEĐRESTĐOFĐTHEĐINGREDIENTS ĐANDĐTHENĐADDĐTHEĐ COOLEDĐONIONS Đ Đ 2EFRIGERATEĐANDĐSTIRĐAGAINĐBEFOREĐSERVING

Ct | november 2018

Corn Pudding

Ingredients: Đ ¼ cup sugar Đ 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour Đ 2 teaspoons baking powder Đ 1½ teaspoons salt Đ 6 large eggs Đ 2 cups whipping cream Đ ½ cup butter, melted Đ 6 cups corn kernels Directions: Đ Combine first 4 ingredients. Đ Whisk together eggs, whipping cream, and butter in a large bowl. Đ Gradually add sugar mixture, whisking until smooth; stir in corn. Đ Pour mixture into 8 lightly greased custard cups or a baking dish. Đ Bake at 175C for 30-40 minutes or until pudding is set and deep golden. Đ Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients: Filling: Đ 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for buttering the baking dish Đ 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (3 to 4 large potatoes) Đ ½ cup milk Đ ¼ cup brown sugar Đ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Đ ½ teaspoon salt Đ 2 large eggs Topping: Đ ½ cup all-purpose flour Đ ½ cup brown sugar, packed Đ 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Đ ¼ teaspoon salt Đ ¾ cup chopped pecans Directions: Đ For the filling: Preheat the oven to 175C and butter a baking dish. Đ Whisk together the butter, mashed sweet potatoes, milk, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and the eggs in a large bowl. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Đ For the topping: Combine the flour, brown sugar, butter and salt in a medium bowl until moist and the mixture clumps together. Đ Stir in the pecans and spread over the top of the sweet potatoes in an even layer. Đ Bake until mostly set in the center and golden on top, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve hot.

november 2018 | Ct

CUISINE Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes Ingredients: Đ uĐKILOGRAMSĐPOTATOES ĐPEELEDĐANDĐ CUTĐINTOĐCUBES Đ 3ALTĐ Đ ĐGRAMSĐCREAMĐCHEESE ĐSOFTENEDĐ ANDĐCUTĐINTOĐCUBES Đ ĐTABLESPOONSĐBUTTER Đ vĐCUPĐMILK Đ &RESHLYĐGROUNDĐBLACKĐPEPPER Đ &RESHLYĐCHOPPEDĐCHIVES ĐFORĐGARNISHĐ

$IRECTIONS Đ Đ )NĐAĐLARGEĐPOT ĐCOVERĐPOTATOESĐWITHĐ WATERĐANDĐSEASONĐWITHĐSALT Đ Đ "RINGĐTOĐAĐBOILĐANDĐCOOKĐUNTILĐTOTALLYĐ SOFT Đ ĐTOĐ ĐMINUTES Đ Đ $RAINĐANDĐRETURNĐTOĐPOT Đ Đ !DDĐCREAMĐCHEESEĐANDĐUSEĐAĐPOTATOĐ MASHERĐTOĐMASHĐPOTATOESĐWITHĐCREAMĐ CHEESEĐUNTILĐSMOOTH Đ Đ -EANWHILE ĐINĐAĐSMALLĐSAUCEPANĐOVERĐ MEDIUMĐHEAT ĐMELTĐBUTTERĐWITHĐMILKĐ UNTILĐWARM Đ Đ 0OURĐMIXTUREĐOVERĐPOTATOESĐANDĐ STIRĐUNTILĐCOMPLETELYĐCOMBINEDĐANDĐ CREAMY ĐĐ3EASONĐWITHĐSALTĐANDĐPEPPER Đ Đ 4RANSFERĐPOTATOESĐTOĐAĐSERVINGĐBOWLĐ ANDĐSEASONĐWITHĐMOREĐPEPPERĐANDĐ GARNISHĐWITHĐCHIVES

Cheesy Baked Green Beans Ingredients: Đ ĐKILOGRAMĐGREENĐBEANS ĐCLEANEDĐWITHĐENDSĐREMOVED Đ vĐCUPĐHEAVYĐCREAM Đ ĐGARLICĐCLOVES ĐTHINLYĐSLICED Đ ĐTEASPOONSĐLEMONĐZEST Đ ĐCUPĐMOZZARELLA Đ vĐCUPĐFRESHLYĐGRATEDĐ0ARMESAN ĐPLUSĐMOREĐFORĐGARNISH Đ 3ALT Đ 0INCHĐREDĐPEPPERĐ®AKES $IRECTIONS Đ Đ 0REHEATĐOVENĐTOĐ # Đ Đ 0LACEĐGREENĐBEANSĐINTOĐAĐSHALLOWĐBAKINGĐDISHĐORĐSKILLET Đ Đ 0OURĐCREAMĐOVERĐBEANSĐANDĐSCATTERĐGARLICĐANDĐLEMONĐZEST Đ Đ 3EASONĐWITHĐSALTĐANDĐREDĐPEPPERĐ®AKES Đ 3PRINKLEĐWITHĐMOZZARELLAĐANDĐ0ARMESANĐANDĐBAKEĐUNTILĐ BEANSĐAREĐTENDERĐANDĐCHEESEĐISĐMELTED Đ ĐMINUTES Đ Đ )FĐDESIRED ĐBROILĐUNTILĐCHEESEĐISĐBROWNED ĐĐ Đ 'ARNISHĐWITHĐMOREĐ0ARMESANĐANDĐSERVE

Ct | november 2018

Parker House Rolls Ingredients:: Đ 1½ cups milk Đ 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for brushing Đ ½ cup sugar Đ 1 package active dry yeast Đ ½ cup warm water Đ 3 large eggs, lightly beaten Đ 1½ teaspoons salt Đ 6 cups all-purpose flour Directions: Đ Preheat the oven to 175C. Đ Place milk in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat, stir in the butter and sugar and let cool. Đ Dissolve yeast in warm water and let sit until foamy. Đ Combine milk mixture, eggs, yeast, salt, and half of the flour in a mixer with the dough attachment and mix until smooth. Đ Add the remaining flour, half a cup at a time, and stir until a smooth ball forms. Đ Remove from the bowl and knead by hand on a floured surface for about 5 minutes. Đ Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 60 to 70 minutes. Đ On a floured surface, punch down the dough and shape into desired shapes. Đ Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Đ Cover again and let rise until doubled, about 30 to 40 minutes. Đ Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Đ Remove from the oven and brush with melted butter before serving.

Pumpkin Pecan Muffins Ingredients: Đ 2½ cups all-purpose flour Đ ½ cup sugar Đ ¼ cup brown sugar Đ 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice Đ 1 teaspoon baking powder Đ 1 teaspoon baking soda Đ ½ teaspoon salt Đ 2 large eggs Đ 1 cup canned pumpkin Đ ½ cup buttermilk Đ ¼ cup canola oil Đ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Đ 1/2 cup chopped pecans Topping: Đ ¼ cup brown sugar Đ ¼ cup finely chopped pecans Đ ¼ cup all-purpose flour Đ ¼ cup cold butter, cubed Directions: Đ In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Đ In another bowl, combine the eggs, pumpkin, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Đ Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in pecans. Đ Fill six greased or paper-lined jumbo muffin cups three-fourths full. Đ In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, pecans and flour; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter. Đ Bake at 190C for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Đ Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Đ Serve warm. november 2018 | Ct

SOCIETY

The launching of “A Journey through Thailand: Land of Unforgettable Experience” photo exhibition and photobook Last September, the Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo organized a reception to celebrate the inauguration of “A Journey through Thailand: Land of Unforgettable Experience” photo exhibition as well as the launching of its photobook at Lan Tania Restaurant, Hilton Cairo Heliopolis. Earlier this year in March, the Embassy invited Ms. Asmaa Gamal, one of the most well-known photographers in Egypt, to travel to Thailand to capture different aspects of Thai culture through her photographs. All photos used in both photobook and photo exhibition were taken during that trip. At the event, about 80 guests consisted of members of diplomatic corps, representatives of Egyptian government, tour operators and journalists attended the event. The Embassy plans to further distribute the photobooks to libraries and other entities in Egypt so as to ensure that this bilingual book (English and Arabic) which serves as an invaluable source of information about Thailand can reach wider Egyptian audience.

Ct | November 2018

Sheraton Cairo Launches Giannini’s New Menu Giannini’s, Sheraton Cairo’s New York Italian restaurant held a special party to launch its new creative menu. Food bloggers, social media influencers and local media were welcomed to experience the new exotic flavors and creative plates of the new menu created by Giannini’s famous Italian chef Antonio Carrano. Guests enjoyed the evening savoring the exquisite plates and listening to live jazz music.

November 2018 | Ct

SOCIETY

SoSPA in the City at Sofitel El Gezirah Sofitel El Gezirah held a very special celebration, with the revamp of the Fitness center “SoFit”. In addition, Sofitel welcomed and introduced the new SPA Director Laura Celoria. The night started with healthy organic snacks and cocktails at the swimming pool by the Nile, which was attended by SPA members, diplomats, Key Accounts “Corporate & Travel” and media figures, in addition to a number of long staying guests.

Ct | November 2018

Sheraton Montazah Welcomes Celebrities On the occasion of the return of the Alexandria Film Festival for Mediterranean Countries, famous Egyptian actor Farouk El Fishawy was honored during the 34th round of the festival, in the presence of a huge number of actors, artists, film producers and directors.

November 2018 | Ct

SOCIETY

EXCLUSIVE CAKE ARTISTRY MASTERCLASS FOR AFICIONADOS AT JW MARRIOTT HOTEL CAIRO JW Marriott Hotel Cairo welcomed Cake Artist Gelly Kalouta who hosted a masterclass that showcased her creative and bespoke culinary repertoire in designing wedding cakes. While resonating with local culture, the workshop demonstrated Chef Gellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s renowned techniques, the fine details and whimsical designs which have become her signature at La Farine CafĂŠ & Bakery, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, where she is currently based. Chef Gelly shared the mystery and magic that goes behind creating these edible works of art and the methods behind their creation, in a theatric showcase that showed how mastering any single technique can open the door to endless creativity. She guided participating guests with easy to follow steps, whether they were professional bakers or amateur enthusiasts.

Ct | November 2018

9th, 10th November 2018 This cruise along the Nile is not to be missed! As you glide along the water, find yourself face to face with the French Michelin star Chef Laurent Peugeot on the 9th & 10th of November and explore exceptional Parisian Set menu and innovative cocktails.#AllDeckedOut The celebration continues into the night with a Fashion show presented by the Famous Radio Presenter Shaima Hafez & the Fashion Expert Wassim Raouf, live entertainment with Hisham Blues and dancing all night. Call 01141100012 for reservation.

In partnership with

@ledeckcairo -

/ ledeck -

/ le deck

SOFITEL CAIRO NILE EL GEZIRAH: 3 Thawra Council St. - 11518 - Zamalek - Cairo - Egypt. Tel.: + 202 2737 37 37 www.sofitel-cairo-nile-elgezirah.com

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