SEPTEMBER 2021 - 20LE, IDENTITY-MAG.COM
VALDA DEVELOPMENTS: THE STORY
identity LETTER
LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR How lucky do you consider yourself? No, honestly, just try and rate yourself on the luck spectrum when it comes to some of the most important aspects of your life like career and relationships. Are you one of the fortunate few who managed to pinpoint what they’re passionate about and turn that into a financially rewarding profession? Did you make it BIG career wise by sheer and pure coincidence? Did you just randomly stumble upon your soulmate and the love of your life? If your answer is ‘yes’ to some or most of the previous questions, consider yourself one super lucky dude/dudette! Our September issue explores how hard work and determination are key to maintain any personal or professional success, takes us around some of the world’s luckiest landmarks and much more! All while we get ready for the fall season with the latest fashion, hair & makeup trends and workout routine; tuck in!
Rola Kamel Identity Magazine was founded in 2005 by Rola Kamel to enhance every aspect of a woman’s lifestyle, helping our female readers to discover and improve their own identities. Published by Beezarre Publishing Ltd. Themistokli Dervi, 6 Papyros Building, 4th Floor, Flat/Office D5 – P.c 1066, Nicosia, Cyprus. The subscription rate is 240 L.E./year (12 issues) through Al Ahram, Tel: 02-27703190 Distribution by AL AHRAM, Website: QPIX SOLUTIONS Printing House: SAHARA PRINTING COMPANY Contact us at: 26A Montazah St., Zamalek, Cairo-Egypt. Tel: 02-27361187 Mobile: 0122-9401071 Email: sendus@identity-mag.com, identity-mag.com
IDENTITYMAGEG
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identity MASTHEAD
SEPTEMBER Founder & Managing Editor Rola Kamel Editor-in-Chief Nawal Ismail Senior Graphic Designer Sandy Saied Copy-Editor Amina El Fayoumy Senior Staff Writer Aya Aboshady Staff Writer Hadjar Sharkawi Marketing & Advertising Manager Riham Yehia Digital Marketing Manager Youssef Ali Social Media Specialist Ahmed Karem Video Editor Ahmed Mostafa Identity Magazine Distributor Ashraf Fouad
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by
by
New Cairo
walk of town MASTER SPONSOR
22 - 25 SEPTEMBER 2021 EGYPT INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTER (EIEC)
identity CONTENTS
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AN EXCLUSIVE CHITCHAT WITH THE WOMEN OF NETFLIX’S AL RAWABI A SLICE OF FALL 9 When Luck Contributed to Making Great Things Happen 10 Editor’s Picks 11 The Lifestyle Changes You Need
STYLE 12 Your Fall Makeup Color Palette 14 Dye Your Way Through the Fall Season 16 Runway Report: Fall-Winter 2021-2022 20 Valda Developments: The Story
HELLO AUTUMN 26 An Exclusive Chitchat with the Women of Netflix’s Al Rawabi 30 Dragging Yourself back up after Hitting rock bottom
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32 Relationship Boredom: Fatal or Curable? 34 Life Challenges with Social Media 36 Does Lucky in Love Really Exist? 38 Luckiest Landmarks on Earth 42 It’s Time to Update your Fall Workout Routine, Here’s How 44 Autumn: Charming or Alarming? 46 Give Your Home A Fall Makeover 48 Travel Guide: England
PROMOTIONS 50 Advertorial 54 Press Releases 64 Horoscopes
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YOUR FALL MAKEUP COLOR PALETTE
WHEN LUCK CONTRIBUTED TO MAKING GREAT THINGS HAPPEN by Khadija Mazen
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t’s true that great achievements take a lot of effort and talent, but what about luck? There have been many instances where great things happened by simple chance, not because anything was done on purpose - this isn’t meant to discredit anyone’s effort. However, luck plays an important role by creating an opportunity that seems unexpected and wouldn’t have normally existed. And when things unexpectedly fall into the right place at the right time, the outcome could be great.
CATE BLANCHETT Cate Blanchett never planned on becoming an actress, it all happened with a bit of luck. After dropping out of university, Blanchett backpacked around the world and found herself in Egypt in 1990. Blanchett was in desperate need of money when she happened to be at the right time and place. She was randomly hired as an Extra on the late Ahmed Zaki’s movie Kaboria. Blanchett is an example of someone who felt lost and didn’t know what she wanted for her future. After not doing well in university, Blanchett felt she didn’t know what to do in life, but luck found her in Egypt. She would have never thought about pursuing an acting career if she didn’t appear in the movie. With two Oscars and many prestigious awards, Blanchett is one of the most successful actresses today. If you feel you have no luck, career wise, don’t hold back on taking an opportunity that comes along. If you’re lucky, it may be perfect for you. We spend so much time looking for the right thing, but sometimes luck just happens to find us. J.K ROWLING J.K. Rowling was living on welfare when she wrote Harry Potter. Of course Rowling put a lot of effort into writing her 90,000 word-long novel, nevertheless, she was rejected from every publisher. Her luck
came when a London publisher agreed to publish Harry Potter after the CEO’s daughter loved reading the first chapter. Had the CEO’s daughter not read the first chapter, Rowling would have gotten rejected, yet again. But after getting lucky, Rowling got a publishing deal and the exposure she needed to become the first author billionaire. EMMA WATSON Emma Watson was originally signed on to play Emma Stone’s character, Mia, in La La Land, for which Stone won an Oscar for Best Actress. Although a regretful Watson had to drop out, if she chose La La Land, she wouldn’t have been cast to film Beauty and the Beast. Luckily for Watson, Beauty and the Beast became a commercial success and made over $1.2 billion dollars at the box office. This is a perfect example of feeling like you’re not able to achieve the success you want. When you feel frustration or regret over an opportunity that slips away, luck comes in and when one door closes, another one opens.
Luck plays a part in the great things these lucky ladies have done, and considering themselves “lucky” isn’t a career weakness. Think of luck as one step on the ladder to reaching your goals. Hard work and determination mixed with a bit of luck can be the recipe to success. But the luck doesn’t last unless you take that opportunity to your advantage and work hard to succeed. September 2021 • IDENTITY 11
identity A SLICE OF FALL
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Zara Pleated Faux Leather Skirt Verdict: This amazing burgundy leather skirt will look so elegant on you, especially during this time of year.
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Alexander McQueen Gold-tone Earrings Verdict: Gold earrings are the perfect addition to any fall attire. This gorgeous pair of dangling pendant earrings is certainly going to give you the edge you’re looking for!
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LOEWE Buckle Leather Belt Verdict: Turn a look from average to extraordinary in just one step when you add this classy black leather belt from Loewe!
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Versace Dylan Blue Pour Femme Verdict: This fragrance doesn’t just come in a beautiful packaging, it also smells like fall with its fresh blackcurrant, apple sorbet and wild blooms mix.
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EDITOR’S
Picks
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Jaeger-LeCoultre Quartz Watch Verdict: A work outfit is never complete without just the right watch! This one from Jaeger-LeCoultre is an outstanding choice of both elegancy and eye-catching color. Pull&Bear Multicoloured Crossbody Bag Verdict: This patterned colorful crossbody bag should totally be your best friend this fall. It’ll add a much needed edge to any outfit you wear!
The Lifestyle
CHANGES YOU NEED by Aya Aboshady Once you take the decision to go green, there’s no going back, or at least, there shouldn’t be. And as much as it’s a great life changing decision, it’s also not easy and might seem like it requires too much work and effort, because it kind of does. So to make it a little bit easier for you, we’ve made you a list of small steps that you could take towards the “Going Green” goal until you actually fully make it! 1. TRY THE MINIMALISTIC LIFESTYLE AND TURN OFF THE LIGHTS Think of yourself as someone who’s trying to be minimal about everything, someone who’s trying to live a hassle/noise-free life. Which will then require you to get rid of a chunk of some really unnecessary things and actions in your life. Like for example, turning off the lights and saving electricity especially when it’s sunny outside. you’ll be both getting used to a new quieter lifestyle, and saving planet Earth. And let’s not forget about how saving electricity in general - and not just the lights - will help you reduce the bills. Therefore, we call it a winwin situation. 2. REDUCE WATER WASTE Needless to say, water is extremely important. Protect our planet by reducing the amount of water you use daily. For example, save 6 liters of water a minute by turning off your tap while you brush your teeth or shave, shorten you showers and save 17 liters a minute, only run your washing machine and dishwasher when full, fix any water leaks inside your house. 3. GIVE UP PLASTIC, ALL OF IT If you look around you, you’ll find that the amount of things you use on a daily basis, which are made
of plastic, is uncountable. Which is why some would think that giving it up can’t be an option. That being said, you could easily start with things that have easy attainable alternatives. For example, there are plenty of tote bags that could go as reusable ones. Meaning that you don’t have to use the harmful plastic bags when shopping anymore. Everything is evolving now. Finding refillable bottles that are not made of plastic for your hot and cold drinks has never been easier. 4. ESSENTIAL OILS ARE EVERYTHING This may be the easiest step of them all. Because, there are already way too many people who have chosen this direction for the beautiful smell and benefits of essential oils. Other than the fact that essential oils are used for soul healing and aromatherapy, they are also extracted from plants. This definitely makes them a very healthy alternative for chemicals found in medicine or cosmetics. For instance, Peppermint essential oil is an energy booster. And Lavender is used for stress relief, while Lemon could cure headaches and boost moods...etc.
With these four steps, you’ll be miles and miles closer to your going green goal; we promise! September 2021 • IDENTITY 13
identity BEAUTY
YOUR FALL MAKEUP COLOR PALETTE by Hadjar Sharkawi There’s a color for every season, you’ve got to agree on that one. Summer is yellow, winter is blue, fall is orange and spring is pink. It doesn’t necessarily have to be those exact colors, but you sure get the point. Every season has its own color palette, and nothing beats going with the flow! Fall colors consist of shades of red, orange and green. Yes, we know it’s a bold color scheme for a makeup look. But we’re here to show you what a perfect fall makeup look is made of!
ORANGE HUES Fall means an orange color palette. This makeup look is for all you artists out there. Your face is your canvas. Take your eyeshadow brushes and get creative! Blend multiple shades of orange and yellow to get the perfect bright look. Wear this look on a romantic breakfast date or somewhere by the sunset. If you take a look in the mirror, you’ll be stunned!
RED LIPS
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Nothing beats a classy but sassy pair of red lips! With this makeup look you can go one of both ways, either dark or extremely simple eye makeup. The most important thing is to not forget the red lipstick; that’s what will make your lips pop! Always remember, red lipstick is a girl’s best friend, especially in the fall season!
MATTE SMOKEY EYES
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It’s an unwritten rule; you can never go wrong with the smokey eye look! This super classy and hot look will have you turning heads this fall season. The dark shades give your eyes a more defined look that will complement the fall colors of your outfit. You can rock this look while heading to a cool hangout at night or a fancy dinner maybe.
SUBTLE GREENS Green resembles the color of life. We’re certain this makeup look will leave you feeling super fresh and lively. No matter when or where, a subtle green color palette is sure to cheer you up! Remember to embrace the fall season because the weather is not all gloomy and sad yet, live it up!
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SIMPLE SHADES
Mix and match would be this look’s slogan! They key is adding colors that give you contrast. For example, a blend of bright green and dark brown. Subtle nude and daring burgundy. Top this look off with a nude lipstick to get the perfect balance.
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DYE YOUR WAY THROUGH
the fall season! by Hadjar Sharkawi
Have you ever woken up with an immense desire to do something crazy to your hair? Post break-up hair chop? Nope, even crazier. A complete hair makeover! A popping dye that’ll transform your hair 180 degrees. Everyone who used to know you from before won’t recognize you anymore. Sometimes we need just that! What about the ones who are too scared of drastic changes? Don’t worry; we’ve got your back! Never let your friends call you a wimp ever again. We have the answers just for you. How about temporary hair dyes? Yup, a hair dye that gives you just the popping splash of color but doesn’t last you a whole year! You can’t run away from this one, folks. It’s the change you’ve always wanted in a not-so-scary kind of way. Want to give it a try? We’re here to tell you exactly what to do! Since it’s fall, we can all guess what the super hot color palette is for the season. Let’s give it a look, shall we?
Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin spice and everything nice? We sure just want to go dye our hair right away after seeing the flawless Lana Del Ray in that color. It sure does brighten up the skin complexion and will leave you feeling on top of the world with your new look. We guarantee the pumpkin spice hair color will be the new talk of the town this fall season!
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Burning Burgundy Take a look at gorgeous Rihanna rocking the burgundy hair color, don’t you just absolutely love it? Looking for a fierce and sassy look, dye your hair burgundy! It’s a perfect fall look for the absolute hottest change! We’re certain you won’t regret it, and if you ever do, remember it’s only for a couple of weeks. So, embrace the change and rock the burning burgundy look!
Caramel Locks
We’re almost certain anyone can rock this hair color! It’s probably everyone’s cup of tea. Since it’s a subtle yet stunning look, it’s just an effortless yes from us! How beautiful does Jessica Alba look with this hair color? Trust us on this one if you’re looking for a notso major change of color but still need a change.
Popping Purple
Luminous Lilac
The perfect blend of girlie and sexy! This right here, is the real deal! A splash of fun with a hint of classiness is what you’ll get if you pick the lilac hair color. Kylie Jenner has definitely stunned us with her magical pastel-colored hair. Be bold, this will only change you for a short while, so have fun with it!
This, our friends, is as bold as it gets! Are you the brave soul who’s desperate for a complete makeover? Then we’re cheering you on and giving you a clap! Of course, a move that courageous could only come from the fearless Katy Perry. We have to admit, it looks just right on her! We’re hoping to have encouraged enough of you daring hearts out there to take the brave step!
No matter which color you choose, be certain you’ll get the refreshing feels of a new look and right before you start to lose interest in your transformation, it’ll start to fade away. For all of you anti-change gals! September 2021 • IDENTITY 17
identity STYLE
RUNWAY REPORT
fall-winter 2021-2022 by Aya Aboshady It’s the start of chill season! We all know what that means, comfy but cute clothes all over our wardrobes! Here’s a list of items your closet basically can’t live without these upcoming fall and winter seasons!
CROPPED JACKETS AND TOPS They are the perfect blend of cozy and sexy! If you’re looking for a fun night out, put on a cropped top and head to the party! We’re sure you’ll absolutely rock it! Of course, the weather might start getting a little frosty and that’s when you’ll use your cropped jackets to keep you warm all night long. Fendi
Giorgio Armani
Vetements
Emilia Wickstead
Chanel
Chanel
Giorgio Armani
Emilia Wickstead
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SUIT COATS
Christian Dior
Michael Kors
Valentino Fendi
Giorgio Armani
Fendi
Christian Dior
Michael Kors
Looking for a classy and formal outfit that will make you fall in love with the way you look? Suit coats are the perfect choice for you! You can wear it with your favorite suit pants and nice shirt. Get ready to feel like you’re rocking the runway with this one!
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OVERSIZED PUFF JACKETS Cheers to staying comfy all day long! If you’re looking for some cozy fluffiness, put on an oversized puff jacket and you’ll be all set. It’s the easiest thing to do when you’re not in the mood to go outfit hunting around your closet. It will surely go with anything and everything. Dress it up or down and you’ll be certain how much you probably wouldn’t be able to get through the season without this one! Michael Kors
Valentino
Michael Kors
Versace
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton
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LEATHER LEATHER
Christian Dior
Chloe Michael Kors
Michael Kors
Versace
Fendi
Chloe
Valentino
Fall and winter’s best friend! Trust us, you’re definitely going to need to add some leather to your look this season! Leather jackets are the most elegant clothing items ever! A plus to that one is that they’re guaranteed to always keep you warm during frosty weather! Put on a leather jacket and you’re sure to get a confidence boost right away!
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VALDA DEVELOPMENTS: THE STORY by Aya Aboshady
Valda Developments is a real estate developer that was established in 2019 when Akoya Developments and New Avenue for real estate consultancy decided to join forces with the aim to become one of the most trusted developers in the Egyptian real estate market. Akoya Developments is owned by Engineer Mohamed Mahmoud and Mr. Mohamed Shehata, also owner of Shehata Tires. Developing their first buildings in Nasr City, together they currently own an impressive 65 buildings fully constructed by Akoya Developments. Akoya Developments has several projects in New Cairo including Hayati Residence, Akoya, Leven Square and The Ledge. New Avenue was first launched as a real estate consultancy firm in Egypt in March 2015; with the first branch in Korba and later expanding to include a secondary office in New Cairo. It has been in the market for 5 years with a sales volume of 10,800,000,000 EGP and a workforce of 130 employees.
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Serving the high-end community, Valda Developments is starting its first real estate project in collaboration with Mountain View; a retail commercial strip to be located in the most prime location on the East Ring Road between New Cairo and the New Capital with a project area of 18,000 meters including retail options that vary between F&B, banks, kids area, gym, supermarket, fashion stores…etc. Retails will also be sold to investors or end users directly.
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Mohamed Shehata, the Chairman of Valda Developments
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Our main priority is keeping our promises to our clients; delivering the highest quality with punctual timings.
THE TEAM BEHIND VALDA DEVELOPMENTS: Mohamed Shehata, the Chairman of Valda Developments, graduated from October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA) with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering. He’s also the General Manager of Shehata Tires and has been the Vice Chairman of Shehata Group since 2006. He was also the General Manager of the Tire and Tech company, El Rowad company for imports, as well as the Vice Chairman of Green Valley Real Estate since 2013.. Mohamed Mahmoud, CEO of Valda Developments, graduated from the American University in Cairo (AUC) with a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering. Mahmoud served as the Project Manager of Hayati Residence (2012-2015), Akoya Compound (2015-2019), Leven Square (2017-2020), and the Ledge (2019-2021) and also acted as the Deputy Chairman at El Ghad El Moshreq Real Estate (2011-2021) as well as Green Valley Real Estate. Ahmed El Dessouky is the Managing Director and Board Member. In 2015, Dessouky decided to start his own company to fill a void between clients and sales teams in the brokerage market. Through his previous experience in real estate, Dessouky became aware of the great incompatibility between the backgrounds of clients and the sales teams serving them. He then went on to implement this in New Avenue by hiring a well educated sales team who are aligned with the clients and are able to provide them with the information and feedback they need. After New Avenue’s success, he decided to build on its knowledge and Akoya Developments’ credibility and start Valda Developments. For him, Valda Developments was offering what the market needs with their retails only project - something that is not currently available in the market - as they plan to become one of the most trusted developers in Egypt.
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Mohamed Mahmoud, CEO of Valda Developments
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Valda’s vision is credibility, efficiency and integrity.
Ahmed El Dessouky Managing Director & Board Member of Valda Developments
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When you hear Valda Developments, you will always remember the most trusted developer in the market.
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identity INTERVIEW
AN EXCLUSIVE CHITCHAT WITH THE WOMEN OF NETFLIX’S AL RAWABI by Aya Aboshady “Al Rawabi School for Girls” (RSFG) has been making headlines left and right in the Middle East and around the world ever since it was released on Netflix on August 12th 2021. RSFG is the second Jordanian original on Netflix and one of the few Arabic originals on the streaming platform. So far, the previous Arabic originals did pretty well. But “Al Rawabi’’ is a whole other story. Following its release, the limited series soon became the number one trending in almost every Arab country and globally as well. The story revolves around an all-girls school where bullying and tearing each other down is the norm of their everyday life but when a revenge plan is finally in action, things get even more complicated in multiple unexpected ways. The drama series is starring Noor Taher, Andria Tayeh, Rakeen Saad, Joana Arida, Yara Mustafa, Salsabiela and is created and directed by Tima Shomali. We had the pleasure of talking to three of the incredible women of Al Rawabi: Noor, Rakeen, 28 IDENTITY • September 2021
and Andria and chatting about the experience of shooting the series, how they feel about the story, the audience reactions, preparing for their roles, and whether or not we could keep an eye out for a second season! How did you feel when you read the script/story for the first time? Noor: Pure excitement. Every time we received an episode we’d spend hours analyzing every line and visualize what it would look like on screen. I couldn’t wait to bring the character to life and tell her story. Layan is a very complex character given that she is the optimum description of the saying “what you see is not what you get”. This is mainly because despite her tough facade, she is a loyal, good-hearted and sensitive person. Rakeen: When I first read the script, I felt that it was very well-written. I kept reading and wanting to know more. The characters were 3 dimensional and none were either good or bad. All have both sides instilled in them.
Andria: When I first read the script, I was blown away by all the details and uniqueness of each character. I fell in love with Mariam due to her complex character that comes from being exposed to many tough experiences in the show. I could feel the pain that my character had endured since I went through the same thing. In addition to that, the series consists of 6 episodes which tackle issues faced by young adults nowadays. I believe Tima and Shirin often brought that to light throughout all the episodes. How did you prepare for your role? Noor: Fortunately, we had enough time to prepare, so I made sure to be curious about everything by bombarding Tima with questions. I wanted to know exactly what she had envisioned for Layan and how I could add to it. I also had a “Layan notebook” that I would write in as Layan, as if it’s her diary. That really helped me get into the role and prepare for my scenes. The fun thing for me was getting to transfer my real experience in high school on screen and trying to picture myself as the bully and bullied person to get the real essence of the character. The great challenge I faced was to properly introduce Layan’s character and highlight its different aspects so that she would win the public’s sympathy in some situations and have them demand her expulsion from school at other times. Rakeen: The preparation phase for any character I portray is very essential. For me, it is a process that includes a lot of meditation, research, reading, music learning skills and trying out new things. Preparing for the role of Noaf required a full transformation into the character on the outside (during prep I had to cut and shave my hair, do a number of makeup tests to get to the actual final look). In addition to that, we did some acting workshops, table readings and discussions with Tima which helped me get closer to the girls and connect more and overcome the age gap between us.
Tell us about the behind the scenes of shooting Al Rawabi School for Girls. Any special or fun moments you can tell us about? Noor: The behind the scenes of shooting our show were definitely the best part of the entire experience. The entire cast and crew became this one big family that cares about each other; we were always joking around and having the best time. A memorable moment would definitely be towards the end of shooting when we were at the Dead Sea location, after a long night-shoot the entire cast and crew decided to stay up at the pool and celebrate. We spent the whole day there and ended it with the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen. It’s definitely a special time that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Rakeen: Al Rawabi was a really enjoyable project for me! We had so many fun moments behind the scenes; whether it was listening to music and having our little party in the makeup truck or doing videos and TikToks with the girls. However, I think one of the most special things behind the scenes was that I was literally working with family and friends. Tima is an old friend of mine and I have worked with her and most of the crew many times before. Sari Silawi, my brother, was our production manager and also played the role of Hazem. My sister Razanah and her husband Oan were propmasters. Our costume designer Farah Karouta is my actual real life school friend and classmate. So this literally couldn’t get any better! Andria: There were many behind the scenes moments that were truly special to me. Sometimes I would finish filming my scenes, but stay to watch the rest of my castmates. Not to mention our strong bond with the crew which made us feel more like a family! Most importantly, the endless pranks, our sleepovers at the hotel, and the time the crew ran after me when I was eating peanut butter despite my allergies.
Andria: As an actress, I ought to study everything there is to know about the role I’m playing. And since we had enough time for preparations, I read the script thoroughly to understand my character’s backstory, motivations, relationships with the other characters and many other details that would enable me to truly assess it. I also had a long meaningful conversation with Tima to look for the similarities between me and my character, and I was able to relate to Mariam due to our similar experiences in high school. September 2021 • IDENTITY 29
Did the topic that the series discussed hit close to home? Why? Noor: To a certain extent, there were parts of every character on our show that I could relate to. Growing up I would always be seen in a certain way even though there was another side to me that was hidden. I love how Al Rawabi School for Girls proved that everyone has different sides to them that the world doesn’t necessarily know of. Rakeen: Yes, of course. The show sheds light on the challenges and struggles that young adults face during this critical stage in their lives including bullying, cyberbullying, peer pressure, the generation gap between parents and their children as well as personal struggles, which almost everyone can relate to. When it comes to bullying for example, most of us have experienced it one way or another, even if we were not aware of the exact term back then. However, I have always been a fighter who stands for justice and defends people if they ever go through that experience. Andria: One of the most significant issues highlighted by the show is bullying and its consequences, which I did experience back in my school days. However, the show enabled me to talk about the issue on behalf of those who can’t through my character.
What was the hardest scene to shoot? Noor: Definitely the last scene with Hazem. The emotions that came with that scene were overwhelming and tough. I’m glad I had the most supportive cast and crew around me at the time. Layan’s bullying scenes were also some of the toughest ones for me because bullying is a huge issue that occurs in numerous schools. And so we had extensive rehearsals with Tima to be able to accurately present this issue on screen. Rakeen: I think one of the hardest scenes that I had to shoot was the harassment scene. It was very emotionally intense and became a turning point in the story. Also, technically, it was hard since we were shooting it in a swimming pool and the crew was with us in the water. Andria: The most difficult scene for me was the beating scene, which was choreographed with all the safety measures taken into consideration. We also had a stunt rehearsal to make sure that nobody gets injured during this scene. 30 IDENTITY • September 2021
What is the main lesson you want the viewers to learn from your show? Noor: “Not everything you see is the truth” was Rawabi’s main point and the point that resonated with me the most. I truly think people should understand that empathy goes a long way because you never know what anyone is feeling or going through. You can never hurt anyone by being kind. Rakeen: I think there are many lessons but one of them is that not everything your eyes see is the truth. I also feel like we shed light on many important issues we’re now facing in our society; from bullying, harassment, the generation gap between parents and their kids, mental health etc. Andria: Bullying can have long-lasting damage on its victims. Yet, people fail to realize the significance of these consequences. It’s important to address bullying by speaking out. In addition to that, parents and teachers play an important role in preventing such an issue and ensuring the safety of each student. I also believe that candid conversations between students and their parents should strengthen their bond and trust.
Did you expect the show to make it globally and become the number one trending show in almost every Middle-Eastern country? How do you feel about it? Noor: It was definitely the most pleasant surprise to wake up to; I was ecstatic when I heard how popular the show was getting and how much people are loving it! It’s definitely a surreal feeling knowing so many people are appreciating and supporting Al Rawabi School for Girls. I feel honored that I got to tell my character’s story and have people relate to her and the other amazing characters on our show. Rakeen: I expected that the show would be popular but never fully realized the extent of its reach; especially on a global level! I feel so overwhelmed with excitement and very thankful for all the love we are getting. Andria: I am truly in awe of the show’s wide global reach. I was quite overwhelmed with the love and support I received, and was happy that this show impacted a huge amount of people. I am glad that people were able to relate to Mariam and I wanted to show them that they are not alone in whatever they go through. I said it before and I’ll say it again, I think the cast and I can all agree on how life changing this is for us! What did you think of the criticism that the show was subjected to by some critics and viewers? Noor: Art comes in many shapes and forms, and I believe that the audience will never really have the same opinions about any movie or show due to their different tastes. The show is based on a fantasy world and reflects Tima Shomali’s vision and thus is subjected to different types of feedback. Rakeen: One of the things that I like best about the show is that it opened up a conversation in our society. I feel that this is extremely important, to sit
and talk about our issues whether they are with or against the show. Andria: We received a lot of love and support as well as some constructive criticism. Yet, I am more than happy to listen to people’s opinions and especially film critics because this is how I can learn, improve and grow as an actress. Tell us about the similarities and differences between your character on the show and your personality in real life! Noor: One thing Layan and I definitely share with each-other is our love and loyalty to our close friends. To me, the people who are close to me come first and I think Layan would agree with me on that! However, I think I’m much more laid back than Layan is. As glamorous as she is, I’m always too lazy to get as dolled up as she does in every episode. Rakeen: There are many differences between me and Noaf. I mean age difference is one, looks, style, and how I see life is different even when I was her age. Noaf is smarter when it comes to technology, more introverted and mysterious. I do have these parts in me but not that much. I was a theatre kid, more extroverted and loud when I was her age. However, I would say I have always been a bit of a rebel ever since a young age. I was always ready to defend anyone especially in middle school. I also believe that Noaf is trying to be more responsible due to her family background and situation at her new school. Andria: Mariam and I share some personality traits such as reading books, being a bit introverted and somehow keeping to ourselves. However, Mariam tends to express her emotions through journal writing as opposed to my way of showing it through art in general.
September 2021 • IDENTITY 31
identity HELLO AUTUMN
DRAGGING YOURSELF BACK UP AFTER HITTING ROCK BOTTOM by Nada Abdelkader
We’ve all been there before. Life is really not going your way and there’s trouble grabbing you at every end. This is something we’ve all dealt with, to a degree. Except this time the trouble is different. It won’t end anytime soon and you can tell the consequences aren’t going to go away in a day or even a week. This is your life now. Except, is it really? Rock bottom is the worst spot you can be in because you cannot get lower. There isn’t an exact definition of what it contains, but that’s only because rock bottom is different for everyone.
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So, how do you know you’re there? It’s no exaggeration to say it’s the scariest, darkest place a person can be in. You’re living every time you’ve ever felt that things cannot get any worse and this time, it’s actually real. You’ve reached the end of your rope.
ACCEPTANCE IS THE LAST STAGE OF GRIEF, BUT IT’S NOT THE LAST STAGE FOR YOU This is the most important point in this process because acceptance is the final step in closure.
Hitting the lowest point still doesn’t spell out the end for you, even if it feels like it.
You need to accept what happened to move on. You won’t be able to change past mistakes or regrets, no matter how much you dwell. It’ll only draw in the negativity to you.
There are many methods to drag yourself out of rock bottom, though. None more reliable than the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
In this stage, you’ll discover what you should have appreciated in life and you’ll appreciate it much more. You’ll also discover a magnificent inner strength that will sustain you in upcoming problems.
DON’T LEAVE ROOM FOR DENIAL, BE CRITICAL The more horrible things are, the more we do to try to deny the truth. It’s basic human nature. We tend to turn a blind eye when we don’t want to confront our realities, especially when it’s something that takes great effort.
THERE’S NO SHAME IN NEEDING HELP Just because the stages of grief are done doesn’t mean we still don’t have additional advice to give. There’s still something else we should say. Something that might be forgotten because of its simplicity.
At this point in life, you can’t self- deceive any longer. you must confront yourself and your choices, no matter how painful it is to revisit them.
Asking for help isn’t shameful. Feeling like a burden when you reach out is sadly all-too-common, but it shouldn’t be. Don’t give in to these ideas and reach out to your nearest and dearest.
ANGER IS CLEANSING, BUT TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING TURNS UGLY It’s never advised to allow your anger to roam, but special times call for special means. Anger can make you pinpoint exactly where and when you’ve felt your worst, which will then help you realize just why you’re not okay. Then, you’ll only have to purge out all these bad things—toxic friends, unhealthy habits—that have once overshadowed your life. IT’S OKAY TO FEEL SAD FOR YOURSELF AT YOUR LOWEST Because there’s no bargaining in rock bottom, we’ll go straight to depression, the most infamous stage in this process. Rock bottom isn’t exactly fun, so we can understand the prevalence of this stage. And it’s perfectly okay. You should allow yourself time to feel the pain. You should allow yourself this degree of compassion because you’ve fallen on hard times. You shouldn’t, however, let this sadness get to the point of pity because this is a ladder that only goes down.
One thing you should keep in mind, though, that reaching out isn’t an excuse to transfer bad energies to others. Don’t inflict pain just because you’re trying to rid yourself of it. ACTIVELY TRY TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE After all is said and done, nothing will change if you don’t actively try to take the initiative. You have to keep on learning because, no matter how old you are, life will keep on changing and we have to change to deal with it. If you don’t adapt, chances are you’ll lead yourself back to square one. Changes can be done through the little things, too. Use this off-time to get in touch with yourself, get more fresh air, try to enjoy your own company, get a journal and write anything you have on your mind— goals, feelings, to-do lists. No matter how small something is, you’ll still feel the ripples of its effects.
Rock bottom might sound like the heaviest burden to bare, but it will eventually be something of the past, with adequate work and effort, of course. You will need this determination because the number one person in your life is you. September 2021 • IDENTITY 33
RELATIONSHIP BOREDOM:
Fatal or Curable?
by Marwa Rakha
Usually in strong standing, long- lasting relationships, comes a phase of extreme stillness and boredom that stems out of the mundane routine called ‘life’. At this point in time, relationships get tested. Are they strong enough and in enough synergy to get over this critical phase, or will the couple give up on each other because it’s no longer fun, interesting and entertaining?! Here’s a tough question for the one who always has our backs when it comes to relationship advice, Identity’s Relationship Expert, Marwa Rakha. When does this boredom phase usually start making its way to a relationship? There is no one specific timing when boredom erupts in a relationship; here are a few known and noted “boredom phases”: 1. Right before the couple commit to one another They have been flirting, hunting, chasing, playing hide-and-seek, and getting to know one another. Right before they commit, one of them, or both of them, feel bored. This boredom is doubt in disguise. They are simply unsure. 2. Right before an official step They have been dating steadily, and a step is expected; a proposal, a ring, meeting the parents, engagement, or even, marriage. Right before “the step”, boredom might creep in. This time, it is fearof-commitment in disguise. 3. Stagnant relationships They have been dating for what seems like forever; three, four, five, or seven years. Literally, nothing is happening. Stagnation kills relationships. Looking forward to getting engaged, making a home, living together, adopting a pet together, having a kid together, growing up together, etc. – when a couple does not grow and evolve, their relationship, naturally, withers and dies. They think it is boredom but it’s actually a standstill. 4. Losing focus This is seen a lot after marriage. The couple, or one of them, loses focus; they no longer know what brought them together. They no longer share a vision, a future, a dream, a hobby, or even a meaningful conversation. They grow up in different directions, and eventually, end up apart. 34 IDENTITY • September 2021
5. Rightful boredom This is the only case when boredom is simply boredom. After the lust and attraction fade away, there is nothing in common to keep them together. They feel bored and they break up. How can a couple drift the wheel from their way to boredom and losing interest to the way of flirting and spicing things up like they just met? Depending on the type of boredom that hit the relationship, a couple can stir the relationship back in the right direction. If boredom hit right before they committed to one another, they need to just let it be. It is a high wave and they need to duck down. Resisting it will turn their boat overboard. If they are truly a match, it will pass, and they will be attracted to one another again. If boredom hit right before an official step, they need to talk. Maybe one of them is not ready. Maybe there are reasons and justifications. They need to be open and frank about their feelings and needs. If you are bored because you are in a stagnant relationship, the obvious step is to move on. Doing something together that would bring you closer, and strengthen your bond is the best advice I can offer. If you are married, and are losing focus, you need to work to remember why you are on this journey together. Remember your common dreams, goals, and needs. Do not just look into the past, when the two of you first met, because you are no longer the same people. You need to rediscover yourselves and redefine your goals and vision for your future together. If you are in the wrong relationship, and boredom naturally happens, any effort you do to revive that relationship would be an equivalent to bribing your partner into staying with you; more outings, more romantic dinners, more wild sex, and more gifts – these are all bribes and desperate attempts. Do things really go back to the way they were before this dull phase? Expecting things to be as they were before is unrealistic. If a relationship survives boredom, the couple grows and matures just a little bit more.
Expecting the butterflies in the stomach, when you have been together for more than six months, is not realistic. But looking forward to hearing your partner’s stories of how their day went is more real. Expecting sex for the tenth time to be the way it was the first time, is ridiculously funny. It might not be as exciting, but it will certainly be more intimate. Sometimes, the problem is not with boredom; it is with our expectations that mislead us into a false sense of boredom. For a couple to be happy together, they need to accept aging as a natural event in their relationship. Is there, by any means, a set of precautions that a couple can take to avoid –from the beginningfinding themselves stuck in this tedious phase? There is no way to avoid wrinkles and grey hair. There is also no way to avoid feeling bored in a relationship.
soil consistently, and no longer accurately removes weeds and parasites. The tree will not drop dead all of a sudden; there will be subtle signs that the tree is suffering; leaves with yellow spots, leaves falling, blossoms dying on the stem, fruits that are not growing, and more unhealthy signs that go unnoticed. That person has no clue that his tree is not going to bear any fruits in the summer. He thinks that by occasionally throwing in a bucket of water and adding nutrients to the soil, he is doing his best. But occasionally taking care of your partner, or occasionally talking about your relationship, or occasionally showing that you care, would not save a relationship from boredom, and eventually, dying.
The worst thing that could happen in a relationship is taking your partner for granted. When a person takes the other for granted, they stop listening, stop showing care, stop working on a relationship, stop talking about their feelings, stop thinking of the little things that would make their partner happy, stop going out of their way, stop sharing their dreams and daily details, and eventually, the relationship stops evolving and it dies. Think of it as someone who has a lovely mango tree in their orchard. The tree is leafy, blossoming, and about to bloom, when that person takes the fruits for granted. “It will bear its fruits, as usual, in the summer,” he says. Then he no longer waters it on schedule, no longer fertilizes the September 2021 • IDENTITY 35
LIFE CHALLENGES WITH
Social Media by Amina Moustapha
LIFE BEFORE SOCIAL MEDIA It’s very hard to try and imagine a life ‘before’ social media, as it’s such a huge part of our lives today. Looking back, it seems as though we were living in the neolithic era, as Stone age farmers who shared everything by word of mouth. There was no fast, live-streamed news like there is today and you certainly couldn’t have watched the sights of the Notre-Dame burning live in Paris through social media outlets.
Friends and Relationships
In many ways we were living much smaller scale lives. Our ‘friends’ were physical people we knew around us, not profiles we accepted or rejected and most of us met our romantic partners in real life unplanned situations. There was no way to check if people were ‘single’ or ‘in a relationship’ on Facebook, a guy or a girl would simply go up to someone they were interested in and start a conversation. Body Image
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Back then we compared ourselves to the nearest and dearest we chose to have around us, not the entire world. There was less pressure to be ‘picture perfect’ so to speak, and we had only one face, our real one – not an online virtual persona and physical manifestation.
We now get tagged in photos, memes and videos constantly – it’s like your friends are with you wherever you go, always checking in. You can be at the supermarket buying your dinner and yet know exactly where everyone else is through functions like the Snapchat map, which was slightly problematic in its tracking abilities.
Free-spirited Lifestyle
Global Movements and Trolls
This was a beautiful time of love letters and door knocking. Children could really be ‘children’. The third-generation often reminisce their childhood and the days spent outside building dens and being in the open. The youth of today are instead stuck behind a computer screen, making posts on social media to say what game they will be live on and when.
Like most things, the social media revolution has both its upsides and downsides. Connecting everyone across the world on a joint platform is able to unite people from small communities and subcultures, and push global movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo. At the same time, it can be so frustrating to have to deal with everyone’s opinions all the time. Trolls are now commonplace, and in large numbers they can push annoying or upsetting viewpoints that do nothing but alienate people and question their self-confidence.
We lived entirely in the moment and took photos to share with close friends and family, not to achieve ‘likes’ on social media. It was an incredible goldenage when we did things simply because we wanted to, not because sharing things would make others think a certain way about us.
Privacy Crucially, we lived much more private lives back then. A graduate never feared that an employer might bring up a poorly-judged tweet they made 8 years ago, and jokes were kept within small circles of friends. This was the time when nothing ever went viral, and missing dogs were searched for by walking the streets and putting up posters – not by sharing a missing post on Facebook. LIFE AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA While our memories of a life ‘before’ social media seem somewhat nostalgic and idealistic, there are so many positives in the ways our lives have changed since.
Knowing Everything About Everyone Platforms like Facebook have been really amazing in helping us to keep in contact with friends and families across long distances. In a slightly creepy way, we are now able to lurk in the background of people’s lives. We can see photos and videos from a childhood friend’s wedding day, despite not talking to that ‘friend’ for 10 years, and are able to know everything about the details of other people’s lives.
The Cracks Begging to Show The binary between a life ‘before’ and ‘after’ social media is not very clear cut though. In recent years, if you look close enough, you can spot the beginning of a turn away from the social media lifestyle. When Kylie Jenner tweeted that she never uses Snapchat anymore and called it ‘sad’, the company’s shares dropped by 8%. This highlights just how fragile social media platforms are, and how they can be easily dropped for the next new thing. In the music world some artists have also begun to reject the use of phones at their concerts - even Beyoncé has called out audience members before. Some artists have taken it a step further, banning all phones and thus social media at their events by using the new yondr pouch, which guests seal their phones in for the night. At one concert in the UK, grime artist Skepta declared that for one night only, the audience are not their instagram or twitter name. He shouted, ‘you’re yourself, right here, together with everybody, now.’ If we’ve learned anything from the past, it’s that we need to remain firmly in the present. Appreciate our friends (the real ones) and live life without the anxiety of a certain social media image. Doing this can bring together the good parts of both life ‘before’ and ‘after’ social media.
September 2021 • IDENTITY 37
“ LUCKY IN LOVE
“
DOES
?
REALLY EXIST by Rana Ramez
The vast majority of us have their own share of broken hearts, disappointing dates and toxic relationships, which is a natural outcome of our continuous pursuit of love. But there are a few whom we can safely call “Lucky in Love”. They are those fortunate couples that you see and can’t help but think to yourself: “Oh, they are so lucky! I wish I have what they have.” Is it true that some people are just luckier than others when it comes to love, or are there other factors that control the whole affair? Truth is that there is abundance of luck and good fortune for everyone to live their own fairytales and to find the love of their lives. Joining the ‘Lucky in Love” Club, and winning one of the greatest prizes that life has to offer, is what we’re going to unveil to you next. 1. BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS Having a rigid idea of what we want in a partner; the way they look, their personality traits, their behaviour, etc. represents a huge obstacle in the way of being fortunate in love. The main reason behind it is that most of us don’t even know for sure what will really make us happy. Perfect fits don’t mean that you and your partner share the same interests and goals, but rather accept their differences and don’t use them against each other. Stop searching for your duplicated version in the other gender, because guess what? In case you find them, which is nearly impossible, your life will be boring as hell. Your partner being different from you is not a deal breaker, that’s why you need to let go of your preconceptions to not miss out on someone who may turn out to be perfect for you. 2. PARADOX OF OPTIONS “MORE IS LESS” What sabotages many relationships is that people keep thinking about other possibilities; what if there is a better fit for me out there? What if I can be happier with someone else? Psychology speaking, having more options makes us miserable. Though we think that the more options we have, the
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happier we become, the truth is that it imprisons us in a state of permanent dissatisfaction. If you’re in a relationship but are still looking for the best, you’re never going to put in the time and effort necessary to make what you have the best. Choose to invest in your relationship’s growth and it may turn out to be what you’ve always dreamed about. Acknowledge that all choices are trade-offs and stop thinking about the “what ifs”; they will blow your chances of a happily ever after. 3. DIG OUT THE FEELINGS OF LUCKINESS Positive and active efforts of partners to recognize and express the fact of being lucky to have each other will actually upgrade their relationship and make it more satisfying. This can be described in two words: appreciation and gratitude. It is the magical foundation of every happy satisfying relationship. By showing your partner appreciation, you push them subconsciously to have positive relationship behaviours, and by expressing gratitude, you’re increasing their connection and sense of responsibility. Bring out your gratitude by noticing the supportive positive behaviours of your partner and the efforts they do to make you happy. As a result, you’ll start to value them and treasure what you have with them. Make sure to show them your appreciation in return and do something nice, which will encourage them to do similar desirable behaviours in the future. 4. LOVE IS HARD WORK One thing we always tend to ignore or overlook about relationships is that they require such hard work to be successful. “Luck in Love” is not made the day you meet your significant other, it’s rather created day by day for the whole lifetime of a relationship. Do you actually think that lucky people rely on fate to keep them connected to their soulmates? Are you really convinced that it’s a matter of people born lucky and others doomed to failure? If yes, then you will
perceive every bump on your road as an indication that this relationship wasn’t meant to be. As long as you’re maintaining this mindset, you’ll never get to experience the love luck. Being lucky in love depends on how much you and your partner are willing to compromise for each other and how much you two are ready to work on your issues and conflicts. It means knowing and accepting that it won’t always be rainbows and butterflies. Real love and deep connections never happen overnight; it is two people who found each other and chose not to give up on each other, thus turning what they have into something desired by everyone. 5. CONTROL THE LEVEL OF YOUR EXPECTATIONS “Expectation is the root of all heartache” – William Shakespeare.
flaws and imperfections will pay off big time in how lucky you can get in love. So instead of perceiving the partner as a saviour, you have to accept their imperfections and start working as a team who sets goals together and work hand in hand to achieve them.
Finally, as cliché as it sounds, you need to love yourself first, because how you see yourself is directly reflected on how others will see you. Forget about the nonsense of how lovers complete each other. In fact, you are a whole on your own. Love and respect yourself and before you know it you’ll find someone who will do it the same way you desire it. Each and every one can be lucky in love and now you know it. So go out there and start creating your own luck.
It’s a human thing to expect good things from the ones we love; it’s a reflection of how greatly we think of them. The problem appears when the expectations are unrealistic, idealistic and way too high. Some forget that their partners are also humans, and start to think of them as superheroes who will provide for every emotional need, be the answer to every problem and save them from misery. Having this kind of expectations can and will lead to pain, bitterness and disappointment. This is not translated into settling for less though; it only means that having realistic expectations and clear visions about your partner’s human September 2021 • IDENTITY 39
LUCKIEST
LANDMARKS ON EARTH by Rana Ramez Is this your travel day? Then it’s no doubt your lucky day. Any day of travelling is considered a pretty lucky one, for all the adventures you’re about to take, the new places you’re about to visit and the fresh experiences you’re about to live. For maximizing your benefits and packing an extra dose of prosperity from your upcoming trip, know that some locations may be luckier than others. Identity has compiled a list of the world’s most fortuitous places on earth. Legend has it that these landmarks might just turn your luck around and guarantee you a lifetime of good fortune. SCHÖNER BRUNNEN FOUNTAIN IN NUREMBERG, GERMANY Situated in Nuremberg’s central market square in the historic center of the city, the 14th century Schöner Brunnen Fountain with the shape of an elegant gothic sire is a destination for luck seekers. The reputation of the fountain came from the existence of two rings embedded in the grate around the fountain and it’s believed they bring good luck to those who spin them.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S TOMB IN ILLINOIS, USA In Springfield, many statues can be found at the 16th American president’s tomb in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Visitors who search for good luck give an extra attention to the large bronze bust in front of the tomb siting on a granite pedestal that is based on a sculpture by Gutzon Borglum of Mount Rushmore fame. By rubbing Lincoln’s nose for luck, thousands of hands keep the statue’s nose shiny.
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HOOVER DAM IN CALIFORNIA, USA The iconic Hoover Dam on the Nevada side holds a good luck status famous under the name of the Winged Figures of the Republic. It consists of two huge 30 feet high seated winged statues overlooking the canyon. Requesters of good luck touch the toes of the statues – the only part within the reach of visitors – in hopes of catching the good fortune.
IL PORCELLINO IN FLORENCE, ITALY Il Porcellino (piglet) statue situated at the south of the Mercato Nuovo is one of the main attractions known for their good luck charms. Putting a coin in the mouth of the boar’s bronze statue and rubbing his snout is known to ensure a return to Florence alongside with good luck.
EVERARD T’SERCLAES STATUE IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Leading the efforts and succeeding to reclaim Brussels after the Flemish attack in 1356, Everard t’Serclaes – a Brussels resident – has a monument with his likeness on the street near the Grand Place. For good luck, fertility and wishes to come back to Brussels, tourists touch and rub the statue with Serclaes’ body, an angel’s face, a dog’s face, and a shield. September 2021 • IDENTITY 41
BLARNEY CASTLE IN IRELAND If you have an argument to win, go kiss the Blarney Stone. Blarney Castle is the home to the splendid rock set “Blarney Stone” found in the castle’s battlements. Kissing the Blarney Stone should guarantee the kisser good fortune and eloquence in whatever issues related to persuasion. Some said that it’s lined to the Stone of Scone used for centuries in the coronations of English and Scottish monarchs.
FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA IN JAPAN This one is especially for the business-oriented people searching for some business luck. The 8th century Kyoto shrine was initially dedicated to the god of rice and sake, but has been known as the go-to location for entrepreneurs. For a remarkable success in business, it’s said that you have to make your way to the subshrines at the top of the summit. THE WEEPING COLUMN IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY For health boost searchers, Istanbul is your destination. Located inside Hagia Sophia – used to be a Greek Orthodox basilica, an imperial mosque and now is a museum – people seek good health by visiting the weeping column. Also known as Column of St. George, it’s said that the column weeps holy water capable of granting miracles and curing afflictions, by inserting your thumbs in a hole in the column.
THE GRAVE OF VICTOR NOIR IN PARIS, FRANCE Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris is the final resting place of many famous people such as Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison and Edith Piaf. But for visitors, and especially women, Victor Noir’s grave – a French journalist – is the main attraction. It’s said that kissing the statue of Noir that is marking his grave and placing a flower in his upturned hat boosts fertility, and in other versions ensures finding a husband in a year.
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STATUE OF ST. JOHN OF NEPOMUK IN PRAGUE St. John of Nepomuk is the saint of Bohemia, who was drowned in the Vltava River. His statue is one of 30 to line the Charles Bridge of Prague and it is said that the statue stands in the exact same spot where he has been thrown into the river and killed in 1383. It’s a common belief that touching the statue ensures good luck and a safe return to Prague.
THE TREVI FOUNTAIN IN ROME, ITALY The tradition of wishing on a coin and throwing it with your right hand backward over your left shoulder into the fountain is relatively new. Though the fountain actually dates back to the 1700s, this tradition of good fortune is traced back to the 1954 Academy Award winning movie “Three Coins in the Fountain”. Every night, the workers sweep the fountain to keep the thrown coins from building up.
LINGYIN TEMPLE IN HANGZHOU, CHINA It’s believed that rubbing the belly of a laughing Buddha brings wealth, prosperity and good fortune. The source of this tradition comes from one of China’s largest monasteries, the Lingyin Temple located in the southeast of the country. From the “Peak That Flew Hither” set of rock carvings outside of the temple entrance, the Buddha figure is recognized as the origin of this superstition.
At last, now you can plan a trip to a lucky destination that will make you as fortunate as ever. Nothing is promised though; to be granted every wish you have is hard, but at the very least, you’ll get the chance not only to visit mesmerizing places but also to try out quirky rituals traced back to thousands of years. September 2021 • IDENTITY 43
identity HEALTH
IT’S TIME TO UPDATE YOUR FALL WORKOUT ROUTINE, Here’s how by Nada Abdelkader There are a lot of misconceptions that we’ve grown to accept about working out and fitness out there. See, one of those misconceptions is the idea that people can only set their minds to “serious about working out” only in January when they set their New Year’s Resolutions. Naturally, this is basically false. Not only can you be serious about getting fit whenever you want; it’s actually been proven that the season to get fit is fall, because fall workouts set the tone for the workouts you’ll be holding on to come the holidays. 44 IDENTITY • September 2021
TAKE IT OUTSIDE Although working out outdoors seems like an ideal summer image, it’s actually much more feasible in the fall. Once the weather has cooled down a bit, you can put on your best tracksuit and head on out. Working out outside can also be rather versatile. Since September weather is ideal biking weather, you can break out your bike and look for nearby biking lanes. If you’re not a biking person, you can jog or run and enjoy that oft-mentioned runner’s high everyone keeps talking about. Try running in a park and add lunges or jumping jacks or both to your run. You can also try using park benches for quasi-push-ups too. HIT UP THE GYM AGAIN
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EACH NEW DAY IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE YOURSELF. TAKE IT. AND MAKE THE MOST OF IT.
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Don’t wrack your brains about all your old workouts, though. See, they desperately need a few little updates before you go through with implementing them again. And this is our cue to show you these updates!
you build up your ideal workout by incorporating your current diet, how much time you’ll have to exercise on specific days, and your goals over the long run.
Throughout our self-quarantining periods, we’ve all learned how to adapt to working out from home rather than at the gym. Now that everything’s up and running again, though, you can take your cautionary measures with you and work out at the gym again.
GET A FRIEND TO TAG ALONG
Working out at the gym will give your workout system a new setting and a lot of refreshment. Especially, if your gym offers a wide range of activities, like swimming or aerobics, you can implement in your new workout.
This is where your workout buddy can come in. When you work out with someone else, you’ll have someone to keep you accountable to your plans.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR OWN WORKOUT PLAN TO A TEE When we’re working out on our own, we only have a vague idea of what we’re doing or what we’re supposed to be doing. Whether this works for you or not, though, customizing a workout plan won’t be too bad for your fitness. You can do this through multiple ways. You can contact a personal trainer at your gym or an online coach consulting website, of which there are dozens, or you can download a specialized app. Though methods differ, all three of these will help
The reason our working out and keeping fit plans fail sometimes is that we have no incentive to keep carrying on. And if we do have the incentive, then sometimes we don’t have the motivation.
Also, working out never seems like a chore if you’re also spending time with a friend. In fact, it can even be quite fun since your workout buddy can have new fun ideas to pepper into the fitness plan. SIGN UP FOR CLASSES Working out can get boring fast. If you keep on your exact routine, no matter how changed or updated it is, it’s bound to eventually become tiring. This is where new classes come in. Everyone has always had a fitness class—whether it’s kick-boxing, pilates, or rowing—they wanted to try before and now is the exact time they should try it. Not only are you already interested, you’ll be helping yourself in the long run too because change-ups like these boost up your fitness plans. September 2021 • IDENTITY 45
identity GOURMET
Autumn:
CHARMING OR ALARMING? by Soha Darwish Blogger, Food Writer & Menu Consultant, Member of UK Guild of Food Writers Diploma in Food Journalism - London, UK It’s difficult to rave about autumn’s colours and beauty while many of us have mixed feelings about this peculiar season, the official end of summer and return to school/work season - nothing to celebrate or be thrilled about in this perspective. This reality somehow overshadows the beauty that lies within the picturesque colour scheme that leaves us in awe every year. Ranging from fiery orange, mustardy yellow to woody brown. It’s like you’re at a crossroads, either you focus on the sad fact that these lovely plants’ life has come to an end, or think of how their life ended gracefully marking the beginning of re-growth for new vibrant shoots and leaves. It is all in the mind-set, the most powerful element in our life. Choose life over death, challenge over fear; inner peace over anxiety. Celebrate autumn with its glory and powerful message - nothing stays forever, enjoy the moment and seek beauty. So, what is autumn food and its key ingredients? Typically, it includes root vegetables in general, whole grains, legumes in addition to artichokes, pumpkin, and squashes. I will try here to use as many of these ingredients as I can, turning them to wholesome delicious dishes with autumn classic colours - that will boost our comfort levels and love us back!
Artichoke, Peas & Mushroom Orzo Salad
A 100% original salad packed with autumn ingredients, it has everything exciting about a good salad: freshness, zingy-ness and an incredible load of nutrients. Just thinking about it makes my taste buds sing -I will proudly add it to my beloved salad collection. SHOPPING BASKET: 1 ½ cup orzo pasta, cooked – 4 artichokes – 1 cup frozen peas – 5 mushrooms, sliced – rocket leavespine nuts - 2 handfuls fresh dill, chopped. DRESSING: ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil – Juice of 1 lemon – ½ tsp Dijon mustard – ½ garlic clove, minced - salt & pepper.
SERVES 4
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STEPS: 1. Cut the artichokes into thin wedges, then boil for few minutes until cooked. Strain and rub with lemon and set aside. 2. In a bowl of boiling water, add the frozen peas for 3 mins until soft, then strain and set aside. 3. Boil the orzo pasta in salted water as per pack instructions, then strain and set aside. 4. Sauté the mushroom slices in a bit of olive oil or grill them then slice. 5. In a large salad bowl, mix all ingredients together then drizzle the dressing. Enjoy with grilled meat or fish – Tuck in!
A fiery and delicious super bowl packed with autumn’s goodness. I chose to have it here with quinoa, but you can serve it with rice or noodles. Also, you can go for a vegan version, or have it with chicken or beef.
Red Thai Prawns Curry with Squash & Kale
SHOPPING BASKET: 3 tbsp Red Thai Curry paste - 2 tbsp veg. oil - 1 can coconut milk - 500g prawns - 200g mushrooms - 1 large courgette - a medium wedge of butternut squash - 3 handfuls of kale - 1 small onion, chopped – 1 handful coriander - 1 chunk of fresh ginger - 1 tsp garlic, minced - Soya sauce - salt & pepper. STEPS: 1. Peel the prawns and devein, keep the heads and shells aside. 2. Using a vegetable peeler, turn the courgette and squash into flat noodles (zoodles). 3. Cut mushrooms into quarters. 4. In a deep casserole, heat the oil and add the curry paste, stir for 30 secs then add chopped onions & garlic. 5. Sauté onions until translucent, then add the prawns’ heads and shells. Cover with water and simmer for 10 mins. 6. Remove shells and heads, then stir in coconut milk and simmer for 2 mins. 7. Add in the mushrooms, kale, and thin ginger sticks.
Easy Pumpkin Cheesecake
SERVES 8 I just couldn’t pass on the king of autumn ingredients - Pumpkin. I shared a lot of pumpkin recipes before in soups and salads. This time I wanted to see it in a refreshing yet soothing dessert. Weather can still be warm around this time of the year, and a Nigella Lawson inspired pumpkin cheesecake is just perfect and thrilling!
SERVES 2 Simmer for another 5 mins. Add 2 dashes of Soya sauce. 8. Lower the heat and stir in the peeled prawns. 9. When prawns turn pink, stir in the vegetable zoodles and a handful of fresh coriander leaves. Turn off the heat. Serve with cooked quinoa. SHOPPING BASKET: ½ pack of Digestive biscuit – ½ cup melted butter – ½ tsp cinnamon – 500g pumpkin puree (readymade or roasted in the oven then pureed) – 2 large packs (300g) cream cheese – 1 cup sugar – 4 eggs – 1 cup heavy cream, whipped – juice of ½ a lemon. STEPS: 1. Start with the base, blitz the Digestive biscuits together with the cinnamon in the food processor until sandy texture. Mix with melted butter, then spread evenly into the bottom of a springform tin pan. Leave in the fridge until you make the filling. 2. In a blender, mix the rest of the ingredients altogether until smooth consistency. 3. Wrap the outside of baking dish with cling film several times, then with strong foil as a last layer to seal the edges and bottom. 4. Pour the filling in the springform tin over the chilled biscuit base, then place in a deep roasting pan filled halfway with water – creating a ‘Bain Marie’. 5. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 for almost 2 hours maybe less until filling is set with only a small wobble. Take the springform out of the ‘Bain Marie’, remove the foil and leave to cool down before leaving it in the fridge overnight. 6. Serve the next day, you can decorate with cream florets or nothing at all - the colour is just glorious on its own! September 2021 • IDENTITY 47
identity HOME DECOR
Give Your Home A Fall
Makeover By Aya Aboshady
One of the most fun things about the fall season is the fact that it’s the perfect chance to give our homes a warm and spooky makeover! From burnt orange items to cinnamon candles and decorative pumpkins come Halloween, we made you a list of all the things you could get your hands on and decorate your house with for the season!
“Welcome” Doormat from At Home This autumn “Welcome” doormat looks absolutely gorgeous; we’re sure your guests are going to love it as they catch a glimpse of it while entering your house anytime during the season!
Burnt Orange Plaid Napkins from At Home Whoever said your kitchen should be neglected when it comes to festive decorations? At Home also has a great collection of burnt orange plaid napkins that will immediately turn your kitchen from ordinary to a joy to the eyes!
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Maple Leaves Vase from Etsy No matter what time of year it is, every house needs some sort of flower and leaf arrangement for a touch of beauty and fanciness, and these maple leaves from Etsy aren’t just that but also fit the season quite well!
Fall Cushions from Etsy We know what your home furniture needs! Definitely some fall cushions in order to spice up your space with some autumn vibes. Don’t you think?
Cinnamon Spiced Vanilla Candle from Bath and Body Works Want your house to smell like autumn spice and everything nice? Getting yourself a cinnamon-scented candle from Bath and Body Works should be a priority for this season’s home decor!
Swing Chair from Moodway To add a little edge to your place, this swing chair from Moodway will look so pretty with the rest of the seasonal decorations and also serve as a reading nook or a nice corner where you can enjoy both your books and morning coffee!
Pumpkin Lamp from Etsy What’s fall without any form of pumpkin decorations scattered here or there? This cute little pumpkin lamp also from Etsy will light up your room as well as give it a nice spooky vibe come Halloween!
Witchy Tapestry from Society 6 If you’re into tapestries and decorating your home walls with gorgeous pieces, then this “Haunted Attic” tapestry is the right pick for you, especially for the month of September!
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identity TRAVEL
TRAVEL GUIDE
England by Joanna Neve
BEST TIME TO VISIT Talking about the weather (or how bad it is) is a very British custom. All year round prepare for rain and make sure to carry an umbrella – it rains a massive 156 days a year! In winter months (November-January), it can get very cold ranging from 0-9°C particularly in mountainous and coastal areas, so pack lots of layers and be prepared for the small chance of snow. In summer months (June-August), temperatures are higher and tend to range between 1525°C, with cooler evenings. TRANSPORTATION • Public transport in the UK is very good. Rail networks and bus services run efficiently across the whole country, with buses linking most rural areas. Tickets can be easily booked via the National Rail website. • The capital London has world-famous tube networks. Alternatively take a London black- cab (taxi), bus or uber. • Rural islands are easily accessible by ferry networks dependent on the weather.
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TOP LONDON ATTRACTIONS AND SIGHTS London is one of the most famous cities on Earth, known for its red buses, post boxes and black-cabs. If cities are your thing, then here’s the top things to do and see during your stay: 1. Walk along the iconic Westminster Bridge to hear Big Ben chime alongside the houses of Parliament and cross over to take a spin on the London Eye, a giant wheel with panoramic views of the city. In the same location you can enter the London Dungeons, but be prepared for a scary tour through London’s not so pleasant history. Then take a tour-boat along the Thames or speed through by speed-boat. 2. Take part in the Harry Potter Studio Tour to see the creation of one of our favourite novel and film series. 3. Spend a day at the Tower of London and take a peek at the stunning Crown Jewels. 4. Go to Madame Tussauds waxwork museum to see some of our favourite celebrities in life-size waxwork. 5. Head to the Tate Modern art gallery to experience the best of the UK’s contemporary art-scene. 6. Go shopping on Oxford street and Bond street, with stores ranging from high-street brands to high- end designers like a multi-story Tiffany jeweller on Bond street. 7. Watch the queen’s changing of the guard parade outside Buckingham Palace and take a walk through st. James’s Park, the royal gardens with an array of urban wildlife.
8. Spend a night-out in the bohemian style Covent Garden area of London teeming with cocktail bars, luxury markets and street music. 9. Have a romantic stroll or family day out at the famous London Zoo. OUTSIDE OF LONDON As you travel through British villages, towns and cities listen out for the changing sounds of the English language – within just a few miles the dialects can change! For Countryside and Nature Lovers • The Lake District National Park is a must visit for stunning landscapes. Teeming with lakes, waterfalls and mountain roads; it’s probably England’s most picturesque location! • Head to the Cotswolds to experience the tranquillity of rural British country life; a location of stunning views, little museums and country pubs. For Heritage and History Admirers • Spend a day in Cambridge, the location of one of the world’s oldest and most renowned universities. This city is home to a beautiful Cathedral, riverside restaurants, Europe’s first eco-friendly mosque and the river Cam, which you can punt down by boat! • The city of Bath is home to historic Roman baths (hence the name) and is a fabulous location for some pampering and a spa day. It’s a historic spot which is often missed off by tourists and is definitely worth a visit. BRITISH CUISINE • Make sure to book in for a traditional Afternoon Tea during your holiday. Cakes, scones and sandwiches will come stacked on a large stand alongside bottomless tea and coffee. • A Full English Breakfast is an absolute must try on your travels. The dish usually comes with scrambled eggs, fried eggs, baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, and a fried slice of bread, black pudding, sausages, bacon, hash browns and toast! • Try a traditional sunday Roast at the weekend which includes meat, vegetables, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and gravy – you can’t visit without trying it! • Other British dishes to try include fish and chips which is often freshly caught and eaten on a Friday. Halal meat is easy to find in British cities, with some restaurants only serving halal. In rural areas it is very hard to find, but England is known for having lots of amazing vegetarian dishes and alternatives everywhere you go! September 2021 • IDENTITY 51
identity OUT&ABOUT
Trendy
THAI FASHION 2021 ABOUT QURATED QURATED by Dept. of International Trade Promotion, presents the latest fashion collections from the incubation program. The 61 new collections from Thai fashion designers/entrepreneurs including: womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, leather goods and accessories, aim at presenting more than 600 new merchandises for Spring/Summer 2021 to the domestic and international buyers. The Qurated Fashion Incubation Project provides a creative framework and intense workshop series such as; fashion brand building, market positioning, collection development, commercial presentation and digital marketing. The design direction based on the Qurated trend forecast for Spring/Summer collection 2021 sub-visions into 4 major trends: New Local, Soul Made, Urban Symphony, and Disruptive Identity. Each trend derived from lifestyle and consumer movements to forecast future market segments.
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QURATED FASHION (WWW.QURATEDFASHION.COM) If you are looking for unique fashion design collections from up & coming Thai designers, Qurated Fashion would be your best choice in one place. You are invited to connect with the online fashion sourcing platform ‘Qurated Fashion’: www.quratedfashion.com. We have round up 61 talented Thai designers, highlighting Street Wear, Resort Wear, Modern Crafted Lounge Wear with creativity, craftsmanship, sustainability and high-quality. Qurated Fashion is the only online platform of the segment that brings together fashion exhibitors of clothing, bags and accessories; it is an unprecedented concept in Thailand. As a result, it has consolidated itself as an important business salon and a reference for the Thai fashion industry. For more information please contact Office of Lifestyle Product Trade Promotion, Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce. Email: fashion.ditp@gmail.com Tel. +66 (0) 2 507 8322, 8371, 8385, 8390, Fax.+ 66 (0) 2 547 4283 or Office of Commercial Affairs, Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo Tel. (202) 37620419, Email : ditpcairo@gmail.com
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COVENTRY UNIVERSITY’S BRANCH AT TKH IN EGYPT HAS A UNIQUE SET OF PROGRAMMES THAT THE EGYPTIAN MARKET NEEDS!
The Knowledge Hub Universities hosting Coventry University branch in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital continues its success starting its third academic year. Joining Coventry University’s branch in Egypt will guarantee you the same level of education as well as the same degree you would get in the UK. Coventry University is ranked 26 in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2020). It also has a 5QS Stars overall rating according to the QS Stars University Ratings 2019. Moreover, it is shortlisted for University of the Year (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021) The Knowledge Hub Universities and Coventry University both believe in the importance of offering programmes that are new and needed in the Egyptian market. This goes hand in hand with Egypt’s Vision 2030 to elevate education in Egypt. Therefore, Coventry University Branch in Egypt offers undergraduate degrees in areas that are new to the Egyptian higher education scene such as “Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity” and “Digital Media” as well as other programmes in Engineering, Computing, Business, Design & Media, and Psychology. Delivering quality education focusing on practical hands-on learning (Activity Led Learning Approach) which is the same learning approach used at Coventry University UK.
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Students enrolled in Coventry’s branch in Egypt enjoy the same services and privileges offered in the UK such as access to Coventry’s E-library and other learning resources. Student also have the chance to transfer to the UK campus and continue their studies there after finishing foundation year, students can also finish their studies in Egypt and attend their graduation ceremony at the UK. Coventry University’s admissions is open, accepting applications from Egyptian high-school students as well as foreign certificates such as the American Diploma, IGCSE, German Diploma, French Diploma and Canadian Diploma. Admissions criteria in Egypt’s branch are the same as those of the Coventry UK’s . September 2021 intake will start soon, as first day of classes will be on September 26th and the orientation of new students will take place one week earlier. To learn more about The Knowledge Hub Universities and Coventry University branch in Egypt we encourage you to visit tkh.edu.eg or call 19940. You can also visit their campus Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and enjoy a campus tour at their state-of-the-art campus.
LEFTIES OPENS FIRST STORE IN EGYPT AFFORDABLE FASHION BRAND LEFTIES LAUNCHES IN CAIRO Inditex Group’s affordable fashion brand for all ages, Lefties makes its debut in Egypt with their first store in Mall of Arabia on the 13th of July followed by Citystars on the 16th of July. The space spans over 1,400 square meters (at Mall of Arabia) and (1,200 square meters (at Citystars) and showcases their signature range of Men’s, Women’s, Kids and enfant wear, as well as Denim and Sportswear lines. The new retail space adopts a very open concept, where Lefties enhances the inner space and the visual displays within. A clean, refined design seeking elegance, warmth, and a timeless lasting store concept.
SONESTA HOTEL CAIRO’S OUTSTANDING ANNUAL PARTY Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino - Cairo had held it’s mesmerizing annual party all around the pool in a cheerful ambiance with the attendance of its top corporate accounts, travel agents, elite media and public figures, who were all warmly greeted and welcomed by Sonesta Cairo’s General Manager Mrs. Caroline Selim. It was such an unforgettable night where everyone of the attendees had enjoyed the joyful live entertainment and our chef’s mouthwatering dishes.
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Continuing its efforts in the school feeding program For the Past Two Years And in line with President El Sisi’s School Feeding Program Bel Foundation Announces Egyptian Food Bank and Caritas as The Winners of its global yearly call Bel Foundation, Bel Group’s philanthropic arm - the owner of La Vache Qui Rit, Kiri, Abu El Walad, and Babybel announces Egyptian Food Bank and Caritas as the winners of its global yearly call. The Call for Projects was announced globally in 2021, where several Egyptian NGOs applied, to bring concrete and durable solutions for better nutrition for children.
Hyundai shares key car maintenance tips to help cope with summer heat in the region With summer reaching its peak, Hyundai Motor Company has advised car owners across the region of the importance of taking care of their vehicles to avoid critical issues. The high temperatures across the region mean drivers will have to be extra cautious by spending sufficient time checking their vehicles and be well prepared for all of their journeys during the summer.
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Over the last 135 years, Avon has been a leader in cosmetics, skin and hair care products. As a trend initiator, they have introduced the 1st livestream shopping experience in Egypt last June, where the audience could purchase their preferred bundles with very special prices during the live itself, to become a leader in the digital cosmetics marketing as well. The sales exceeded all the expectations with a marvelous turnout that became a great example being applied this month in Avon UK, Avon Greece & Avon Germany.
Coca-Cola Sponsors Al Alamein Second Summer Festival 2021 with the Participation of Stars and Famous Music Bands Coca-Cola announced sponsoring Al Alamein 2nd Summer Festival, which was launched on 21ST of July and runs until 3rd of September 2021. Event sponsorship comes in line with Coca-Cola’s commitment to support music concerts attracting audience from all age groups, especially youth. This year’s Summer Festival takes place in the new Alamein city for six weeks and hosts a variety of stars and famous music bands such as Tamer Hosny, Omar Khairat, Wael Gassar, Wegz, Ruby, Mahmoud El Essily, Cairokee band and many more.
Capiter eyes $1 bln in revenue by 2023 Capiter, a B2B marketplace that brings together FMCGs, wholesalers, and merchants on one platform, announced its plans to achieve total revenues of USD 1 billion by 2023. This comes as part of the company’s ambitious strategy to increase its business tenfold capitalizing on the remarkable results the company achieved in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Danone and FAO collaborate to improve nutrition and agriculture practices in Egypt Danone signed a partnership with The UN-Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) aiming at improving nutrition, agriculture practices and food safety across Egypt for more sustainable food systems. The collaboration involved exchanging the most recent information on developing food safety problems as well as sharing data on food consumption and nutritional intakes in order to enhance awareness and encourage the adoption of better eating habits in Egypt as a pilot nation.
Juhayna donates to El Wahat El Bahareya Central Hospital in line with its strategy to support the healthcare system in Egypt Juhayna has been long committed to strengthening the healthcare system in Egypt. Stemming from its belief in the necessity of playing an active role in developing the communities in which it operates; it has begun supporting El Wahat El Bahareya Central Hospital to provide healthcare services to the communities surrounding Juhayna’s farms (Al Enmaa).
dstore Wins Best Luxury Fashion Department Store in Egypt at Luxury Lifestyle Awards Creating a pleasant and satisfying shopping experience for premium fashion items has long been the hallmark of the famous luxury retail store dstore. Its huge selection of brands, world-class services, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction have resulted in dstore being named winner of Luxury Lifestyle Awards in the category of Best Luxury Fashion Department Store in Egypt.
Emirates NBD – Egypt to finance for the Construction of the Largest Agricultural Drainage Treatment Plant in El-Hammam, the North Coast. Emirates NBDEgypt has announced it will be providing EGP 2 billion to an alliance of 4 construction companies for the construction of the largest Agricultural Drainage Treatment Plant in the Egyptian North Coast. The bank’s mission is to support developmental projects in Egypt. The new plant will supply treated water to irrigate reclaimed lands in the West Delta Region with a capacity of 6 million cubic meters per day. The alliance consists of Arab Contractors, Orascom Construction, Hassan Allam Construction and Metito Water Treatment Group.
Fawry Participates In ‘Pre-Series C’ Fundraise In Elmenus Fawry (the “Company”, FWRY. CA on the Egyptian Exchange), Egypt’s leading e-payments solutions provider, announced today that it has acquired a minority stake in elmenus, one of Egypt’s foremost food delivery platforms. This investment comes as part of Fawry’s efforts to establish strategic partnerships with high- potential tech companies, with an eye to generating profitable synergies and furthering the Company’s objective of developing Egypt’s growing digital ecosystem.
Energize your life with GROHE shower systems Awareness of one’s own health and wellbeing has never been higher. Currently, everyone is spending more time at home and it is becoming increasingly important to establish small but crucial self-care routines in order to recover from a long working day and recharge one’s batteries. The bathroom is often the best place to experience this rare ‘me-time’. Here, everything revolves around showering, the central element of daily routines and an ultimate source of energy: Taking a shower vitalizes in the morning, refreshes after an exhausting workout or physical work during the day, and relaxes in the evening. GROHE’s shower system portfolio offers a variety of products that meet individual needs and provides the right product for everyone. Perfectly matching head and hand showers combined with a thermostat meet any shower desire. At the same time, specific features and innovative technologies like GROHE EcoJoy enable a more sustainable lifestyle. Enjoy your shower with a clear conscience towards the environment.
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Jaz Hotel Group launches Jazy Kids Club – An exclusive program for children to enhance the family holiday. Jaz Hotel Group rolled out an exclusive program that focuses on enjoyment and learning for children during their stay at any of the Jaz Hotels under the name of Jazy Kids Club with a especially curated program for children up to 12 years of age. This program looks to enhance the family holiday experience by providing activities and engagement opportunities for the young travelers. Jazy Kids Club is founded on the pillars of upscale hospitality, inclusive holidays and meaningful and experiential stays. The program aims to engage young guests in a safe environment and ensure that they are not dependent on their families.
Kia appoints National Marketing Company (NMC) as a second distributor in Saudi Arabia Kia has newly appointed the National Marketing Company (NMC) as its second distributor in Saudi Arabia, with the official inauguration taking place on the first of July. NMC joins Kia’s regional distributors to represent the Korean auto-manufacturer and will lead on sales in 7 out of the Kingdom’s 13 provinces.
Hyundai Motor Company today announced that it won 16 design awards, including two ‘Best of Best’ and 14 ‘Winner’ honors, at the Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design 2021, hosted by Germany’s Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen.
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Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, announced the launch of the first shaded Padel arena in Egypt at Majid Al Futtaim’s flagship property – Mall of Egypt – with the aim of introducing a space and activity that maintains the health and wellness of its customers. In partnership with Go Padel Egypt, Mall of Egypt opens the newly inaugurated courts to its customers at the mall’s plaza parking.
Emaar Misr inaugurates the first international marina on the North Coast “Marassi Marina and Yacht Club” The port is the first international marina along the North Coast.
Hyundai Motor Wins 16 Red Dot Awards: Brand & Communications Design 2021
Majid Al Futtaim announces the launch of the first shaded Padel courts in the country at Mall of Egypt in partnership with Go Padel
Company Founder Mohamed El Abbar: “We are proud of this international edifice that will transform the North Coast and put it on the global yacht tourism map.” Emaar Misr has inaugurated the first international marina on the North Coast “Marassi Marina and Yacht Club” inside Marassi. The port is the most significant touristic marina on the southern border of the Mediterranean Sea, covering 1.16 million square meters.
Maserati Grecale: countdown begin
let
the
The name of the new model has been hoisted on the Maserati Multi 70 trimaran mainsail Modena, Maserati Grecale sets sail on the Maserati Multi 70: the new SUV’s name has been revealed and the countdown for its debut on the world stage has begun. This November the spotlights will turn on as the new car is unveiled.
Fine Solutions Educates Fine Dine Program Members with the Latest Hygiene & Wellness Standards Fine Solutions, the away-fromhome division of Fine Hygienic Holding, a world-leading wellness group and manufacturer of hygienic paper products and germ protection solutions, conducted a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) advanced level training for the current and potential Fine Dine program members. As one of the key players in the B2B hygiene scene in Egypt, Fine Solutions implemented this comprehensive training in collaboration with the Egyptian Chefs Association (ECA), promoting food safety and sanitation in Egypt’s dining establishments.
FHH & Misr El Kheir Foundation Join Forces to Empower Female Breadwinners in Beni Suef Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the world’s leading wellness groups and manufacturer of hygienic paper products, recently signed a cooperative agreement with Egypt’s renowned NGO, Misr El Kheir Foundation, to fund and support the foundation’s income-generating and hygiene awareness programs in the Beni Suef governorate.
Arab Celebrities Outshine with New Collections and Designs from Styli Styli launches its new couture collections including “Galentine” and “Marple” where it features the latest wear designs for the modern woman. These collections have attracted the attention of many Arab Influencers who adorn and appear with these designs on their social media channels. Styli, the ultimate trendy fashion app that has been launched in 2019, has become in a short period of time, a preferred destination and a fashion partner for most of the influencers across the region as well as individuals for their different outfits in 2021
Egypt’s Ministry of Manpower, WFP and Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa mark new prospects for youth employment with completion of a first-of-its-kind hospitality training programme LUXOR – Within the framework of the national youth development initiative ‘Your skill is the foundation of your profession’, Egypt’s Ministry of Manpower, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa concluded the first joint vocational training programme on hospitality.
HONOR started a new journey to be a premium technology brand HONOR begins its thrilling new journey with the goal of becoming a premium technology brand with a host of exciting new products that enable users to be more productive, enjoy immersive entertainment and more with innovative new technologies like Apple and Samsung. The new HONOR has developed a range of advanced products as it seeks to become a top three global smart device brand. It has created a new intelligent world for everyone with its 1+8+N concept of a shared ecosystem of devices and services with the smartphone at its center. To celebrate its new vision and journey.
Namaste Indian Restaurant at Ramses Hilton Celebrating the Indian Independence Day On the occasion of the Indian Independence Day on Sunday August 15th, a special celebration will be held at “Namaste” Indian Signature Restaurant at Ramses Hilton. Our Indian chefs will create a special authentic set menu dinner and also a delicious vegetarian menu will be available. September 2021 • IDENTITY 59
Pfizer presents latest advances and breakthroughs in cancer care during its 14th Africa and Middle East Oncology Summit On the back of the successful completion of its 14th Africa and Middle East (AfME) Oncology Summit, Pfizer announced the latest advances and breakthroughs in cancer care to improve patient lives. The annual three-day education and interactive forum gathered around 100 professionals, including medical oncologists, regional speakers, and international speakers from USA, Spain, Italy, and France. The meeting focused on treatment advances offered in breast cancer, genitourinary cancer, and non-small-cell lung cancer management.
Sir Geoffrey Adams steps down as Britain’s Ambassador to Egypt The British Egyptian Business Association held an event to bid farewell to Sir Geoffrey Adams, British Ambassador to Egypt. It was attended by HE Dr. Mohamed Maait, Minister of Finance, HE Eng. Yehia Zaki, Chairman, Suez Canal Economic Zone, Dr. Ahmed Kamaly, Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, and Ambassador Hazem Khairat.
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Raya CX launches FutureTECH accelerator powered by Openner to scale tech startups in the customer experience domain with investment of up to EGP 1M per startup Raya Customer Experience (RCX), one of Raya Holding’s companies, has announced launching its first Corporate Accelerator “Raya FutureTECH”, powered by the venture builder, Openner. Raya FutureTECH will power earlystage tech startups that have a minimum viable product or a solution that addresses a problem in the customer experience field across all industries.
SOMABAY Witnesses International School Inauguration Thriving with Educational Services Across Red Sea Governorate Egypt Education Platform, the leading education services provider in Egypt and Somabay announced signing a Memorandum of Understanding to develop and operate the first international school in Somabay under GEMS International Schools stream-EEP. The cooperation aims at providing quality educational services for the local community and the cities in the Red Sea governorate.
ZED Club Launches Its New Women’s Football Academy ZED FC Club, one of Egypt’s top private clubs, announced today the inauguration of ZED’s Women Football Academy, in partnership with “Empower Women Football Academy”. Through this partnership, ZED FC Club aims to establish its first football team for women, develop high-performance athletes, and spread the message that football is a game for women too. This collaboration aligns with ZED FC’s strategy to introduce a variety of new sports and develop highlevel sports academies.
Best-designed Flagship Killer realme GT Master Edition Series Launch Globally, together with realme’s First Laptop realme Book with 2K Display To celebrate 100 million users around the world, the fastest growing smartphone brand realme today announced it is expanding into the affordable high-end segment with the release of two new stunning smartphones to its GT series: the realme GT Master Edition and the realme GT Explorer Master Edition. Moreover, realme revealed that it was expanding into the laptop category for the first time with realme Book, a slim, 2K-display laptop forged in the brand’s distinctive design.
dealerships in the world, has announced the appointment of Ankush Arora, the company’s Director of Operations, as the new Chief Executive Officer of AlMansour Automotive Company, effective July 1st 2021 Steigenberger Alcazar, the highest rated by travellers around the globe! 2021 is a special year for the castle of luxury Steigenberger Alcazar Sharm El Sheikh; which celebrates an outstanding number of Guest Reviews Awards from various superb websites in the field of travel & tourism around the globe. On top of the awards was the prestigious Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best, which the hotel received for the second year consequently. The website also recommends the hotel as one of the top 1% hotels worldwide.
MARAKEZ is Opening the First “Noon By Fagnoon” Branch in West Cairo soon at Mall of Arabia For the first time in West Cairo, MARAKEZ, one of the largest mixed-use developers in Egypt, is opening Mall of Arabia’s doors to the first Fagnoon “Noon” branch. Mall of Arabia is Fagnoon’s fourth location across the country following branches in Marioteya, Alexandria and New Cairo. Located within West Cairo’s favorite outdoor destination, The Park, Fagnoon will add to the wide variety of outdoor activities. The Park features a kid’s playground, food and beverage outlets and vast green spaces.
With 100 Female & Male Swimmers For the very first time, Egypt hosted one-of-a-kind swimming tournament, where 15-year-old to master Olympians & Paralympians smashed Guinness World Records scoring 42 min 12.13sec. Such breakthrough hasn’t been achieved since 2019, when the UK’s Mind Over Swimmer marked the fastest 100 x 50 m swimming relay, scoring 43 min 32.36 sec.
Hyundai Motor Group to Unveil its Future Vision for Hydrogen Society at the ‘Hydrogen Wave’ Global Forum in September Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) today announced to host ‘Hydrogen Wave’, a global virtual forum which represents the Group’s plans for a new ‘wave’ of hydrogen-based products and technologies. The forum will also provide a revealing insight into the Group’s future vision of a sustainable hydrogen society.
Al-Mansour Automotive appoints Ankush Arora as new CEO Al-Mansour Automotive Company, one of the largest General Motors
OPPO Enco Air — The true Wireless Earphones Officially Released OPPO Acoustics unveiled its latest edition to the OPPO Enco line with the new OPPO Enco Air True Wireless Earphones. With their eye-catching design, highquality audio, convenient touch controls, and user-focused features, the earphones are a definite contender for the summer’s hottest new upcoming wireless audio product.
OPPO gears up to reveal its latest Reno6 Series smartphones in Egypt Featuring Every Emotions, In Portrait Global technology brand, OPPO, announces the upcoming launch of its all-new OPPO Reno6 Series in Egypt this month. The company’s leading trend-setting cult comes in two versions OPPO Reno6 & OPPO Reno6 5G - AI portrait expert equipped with a load of industry-leading features. September 2021 • IDENTITY 61
#TokyoOlympics stage on Twitter
takes
centre
Official Olympic Games emoji available in over 30 languages for first time
Palm Hills Club Breaks a Major Milestone by hosting the One and Only Rafa Nadal Academy’s Camp on its Tennis Courts Shaping Egyptian Youth
SODIC releases 1H21 results; record 1H for gross contracted sales and strong performance with growth across financial and operational KPIs
As tennis starts to become an indispensable sport in Egypt with its increasing popularity day after day, the fans of the game highly anticipate the emergence of more Egyptian tennis champions participating in well-known international tournaments representing their country. Palm Hills Club has contributed to shaping the talented Egyptian youth to take their very first step towards this dream by establishing a major milestone to develop their capabilities through dedicating its field to host the one and only Rafa Nadal Academy’s six-day training camp.
Sixth of October Development & Investment Company “SODIC” has released its consolidated financial results for the six months ended June. SODIC sold 621 units during the first six months of 2021, generating gross contracted sales of EGP 3.76 billion; an increase of 99% over EGP 1.89 billion of gross contracted sales during the first half of 2020.
As the Olympic Games get underway, following a year of delays and uncertainty, the world’s attention is turning to Tokyo, with Twitter transforming into the roar of the crowd, as real-time conversations unfold on the platform. From supporting Olympians, to commentary of sporting events, people are celebrating what’s happening, through country flag emojis, Olympic emojis and a number of other features.
His Excellency Mr. Adly Mansour – Former President of Egypt - Enjoys a Splendid Stay at Steigenberger Hotel El Lessan!
Vodafone renews its relationship with Workplace to build bridges in a hybrid world
realme offers the best gaming experience in entry level smartphones with the C21Y realme, the world’s fastest growing smartphone brand, launched the realme C21Y in Egypt today. The realme C21Y is the successor of realme C21, featuring an upgraded processor – the Unisoc T610 Octa-core 12nm, AI Triple Camera and 5000mAh battery, perfect for users looking for an entry level device packing a powerful performance. 62 IDENTITY • September 2021
Steigenberger Hotel El Lessan Ras El Bar had the honor of welcoming H.E. Mr. Adly Mansour – former President of Egypt during his annual vacation. H.E. planned his first vacation this year at Damietta governorate and specifically in Ras El Bar due to its epic and iconic location. The hotel’s team were thrilled to have His Excellency pleased by the charming atmosphere and immaculate service extended during this vacation and hope to welcome his Excellency back again to grace the hotel.
While many businesses struggled to find ways to keep their people connected during one of the most disruptive times in recent history, Vodafone already had a secret weapon that helped it thrive in times of extreme uncertainty. Thanks to the company’s 2019 adoption of Workplace, Vodafone maintained a sense of connection and engagement among its global workforce. Not only that, it experienced growth in employeeled initiatives, campaigns and communities, as people rallied together.
Toyota Egypt Drives Digital Experiences for Millions of Customers Via Partnership with Edraky – A SAP Local Partner Toyota Egypt Group, the sole distributor for Toyota Motor Corporation products and one of Egypt’s largest automotive distributors, has recently announced a digital transformation partnership with global technology company SAP; to drive new levels of customer experiences. “As Egypt’s automotive market kicks into high-gear after the pandemic, customers expect automotive dealers to fully integrate sales, services, and spare parts. According to the Automotive Marketing Information Council (AMIC) Egypt, about 168,000 passenger vehicles were sold in Egypt in 2020, a 32% increase from 127,000 in 2019” declared Ahmed Monsef, CEO, Toyota Egypt Group.
vivo Launches its Long-awaited vivo Y53s smartphone The Y53s brings greater clarity with its 64MP* Camera and Super Night Mode Continuing its strong return to the Egyptian market, vivo launched today its latest smartphone, the Y53s, at EGP 4190 in stores. This highly anticipated launch has got
experts talking and generated immense hype over the improved quality of the model. The upgraded functions of the phone set a high bar for competing brands and create an opportunity for this generation to live life to the fullest.
printing, adidas 4DFWD is created to provide runners with an all-new running experience. Following its initial limited release in May and a special solar red and white colourway released last month, adidas 4DFWD is now launching globally with a striking hero core black colorway featuring signal green accents.
Fawry, AWEF, Unilever and LEAD Foundation celebrate the continued success of the “Heya Fawry” initiative In line with its mission to empower Egyptian women, the leading digital transformation and e-payment network Fawry has just announced the expansion of the ‘Heya Fawry’ initiative to increase poor and disadvantaged women’s access to life-enhancing digital financial services and greater economic opportunities.
Take It Forward With The Latest Data-Driven 3d Printed Performance Technology – Adidas 4dfwd Adidas Running introduced the latest iteration of adidas 4DFWD – the next step in data-driven 3D printed midsole technology, designed to move you forward. Combining years of athlete data with the unique technology of 3D
Caroline Selim Appointed to General Manager At Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel Renaissance Cairo Mirage City hotel is pleased to announce that Ms. Caroline Selim has been appointed as the hotel’s new General Manager as of August 15th, 2021. Ms. Caroline has been working as a General Manager at Sonesta Hotel Tower & Casino since July 2018. With her 25-year professional career experience in hospitality, Ms. Caroline is a great asset to Renaissance Cairo. She has held several positions in Sales, Operations & Banquet departments in Sonesta and Radisson blu hotels. “I am delighted to have been granted this opportunity to become Renaissance Cairo Hotel’s General Manager.
September 2021 • IDENTITY 63
Nestlé Hires 800+ Youths in Middle East & North Africa Since January 2020 Nestlé has hired more than 810 young people under 30 years old since January 2020, and provided internships to more than 230 during the period. The announcement, made on International Youth Day 2021, comes at a time when youth unemployment rates in the Middle East and North Africa, already amongst the world’s highest at 29 percent according to the World Economic Forum, are being further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 87% of the region’s young people expressing concern about employment.
Adidas and Beyoncé Launch Fourth IVY PARK Collection: “IVY PARK RODEO” Adidas and Beyoncé return to present the latest Adidas x IVY PARK collection. Inspired by the inimitable style and undeniable influence of Black cowboys and cowgirls, the “IVY Park Rodeo” collection celebrates the formidable impact of Black men and women on American Western culture. The collection celebrates oft-hidden history of Black pioneers within cowboy and cowgirl culture and their continued influence and impact on the American Rodeo. 64 IDENTITY • September 2021
Altibbi and reckitt® sign a longterm agreement To spread awareness about common health issues in the region Allianz egypt’s brand ambassador “seif eissa” sweeps a bronze in taekwondo at the tokyo 2020 olympics Egypt was taken by a storm as national Taekwondo Practitioner, Seif Eissa - Allianz Egypt’s Ambassador for Sports & Community Initiatives, achieved a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. In a tough fight between the Egyptian and the Norwegian contestants, Eissa claimed his victory by earning 12 points versus 4 points for his opponent. Eissa turned heads with his impressive skills and brought home the second Olympic Taekwondo medal in the 2020 games, following Hedaya Malak’s overture with yet another bronze!
The leading digital health platform in MENA, Altibbi, has announced signing a joint cooperation agreement with Reckitt, manufacturers of many household brands. The ceremony took place at Reckitt’s headquarters in the UAE earlier this June. This prospective collaboration aims to provide consultation & medical guidance regarding common health-related issues, such as Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Sore Throat Management, Hygienic Habits and Sexual Well-being.
Arab Bank Launches its FinTech Accelerating Program in Egypt Amazon to Launch Amazon.eg Later This Year Amazon announced that it will be launching Amazon.eg in Egypt later this year, giving local businesses the opportunity to reach more customers across the country. In preparation for the new site, Amazon has announced that Amazon Seller Central, the company’s seller management tool, is now open for registration in Egypt via sell.amazon.eg, where they can set up their accounts.
Arab Bank has recently launched its FinTech-focused corporate accelerator program “AB Accelerator” in Egypt, following its successful launch in Jordan back in 2018. The launch of this program in Egypt comes as part of the bank’s strategic efforts to foster and support innovation in the FinTech sector towards offering responsive and agile banking solutions in line with the evolving needs and expectations of clients across different segments.
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identity SIGNS
Virgo
August 23 - September 22 STRENGTHS: Organized, Logical, Modest, Responsible, Devoted, Altruistic WEAKNESSES: Critical, Timid, Perfectionist LOVE LIFE: Virgo is the perfectionist of the zodiac; meaning it’s hard for anyone to measure up to their standards. Perceived as picky, people born under this sign are in a continuous pursuit of the perfect love. However, being protective of their hearts, once they find the “One”, they’ll give everything. MOST COMPATIBLE WITH: Taurus and Capricorn
Relationship Compatibility ARIES: Though it’s a tough match, it’s never boring. The relationship’s success depends on their ability to relax, have fun together and find middle ground. TAURUS: This is an excellent match! While Taurus teaches Virgo about love and tenderness with their clear heart, Virgo gives Taurus intellectual views with their clear mind. GEMINI: Communication is what this couple masters. Though rational thinking is their common trait, the downside lies in their tendency to live in their own minds. CANCER: They share a wonderful connection which may lead to having an inspiring relationship. They complement each other in a balanced way. LEO: As Leos and Virgos both are logical signs, they have a strong mental connection. Both of them seek a perfect romantic relationship with a perfect partner. VIRGO: Two Virgos know how to have a stable relationship while enjoying the pursuits of mind. They need to let go a bit of their rationality and embrace their emotions. LIBRA: A satisfying intellectual bond is what characterizes this match. Problems are found in their emotional understanding. But if they are
willing to make it work, compromising is easily achieved. SCORPIO: This relationship can be extremely deep and exciting, in case they can value each other and develop a sense of gratitude. However, sentimental Scorpio might feel distant sometimes from the logical Virgo. SAGITTARIUS: A lot of work is needed in this match to reach emotional understanding. Still, they could share a happy relation in case they reveal their emotions and discover that they complement each other. CAPRICORN: They perfectly follow each other’s pace since they belong to the element of Earth. Balance is easily found here based on their calm and logical nature and their mutual respect and love. AQUARIUS: Though this relationship is all about honesty and merging minds, they represent the polar opposites. Aquarius is spontaneous, unpredictable and a risk- taker while Virgo is practical and analytical. PISCES: A visualization of “opposites attract”; what attracts them to one another is their differences. Virgo will bring dreamy Pisces to earth and Pisces will teach logical Virgo how to connect to emotions.
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