Latest in Culture Highlight
Latest in Culture
The exception to the norm
From the eyes of Muslims overseas, we explore personal experiences
Ramadan Chronicles: France
From the eyes of Muslims overseas, we explore personal experiences
Ramadan Chronicles: USA
From the eyes of Muslims overseas, we explore personal experiences
Ramadan Chronicles: Netherlands
From the eyes of Muslims overseas, we explore personal experiences
Ramadan Chronicles: Canada
From the eyes of Muslims overseas, we explore personal experiences
Ramadan Chronicles: Denmark
From the eyes of Muslims overseas, we explore personal experiences
Ramadan Chronicles: Bali-Indonesia
From the eyes of Muslims overseas, we explore personal experiences
Ramadan Chronicles: United Arab Emirates
From the eyes of Muslims overseas, we explore personal experiences
TransDance Festival 2012 invites participants
Hafez said the objective of the festival is to explore how we take part in documenting a moment in history, a place in the world or a personal reality in such a hyper-documented reality.
Jagger and a galabeya
Suddenly all those people were my friends, Keith Richards’ face told stories of a life I could not yet imagine and Mick Jagger danced and sang only to me.
The poignant story of “A Separation”
The biggest strength of “A Separation” is that no character is given a free pass. For every reason we are given to sympathise with a character, we are later given a reason not to, and in turn, we are able to sympathise with that character’s antagonist.
The last 10 days of Ramadan
A widespread religious practice in the final ten days is E’tekaf. It involves total isolation from the outer world to be concerned only with praying and reciting the Quran. E’tekaf happens on different levels.
The snake hunters of the Refai Sufi order
The ancient profession is founded on the need of people to render their environment safe.Snake hunting in the tradition of the Refai, a profession that grew into a form of Sufism, requires piety and a deep sense of religion.
Cairo underground cinema
Cimatheque is a multi-purpose space dedicated to celebrating film and independent filmmakers in Egypt. It is meant to be a dynamic work space for independent filmmakers to collaborate, research and network, aiding the development of their talents.
Concert for charity
Tawasol for Developing Establ Antar is an nongovernmental organization (NGO) which works with children who have dropped out of school. The NGO says it provides around 140 primary school children with a chance to continue education and teaches them sports.
Quenching the thirst of Ramadan
We’ve decided to compile a list of drinks you should be downing by the gallon once the sun sets to adequately hydrate yourself for the next day.
Spiritual music unites nations during International Samaa’ Festival
Entessar Abd el Fattah, founder and director of the festival aims to educate audiences about the religious heritage of different countries and cultures. During the festival 24 bands representing 20 countries will perform.
Black Theama celebrates eighth anniversary
The focus of their music is a search for the relationship that exists between “the music of the dark skinned in the world and to mix it in an easy way that allows normal street people to understand this music without any complication.”
El Fishawy: Older than the USA
Knickknacks that were once trendy and are now beautifully antiquated artefacts, are littered around the haphazardly-arranged rooms, and yellowed newspaper clippings document El Fishawy’s meteoric rise to superstardom.
Egyptian short film finalist in Youtube competition
Egyptian filmmaker Ramy El-Gabry, who was featured last month in The Daily News Egypt, has been picked as one of the 10 finalists in the short film festival ,Your Film, organised by Youtube and Scott Free, the production company of Ridley and Tony Scott. El-Gabry will attend the International Venice Film Festival where his film, …
Traditional Egyptian cultural figure El-Aragoz brought back to life
El-Aragoz is a traditional puppet in Egyptian culture. He is usually small with red clothes and a pointy hat, and has entertained both children and adults for almost a century.
TV talk shows in Ramadan mostly disappoint
A different trend seen this Ramadan involves familiar actors, musicians and the like who have featured as guests in these talk shows for years, suddenly posing as political experts.
Brazilian TV show visits Egypt
Our shows are 30 minutes long and we use three to five minutes to introduce the cultural landmarks that Brazilians are familiar with, but we use that as a hook to show them what life is really like.
Ramadan timings revolutionised
Everything was set up to cater for the Ramadan culture of our fellow Egyptians. But things did not go as planned. I was surprised to find absolutely no traffic jams in the couple of hours before Iftar as I headed home from work.
Mojo’s: The Oasis of Normalcy
Sometimes you want to feel like you are in regular old Cairo again. When the mid-Ramadan queasiness hits, wait until the Iftar din has subsided and head over to Mojo’s Lounge on the Imperial Boat in Zamalek.
Gaza: Stay Human
As if words are not enough to describe how humanity was crushed during this war, the book is scattered with black and white pictures showing the rubble, destruction and despair in people’s eyes.
The Cairo Opera House brings an international flavour to Ramadan
For the Iraqi portion of the audience, the concert and Madfai’s performance were sources of pride. For many of the other spectators, it was a highly entertaining night and a unique opportunity to take part in a Ramadan celebration Iraqi-style.
Fake fawanees: the rise of the abominations
Walking down any busy commercial street in Cairo during Ramadan, Egyptian culture is plainly apparent. Finely wrought brass lanterns of all sizes are lined up. Some are electric – the prevalent type. Some are old-fashioned candle lanterns, somewhat more rare. Blue, green, and red all come together to produce a variety of oriental and modern …
Controversial Ramadan series wows audiences
The show takes the bold step of having actors depicting Omar and other sahabah (friends and companions of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad), which several clerics deem forbidden. As a result, it is banned in many Arab countries, including all Egyptian television channels.
Mesaharaty: the human cockerel
This staple of Egyptian culture – for those who do not know – is a lonely soul who walks the shadowed streets just before dawn with a drum, chanting traditional mesaharaty songs to draw us out of our slumber for Sohour, the final meal before the Ramadan fast of the day begins.