What NOT to Miss on the East Side this Month!

October 4, 2020

Wondering what’s new on the eastside of Cairo? Tati Hafez takes us on a quick tour of all the new spots and services available to East Siders!

New Trend (NT)

NT is a trendy sunglasses label that produces customized, handmade mobile straps and chains for glasses. Delivering all over Egypt.

email:newtrend.eg@outlook.com

Instagram: @newtrend.egy

The Lebanese Bakery

The Lebanese Bakery (TLB) is a neighborhood bakery serving a delicious variety of Lebanese Manousheh – flatbreads; Mouajinet – bite-sized bakes like safiha, and sambousa filled with zaatar, olives, minced meat to eat all alone or share.

Address: 11, Street 18 Maadi Sarayat

Telephone: +20100 057 3500

Facebook and Instagram: @thelebanesebakerycairo

Gymnastics Hub

Strategically located in the heart of Maadi Degla, The Field is always improving its facility and bringing the most accredited academies to its premises. Now running in Maadi’s biggest gymnastics hall is Gymnastics Hub, offering classes for children starting 3 years old. Bring your child for a free assessment on Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays.

Address: Victoria Square, Maadi

Telephone: +2 0120 001 8004

Facebook and Instagram: @thefieldmaadi

Sweet Beat

Homemade, freshly baked cookies, cake pops, cookie cups and Swiss rolls, all made with premium ingredients only. Sweet Beat cookies are stuffed and topped with a variety of mouthwatering chocolates. Choose from Lotus, Nutella, M&M’s and Maltesers or any other preferred chocolate and customize your own cookie.

Telephone: + 2 1020738934

Facebook and Instagram: @sweetbeat

Find more new openings on the Eastside

How Samih Sawiris Brought GFF 4th Edition to Fruition

October 4, 2020

Samih Sawiris met the challenge head-on for organizing El Gouna Film Festival – GFF’s much anticipated 4^th edition, we were excited for the opportunity to briefly discuss this year’s GFF updates with the man himself, El Gouna founder, Engineer Samih Sawiris.

CW: What keeps you motivated against challenges and propels you forward?

SS: It is not about motivation. I just had to keep myself strong enough to be able to withstand the big storm. I see 2020 as just a big storm, and when facing such a storm you don’t rely on motivation, though you build strength to hold up and surpass it, and that’s what I felt I needed to do.

This year has presented new, unanticipated challenges for the global film industry. What have you faced specifically in the putting together of the 4^th Edition of GFF? And why is it important to keep the festival alive?

Putting together the 4^th edition of GFF was indeed very difficult. However, part of withstanding a storm is the dedication and need to return to normalcy by doing certain things that remind us of our “normal” life. Luckily, a lot of people shared with me the desire to bring back a normal life, and part of that life is to bring back cinemas, theatres, and concerts while abiding by health requirements and regulations. That means that compromises have to be made.

Do you expect a smaller number of attendees? What will be different in this 4^th edition?

Of course, it will be a smaller number. In addition to a selective number of attendees, we have made sure not to have many indoor activities by moving everything to an outdoor space, including the entertainment. This 4^th edition will be held in a new glorious open-air venue to accommodate attendees from different crafts.

It’s a balance of bringing back normal life without jeopardizing people’s health.

Will there be a song for this year’s GIFF?

They [the team] are still working on a song. “3 Daqat” is such an amazing song that resonated with everyone and perfectly depicted the GFF’s soul, it will be a tough act to follow, but we are working very hard to make this year’s song just as impressive.

We are still unsure if a video will be feasible to accompany the song because there just isn’t enough time and we are focusing on just the song for now.

Which films have captured your attention this year, and why?

I am looking forward to watching the new James Bond movie. Besides that, in the past year, I have not seen a single film that touched me.

What is your favorite music?

I go for classical music, and I even have a few favorite composers such as Bach and Mozart.

What is your favorite song?

3 Daqat

Favorite App?

WhatsApp

More about El Gouna Film Festival – 4th Edition

Samih Sawiris’ Facebook page

Author Ronnie Explores Cairo’s Ultras in his New Book

October 4, 2020

Ronnie Close is a writer, filmmaker, and assistant professor of visual media at the American University in Cairo. His book Cairo’s Ultras: Resistance and Revolution in Egypt’s Football Culture (AUC Press, 2019) explores how football communities offer ways of belonging and instill meaning in everyday life.

What initially sparked your interest in Cairo’s Ultras, this particular group of Egyptian football fans, and how did this evolve into a book?

This subject was at first personally curious to me, as I have been a football fan since childhood. When I visited Cairo in 2011 I heard of the Ultras and I was surprised to encounter Egyptian football culture. I learned about the Al-Ahly and Zamalek clubs and was struck by the rich heritage of and role of football in Egypt.

I moved to AUC in January 2012 to take up my academic post in the university and within a few weeks of arriving the Port Said incident happened. The mood was suddenly transformed an even though in 2011 there were many other tragedies, Port Said was my introduction to that type of experience. I began to film the street protests and developed this into a film More out of Curiosity. By 2016 I started to consider a book iteration.

How would you describe Cairo’s Ultras and where and how do they fit into Egypt’s social and political landscape?

As I began to engage with the football communities in Cairo, I soon realized that they had offered a powerful form of expression of Egyptian youth culture. The Ultras were non-sectarian, non-class-based, apolitical, and even had female members.

This seemed to be a unique form of social mixing and offered a release for many ordinary working-class Egyptians. This culture is in keeping with the appeal of other Ultra movements in other countries, and the Egyptian version became modified to suit local social norms.

In the book, you look at the aesthetic displays and social organization of the Ultras. Why are these important?

The cultural practices of the Ultras involve group displays called Tifos that are highly choreographed collective actions where banners, flares, and fireworks create an intense experience in the football stadium. Ultras groups are in competition with these Tifos, often trying to outdo each other.

What interests me is how such creative activities, which take a lot of planning, preparation, and organization, can form a community and powerful group experience. These actions are in contrast to the football establishment and media industry, who often oppress this type of behavior and prefer football fans to be more passive.

It seems to me that this is a form of resistance to larger coercive forces that increasingly commodify daily life. Ultras movements hold a global appeal to something more human and this is what makes them so popular across cultures. It is this transformation of sport fandom that interests me and makes Cairo’s Ultras such a fascinating research area.

How easy was it for you to gain access to the groups for research and do you feel that the book objectively reflects the football culture of the Ultras?

The Ultras in Cairo were straightforward to deal with and although cautious they were very supportive of my film when I first met with them. The book research did not involve much additional research on the Ultras. Moreover, the writing process is a very different form of work and I was mostly involved in theoretical research, such as how everyday aesthetics can become political.

I used the Ultras as a lens through which to explore the concept of ‘Dissensus’ by the French philosopher Jacques Rancière. This means challenging the status quo, what is considered normal in a time or place, and I would suggest the Ultras in Egypt performed their own equality.

In what ways would you say that Cairo’s Ultras are unique?

I think the book shows that the history and culture of Cairo’s Ultras are distinctive. They were initially modeled on Italian football fan culture and Ultras groups are now a global phenomenon. However, the Egyptian Ultras intersected with the 25^th of January uprising and the consequences of this time make their history remarkable.

Although many football fan groups have had similar histories and political struggles, few can match the mercurial fate of Cairo’s Ultras over 11 years. I also tried to write a book that is more expansive than a straightforward history of Ultras, one that invites us to think about the role of the media and how sports culture can embody emancipatory politics.

Nuwa’s Shrimp Green Curry

October 4, 2020

Dive into this shrimp goodness with your fork and enjoy the explosion flavors of this Curry dish. Recipe sent by Nuwa located in Capital Business Park in Sheikh Zayed.

Ingredients:

8 lime wedges for garnish
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 cups diced eggplant (1/2-inch dice)
1/2 cup chopped white onions
1 cup thinly sliced green bell peppers
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 to 4 tbsp Thai green curry paste, depending on desired degree of heat
6 Kaffir lime leaves, or 1 tbsp finely grated lime zest
2 tbsp nam pla
1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup shrimp/fish stock or bottled clam juice
1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp peeled & deveined

Method:

1. In a wok or large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant, onions and bell pepper and cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes.

2. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the curry paste, lime leaves, and fish sauce, and cook, stirring, for 15 seconds.

3. Add the coconut milk and shrimp stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until thickened, 3 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook until pink, about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup of Thai basil and remove from heat.

4. Season to taste with salt. Garnish with remaining 1/4 cup Thai basil. Serve with rice and lime wedges.

Check out Yau’s Green Thai Shrimp Curry Recipe

or Find more restaurants in Sheikh Zayed

How Do you Know if Someone is Thinking of You?

October 1, 2020

By: Mariam Elhamy

If you’re wondering whether you’re on someone’s mind there are signs that could help you tell. All you need to do is to observe them and how they act around you. Here are some questions you need to notice and ask yourself in order to know if someone is thinking of you.

Do they text you random things at random times?

If they send you texts reminding you of memories, sharing something funny or just asking about you randomly. That means they’re definitely thinking of you.

Do they smile often when you’re around?

When you see them anywhere do you find them smiling a lot especially when you look at them?

Does their body language show it?

Do their feet point at you? Do they have their palms open? Do they blush a lot? Do they touch their hair or play with it? These are all signs that the person might be thinking of you or even attracted to you because the body doesn’t lie!

Do they talk to your friends about you?

If your friends tell you that they ask or bring up your name a lot then it’s a clear sign.

Do they ask you if you have feelings for someone?

This question shows a person is thinking about you because no ordinary friend will just randomly ask you if you’re into someone.

Do they comment and like all your posts?

Whenever you post something do you find them liking and maybe even DMing you just to start a conversation? That’s probably a sign too.

Do you find yourself randomly thinking about them?

If they come up in your mind at random times and you find yourself smiling they might be thinking of you at the same time and sharing the same energy!

Do you dream about them?

Do you find yourself randomly dreaming about them even though they haven’t been in your thoughts at all? Maybe that’s a sign they’re thinking of you and the universe is just sending you messages.

9 Ways to Know if this is the One

12 Traits that Make You a Less Attractive Person

October 1, 2020

By: Mariam Elhamy

Have you heard the “It’s not you, it’s me.” yet? Maybe you haven’t but we all know that even though looks can be the initial thing that attracts others but if the personality is BOMB that’s when you really got them! Find out some of the things that might be pushing people away from you in 12 traits that make you less attractive to others.

1. Being too Lazy or Uptight.

Being inflexible and not willing to try anything new.

2. Being All Out there.

Showing all your cards at once and not keeping any mystery.

3. Being Stingy.

Being cheap often sends off the message that you’re selfish.

4. Being Materialistic.

Liking people for what they have not who they are.

5. Lying.

Just. Don’t. Lie.

6. Being a Pessimist.

Always being negative and rude to people or impatient.

7. Being a Pushover.

Weakness of character, lack of confidence and not having your own opinions or going along with whatever others want.

8. Lack of Empathy.

Not listening, not caring, not being supportive and being cold.

9. Being too Clingy.

Being too attached and ignoring your other passions, interests or career.

10. Being too Critical.

Criticizing others too much and judging their every move.

11. Always Looking for a Fight.

Always trying to prove a point so you pick a fight about every little thing.

12. Being Possessive.

Being too jealous and controlling.

15 Signs you’re About to Get Friend-Zoned

Intishal Al Tamimi: The Man at the Helm of GFF 2020

October 1, 2020

Being Festival Director of what has become a major event on the global film industry calendar comes with massive responsibilities and calls for a unique mix of adaptability, insight, vision and organizational skills. Instihal Al Tamimi has all that, and more. We extracted him from his hectic schedule for just enough time to get an update on GFF 2020.

CW: This year has presented new, unanticipated challenges for the global film industry. What challenges have you faced putting together of the 4^th edition of GFF?

IT: There is no doubt that the social, financial and economic structures around the world have been impacted substantially due to the global pandemic. This has created a new challenge for us, which led us to restructure and reimagine our festival to adapt to the new normal.

We have been thinking deeply about the core value that our festival offers and we’re doing our best to maintain and preserve that. We realized we need to be innovative in order to adapt to current times. We literally had to re-examine our business model and evaluate how we can work to create a safe and productive working environment for our community, staff, organizers and delegates.

With the support of an incredible and capable management team, we are fully reshaping/reimagining this year’s 4^th edition to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Under the theme, “Keep Dreaming”, the 4^thedition of GFF promises to continue its role as a regional catalyst for the development of cinema.

What measures are in place to cope with social distancing requirements?

The wellbeing, health and safety of anyone entering the town of El Gouna is of utmost priority not only to the El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) management team, but to the management team of Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD), the parent and management company of El Gouna. Strict health and safety measures and protocols have been put in place and all staff in Gouna and organizers of events have been trained on these measures.

Can you tell us what’s different about this year’s edition relative to last year’s?

This year’s festival holds a whole new experience as we are fully reshaping the 4^th edition to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. In addition to our social distancing protocol, we are reducing the need to come in touch with paper and focusing heavily on adding more digital capabilities to make the festival as paperless as possible this year.

We have built a spectacular outdoor venue called the Festival Plaza, located in the heart of the newly launched, state-of-the-art Gouna Conference & Culture Center (GCCC). The Festival Plaza will be the main festival hub. Festival activities will now take place in a balanced mix of indoor and tailor-made outdoor spaces.

The GCCC will place El Gouna town on the global map as a meeting place for the most important international conferences and cultural events. The GCCC will soon have a music concert hall that can host a 600-piece orchestra and a 2,000-seat conference center. The complex is aimed at creating a landmark and iconic hub for international conferences and cultural events.

Many festivals around the world have been moved online due to Covid-19. Why didn’t you do the same?

The film festival network and the overall infrastructure they offer with critics, juries, industry marketplaces and awards are engineered to take film projects by up-and-coming filmmakers into the mainstream markets. This can’t be done properly at online festivals – and needs the actual infrastructure.

It’s not easy to replace a physical film festival with all its moving parts via an online portal alone. Festivals are not just about screening films –they focus more on targeting film industry professionals than on audiences. So, in a way, they act as a catalyst for distribution networks where a lot of buying and selling of film’s rights take place. Important meetings between filmmakers, producers and distributors are set up to support and develop films that are still on paper. Additionally, festivals also act as a testing ground for new films and its selection is highly competitive. You can be assured of cinematic quality.

We attended the Venice Film Festival earlier this month and they managed to pull it off beautifully having strict safety measures in place. We believe we are more capable to manage GFF this year, especially given the fact that Gouna is a private seaside town in the safe Red Sea zone. We expect all delegates to strictly follow our safety measures so we can show the world.

How will the Audience Award work this year?

This year, we have a special emphasis on making the festival as ‘paperless as possible’. As part of our social distancing protocol, we are reducing the need to come in touch with paper and focusing heavily on adding more digital capabilities for the delegates.

Currently, we are studying various digital options for the voting process of the Audience Award, but nothing is confirmed yet. For us, having these digital capabilities works brilliantly on so many levels, not just for the health situation but also on an environmental level.

More about El Gouna Film Festival – 4th Edition

More about Intishal Al Tamimi

iRead Mystery and Thriller Spooky October Reads

October 1, 2020

The month of October offers some inspiring reads. Fall is in full swing offering the perfect time to sit back and relax with a book. If you like mystery and thriller novels, October is also the perfect opportunity for you to enjoy that; Halloween summons readers of all types to pick up books that lean toward the spooky side…

As usual, iRead is here to help you find the perfect books to spend your October with. Happy Reading!

1984 – George Orwell

In 1984, Orwell created a harrowing picture of a dystopia named Oceania, where the government insists on defining its own reality and where propaganda permeates the lives of people, distracted by sensational tabloids and sex-filled movies to care much about politics or history.

News articles and books are rewritten by the Ministry of Truth and facts and dates grow blurry — the past is described as a benighted time that has given way to the Party’s efforts to make Oceania great again (never mind the evidence to the contrary).

The Yacoubian Building – Alaa El Aswany

A groundbreaking literary rendition of Egyptian realism served with a heavy dose of humor, that’s in few words how we can describe this masterpiece called: The Yacoubian Building. Egyptian author, Alaa El Aswany brings to life a seedy and despicable Cairo where only the corrupted and the corruptible can farewell.

The events of the book focus mainly on the residents of the Yacoubian building, a once-chic but now rundown edifice that acts as a metaphor for Cairo’s own deterioration.

Land of the God – Ahmed Mourad

In the spring of 1924, after the discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamun, Howard Carter rushed to the English Consulate in Cairo, demanding diplomatic intervention to force the Egyptian authorities to renew the excavation permit, which was canceled; because the Antiquities Authority was found tampering with the cemetery records; and unrecognized artifacts were found hidden in a wine box at another grave.

Carter threatened that if he did not take the permit, he would reveal to the world the texts of the papyri that were insulated by the king’s burial chamber, including the secrets they contained, secrets never before discovered. In his fifth novel, Ahmed Mourad takes us into one of the secrets of the ancients cleverly hidden before our eyes.

Watch 5 Movies to Get into the Halloween Spirit

Order books online here

Matarma Bay at Ras Sudr: Beachside Eating that Hits the Spot

October 1, 2020

By: Aliaa Elsheribini

International Beachside Eating that Hits the Spot

When passing by Ras Sudr a visit to Matarma Bay is a must, as this beach boutique hotel offers a unique experience that includes great food. Located right by the beach, Matarma’s restaurant serves food for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner with a bar serving refreshing drinks with a view.

Signature Dishes & Dishes Sampled

If you mention the Matarma Bay restaurant to anyone around Ras Sudr, they are likely to recommend the Chicken Scallopini Pasta and the breakfast buffet, especially the tomato and white cheese spread that comes fresh and creamy to help you kickstart the day.

We started off lunch with fresh mango juice as we relished life and waited for our food. The Chicken Fingers came first, served crispy in a generous proportion with a side of pink sauce. Then the main dishes started to hail: Chicken Scallopini, Margarita Pizza, Grilled Chicken and a Burger.

The Scallopini Pasta held true to its popularity, and we must admit it is now our favorite at Matarma. The pasta was perfectly al dente, and combined nicely with a light creamy sauce carrying hints of lemon with diced colorful bell peppers and crunchy breaded chicken bites cooked all the way through.

The Grilled Chicken dish was well presented with a side of rice and tahini dressing. The tahini was rich and smooth with notes of lemon peeking through balancing out the perfectly cooked chicken.

The Burger looked appetizing nestled in a shiny, buttery bun. However, the Pizza was greatly underwhelming with undercooked edges and semi-burnt cheese, but it will always be a good option for a fast meal.

Other Menu Items that Appealed

The salad section seemed refreshing, as well as the Nutella Crêpe, which we will make sure to try during our next visit, perfect for an energy boost after a day full of activities.

Décor and Ambiance

Like everything else at Matarma Bay, the restaurant is also by the beach just one step away from the smooth sand. The décor is minimal and chilled with wooden benches, low rise tables, and comfy bean bags all around.

To add to the mood, there is relaxing music playing in the background all day long, and when the sun goes down, soft lights are turned on staying true to the establishment’s overall vibe. They offer more than just food, but a whole experience.

Contact information:

Opening hours: 8 am-12 am

Weekends: 8 am-1 am

Address: Daghash land Ras Sudr, Suez Governorate, Egypt

Tel: 01025075888

Instagram: @matarmabay

Website: www.matarmabay.com

Facebook: Matarma Bay

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