Statistics indicate that the Christian population across the Middle East has dropped from 13.6% to 4.2% in the past century. As the Egyptian Christian community continues to decrease, Valentina Primo speaks to those leaving the country to unveil the reasons behind this post-modern exodus. Feb 06,2016 “I’m leaving. I don’t want to live in a...
Forty-five kilometres away from Egypt’s chaotic capital, across the palm-tree-framed highway that leads to the satellite city of 6th of October, there is a bustling neighbourhood that breathes the scents of Syria. At the heart of it stands Alaa Eddin Street, a pedestrian road brimming with Syrian cafés, mahshi restaurants and boza stores, where the...
There is a massive cyber-library of gruesome books and articles revolving around the dangers of intercultural marriage, especially when it involves an Arab man, resulting in a global stereotype that configures nothing but prejudice. But is there no experience at the other end of the spectrum? CairoScene speaks to six women and delves into their stories of...
His wrinkles stream down his sun-trodden face, his skin tamed by 40 years of unforgivably early mornings and slapping winds. An ineffably royal moustache hangs at the ends of his mouth as a witty, mischievous grin anticipates the inevitable icebreaker. “Oh, but you look younger!” I utter, to his casual smirk. He tosses a few...
Unorthodox, independent, and intrinsically non-stereotypical, Muslim feminists challenge both Western liberal and Muslim clichés. Valentina Primo speaks to two Egyptian feminist women about religion, culture, and their refusal to be typecast into categories they do not recognise themselves. Jan 04,2016 “Feminism can be counterproductive. Look at mainstream white feminists, or as I like to call...
“I had been thinking about taking off the veil for the past two years, but I was scared of people’s judgment. When you wear a hijab, it is not just about a veil: it is the way you dress, it is your actions; it feels like you are representing a religion with everything you do.”...
Es la última semana del año. Estoy sentada en un escritorio chiquitito y desordenado, al lado del estudio fotográfico de la revista donde trabajo, frente al Nilo legendario. Frente a mí, Mohammed Sallam, el primer y único egipcio pre-seleccionado para poblar Marte con la misión Mars One, escucha mis preguntas y responde a esta entrevista...
One autumn Friday morning, I dove into Egypt’s urban legends joining a newly inaugurated walking tour of downtown Cairo set in place by a development company called Al Ismaleya. From Art-Deco icons to historical cinemas, we set off to discover the stories woven by the area’s stimulating streets. We are standing at the foot of a building set...
No, no es que me guste. Responder esta pregunta es casi imposible cada vez que vuelvo a mi tierra. Aún más difícil explicarlo en esos días en los que quisiera simplemente hacer la valija y escapar del tumulto de esta ciudad agobiante. Quizá porque vivir en Medio Oriente es hacer cada cosa de manera diferente. Es levantarte...
Valentina Primo walks the streets of Cairo with enigmatic graffiti artist Keizer, as he discovers what survived of his revolutionary stencils, and crafts an exclusive new piece for CairoScene, while exploring what there is left to say once the revolution’s spirit has faded away. Nov 27,2015 Keizer is alert, a sense of caution guiding his every tread....
