Culture
Living a historical moment in “Time of the Shadow”
February 4, 2012
Living a historical moment in “Time of the Shadow”
The world is plunged into darkness. Confusion reigns. Five characters, three men and two women, wander blindly, bumping into one…
Egyptian film star sentenced for insulting Islam
February 2, 2012
Egyptian film star sentenced for insulting Islam
The Arab world's most famous comic actor, Adel Imam, has received a three-month jail sentence for insulting Islam in films…
‘The Ultras Book’: Ethnography of an unusual crowd
February 2, 2012
‘The Ultras Book’: Ethnography of an unusual crowd
The violent clashes on Wednesday after a football game between the Ahly and Masry teams in Port Said have brought…
Album review: Machine Eat Man’s ‘Nothing New, Copycat Country’
February 1, 2012
Album review: Machine Eat Man’s ‘Nothing New, Copycat Country’
Any disaster movie worth its body count needs an alarming score to complement the onscreen carnage and convince audiences that…
Egypt’s museums: The Table Museum offers an intimate space for art
February 1, 2012
Egypt’s museums: The Table Museum offers an intimate space for art
A “museum” has been set up by an international group of four people — one of whom is Egypt Independent’s…
Bahgory’s timeless revolution
January 31, 2012
Bahgory’s timeless revolution
Everything about George Bahgory recalls a lost time. The renowned Egyptian painter and caricaturist (sometimes referred to as the “Grandaddy…
In other words: Spotlight on Banipal Prize awardee Barbara Romaine
January 31, 2012
In other words: Spotlight on Banipal Prize awardee Barbara Romaine
Next week, the winners of the annual Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation will be celebrated in London. When the…
Zizo Kambutar, an Egyptian MGMT, emerges
January 30, 2012
Zizo Kambutar, an Egyptian MGMT, emerges
Many musical acts have come onto the Egyptian music scene during the past year. Very few, though, have gained popularity…
‘A Muslim Suicide’: Literature in the tradition of Islamic art
January 29, 2012
‘A Muslim Suicide’: Literature in the tradition of Islamic art
The title of Bensalem Himmich's 2008 novel, "Haza al-Andalusi!" ("This Andalusian!"), is as subdued in Arabic as it is attention-grabbing…
Architecture: ‘The Sultan’s Fountain’ and the restoration of a sabil-kuttab
January 29, 2012
Architecture: ‘The Sultan’s Fountain’ and the restoration of a sabil-kuttab
Throughout Egypt’s history, access to water has been essential to the development of its cities and towns. It is no…