Hey there,

Wherever you’re reading this, at your desk or curled up in bed, we imagine you’re here for one of a few reasons: to stumble upon something new, to discover artists worth knowing, or maybe to find a fresh way of seeing and moving through life. After all, artists have always inspired the best kind of musings and quotes to live by.

And this week, we chose the ‘Bint Al Balad’ as our very own muse to live by; the way she moves, the way she navigates the maze of society, and the way she can never be pinned down. It is a whole attitude to life that even belly dancers like Fifi Abdou have always applied in their performances, making sure that people never forget where belly dancing actually comes from, which is the heart and soul of an Egyptian woman's body. Her body is as much a symbol of the country as it is a philosophy; a way to dance through life with a wink and a smile.

Warm regards,

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Set against the backdrop of post-2011 Egypt, Sherif Abdel Samad’s novel Al Taboor Al Khamis doesn’t get lost in political events, but instead, it turns its gaze toward individuals, their relationships, and the very human and complicated realities they carry. It treats journalism not as a cold recorder of events, but as a human experience shaped by empathy, contradiction, and moral weight, looking at how literature can often say what politics cannot, offering a more honest, and more intimate lens into truth. The novel is unafraid to wander through the messiness of human experience. And in doing so, it reminds us that behind every story, every report, every “fact,” there is always a person at the center of it all.

Discover his work here.

A sly wink. A slightly teasing smile. A hand poised beneath the chin, gold bangles cascading along the arm. It is an attitude unmistakable in its essence, one so vividly embodied by Egyptian women. A sensual confidence that has, over time, become a national symbol in its own right: the spirit of bint al balad (daughter of the country).
The spirit of the bint al-balad endures. Even if it no longer flickers across screens, it lives on within countless Egyptian women, a way of meeting life with a smile, even as its chaos stares back. As Fifi Abdou once said, “I’m all about reliving my youth,” a line that perfectly captures her spirit and sense of self. More than that, it reflects a simple, liberating philosophy; one that many could take to heart. It refers to a woman who knows how to navigate life with instinct. Someone who reads people quickly, who can defend herself with humour before confrontation, and who refuses to appear weak, even when life has been anything but easy.

Read the article here.

More than its history, Shik Shak Shok carries a feeling that lingers on. There’s something instinctive about it, something that invites movement without permission, without training, without fear. Whether you know how to dance or not, it pulls you in anyway. And in doing so, it creates a rare kind of space: one where girls and women dance for themselves, away from judgment, away from the male gaze, and entirely within their own joy.

Read the article here.

So much of the world today is seen. It is endlessly visible, constantly unfolding online. We scroll through clips, photos, videos; we see everything, and yet somehow, we grasp so little of what actually matters. In a time like this, Invisible Man feels almost eerily in step with us; a story of a man who comes to understand that his invisibility is shaped by a society that refuses to truly see him. It follows an unnamed narrator from his youth in the American South to his complicated life in Harlem. He begins as an ambitious, hopeful student, believing that hard work and obedience will earn him respect. But moment by moment, experience by experience, from humiliating encounters with white authority figures to betrayal within Black institutions and political groups, he starts to see how easily people project roles onto him without ever understanding who he really is. By the end, after witnessing chaos and violence in Harlem, he retreats underground, physically removing himself from society. There, he reflects on everything he’s lived through, trying to understand what it means to exist in a world that refuses to see you, and whether it’s possible to emerge again on your own terms.

Read more here.

This song feels like a rebellion against a dystopian world, one shaped by cruelty, division, and endless violence. In a place where fear dictates behavior and hatred becomes the norm, it stands as a powerful counterforce, almost like an antagonist to that darkness. Not through aggression or resistance in the traditional sense, but through something far more radical: compassion.

Listen here.

Even though Ramadan is over, it doesn’t mean there isn’t still time to catch up on the shows you might have missed in the middle of your hectic schedule. And while today’s series can be gripping, it’s easy to forget the more humorous, light-hearted shows that once defined the Ramadan season. Alf Leila with Fifi Abdou is exactly the kind of show you turn to after a long day, when you’ve just finished work and want to switch off completely.

Watch it here.

There’s been a noticeable rise in Chinese Muslim restaurants opening across Cairo lately, bringing with them a distinctive culinary tradition that feels both comforting and refreshingly new. Rooted in regions like Xinjiang, this cuisine blends bold Chinese techniques with halal practices. Now is the perfect time to explore these spots, before the intense summer heat settles in. There’s something especially satisfying about enjoying a steaming bowl of noodles or a hearty, spice-laden dish while the weather is still cool and crisp.

Find out more here.

This is a journey through color, light, and emotion. Walk among the swirling stars of Starry Night, feel the passion behind every brushstroke, and see Van Gogh’s masterpieces like never before in a breathtaking, multi-sensory setting. This marks the first time such an immersive Van Gogh exhibition has come to Egypt, promising a unique blend of art, technology, and emotion for local audiences.

Find out more here.

Spring is the perfect time to explore the Cairo Flea Market. Wander through a vibrant mix of vintage treasures, handmade crafts, unique fashion finds, and hidden gems you won’t see anywhere else. Whether you’re hunting for one-of-a-kind pieces, supporting local creators, or simply soaking up the lively atmosphere with friends and family, the market offers something for everyone.

Find out more here.

There is a saying in Saudi Arabia that a guest who has not been offered kabsa has not truly been welcomed. The dish sits at the centre of the Kingdom’s food culture with a permanence that few national dishes anywhere in the world can match. It appears at weddings, at funerals, at Friday family lunches, and at the tables of strangers who have just met. To understand kabsa is to understand something real about how Saudi society works.

Read more here.