Hey there,

Ramadan is just around the corner, as many of you know, but we can’t overlook Valentine’s Day, which arrives only a few days before the holy month. With two meaningful occasions kicking off the year, it’s a good idea to think about how to make each one feel special after all.

And in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re embracing a little cliché by revisiting the heartwarming love story of Faten Hamama and Omar Sharif. Their story, however, didn’t begin on the dreamy note most rom-coms promise. Already a major star, Hamama reportedly hesitated to accept the then-unknown Chalhoub as her co-star in the film Struggle in the Valley (1954), concerned that pairing with a debut actor could affect the film’s success.

It might seem as though a director orchestrated their love story, but the greatest romances often have no director at all, only fate. And it was fate that allowed their love to grow even deeper.

We hope you enjoy reading!

Warm regards,

Mirna Abdulaal

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The most straightforward way to remember an artist is through their artistic creations, which serve as their legacy. When it comes to Helmi El Touni, however, remembering his work is akin to remembering one’s own identity; his art is deeply intertwined with Egypt’s culture and history.

When we remember his artwork, we are not just remembering him as an artist; we are also reconnecting with Egypt’s culture.

Many Arab homes displayed his illustrated books, even if they were rarely opened. The distinctive covers alone were prized as pieces of art or decorative elements. His book covers for renowned authors like Ihsan Abdel-Quddous and Anis Mansour, along with his illustrations for Hussein Ahmed Amin’s Alf Hekaya w Hekaya (One Thousand and One Tales, 1984), ensured his imagery was a familiar and enduring presence in Arab homes.

He was part of a generation of Egyptian graphic artists who emerged during a time of intense Arab anti-colonial artistic and intellectual enthusiasm, which largely resisted Euro-American aesthetics. His favorite motifs, such as doves, horses, and Arabic calligraphy, echoed ancient, Coptic, and Islamic art as well as grassroots culture.

Discover his work here.

Early access for Egyptian Streets’ first ever limited edition merch drop is ending soon! The merch was created in collaboration with four independent Egyptian artists whose work brings everyday Egypt to life in original, meaningful ways. You can now secure a tote, tee, art print or sweater featuring designs by Amira Tanany, Toka El Sayed, Nada Abouelmaati and Seham Sultan.

The Early Access window is currently available for global audiences only. A dedicated Egypt-based launch will follow soon, with local pricing and production being finalized to ensure affordability and availability inside Egypt.

Check out the collection and learn more about the artists here.

Are romances best lived on the screen or in life, or is all love just a movie being plotted by two people? Few stories capture this question better than that of Faten Hamama and Omar Sharif, Egyptian cinema’s most iconic couple.

They first met in 1954 on the set of Struggle in the Valley. Hamama, already a superstar, was wary of acting alongside the unknown Chalhoub (who would later become Omar Sharif). But somehow, between shared laughs and even a dramatic Hamlet recitation, sparks flew. Fate, or maybe good chemistry, won out, and by 1955, they were married.

For two decades, they lit up the screen. Films like Our Sweet Days and River of Love weren’t just movies; they were windows into a love that felt bigger than life, a love audiences couldn’t help but root for. But real life, as it often does, had other plans. Sharif’s Hollywood stardom pulled him across oceans, and the distance grew until they parted ways in 1974.

In the end, maybe the line between screen and reality is blurrier than we think. Some romances, it seems, are meant to feel cinematic, whether we’re watching or living them.

Read the article here.

Imagine booking a table for one and actually liking it, ordering your favorite drink, sitting by the window, then taking a slow walk through Maadi with the sun on your face and nowhere you have to be.

In Egypt, where life usually revolves around family, friends, and being surrounded by people, doing things alone can feel a bit awkward at first. We’re not really taught to enjoy our own company. But after the pandemic, and after certain friendships naturally fade, a lot of people found themselves with more time alone than they expected.

And honestly? There’s something really freeing about it. No small talk. No pressure to be “on.” No worrying if the other person is having a good time. Just you, your thoughts, and the moment. It’s in those pockets of time that you realize how much effort you put into showing up for everyone else, and how rarely you do the same for yourself.

Read the article here.

Metropole, a novel first published in Arabic in 2017, has found new readers and fresh energy after years of struggle and setbacks. Originally part of a trilogy, the book went through a long fight to survive. It was written, lost, involved in legal battles and ultimately translated into English, giving it a second life and introducing it to a wider audience at the Cairo International Book Fair.

The journey wasn’t easy. The author had to reclaim her rights after the work was taken from her, a process that took several years and legal effort. Getting Metropole back and seeing it presented in a new language carried emotional weight, because it wasn’t just a story on the page; it was something personal that had been denied and then restored.
For long-time fans and new readers alike, the novel’s appearance in English has been a moment of rediscovery.

Books can endure even when they face obstacles, and good stories can find their readers in unexpected ways, sometimes years after they were first written.

Read more here.

Arab electronic music is straight-up hypnotic, and Amira Saqati’s “Hel Aeynik” is a perfect example. It’s where old-school Arabic melodies meet slick electronic beats, creating something that feels both nostalgic and totally new. The vocals hit you with raw emotion, while the production pulls you into a dreamy, almost otherworldly vibe. It’s the kind of track that makes you pause, lean back, and just let yourself feel it. What’s really cool about Arab electronic music is how it flips the script on what Arabic sound can be. Artists like Saqati are mixing tradition with experimentation, proving that culture can evolve while still feeling authentic.

Listen here.

If you’re looking for a film that pulses with energy, heart, and culture, Casablanca Beats is a must-watch. Set in Morocco’s vibrant hip-hop scene, the movie is about young people finding their voice, challenging expectations, and expressing themselves in ways that feel raw, real, and powerful.

The soundtrack alone will pull you in, mixing modern beats with local rhythms, while the story captures the struggles, dreams, and unstoppable creativity of a new generation. Watching it feels like stepping into the middle of a movement, where every rhyme, dance, and line of dialogue carries emotion and meaning.

Even if you’ve never set foot in Morocco, you’ll relate to the hunger to create, the fight to be seen, and the power of art to change lives.

Watch it here.

If you’re looking for a fresh culinary destination that’s already buzzing across social media, Chubby Lee in New Cairo should be at the top of your list. Since opening its doors with a carefully crafted Asian-inspired menu, the restaurant has captured the attention of food lovers and TikTok creators alike, with clips of its standout ramen bowls, donburis, and indulgent sandos circulating across feeds and sparking conversation.

Find out more here.

Ever wonder how a random chat on a park bench could spiral out of control? That’s exactly what happens in this modern Egyptian take on Edward Albee’s “The Zoo Story.” Two strangers meet, trade words, and suddenly, what seemed like a casual conversation turns into a collision course neither of them will forget.

It’s absurd, intense, and darkly funny; the kind of play that sneaks up on you, makes you laugh, then hits you with a moment that sticks. If you like theatre that’s smart, unpredictable, and a little bit mischievous, grab a seat and watch sparks fly, you won’t see this coming, but you won’t forget it either.

Find out more here.

If you’re still thinking about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance and wish you could relive that incredible energy, then Afrobeats & Reggaeton Night is where you need to be. The night is all about those same high-energy beats that make you want to move, from the smooth Afrobeats vibes to the pulse of reggaeton that’ll keep the dance floor alive.

Find out more here.

Sneaker culture was the focus in Riyadh this month with the return of Sneaker Con Riyadh 2026. The event ran from Monday 26 January to Wednesday 28 January, and drew sneaker enthusiasts, collectors, and members of the fashion community from Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries. It will now be heading to Jeddah from 1 February to 3 February.

This is the second time Sneaker Con has come to Saudi Arabia, and it is expected to be a place where people can buy, sell, and trade rare and popular sneakers. For many visitors, it is a chance to see all the sneakers they usually only find online in one place.

Sneaker Con Riyadh 2026 showcased a wide range of limited-edition and hard-to-find shoes. Some of the highlights include the Air Jordan 1 Love Olive, the viral NIKE MIND 001 Slide, and the Nike Jordan 1 Retro High Charlotte Hornets Foundation. Visitors also saw custom-made sneakers, such as Labubu Travis Scotts, and fun statement designs like marshmallow boots. Vintage fans may even spot 1985 Air Jordan 1 Highs, with prices reaching around USD 2,000 (SAR 7,500).

Read more here.