Hey there,

We hope you’ve been feeling healthy and are still awake enough to dive into some deeper topics with us.

We’re trying to focus on a few conversations that really got people talking. After all, it’s these kinds of talks that can shift perspectives and change how we think and feel about certain issues. Because culture isn’t just something to consume, it’s something to reflect on. And this is why the 'Egypt vs. Masr' debate is such an interesting one, it gets to the heart of who truly represents Cairo’s working-class life and who profits from it.

As the year slowly comes to a close, we’re looking back on some of our favorite cultural moments, and we’ll soon be announcing our People of the Year for 2025, so keep an eye out to discover individuals worth learning from and drawing inspiration from.

We hope you enjoy reading!

Warm regards,

Mirna Abdulaal

The time and effort behind this newsletter come from the Egyptian Streets team of independent, grassroots journalists. By subscribing for just USD 1.66 per month (EGP 80), or as little as USD 0.84 per month (EGP 40) for students (paid annually), you’re directly supporting the creation of content like this and helping sustain independent media in Egypt.

Support our work and subscribe by clicking here.

Spotlight

Meet Ahmed Nassr

Sometimes, it all begins with just one color, and then everything else falls into place. Not a concept, not an image, not even a symbol, just a single color. When you bathe everything in that color, suddenly, it all clicks and becomes its own world, pulling you into a singular emotion. Ahmed Nassr is the kind of Egyptian artist who takes us on a journey through his blue universe, and you’d never guess that viewing Egypt through the lens of blue could make it feel so much more surreal and cinematic. Discover his work here.

Speaking to Egyptian Streets, Ahmed shared more about his cultural picks and work below:

What routines or rituals help spark your creativity?

I work every day, try a lot of things, and explore different art schools. This has created for me a unique visual perspective and style, and it’s evolving little by little with time and practice.

Are there particular emotions that guide or influence you while painting?

The truth is, I love peace and calm because it puts me in the right state to create authentic artwork, and this is always reflected in my paintings.

How do you express Egypt through your artwork?

Honestly, I love the South of Egypt, and that’s why. Lately, I’ve been working on Egyptian traditions and heritage, expressing them through the scenes I’ve lived and witnessed, which makes the experience more genuine. And again, I love the South because it’s still abundant there, people have preserved so much of it.

Merch Drop

^{Limited-Edition Merch Drop - Early Access Ends Soon!}

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.

Feature

Egypt v.s. Masr

The opening of 6901, a concept store in Downtown Cairo, marks a striking intersection between the city’s cultural history and contemporary commercialism. Founded by the creative force behind Maison 69, this new space, once a room used by a local ironer, has been turned into a venue that sells Egyptian food, vinyls, and curated fashion for both men and women.

The debate centers on a complex and unresolved question: who has the right to represent Cairo’s working-class life, and who stands to profit from it? In a society as socially and economically stratified as Egypt’s, the notion of celebrating “street culture” is fraught with tensions. As explored in Aesthetics of Gentrification (2021), creative projects that appropriate working-class or marginalized urban aesthetics often commodify them into polished, consumable experiences intended for wealthier audiences.

These “spaces” may appear authentic, but in reality, they remain socially exclusive, celebrating the aesthetics of urban struggle while sidelining the lived realities of those who endure it. This blurring of appreciation and appropriation calls into question the ethical and cultural implications of such spaces.

Read the article here.

What to Read

^{Motherhood in Ancient Egypt}

In ancient Egypt, motherhood was no small feat, it was something that even the gods and magicians had to help with. While it may sound a bit extreme, it actually makes sense when you think about how challenging and risky pregnancy and childbirth can be. In her book, French Egyptologist Amandine Marshall explores how ancient Egyptians relied on gods, doctor-magicians, and even spirits to help women get pregnant.

Pregnancy in ancient Egypt wasn’t without its dangers. The many spells, remedies, and rituals that have survived from that time give us a glimpse into how childbirth was handled. Once a woman survived the risks of miscarriage, often blamed on the god Seth, she faced the intense, yet hopeful moment of giving birth. A successful delivery was seen as a blessing from the gods. But even then, the challenges didn’t end. Sadly, it’s believed that about one-third of children didn’t live past the age of five, despite the efforts of both parents and healer-magicians to protect them.

Read more here.

What to Listen to

Hayati

Felukah has been drawing increased attention lately thanks to her track “Hayati,” produced in collaboration with DJ Habibeat. The song reached an especially high-profile moment when it played as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani took the stage during his victory speech. In a personal touch, Mamdani later turned to thank his wife, Rama Duwaji, referring to her as “Hayati,” the Arabic word for “my life,” echoing the title and sentiment of the song playing moments earlier.

Read more here.

What to Watch

^{Feha Eh Yaani}

Fiha Eh Ya’ni (What’s the Big Deal?) stands out as a refreshing challenge to ageism in romance. Directed by Omar Rushdy Hamed, this 2025 romantic comedy defies expectations by focusing on the themes of aging and second chances in love. The film tells the story of Salah (Maged El Kedwany) and Laila (Ghada Adel), two people who were once in love but were separated in their youth, only to reconnect decades later. Now older and wiser, they face the question of whether fate can offer them a second shot at love, all while exploring how society views love in later years.

Watch it in Egypt here.

^{Talking About Trees}

Four Sudanese friends, who once studied filmmaking abroad in Germany and Russia, have come back to Sudan as older men. Together, they run the Sudanese Film Group, which organizes film screenings. On a radio program, they reflect on the 1989 military coup that led to their arrests, exile, and the end of a golden age for Sudanese filmmaking in the 1970s and 1980s.

Now back home, they try to open a cinema in Omdurman, hoping to make it free for the public and free from censorship. They find an old outdoor theater called The Revolution, where the owner agrees to rent them the space. The group faces challenges restoring the theater, like getting a projector, renting chairs, painting a sign, and creating a wall to use as a screen.

Watch it here. 

What to Drink

^{Chai Latte}

Winter is usually associated with hot chocolate, but a chai latte truly holds its own when it comes to winter comfort. Smooth and creamy, it blends warm milk with gently spiced tea, creating a drink that feels both calming and cozy. With every sip, the subtle sweetness and aromatic spices make cold winter days feel a little softer, offering warmth that soothes both the body and the spirit.

Find out more here.

What to Visit

^{Doria Shafik}

The Institut Français d’Égypte in Mounira is hosting an exhibition dedicated to the life and legacy of Doria Shafik (1908–1975), one of Egypt’s most influential feminist trailblazers. Curated by Nadine Nour el Din, the exhibition commemorates fifty years since Shafik’s passing, highlighting her relentless activism, sharp intellect, and lasting impact on women’s rights in Egypt and beyond.

A writer, poet, journalist, and the founder of the Bint al-Nil Feminist Union, Shafik spent her life challenging social norms and political boundaries. Through photographs, archives, and personal material, the exhibition sheds light on the many roles she played and the bold ideas she championed, offering a deeper look at her contributions to Egyptian society.

Find out more here.

^{Taxi El Sahra}

Hop on a taxi, figuratively, of course, and ride into the New Year with El Ma3lem Cheikho for a Sahra that promises zero chill and maximum vibes. This is not your quiet, reflective kind of celebration; it’s loud, joyful, and fueled by fresh intentions, good energy, and questionable dance moves.

Ring in New Year’s Eve with a high-octane mix of ’90s English and Arabic pop hits, nostalgia-heavy anthems, and all the crowd favorites you forgot you knew by heart. Expect feel-good throwbacks, nonstop dancing, and a dance floor that absolutely refuses to calm down as we count our way into 2026.

Find out more here.

Saudi Spotlight

^{Cardi B in Saudi Arabia}

For her Riyadh performance, Cardi B changed both her sound and style to align with the local context. The set was delivered without her most explicit material, while her outfit favored full coverage rather than her signature revealing looks. 

Her appearance and comments sparked significant online debate, particularly around whether international artists should respect local cultural values when performing abroad. The discussion also extended to whether artists have a responsibility to learn about and positively represent the cultures of the countries they visit to global audiences.

Read more here.