Hey there,

Poets tend to feel everything, deeply, all at once, often at their own expense, just so someone else might feel something too. Even in the middle of their own suffering, their own darkest hours, they still reach for a pen. They write through it, turning pain into something beautiful. For them, writing is both courage and sacrifice. It asks them to be entirely selfless, to sit with their hurt, to listen to it, and to give it a voice instead of turning away.

This week, we honor those selfless, courageous poets, most notably Khalil Gibran, who chose to transform their pain into poetry, not for themselves, but so that others, even years later, might read their words, feel deeply, and find healing within their own beauty. It is a tender, powerful kind of sacrifice that deserves to be remembered and honored.

Warm regards,

Mirna Abdulaal

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Farida Zahran is an Egyptian filmmaker based in Brooklyn who has built a strong international presence through film and television. She studied at NYU to expand her opportunities, gain global exposure, and learn from diverse filmmakers, especially since she initially lacked clear entry points into the Egyptian film industry. She draws inspiration from vibrant, fast-paced cities like Cairo and New York, where everyday life fuels her creativity. Her work often explores complex human relationships and challenges traditional storytelling norms. One of her key projects is a dark comedy musical set in Cairo, which reexamines romantic relationships and critiques problematic gender dynamics often seen in classic musicals. She uses this project to experiment with new styles and collaborate with artists from different disciplines, such as musicians and dancers.

Discover her work here.

Hekayyatna, a community-driven production house focused on SWANA cultural programming, has launched Behind the Scenes, an open call for Egyptian and diaspora photographers to submit work for a month-long group exhibition at the Egypt Exploration Society (EES) in London. The exhibition pairs contemporary photography with archival images from the EES collection, highlighting the often-overlooked Egyptian workers—guides, vendors, drivers, and diggers—who sustain archaeology and tourism. Curated by Halima Ibrahim, it will feature 10–15 contemporary works alongside archival material, exploring themes of labour, memory, and belonging.
Selected photographers can sell their work during the show and gain exposure to the EES’s international audience.

Find out more here.

Kahlil Gibran has always been a guide through the inner lives we often overlook. Writing with a kind of spiritual openness that resists dogma, his work speaks in a language that feels both intimate and universal, asking simple yet enduring questions about love, pain, purpose, and what it means to be human. The most defining characteristic of Gibran’s work is its soulful authenticity, integrity and empathy. It attempts to simply understand the human experience through a universal lens and ask questions that relate to all of us, such as: What are love, joy, sorrow, and freedom? And how can we find meaning and purpose in even the simplest tasks in our lives like eating, drinking, buying clothes and resting?

Read the article here.

‘Those who understand us enslave something in us.’ This is how Khalil Gibran beautifully describes the pain of coming to know one’s own true self, which is often a long series of trials, tribulations, and the realization that understanding oneself is rarely, if ever, found through what others think of us. It is often in accepting that you may never fully come to understand who you are, and when you reach that place of confusion and unknowing, that is when you become free of labels and misconceptions, and when you become your true, authentic self.

Read more here.

“WELCOME TO ECLESIA” is all about freedom. The lyrics talk about having both a wild side and a soft side, and instead of choosing one, it’s like: just be both. That’s the whole vibe of the song. You don’t need to fit into one version of yourself. The sound is light and catchy, but still feels powerful. And the mix of languages makes it feel global, like it’s meant for everyone, not just one place or one type of person.

Listen here.

The 1975 Egyptian film I Want a Solution, starring Faten Hamama and directed by Said Marzouk, stands as one of the most powerful cinematic critiques of patriarchal personal status laws in Egypt. Through the story of Doria, a woman trapped in an abusive marriage and unable to secure a divorce due to restrictive legal conditions, the film exposes how the legal system historically privileged men, forcing women into long, humiliating court battles with little chance of justice. It became a catalyst for public debate, bringing widespread attention to gender inequality and the structural barriers women faced in marriage and divorce. Its cultural impact was tangible: the film helped inspire legal reforms in the late 1970s that expanded women’s rights within Egypt’s personal status laws. Today, the film remains strikingly relevant, as ongoing debates around personal status law and the treatment of divorced women in Egypt echo many of the same concerns it raised nearly fifty years ago.

Watch it here.

Eating at Brass Monkey Egypt just feels different in the best way. One of the standouts is their crispy shrimp sandwich. Super crunchy, packed with flavor, and the kind of thing you’ll keep thinking about after. The whole vibe is young, laid-back, and social, so it’s not just about eating, it’s about the experience. If you want Egyptian food that feels fresh and a bit unexpected, this is definitely the spot.

Find out more here.

Mai Serhan, a Palestinian-Egyptian writer, is hosting a 3-day memoir writing retreat at Ardi, tucked away on the peaceful edge of Dahshur. Escape the city noise and step into a place where you can really pause and notice. Over the weekend, you'll learn how to tell your true stories using techniques from fiction. You'll dive into your memories, try out writing prompts, read some inspiring texts, and work on your own writing with feedback from others. Surrounded by nature, you’ll connect with fellow writers and uncover new layers of your voice and emotions.

Find out more here.

If you're a Beatles fan, or even just a fan of great music, don’t miss The Beatles' Tribute Night at Boom Room! It’s the perfect chance to relive the magic of the Fab Four in a high-energy, unforgettable setting. With a live band bringing all the classic hits to life, you'll be singing along to your favorite Beatles tunes in no time.

Find out more here.

By late March, the Saudi map begins to flip. While the lowlands edge toward summer heat, the highlands and canyons of the south-west and far north are just settling into their best season. Booking data for Eid Al-Fitr 2026 already shows Abha in Aseer region among the leading domestic destinations, alongside Jeddah and AlUla, as more Saudis choose to stay inside the Kingdom for their spring break. For anyone used to thinking of Saudi Arabia as a country of dunes and expressways, Aseer’s misted forests and Tabuk’s green canyons feel almost like another place.

Read more here.