Hey there,

Things feel heavy in the world right now, and it would be impossible, even irresponsible, not to acknowledge the weight of the wars unfolding around us. In moments like this, we’re left asking: What’s the point of making art when everything is falling apart? But maybe that’s exactly why art matters most.

Creating art during times of war gives people control over their story and experience, empowering them to shape meaning. For many, making art becomes a way to process grief, confusion, and fear. It helps give shape to emotions too big for words. And no, it’s not about profit or performance. It’s about presence. Art becomes a way to resist erasure, to hold on to identity, to remember what home feels like, even if that home is now rubble.

So when we ask if art still has a place during war, the answer is: absolutely. Maybe more than ever. Because art is more about seeing the beauty of life, it is about defending it.

Warm regards,

Egyptian Streets team

Omaima Al Seesi, Renowned Heritage Artist

Omaima Alseesi is an artist that moves with memory, painting Egypt’s past into the present. Through her work, Egypt’s heritage breathes again through vivid portrayals of Egyptian women. You can almost hear the clink of gold bangles, see the graceful sway of hips, and feel the intimacy of women braiding each other’s hair. In her world, Egyptian women are the story, the joy, and the soul of tradition. Discover her work here.

Speaking to Egyptian Streets, Omaima Alseesi shared more about her cultural picks and work below:

What routines or rituals help spark your creativity?

Walking through the streets and alleys of Old Cairo with all its ancient doors and heritage buildings generates inspiration in my mind and soul and gives me the energy to create art. Practicing painting continuously at my studio surrounded by my paintings makes me feel as if I’am living the stories and tales of the characters of my artwork.

How did you come to develop your unique artistic style?

I have a passion for the Egyptian culture and its ancient heritage. The vibrant Egyptian environment, traditions and motives of Old Cairo, the countryside and Upper Egypt are the main inspiration of the themes of my artwork. And, my paint palette, which is a combination of vibrant and warm colors derived from the splendid nature of my homeland Egypt, helps me to emphasize these themes.

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

My attachment to my country and my fascination with its history and the successive civilizations that have passed through Egypt.. took over and controlled me, and I became a captive of this beauty, this antiquity, and the character of the Egyptian person who carries all of this history within him. As an Egyptian visual artist, I feel fortunate to live amidst this rich heritage, from which I spontaneously and naturally draw inspiration for my artwork, because it is stored within me and has shaped my identity.

How do you express the essence of Egypt through your art?

Every color, every line, and every theme that I put on the canvas.. is driven from the core of the authentic Egyptian spirit. My paintings are inspired by the picturesque nature of Egypt and its warm sun. My paint palette contains cheerful colors depicting the beautiful landscape of Egypt and all clothing of women in my paintings are inspired by the vibrant colors of Egypt’s nature. In my paintings, you can see green as the color of trees, the warm yellow of the sun before sunset, orange and red as the colors of fruits at harvest time, reddish brown as the color of Aswan's sands, and blue in its various shades as the color of Egypt's clear sky.

Is there a project that holds special meaning for you, and why does it stand out?

My art is my life project and, reviving the Egyptian intangible cultural heritage through my art, is the core of this project. Every piece of my art holds a special meaning for me as long as it focuses on highlighting the Egyptian local identity with honesty and passion.

For Migrant Women in Cairo, Art Becomes a Map of Home

Migrant women artists in Cairo, particularly those displaced by war, are redefining the notion of home through deeply personal, sensory art. Rather than naming a country, their responses to “Where are you from?” become stories of loss, movement, and survival. Rooted in memory, scent, and fleeting sensation, their work maps a lived experience that transcends borders. Artists like Palestinian Amal Al‑Nakhala and Sudanese Ola Mohamed demonstrated how art builds mental geography and reclaims a sense of belonging amid displacement.

Read the article here.

Art in Gaza: Our Palette, Our Homeland, Our Voice

For Yara Ghabayen, art became a way to make sense of her grief, and to hold on to memories and mourn what was lost. While the global art world often saw her work as bold or political, that’s not what drove her. She wasn’t painting to make a statement, she was painting to feel connected to her people. Even now, she keeps creating, not for an audience out there, but for her community, for those still living through the pain, still holding on.

Read the article here.

A War of Colors: Graffiti and Street Art in Postwar Beirut

This richly illustrated 320‑page book explores how, in the two decades following Lebanon’s civil war, graffiti artists waged a vibrant “war of colors” across Beirut’s walls. Nadine Sinno shows how these urban artworks helped reclaim contested public spaces once controlled by militias, and gave voice to civic anger, memory, and hope. The book not only documents this creative movement but also situates it within broader local and global conversations about art, identity, and power on Beirut’s scarred urban canvas.

Read more here.

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Zahrat Al-Mada'en (Flower of Cities) by Fairuz

Fairuz’s “Zahrat Al Mada’en” is a prayer, a poem, and a promise. In the face of devastation, she sings not to mourn what’s lost but to remind us of what still lives: dignity, beauty, and the soul of a city that refuses to die. In a world that often breaks our spirits, Fairuz’s song does the opposite: it builds them back up, one note at a time.

Listen here.

Ommi

Basma is a little girl living in a home shadowed by violence and neglect at the hands of her mother’s husband, Ubaid. She endures constant abuse and insecurity, filling her days with fear and loneliness. When her teacher Maryam notices the silent marks of Basma’s suffering, she decides to step in and rescue her from this harsh reality.

Watch it in Egypt here and in the US here. 

Best Breakfast Spots at the Pyramids

If you're dreaming of sipping your morning coffee with the Great Pyramid as your backdrop, here’s a rundown of the top breakfast spots right in the heart of the Giza Pyramid Complex. Don’t skip the pyramid-shaped date cake at Khufu's. And yes, there's a solid vegetarian menu and cocktails if breakfast turns into brunch.

Find out more here.

Frida Kahlo

The Egyptian Modern Dance Theatre Company is putting on a special three-day performance celebrating the iconic Frida Kahlo. Catch the show at El Gomhouria Theatre in Downtown Cairo. Tickets are EGP 150 and available now through Tazkarti’s official website.

Find out more here.

Paint and Sip

Looking for a fun and creative way to spend a summer day? Brush It is hosting a relaxed paint and sip session this June at Katameya Heights, perfect for treating yourself or planning a chill outing with friends or family. Just send them a message on Instagram to book your spot!

Find out more here.