Hey there,

We hope your summer was nothing short of AMAZING. Now that September is officially here, fall season has rolled in, which, in digital culture terms, means it’s time to “lock in” and brace yourself for the unexpected plot twists that the rest of the year has in store. Who knows, maybe your soulmate will appear just before the year wraps up, so don’t stress too much if you’re still riding solo.

Speaking of digital culture, this edition is riffing on the viral phrase “go touch grass”, which is a playful jab at anyone a little too consumed by the online world, reminding us that social media isn’t real life.

But let’s take it further: have you actually touched grass lately? As in, stepped outside and let yourself enjoy a patch of greenery? While the phrase is often tied to Gen Z humor, it also sparks a deeper conversation here in Egypt about the shrinking of green spaces. Maybe the question shouldn’t only go to those glued to their screens, but also to economists and policymakers: have you touched grass lately?

We hope you enjoy the read, and have a wonderful weekend!

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.

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Spotlight

^{Meet Farida Sultan}

As you might have guessed, we’re fascinated by colour, and how a single shade can shift the mood of an entire portrait, or even stir an emotion deep within us. Colour, with all its layers, character, and mystery, has always been more than just what meets the eye. For centuries, it has captivated philosophers, writers, scientists, and dreamers alike, who’ve questioned its role in perception, its ties to language, and its influence on our emotional, psychological, and even physical states.

For Egyptian artist Farida Sultan, this fascination takes on a deeply personal form. Her work reveals how colours can reshape our mindset, lift our spirits, and become a kind of escape. The more you pay attention to how her colours and shapes converse with one another, the more you begin to sense their emotional energy; an energy not unlike the one you feel when listening to music. Discover her work here.

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

What routines or rituals help spark your creativity?

Most of my ideas start from instinct and gut feeling, so I try to create space for that to emerge. I like to set a calm, intentional mood, sometimes with music, a warm drink and see what sparks. When I feel stuck, I push myself to get out more often, because new environments shake me out of routine and open up fresh perspectives.

How did you come to develop your unique artistic style?

Honestly, it happened by accident. While studying fine arts in university, I hit a creative wall. My work was usually heavily inspired by other artists which left me feeling frustrated, as I knew that I needed to develop my own style and stand out. I decided I needed to act, I bought an iPad and started brainstorming my ideas seamlessly and easily, taking advantage of all the creative tools I can use. I started doodling, layering shapes, and experimenting with how those layers could create new dimensions. I brought that same layered, playful approach into actual painting, I stopped shying away from using bold and colourful gestures. I pulled references from my surroundings: my house, the street, my friends and blending them together with bold, saturated colours. Over time, it became instinctual. I started creating my own world through my art and found ways to make experimentation the root of my practice.

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

Escapism drives a lot of my work. When I'm in the studio, I get lost in creating these loud, dimensional worlds where time just stops. There's something really therapeutic about letting my curiosity take over and seeing how all the layers and elements will eventually come together.

Are there Egyptian artists that have influenced you?

Egypt appears in my work both directly and indirectly. Sometimes I’ll incorporate patterns or colours inspired by the city, but I also filter them through my personal experiences. A street corner, a friend’s silhouette, or even the view from my balcony might be transformed into something new. With that being said there are other elements of Egypt that inspired me. My favourite take on Egypt was a few years back when I created a series inspired by Cairo, I painted a 3 meter wooden panel with portraits of Cairo’s faces.

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

I have many projects I'm proud of, but my latest series really stands out. I created these paintings for an exhibition about nature, but I was more interested in playing with contradictions, painting natural forms in these really saturated synthetic colours, mixing flat areas with deep spaces, balancing chaotic compositions with simple shapes. I liked how geometric precision can work alongside organic, flowing forms. The whole series ended up being featured in the '2023 Artists of Tomorrow' exhibition, which was really exciting for me.

Feature

^{Redefining Public Parks}

Egypt’s public parks are under increasing threat. Rapid urbanization and commercialization are steadily encroaching upon green spaces that once served as vital urban sanctuaries. In response, Banlastic Egypt, alongside the German Embassy and local authorities, launched the initiative “Redefining Public Parks.” Their pilot at historic Shalalat Park in Alexandria involved community cleanups, nature walks highlighting rare flora and bird species, children’s drawing workshops, and creative upcycling sessions, like turning plastic waste into musical instruments. 

Banlastic co-founder Manar Ramadan emphasized that the key to preserving these green spaces lies in active public engagement. If people reclaim parks as beloved and regularly used communal spaces, these havens stand a far better chance of surviving commercial threats.

Engaging with green spaces has proven benefits for mental health, such as reducing stress, boosting mood, and fostering social cohesion. For youth navigating fast-paced digital lives, this daily dose of nature can be a powerful reset. In cities like Cairo, the loss of greenery, due to road expansion and development, has intensified heat stress and worsened urban living conditions. Young people, often the most mobile demographic, can both benefit from and champion efforts to restore shade and fresh air.

Read the article here.

^{Vanishing Spaces}

Cairo’s public spots, like the Corniche and the quiet Zamalek gardens, were once everyday places where people from all walks of life came together to relax: flying kites, sharing tea, or catching a breeze. Many of those places are now blocked, paved over, or turned into café zones with entry fees. Even walkways often have guards or gates. What’s still green or open feels less welcoming, losing that feel of equality and belonging.

Cairo’s neighborhoods are becoming isolated bubbles, some built for state-planned access, others gated and privatized. Few places feel truly public, and not everyone gets to enjoy the city equally.

Finding balance between economic growth, mental well-being, and green spaces has never been more crucial. Cities, more than we often acknowledge, play a powerful role in shaping both our state of mind and our productivity.

Read the article here.

What to Read

^{Language and Migration}

When you pick up a book, that very first sentence can make or break it. It’s either the hook that pulls you into the story, or the reason you don’t get past the first page. With this book, though, the opening line stopped us in our tracks: “Each word I put down is one word further from where you are.”

Few lines capture so much in so little. It’s a sentence that speaks directly to the experience of so many third culture kids, who often find themselves using a language their parents never spoke. Language is supposed to be a bridge, yet for immigrant children it can also create distance, making them feel even more estranged from their families. 

If that sounds familiar, this book might just feel like it was written for you.

Read more here.

What to Listen to

^Holm

Back in 2020, American singer-songwriter Samia joined forces with Ash, the Cairo-born multi-instrumentalist celebrated for blending electronic textures with cinematic depth, to release Le Beirut. Now, the two artists reunite with a new collaboration, Holm, a reinterpretation of Emel Mathlouthi’s striking version of the Persian classic Soltane Ghalbha.

Holm feels like a bridge between eras and geographies. Listening to it is like being transported, wandering through landscapes, where history and modernity are constantly in dialogue.

Listen here.

What to Watch

^{Lift Like a Girl}

If you’ve been feeling a bit sluggish after the long summer break and need that extra spark of motivation, this documentary deserves a spot on your weekend watchlist. And trust us, there are plenty of reasons why.

At its core, it flips the script on traditional gender roles, spotlighting young Egyptian women who are not only physically strong but fully committed to a sport long seen as male-dominated. Yes, it’s framed around weightlifting, but the real story goes much deeper. It’s about resilience, learning to embrace loss, and finding strength in the face of setbacks.

Through Zebiba’s journey, we watch her navigate defeat and personal heartbreak, each moment shaping her into who she becomes. What makes the film so powerful is the raw honesty in showing both the highs and the lows. In the end, it’s less about weightlifting and more about the universal struggles we all face, which is exactly why it hits so close to home.

Watch it in Egypt here and in the US here. 

What to Eat

^{It’s Steak O’Clock}

Honestly, sometimes a good steak is all you need to turn things around, and this weekend feels like the perfect time. Mo Bistro just opened at U Venues Mall, and if you’re in the mood to treat yourself before Monday rolls in, you’ve got to try their Glazed Beef Short Ribs. We’re talking slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone beef on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, topped with that glossy glazed sauce, with some sautéed spinach on the side. Pure comfort.

Find out more here.

What to Visit

^Emotions

If you’re in the mood to get swept up in a wave of feelings, this exhibition is the one to check out. Every painting comes straight from a real, raw emotion that artist Aya Mostafa has lived through. “Emotions is an invitation to share both my fragility and my strength. Maybe you’ll see yourself in me, and maybe we’ll both find pieces of ourselves in this mirror,” she says.

Find out more here.

Saudi Spotlight

^{Women-Only Rally}

Started small, now global. Since launching in 2022, Rally Jameel has grown from a local motorsport event into an international stage for women, adventure tourism, and regional change. Then 2025 went across borders. For the first time ever, the rally kicked off at the rose-red cliffs of Petra, Jordan, and ended in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. It covered over 1,600 km across five cities.

More than racing. It's a women-only navigational rally, meaning it’s not about who’s fastest, it’s about endurance, strategy, and precision. That reflects the rally’s bigger mission: empowering women in arenas where they’ve traditionally been sidelined.

Teamwork across borders. This year featured 45 teams representing 37 countries, showing how far the event has come in terms of inclusivity and recognition.

Read more here.