1. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority
EGYPT THIS MONTH
June 2012 www.egypt.travel Issue 36
Live Colors Egypt
eGYPTiAN ArCHiTeCTure
THrouGH THe AGe oF TiMe
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2. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter
Throughout history Egyptian art and architecture has always On either side, above the entrance, in small roundels, are
flourished and has managed to surpass the test of time; the the diamond-shaped napkin blazons of the Jamadar (Sultan’s
scattered historical buildings and monuments all attest to that. Master of Robes). Evidence of one of the many positions
A fusion of Moorish, European, African and Pharaonic styles is Al Nasiry held, including being responsible for the Sultan’s
what sets apart Egyptian architecture from any other country. garments.
These three houses turned museums - Prince Beshtak Palace, Deliberately curved or bent, the entrance was constructed
Kavafi Museum and Manial Palace - are great examples of to secure the palace’s residents’ privacy. The entrance
how each era had its own unique style that is different from leads visitors into the palace’s main courtyard, which is not
the other, but equally beautiful. a reception area as was the custom at the time, but a semi-
private area for the palace’s residents and their guests to
Beshtak Palace dismount. The ground floor is comprised of the storage and
service rooms, a prayer hall and a long line of shops that were
Engulfed in the midst of old Islamic Cairo and specifically rented out to merchants.
near the Katkhuda Sabil, off Al Muizz Li Din Allah street, lies
one of that thriving era’s most captivating palaces: the Prince Stepping on to the second floor, one is greeted by a
Beshtak Palace. spacious qa’a (hall). With its pointed arches, stained glass
windows gilt and painted wood paneling, it crowns this
Built by Prince Beshtak Al Nasiry, sometime between 1334- beautiful qa’a as one of the architectural masterpieces of
1339 AD (735-740 AH), this palace is one of the very few that era. During Al Nasiry’s time, a fountain inlaid with colored
surviving examples of fourteenth century Bahari Mamluk marble in geometric patterns stood in the center of the
domestic architecture.
Prince Beshtak Al Nasiry, a rich and influential prince, held The Africa-Europe Challenge
several posts in Sultan Al Nasir Mohamed Ibn Qalawun’s (AEC) Sets Sail in Alexandria
court. Al Nasiry was also the Sultan’s son-in-law. Despite his
wealth and close ties to the Sultan, one of Al Nasiry’s bitter On the 25th of May, when the World was celebrat-
rivals, Prince Qawsun, had him arrested, imprisoned and later ing Africa Day, the Africa-Europe Challenge, the
executed, in addition to taking over all of Al Nasiry’s properties project that probably will become one of the biggest
and claiming them his own. event-series of the two continents has also started. The
basics of the program are created by the first ever
Despite being originally five floors high, only the two bottom international fleet that will sail around Africa stopping
floors survived the test of time. The palace’s main façade in 13 African and 2 European countries where cultural,
distinguished by its mashrabiya windows overlooks Al Muizz economical, scientific and educational missions will be
Eddin Allah Street, while its entrance begins on the northern realized in the host countries.
corner of the façade. To promote the Africa-Europe Challenge in Africa,
the flagship of the AEC, the Dutch ASTRID tall ship has
set her sail from Malta on 25th May to circumnavigate
Africa and visit the countries where the AEC fleet will
stop in order to invite those countries to participate.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, the
Egyptian Tourist Authority and the Hungarian Embassy
in Egypt the coastal city of Alexandria is getting ready
to host the inaugural event of the first sailing boats race
from the 3rd to the 12th of June. In celebration of this
event, the historic sail boat, Astried, will stop at the
Alexandria port for ten consecutive days. The Astried
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Live Colors Egypt
was built in 1918 and is set to sail around 15 different
European and African countries, including Malta,
Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Senegal, Nigeria and Morocco.
Furthermore, organized trips will be made to the
Water Club at Montazah, which will enable the event’s
guests to watch this historical boat. The inaugural party
will be held at the lavish Salamlek hotel in Montazah
Gardens, in addition to a one of a kind closing cer-
emony at the majestic Qait Bay Fortress.
http://www.africaeuropechallenge.com/aec
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3. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter
qa’a. Another highlight at the palace is a small museum that
documents the city of Cairo’s rich history. Steigenberger to operate cruise
Understanding its historical and architectural significance, ships on the Nile and Lake Nasser
several entities were involved in preserving and protecting The Steigenberger Hotel Group announced that
it. The palace went through several restoration and in October 2012 it will start operations of three luxury
renovation phases, dating back to the 1930s by the Egyptian cruise ships namely Minerva, Legacy and Omar El
governmental institution and the Comite de Conservation des Khayam cruising the River Nile and Lake Nasser.
Monuments de L’Arte Arabe. The second phase took place The cruise ships Steigenberger Minerva and
in the 1980s and was headed by the German Archeological Steigenberger Legacy will operate between Luxor
Institute and most recently, in the late 2000s, the palace and Aswan in three, four and seven night itineraries,
became listed among the monuments that were to be whereas the Omar El Khayam will operate on Lake
restored as part of the Historic Cairo Restoration Project. Nasser between Aswan and Abu Simbel in three and
four night cruises. All three luxury vessels have been
Prince Beshtak Palace: recently constructed and offer 70 to 80 cabins, includ-
Darb El Qirmiz Alley, off Al Muizz Li Din Allah Street, Old Cairo ing elegant suites, and a range of restaurants and
Open Daily from 9am – 4pm pools. The ships will be operated in co-operation with
Admission: Free the Cairo-based company Travcotels.
New Flights by karnak
EGYPTAIR Tourism (Karnak) & Duty Free is currently Keeping it Local in the Kitchen
considering to operate aircraft for Smart Aviation
Company in order to support and boost domestic and at Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa
international tourism coming to Egypt from many Arab
and European countries.
The company plans early flights to Sharm El Sheikh
and Hurghada from Cairo, and one day trips from
Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada to Cairo, as well as one
day trips from Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada to Luxor
to visit the touristic and archaeological sites.
Over and above, regular charter flights to Egypt
from several Arab countries, especially Jeddah,
Dhahran and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Beirut, Kuwait
and Amman, and some European countries, espe-
cially Larnaca in Cyprus and Sabiha Airport in Turkey.
“TEATRO ESKENDRIA”
A New Art and Culture Space Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa began its local produce
“TEATRO ESKENDRIA,” Alexandria’s latest art and program in 2010. The goal was to minimize the hotel’s
culture space, held its primary opening in May. The carbon footprint by buying local goods and produce
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Live Colors Egypt
space is financed by Dr. Mahmoud Aboudoma, the with the spin off benefits that locally bought produce
renowned writer and theater director, in addition to tastes better and holds the most nutritious value the
a contribution made by the Embassy of the Kingdom faster it is used.
of the Netherlands in Egypt and the Culture Resource Locally grown and raised produce now makes up
Centre (Al Mawred Al Thaqafy). around 50% of all the ingredients used in the hotel’s
The 320-square meter, Italian architecture style build- dishes and drinks at Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa.
ing dates back to 1923 in the historic Downtown area. The chef says, “We recently decided to only buy and
The center offers an extensive variety of cultural activi- use Egyptian olive oils in our kitchen. We also love to use
ties and services to the Egyptian and the International fresh fish from the Red Sea. The herbs we use to flavor
community. each dish are grown in our very own garden, which is
“TEATRO ESKENDRIA “ will officially launch its services tended to by one of our chefs and our head gardener.”
on 15 June 2012.
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4. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter
Majestic Manial Palace
Situated a few kilometers away from downtown Cairo, on
a luscious green plot of land on Roda Island in Manial, lies
one of Egypt’s architectural treasures, the Manial Palace.
The Palace was built between 1899 and 1926 by Prince
Mohamed Ali Tawfik, the uncle of King Farouk I, Egypts last
king.
The nearly 30-year long project resulted in an imposing
palace combining a number of different architectural styles
including Ottoman, Andalusian, Persian, and European
rococo.
Nowadays, the palace is divided into numerous sections,
halls and museums. These house valuable collectibles that
were amassed by Prince Mohammed and King Farouk
during their lives, and include medieval manuscripts, clothes,
jewels, carpets, textile, furniture and brass work. There’s also
a hunting museum where King Farouk’s hunting trophies and
equipment are displayed. A nice addition to the palace is
a rare plant garden, where the prince planted tropical and
exotic plants and flowers brought back from his frequent
voyages.”, then the paragraph which starts with “Following
till public.
Following the eruption of the 1952 Revolution that overthrew
the country’s monarchy, the royal residential compound and
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Live Colors Egypt
everything in it was confiscated by Egypt’s Supreme Council
of Antiquities. The Manial Palace is now an art and botanical
museum, open to the public.
Address: Roda Island, Manial
Telephone: +2 (02) 2368-7495
Opening Hours: 9am-3pm
Admission: LE 25 for adults and LE 12 for students
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5. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter
A Tribute to Culture
Discovery of a coffin
depicting important religious
inscriptions
The Kavafi Museum takes you back to Alexandria’s thriving
culture scene
The discovery of a new Pharaonic tomb to “Hjoty
Nakht”, the last district ruler in the First Intermediate
Period (1994 - 2150 BC ) was made in Deir Al Barsha
region in the Governorate of Al Menya. This is the first
time in many years that findings were discovered pre-
served in such good condition.
The archeological works were in the cemetery of
“Aha Nakht I”, the first ruler of the Middle Kingdom
(1994 - 1650 BC) and inside one of the rooms, the tomb
of his father, “Hjoty Nakht”.
The inscriptions on the coffin elaborate one of
the most important religious text in the era of the
Intermediate Kingdom. It also represents a link
between the inscriptions on the Pyramid of the Old
Kingdom and the famous “Book of the Dead” in
revived to the way it was while Kavafi still lived with help The highlight of the museum is the poet’s library, which was the era of the new Kingdom. The excavations also
of his many friends. Photographs were used to help in the fortunately saved by Cavafologist Professor George Savidis. revealed tools for the religious rites made from ala-
reconstruction of the furniture and the apartment’s general The library spans across two rooms and hung up on its walls are baster, copper and porcelain. Among which were
surrounding. black and white photographs of his four brothers, mother and alabaster jars, Offering Tables, headrests, a set of brass
Live Colors Egypt
Live Colors Egypt
father. Also, on display are 158 poems, which were translated vases and dishes and a unique set of ritual tools that
Walking into the museum, you are greeted by large ancient into 20 languages by forty different scholars, in addition to were only known through ancient inscriptions.
The legendary Greek poet Constantine Kavafi was born Greek wine urns and high ceilings. The front door leads you to numerous articles written on Kavafi that are also hung up on
to Greek parents, but spent the last 25 years of his life in a narrow hall, surrounded by different rooms. The hall is sparsely the wall.
Alexandria, and has always considered himself the son furnished but is adorned with portraits of the Alexandria loving
of the coastal city. Following his death in 1933, his six-room poet. The salon is comprised of a sofa and replicas of two chairs Copies of the poet’s work is also available for sale at the museum.
apartment on Lespius Street – now Sharm El Sheikh Street – was that were once present in the room. The chairs were copied If you are planning a trip to Alexandria, make sure that you include
transformed into a hostel. The poet’s bedroom is a narrow rectangular room that from old photos and were donated by the Greek Patriarchate. this museum on your ‘What to see in Alexandria’ list.
displays a copper bed and a Moroccan vanity table that The only original pieces of the furniture in that room are an old 4 Sharm El Sheikh Street, off Istanbul Street, Alexandria
In 1991, The Kavafi International Committee leased the carries the wooden clogs of the poet’s muse. The walls are gilt mirror and the macabre death mask of the poet. Tel.: +2 (010) 0375-6390
poet’s apartment and the Kavafi Museum was opened to decorated by a long line of portraits, old shots of the room The next room is a tribute to his longtime friend and student Open Daily from 10am – 5pm, excluding Mondays
the public in November 1992. Even though all of the poet’s of the house and an ink on paper depiction of Kavafi by the Stratis Tsirkas. Triskas was greatly influenced by Kavafi and Admission: LE 15
furniture was sold by the poet’s heirs, the apartment was musician Andreas Karrayan. wrote extensively about him.
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6. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter
CalendAr
14th Main Hall, Cairo Opera House. Photography by Mauro L’Abate
Music from Palestine Tel: (02) 2739 0132
Toot Ard Band Time: 8 pm
El Geneina Theater, Azhar Park, Salah Salem Rd.
June 2012 Tel: (02) 2362 5057 22nd
Time: 8.30 pm Music from Egypt
Dust at Townhouse Gallery Wust El Balad Band
14th & 15th El Geneina Theater, Azhar Park, Salah Salem Rd.
Sixth 100 Live Festival Tel: (02) 2362 5057
Electronic Music Festival Time: 8.30 pm
Rawabet Theater, Hussein Me’amar St. Downtown.
Tel: (02) 2576 8086 24th
Time: 7 pm Rhythmic Latin Jazz
Eleanora Iannotta
15th Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza
Music from Egypt Tel: (02) 3346 1071
Masar Egbary Band Time: 10 pm
El Geneina Theater, Azhar Park, Salah Salem Rd.
Tel: (02) 2362 5057 28th
Time: 8.30 pm French Touch with Animal Stabisme (France)
The Neo Punk duo will present House Music
16th (Berlin), Chaabi (Egyptian) and French Parisian
Classic and Zouglou (Ivory Coast) the non-speaking role of the princess, and there
Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op.67 French Institute of Egypt,5 Chafik El Dib St. may also be additional ensemble dancers.
and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade Sym- Heliopolis. Tel: (02) 2417 4824 Small Hall, Cairo Opera House
phonic Suite, Op.35 Conductor: Ahmed El Saedi Time: 8 pm Time: 8 pm
Main Hall, Cairo Opera House.
Tel: (02) 2739 0132
Time: 8 pm Theater Ethnic
21st 3rd 9th
Classic A Soldier’s Tale Modern Folkloric
Fete de la Musique Composed by Stravinsky, it is a 1918 theatri- Basheer Band
Shostakovich’s Festival Overture, Beethoven’s cal work “to be read, played and danced”. The Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza
Romance for Violin and Orchestra No.2 in F libretto, based on a Russian folk tale, was written Tel: (02) 3346 1071
Major, Op.50, Cook’s Bolivar for Trombone and in French by the Swiss universalist writer Ramuz. Time: 10 pm
Art Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza Orchestra, Weber’s Overture to Oberon and It is about a soldier who trades his fiddle to the
20th Tel: (02) 3346 1071 Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez for guitar and devil for a book that predicts the future of the
1st - 13th The Siege of Cairo Time: 10 pm orchestra. Soloists:Yasser Ghoneim (violin), economy. The story is told by three actors: the Special Events
Dust by Xenia Nikolskaya Photographs by Mauro L’Abate Mohamed Gamal (trombone), Emad Hamdi (Gui- soldier, the devil and a narrator, who also takes
A Photographic exhibition, exploring Egypt’s Marshrabia Gallery, 8 Champollion St. Downtown. 9th tar). Conductor: Tarek Mahran on the roles of minor characters. A dancer plays 1st
abandoned architectural heritage and a publica- Tel: (02) 2578 4494. Classic Festival of Ephemeral Arts”
tion of texts and images. Exhibition until July 7th Brahms’ Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Besides traditional, Austrian “Schrammelmusik”
Townhouse Gallery of Contemporary Art major, Op.77, Bartok’s Six Romanian Dances and Wust El Balad, Geneina Theater and Austrian culinary specialties, there will be
10 Nabrawy Street off Champollion Street, Enescu’s Romanian Rhapsody No.1 in A Major, lots of cultural activities like theater, water cal-
Downtown - Cairo . Tel: (0 2) 2576 8086 Music Op.11. Soloist: Hossam Shehata. Conductor: ligraphy or saw-dust-art workshops for young
Live Colors Egypt
Jiri Peterdlik and old. In the shade of the trees there will be an
Live Colors Egypt
3rd June - 3rd July 2nd Main Hall, Cairo Opera House. exhibition of the Austrian painter Gustav Klimt
The Holy Family in Egypt Classic Tel: (02) 2739 0132 and Egyptian storytellers will narrate Austrian
Exhibition by a selection of contemporary artists. Ravel’s Rapsode Espagnole, Debussy’s Dances Time: 8 pm fairy tales.
Picasso Art Gallery, 30 Hassan Assem St. Zamalek. Sacree et Profane and Brahms’ Symphony No.3 Azhar Park,Salah Salem St.
(off Brazil St.). Tel: (02) 2736 7544 in F Major, Op.90. Soloist: Amira Hamed (Harp). 14th Time: 4 - 9 pm
Conductor: Ahmed El Saedi French Touch with Animal Stabisme (France)
18th Main Hall, Cairo Opera House. The Neo Punk duo will present House Music 14th
Hassan Fathy - An Egyptian Ambition Tel: (02) 2739 0132 (Berlin), Chaabi (Egyptian) and French Parisian Mexican Night
Architectural Drawings and photos of Hassan Time: 8 pm and Zouglou (Ivory Coast) Authentic Mexican specialties and freshly pre-
Fathy’s dreams French Institute of Egypt, Madrasset El Huqquq El pared margaritas.
French Institute of Egypt, 30 Nabi Daniel St. 3rd Ferensia, Mounira. Community Services Association, 4 Rd 21, Maadi
Alexandria Tel: (03) 392 0804 Vocal Jazz Tel: (02) 2791 5871 Tel: (02) 2358 5284
Time: 7 pm Habashi & the Jazz Caterers Time: 9 pm Time: 5 pm
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