Rowayat - a New Literary Journal for Egypt

Please read all about our wonderful new venture here:
http://writerscentre.blogspot.com/2013/11/rowayat-new-literary-journal-for-egypt.html

Oasis Returned

The thing is..

Can one ever really return anywhere?

Physically we can return to a place, if it is still standing, still occupying time and space – but what about how we feel?

The desert and oasis, the skies, the waters – all hold continual magic. But the people in their realm show various faces.

The unnamed owner of the unnamed lodge said not to worry about the price, would not actually say how much the room would be, just intimated that it would be a 'good price'. And, really, I thought, how much could a sparse room with no mod cons be charged at? Especially since I had received a good price there in the past and thought I was on pretty reasonable terms with him having brought him some business before with quite a lot of clients.

We were shown an old room with 6 beds though we only needed 2, and the bathroom had a horrible sewage smell on many occasions. The sheets on the better beds were old and I think unwashed and had no top sheet; just a bottom sheet, and each had an unmatched old pillowcase on an old lumpy pillow and a blanket with holes in. Still, we thought, we don't need luxury and the price will be fine – so let's not make an issue of it, we thought and we just asked for 2 clean sheets, bas.

Since the village has very few shops or food places we ate our meals there at the lodge. When I stayed there some years ago the food was good as I remember.. now it was variable and the fuul, tameya and tahina was good – but everything else was pretty poor. For my main dinner I got a portion of greasy rice served with some frozen mixed vegetables heated up and oiled. However the redeeming feature of the dining room was its inhabitants; who for a writer such as myself, provided a heap of stories. One the evening of the greasy rice serving there were a couple of random Egyptian guys to the left and an eastern european girl half lying down and several bottles of red wine on their table. One of the guys was leaning in towards her and in full public view put his hand on the top of her t-shirted breast, she smiled up at him and after some minutes they walked off, she attempting some type of slinky walk in her flowered leggings. Opposite us were a couple of girls who seemed to be in a physical relationship, for they were petting each other and lying their heads on each other's shoulders, stroking arms and legs.

During the night I was awoken by many barking dogs, then some gunfire, a man speaking quickly and excitedly on his phone about a 'white car', then later after dawn two women shouting very loudly at each other for over 10 minutes in the type of baladi garbled accent that if put into an English context would be like 2 middle aged women minus their dentures saying:

'You're an idiot'

'You're an idiot'

'No, you're an idiot'

Keda. That kind of thing.

It all seemed a little awry for a pleasant country break but again I thought, let's not focus on it.

I then also put aside that another unnamed person from another unnamed lodge who I had had a brief romance with some years ago and who asked me to come to share a drink with him after I popped in to say hello then actually more or less ignored me when I did go to have a catch up. He seated myself and my friend in a prime spot by the swimming pool, saying he would get us all some teas then a boy arrived with 2 teas and the unnamed old romancer disappeared for 40 minutes without a word and returned only a very short time before I had to depart. Still, I thought, at least the view was nice and we had some tea. For my being long, long ago ceased to care about his erratic behaviour.

But thankfully there were trips out to the desert and a big oasis lake, there was a walk through that beautiful village, there was mint tea in the delightful flowered garden by the swimming pool and with a view of the orchards and lake. There was the magic of that land, that very special land, that magic which nourishes the soul and whispers its good medicine into one's heart.

When we checked out of the unnamed lodge where we staying, that unnamed owner charged us an amount for 6 people staying in the crappy room, I was going to let it go until we then got charged a little fuul and tameya money mountain. I politely and nicely pointed out that we were just 2 people and I had asked for a room for 2 people on the phone. I was given a discount to something more reasonable but not without a snarky comment about me 'wanting it for free' and when I called to say goodbye as we had to be on our way and the unnamed owner was nowhere to be seen after walking off in a huff after his snarky comment – so, he put the phone down on me.

Things like that are not cool.

But land of Egypt, dear oasis, you are still a magical place and I love you.

A Day Out to Om Kalthoum Museum in Cairo

Today me and Shannon went to the Om Kalthoum museum in Manial. Neither of us had been before and I don't know Manial too well. As is de rigueur in Cairo now several taxi drivers didn't want to take a passenger but finally we found one with a old white cab and got in. When we got near to the zoo we saw why possibly there had been some reluctance; for there was a quite large protest on Giza Street but it wasn't the protesters that caught our eye; it was the military police who were in a tight formation of several rows, jumping up and down with their riot shields and chanting something. And whilst they were doing that an older policeman was walking around them saying things to them. It was totally weird. And I could only imagine that after this Maori like war dance they were going to run into the protesters and attack them. Across the road I saw water everywhere and some tanks, don't know what was going on with them. Anyway we continued and it was a bonding moment between us and the cab driver who said loudly 'Rabena Yostor!' and talked about how he hoped Egypt would be calm again and kissed his hands in a salutation prayer.

We drove on and then it seemed he didn't really know where we needed to be, and as previously said neither of us knew the place ourselves, only the address. I called my usual driver who talked with the taxi driver and then we were all set – or so we thought. We ended up going in a big loop, but passed by 'my' shop, the shoe shop in Manial called Linda, and then he asked someone who said it was still several streets away and one of those streets was za7ma central so he dropped us off telling us that after we crossed the road it was the 3^rd house along, the white house and then he counted the houses again and said it was the 5^th house along, then he exclaimed several times that it was the white house – which I could see - but my counting was something other than his but I couldn't hold on to that. 

We crossed over and started walking down the counting houses road and the museum was nowhere to be seen, but at least the road was quiet and there were no idiots anywhere. We saw a computer shop and I said we should ask there as they probably had someone inside with a brain. Shannon had wanted to ask a man who was putting a tiny baby into a wooden crate but I thought the computer shop was a better bet. Anyway, elhumdililah, they told us it was right at the end of the street. So we continued walking and one of the soles of my red shoes fell off, but that was OK. 

We got to the end of the street and mafeesh, nothing, just some kids and dogs and a water station. We walked around the side streets and asked a man who was having his sandwich, because he looked comfortable and made me feel comfortable. He was very helpful and told us where to go but all his food was bulging out of his mouth as he spoke, and later I told Shannon a story of three fat butchers in Zamalek who I saw sitting on their little plastic chairs outside their shop as they were eating their meat and their cheeks were crammed full of food pushing their eyes up and how they continued to talk with each other like that. I said 'It's like an Egyptian Dickens'. And we laughed.

After walking past some more dogs we found the museum and I immediately felt happy and rested upon seeing the gardens and Nile view, we went into the entrance to the sound of tinny Egyptian pop on someone's phone, which was a funny mezancé in the context. 

The tickets were only 6 LE which I thought was pretty amazing and we had a look at Om Kalthoum in her early years and all her years and her stage dresses and her sunglasses and her house shoes and her black handbags and her brown handbags. We saw all the medals she had been given and the keys to cities. We watched a film about her which seemed to have been made by filming a film that had perhaps been on TV originally, so a second hand film feeling, as the picture was a bit vague and the sound was muffled a little. The opening was a load of war planes flying over Cairo and I said to Shannon 'Oh, look, it's just like now.' Shannon was hoping the film would show Om Kalthoum's early life where she was dressed as a boy (I have no knowledge of this). At one point I said to Shannon, 'Can you imagine if you were Egyptian and you said you hated Om Kalthoum? It would be like saying you hated God, right?' Shannon looked a little bemused by my talk and smiled. Then we watched her funeral and the huge crowds downtown and gathered on their balconies and on the bridges, crazy amounts of people, and it was impossible not to think of the 18 days and protests since and I said to Shannon, 'I wonder if there was any harassment then, in those crowds? Or would that have been 'unthinkable'? But didn't everyone say it was unthinkable now too?' The film finished and we went on to look at her record players and radios and then we realised it was the end and we heard a man shouting that the exit was back up at the entrance. As we walking towards it a man came and said he knew me from watching films at the cinema at the Artistic and Creativity Centre at the Opera House and that he works there also. I didn't recall seeing this man in my life. But it seemed nice to be recognised and I said hello and hoped he was well. Then he said he would put on the 'panorama' for us. We waited and he came back with a remote control that he was angling above and some rather gallant music started playing and then on the huge wave of white panel in front of us an image appeared of Om Kalthoum like Cristo Redentor of Rio looking over the entire cityscape of Cairo. 'Look, Shannon,' I said, 'there's the byramids'.

Then we went home.

Correction; we left and walked for a while and went over two bridges and finally got a taxi and then sat in za7ma for 2 hrs and then we went home.

Dreams & Writing Course in Bahareya - it was AMAZING!!!

I am just back from the fabulous residential writing course I just ran in Bahareya, Egypt. 

 It was an amazing experience for us all; such sheer beauty and tranquility in the deserts and oases; so many riches available for one's writing.

I can't wait to do the next one and will start planning soon!

Huge thanks to the great work from Cresco - Dalia Abou Senna & Claes Raben who organised the travel, tours, accommodation and bliss and the wonderful, beautiful people who came along on the course: Mehra Magd, Hanaa Hammad, Mona Yassin, Hanna Sistek, Mohammed Yahia, Mirette Baghat, Nora Tee, Ola El Ababby, Mina Sonbol, Myriam Rizkillah. 

You can view the whole set of photos here: 
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151645133205337.1073741830.781050336&type=1&l=69d7266609

and you can read about what the course comprised of from an old post here: http://www.writerscentre.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-few-places-still-left-on-bahareya.html

All Still Happening! :))

Dear World

Well, there are SO many things happening it is as ever hard to find the time to update the blogs properly; and yes blogs as in plural as there is a lot going on now with the Writers' Centre as you can read on the blog: www.writerscentre.blogspot.com  and also do keep a check on the Arts Residency main page: http://www.artsresidencycairo.blogspot.com/

I am still looking for a writers' residency for myself for summer; for either June/July or July/August.  So far I have looked at several places in Berlin and how I wish there was somewhere in Paris!!!!  So, if any of you lovely people know of a residency that you think would accept for me to stay in return for me running some courses or helping in some way then please do let me know!!! Or if you know of a residency that is affordable let me know too, as leaving Cairo and living outside of Egypt for a while is a bit of a shock monetarily!  ;))

Spring always feels such a hopeful time and I am looking forward to all the flowers of creativity that are opening their colours :))

Bisou for now!  Linda

Audio Tracks of Cairo and Glass - Recorded Live at Radio Lewa, Cairo

I am REALLY excited to share two of my new tracks working with Kemoslang Mohamed Kamal.  These were recorded live at Radio Lewa last week. I hope you enjoy!

My homage to Cairo https://soundcloud.com/lindacleary/cairo-the-definitive-version

Audio version of poem Glass (You Did Not Kill Me)
 https://soundcloud.com/lindacleary/glass-you-did-not-kill-me-live

*see within the poetry section of my blog www.lindaclearypoetry.blogspot.com under Cairo and Glass for the poems to both pieces 

Paris, Rome, Berlin and Elsewhere!

Dear Community, I want to build some contacts in Paris, Berlin and Rome (though could be other places too!).

I am thinking to go to another country next year and it would be great to meet up with other writers (and other artist mediums) and venues.

I would like to deliver Creative Writing workshops (in English) and work with a venue where I can also develop and host various literary initiatives, salons, writing surgeries, events, readings, shows, happenings etc, the kind of thing I am doing here.

Any contacts are greatly appreciated ;)) Please comment here or email me on: lindawildfire@hotmail.com

Thanks and please pass this blog www.artsresidencycairo.blogspot.com and also: www.writerscentre.blogspot.com to anyone who you think might be helpful or interested!

and then it was November!

Oh my on my!  I last posted here in August?!  Wow!  More bubbles of time blown by!

Well over on the ARC home page www.artsresidencycairo.blogspot.com you can of course keep up to date with course and residents much more but somehow I must have come to forget the more personal diary part here - or to be more accurate been as ever so busy and writing so many varied things that this page got neglected.  Poor page!  ;)

Well things are changing, things have changed.  Yes, all remains with a strong schedule of courses, workshops and events and residents staying at ARC but the country is in a mess, as most of you will know, and life here feels more overwhelming sometimes. Two of the big issues are that I miss nature and civil liberties.  Nature I might miss in any big city, though in many cities they have cultivated parks and areas one can go to - in Cairo there are a few small parks which due to the lack of civil liberties one cannot enjoy anyway, ie as a woman it is not easy or comfortable to go for a 'walk' and take a stroll in the park.  In fact this would never happen.  Other than no park sitting, I am also tired of the general street hassle, although I myself have not been badly harassed it is is just the fact that the street is 'owned' by the street people who are mainly men and walking leaves one open to constant remarks, and I mean constant.  Even if the men think they are being 'flattering' it is still an invasion into one's walk.  As well as this my beau broke up with me very recently and so now I find myself in a period of re-evaluation about what I want to do here and how long I want to stay.  So... (!).. the ideas I have right now are to stay for some time more (as I am involved with so many good things and have courses scheduled etc etc) but I am now putting out my feelers for contacts in Paris, Rome and Berlin with the idea to either take some months away from Cairo and then return or to move. *I will be posting another post above this one with that Paris, Berlin, Rome idea explained more.

For now let me tell you about how Lia is on her last day here in Cairo and what a lovely resident she has been!  Although, I have hardly seen her as she has been so busy with the W Ü S T E N project with her colleagues Nela Adams, Marcel Saegesser and Anna Schoels.  Lia's work was to video document and take photographs of the project and these will be uploaded soon to the W Ü S T E N page: https://www.facebook.com/wuestenproject

Here are just some snaps from their work:

  in the White Desert

 Saleh Mohamed Mohamed in the performance at Darb 1718

some of the audience at the performance at Darb 1718

Nature Needed!

Hello World!

How are you? Are you OK? It all seems a bit crazy these days doesn't it.. with all these people fighting all the time, destroying each other and the land, doing all kinds of lunatic stuff and so little compassion. Ah well, we can only continue with our little worlds, doing the best we can, keeping creativity and life as our light.

And so.. we are very pleased to say that there is still life at ARC and in fact after a slow Ramadan start where it felt as if all activity had ceased the ball is now very firmly rolling! There are many Creative Writing courses being rolled out over the next months (see all adverts as they get posted over on the main ARC page) and the Dutch writer Saskia Konniger www.saskiakonniger.nl will be coming for a week's residence at the beginning of October, as she is currently writing her new book and needs some space and an environment to do so.

There are other enquiries also and once they are confirmed I will post details of other visiting artists.

Meanwhile we have 6 days left of Ramadan and then we will have the crazy Eid for 3 days and then ahhhhhhh we can all get back to 'normal' - whatever normal is in this city!

I have been feeling incredibly in need of NATURE!!! And I now feel that I need to spend time in Penzance again perhaps a couple of times per year, I need a fix of wildflowers, cliffs, the sea!!!! So, I will try to work out how to get that together, maybe organising some workshops for during my stay in Cornwall to pay for the expenses of the trip.

My beau and I are planning to get away for some days next week, to El Gouna. I had (and still do want) wanted to go to Nuweiba but with all the stuff going on in Sinai it's not overly advisable right now :/ and El Gouna looks beautiful and is by the Red Sea.

Anyway, I have to edit, then eat something (as I dont observe Ramadan myself, not being Muslim or religious in any way) and then get to my Pilates class!!!

Bye bye for now!!!!

Keep posted! :)))

Home!

So...

I just got back from 12 days in UK; my first visit since moving here to Cairo two and a half years ago and I am happy to be home - as in back home in Cairo.

Some of my biggest impressions on the trip back to England were how quiet even Manchester was (!) - comnpared to Cairo which is one of the noisiest cities in the world other places seem positively tranquil! Also the lack of colour, the cold (!), the expense (!!!), how people are preoccupied with worries over how to pay high living costs and bills, a sense of suppression seemed present or rather dormancy; I felt that most people 'had' things but were poor in a sense of consciousness. This is not to say that people in Cairo are high on life.. but there is a sense of life everywhere - even if it is difficult.

After Manchester I then visited Penwith in Cornwall, which was my home for 12 years before moving here. Penwith is as beautiful as ever and still possesses that gentle strength which supports people who live there - but my stay there was not relaxing as I saw THIRTY TWO people in 5 days and still had more to go who I couldn't fit in!!!

Travelling back to Cairo I was lucky to be on the flight with one of my great friends here Amira, a fine writer and journalist. We finally managed to catch up (we have both been so busy recently)albeit through some severe turbulence and both arrived safely to our beloved but insane city - Cairo!

Watch out for updates of all new news and dont forget to check the main page Arts Residency Cairo also!

The River Runs One Way

Dear All

How are you?

How many times do we answer that question with an impulsive 'I'm good, thanks' or some such? When actually we might have many crises in our lives.

That is how it has been for me these last 2, nearly 3, months - one of my most prolonged testing times in Egypt, and anywhere.

Why? Because I am going through various legal processes for the company and trying to do that, in this country, is a nightmare. I wouldn't even know where to begin telling the tale, but let's just say it is Kafkaesque and not yet resolved; and just as at other times of my life I used to wake up musing on a word or a dream or an idea; these last months everyday has been consumed by issues.

Nevertheless, let me focus on the accomplishments; I have created the Writers' Centre www.writerscentre.blogspot.com
and I have been continuing delivering a plethora of creative writing workshops and two new artists, Jenna Crowder and Keith Lane have been staying for a month and will stay through to mid June, whilst they deliver workshops at the Townhouse. (see the ARC home page for links to their work in 'Other Pages')

I have also got a delightful balcony of pink, green and yellow and the beautiful tree and birds that continue to soothe my days somewhat.

I go back to UK for 12 days early next week, my first trip for 2 and half years since arriving here and I am feeling rather stressed about it as it is at a critical time both for me personally with all my legal situations and also for Egypt. Things happen here every minute and also I am concerned about coming back, as nowadays the authorities can be, let's say, 'unembracing' towards foreigners wishing to stay here.

However, everything is pushing me forward to depart and to be in UK for a short time, and so inshallah it will all be well.

I am actually looking forward to visiting Primark :/ Really! :))

Ok, yalla, I need to eat. I shall write again soon and in the meantime remember to check the main ARC page for updates on what I am doing! :))
www.artsresidencycairo.blogspot.com

Launch Party for the Writers' Centre and Khamsin Winds...

Well!!!! Things ARE moving on with the Writers' Centre Launch Party now decided for Tuesday April 24th (you can follow the Writers' Centre blog here: www.writerscentre.blogspot.com

I went over to the space a few days ago and there are still some refurbishments being made, but it felt good and also very quiet and peaceful for Cairo!

Today there is a strong and sandy wind blowing (known as a Khamsin) and the tree by my balcony is lurching like a shipwreck and there is dust on my laptop keys ;) I've been editing this morning and have class tonight and soon I have to take a router over to the Writers' Centre - I have realised that it will be quite a lifestyle change for me, this Writers' Centre! My daily habit has been to get up late, edit and write and then go out about 6pm to teach class then home late evening. On the rare day off I am catching up with things or see friends and unwind. Being responsible for the Writers' Centre means I shall have to start getting up earlier and get out of the house faster to go over there. I hope I can find some volunteers at some point to do some shifts so that I don't have to go over there everyday, lovely as it is ;)

I guess I should get more 'normal looking' now and go take this router! Or maybe I should further decorate the work room/studio space and stay inside - as this Khamsin is very sandy!!!

Bye bye for now!! :))

The Writers' Centre

The Writers' Centre
opening soon in El Darasa, Old Cairo
www.writerscentre.blogspot.com


A space for writers to hang out, write, use and contribute to the private library, network and share with an ongoing menu of events, readings, workshops, courses, salons and surgeries


Also offering:

Writing days out in places of inspiration and interest

Residential writing holidays to various places in Egypt such as Bahariya oasis, Nuweiba, Aswan, Siwa and Fayoum

On site residencies available to both emerging and established writers

Writing holidays at the Writers' Centre with accommodation provided in the hotel below


Choose membership with benefits or pay as you go. Some things will be free.
Menu of prices available soon

The Tree of Life

Hmmm, contented sigh as I sit on the balcony which is finally filling with warmth after these cold days in Cairo that have gone for too long and loving the tree that spreads across the street. I am sipping my peppermint tea and amazingly only have 2 pieces to edit today before going out to writing class at 6pm. I haven't written a poem or prose piece myself for a long time, as each day is full of activity and editing and the prime goal this last while of finding a place for my new good thing: The Writers' Centre - a place for events, readings, courses, salons, surgeries, hang out, networking, chill space, private library. And there will be a membership with benefits or pay as you go and some things will be free. This centre will bring together all my activities into one space and also allow collaboration and outreach.

However, as strong as this idea is (as there are many writers here who would love to have a place to gather and work) and as ready as I am to go for it - the issue of a suitable place is critical.. and I have been on several wild goose chases... My partner is a real estate broker and we are actually setting up a British Egyptian real estate company HOME. But I called in some other 'brokers' to widen the search and it ended up as a fiasco with people telling me crazy stories about amazing places that were so cheap because they had a ghost (!) but when I asked to go see them the place went PUFF! Into thin air... This happened numerous times and the whole fustrating and tiring experience has only served to make Shady, my partner, feel 100 times better about his professionalism in his broker work!!

Anyway.. hopefully a place is being arranged now, details as soon as it all goes through..

Other than this life has been courses, courses, courses with new venues requesting me to deliver writing courses including The Left Bank cafe, bakery, bookstore - owned by Sequoia restaurant and with an amazing modern design right on the Nile.

Yes, spring is arriving and all is rising - the return of Up On the Roof (open mic night), creative writing courses, The Writers' Centre, HOME real estate, and more artists asking to work on projects at ARC.

I think I need more tea ;))

The Month of the Archer

Helllllloooooooo!!!!

Yes, another long dip out from blogging, what can I say dear readers.. other than the truth - Life takes hold!!! :)

Soooo... OK OK OK since last writing to you all the dancer Leena Vaswani stayed, danced, glittered and then left for India some weeks ago, Florin Dan a Romanian poet came to stay and we will hopefully engage in an exchange project next year. Two veritable and interesting artists; Ronnie Close and Yvonne Buchheim visited ARC and were introduced to several writers and artists - Ronnie will be coming back to live in Cairo in a month's time and take up a cool job as Professor of Photography at AUC (we bow down..) :)) and Yvonne will do lots of groovy things here - watch this space. And next Wednesday Leena Chauhan will come for a month's residency and work on a project. Looking forward*** ;))

I finished a load of courses, am now starting new ones up and will also be managing workshops, events and arts initiatives with Darb 1718. I also started wearing day-glo nail varnish, went to Wadi Hitan (Whale Valley) and after a huge stint of Russian literature followed by Camus I decided to come into the decade with Irvine Welsh. I also got a lovely blue bag ;))

*All links to artists on the ARC home page

My new courses are, first one first - starting Saturday 10th December (tomorrow!):

Creative Writing Course

The Creative Writing course will act as an extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills.
We will work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts, as well as free writing.
There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.

4 weeks (8 hour course)
One session per week (2 hour session) on Saturdays
Starting 10th December
from 7:30 pm till 9:30 pm
at Diwan Heliopolis

Price: 480 L.E
Limited number-please register in advance at any Diwan store
Age group: for adults (17 yrs +)

Hello Again & The 4th Floor Project!!!

Hello All!

Yes, it has been a long time but that's the Cairo bubble that sometimes happens!

So I am back (not that I went away) and I have moved again, now in another spacious and lovely new abode which you can read about on the page link:

http://artsresidencycairo.blogspot.com/p/all-about-arc.html

So - new news.. well I moved house again, I've been giving 5 writing courses a week, Leena the Indian dancer came back to stay, I've been exploring expansion opportunities and various art initiatives, Up On the Roof has continued to shine - what else... well, that's quite a lot! :))

And now I am up horrendously early as I am excited about my new project The 4th Floor.

The 4th Floor is the latest art space and residential available via ARC. Situated in a classic featured original building opposite The Egyptian Museum, Downtown Cairo - The 4th Floor comprises of a large 3 bed room with balcony, high ceilings and wooden flooring and its own conservatory style studio/workspace adjacent to the room with a bank of windows allowing a flood of light and a downtown view into the studio. Shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. The cost of staying at The 4th Floor is 70 LE per person per night or 200 LE for the private use. The cost includes the studio use and free wireless.

So!!!! Book in and be in the downtown groove!

*ARC continues to accept guests at ArtHome as usual.

Creative Writing Course in Alexandria!! Yalla!!

Sabah el foll ya Alexandrians!!!

For those of you living in Alex or visiting, I am running a 3 evening course in Creative Writing - 24th to 26th July at Diwan Alex.

Please see the link for all details and register via Diwan


http://www.diwanegypt.com/en/node/136937

The Hothouse بيت الفن

Good afternoon, World! Sabah el eshta ya Donya!

Ahhhhhh the things on my list are never ending!!! I need a secretary, begad, really! Sooooo, the Hothouse is happening - a multi discipline artistic cooperative currently with a start base of about 20 artists and growing, like jungle flowers :)

We have had 2 meetings so far and already there are numerous projects beginning and a lot of networking happening - it is all exciting, wonderful and expansive.

The Hothouse will compliment the residency as it allows a total immersion (if desired) into the Cairo art scene. NOW is the time :)

Other than this; courses at Diwan, at Darb 1718, Up On the Roof Open Mic event, my own writing (!!) and developing the company with an Egyptian partner with outreach in Alex.

There are enquiries from a number of highly interesting artists looking at staying at ARC in July and then in September onwards, as August is taken up here with Ramadan - a time when the city more or less closes down, practically everyone is fasting and arts events are not available.

Soooo, come to ARC and be part of the flowering! :)

NEW NEW

All is well, all is busy!!!

New courses starting at Diwan Maadi (follow the links)and all enquiries and registration through Diwan:

Creative Writing course http://www.diwanegypt.com/en/node/132232

Short Story course http://www.diwanegypt.com/en/node/132256

I am the Egg Man, I am the Walrus

Hello World!

It's Egg Day for some - myself I don't celebrate anything other than birthdays and Life in general - but whatever turns you on (albeit non harmful to others) I hope you're having a groovy time ;)

So.. what of today? Well, it's a fresh and lovely day here in Cairo and I am trying to work my way through my list of tasks but keep avoiding the biggest one which is to create a new website for Creative Writing online; so that people can follow my tutorials from anywhere and have a forum to share ideas. Across the work table is Ismail who has just returned from Libya and is editing his photographs (war photojournalism) and I had one peppermint tea and one coffee so far and am now thinking about pasta and aubergine/pepper/tomato sauce.. yes you can see how productive things are today at ARC :))

BUT - actually things are happening - upcoming events are:

Up On The Roof - Open Stage Night at Darb 1718 May 5th 7.30pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103173313102828

The Hothouse - a new multi discipline artistic initiative - a cooperative company (much more on this soon!)

New Creative Writing courses at Diwan and Darb 1718

-------------------------------

I didn't get the funding to go to Romania :( but I am thinking of either going to Siwa and hanging in the alchemy of the desert oasis or swimming with Dugongs in Sinai.. hmmmmmm..

Bye for now! Xs