By Sana Panjwani
The country that used to be known as the cultural center of the Arab world, the source of great music, art and literature is now mainly associated with the notions of revolts, a fractured public sphere and a failed government. Once known as the Hollywood of the Middle East, Egypt has the oldest and most prolific movie history in the region, but has now fallen on hard times in the recent years. With decades of mismanagement in its past and the media’s unrelenting focus on the negativity, the public has forgotten what a cultural hub Egypt used to be.
The people of Egypt, however, have not.
Meet 8 Egyptian Instagrammers who passionately share with the world the undeniable charm and beauty that Egypt still possesses:
1. Karim El Hayawan – @karimelhayawan
Karim is a leading architect in his country, and his Instagram account showcases his passion for architecture and Egypt.
With almost daily updates, El Hayawan roams around Cairo snapping images of old buildings, people and local markets, using his skill to provide a window for all those who wish to catch a glimpse of Egypt’s landscape and design.
2. Azza Fahmy Jewellery – @azzafahmy
Dive into the world of Egyptian jewellery with Azza Fahmy’s Instagram account showcasing the workshop, factory, gallery and trips of the brand.
An independent purveyor of handcrafted jewellery showcasing 7,000 years of culture and heritage, the brand is described by creators as “jewellery that translates poetry into wearable art.”
3. Hadia Ghaleb – @hadiaghaleb
An athlete, a fashionista, a fashion editor, stylist and entrepreneur, Hadia Ghaleb is the woman who wants it all.
Her motto in life is to “wear, see and capture art. Live healthy” and her Instagram account is peppered with her donning out stylish outfit after outfit, dishing out style tips and showing how to live it up in Egypt.
4. Everyday Egypt – @everydayegypt
An Instagram feed dedicated to capturing the everyday moments in Egypt, the aim of Everyday Egypt is to simply “provide a greater context to the headlines, going beyond visual protests and revolutions, and instead focusing on capturing moments in everyday life.”
The account hosts the contributions of a number of photographers working in Egypt, all striving to provide the public with the bigger picture.
5. Laura El Tantawy – @laura_eltantawy
This British-Egyptian freelance photojournalist is a self-published writer and holds dual degrees in journalism and political science but her Instagram board is filled with abstract images inspired by the smallest sensations that life has to offer.
From pictures of the sunlight filtering through the clouds to raindrops on a window pane, Laura’s images are shot up close and possess an intimate feel that inspires viewers to appreciate the little things in life.
6. Ahmad Abi – @ahmad_abi
An Egyptian artist who works and lives in Cairo, Ahmad was a medical student when he found his passion for conceptual art and photography.
His work is completely independent, and he is always striving to capture visual impulses in his work through innovative methods. Filled with random, colorful, joyous images and statements inspired by his everyday experiences, his positive feed is guaranteed to make you smile.
7. Scrumptious – @scrumptious_gk
The name says it all, this account is all about the food. Healthy food, unhealthy food – does it really matter?
Ghalia Kattan roams Egypt’s eateries dining and snapping images of her food, doling out tips on the best deals and meals and always on the look-out for the next best dish that Cairo has to offer.
This hungry blogger is new to the food scene, but with almost 1,700 followers, she’s quickly getting noticed.
8. Ahmad Lotfy – @elkoshy
Lotfy’s Instagram is simplistic; in the sense that it takes him one image to capture the essence and character of a place.
Lotfy roams the streets of Egypt’s cities capturing picturesque moment after moment. His monochromatic images help us see the extraordinary in the ordinary by simply capturing two friends chilling at the pier or just snapping vibrantly colored vehicles on the street.
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