Author: Amira El Ahl

rss-iconSubscribe to feed
Sherif Bakr, initiator of the "Cairo Calling" programme, during a tour of the 2015 Cairo International Book Fair (photo: Amira El Ahl)

Cairo International Book Fair 2015

Navigating the jungle

70 million books, 47 participating countries, 850 publishers ... and all for an admission price of just under ten cents. After 46 years, the Cairo International Book Fair is not only the oldest in the Arab world; with one million visitors, it is also the second largest book fair on the planet. By Amira El Ahl in CairoMore

Women and the International Prize for Arabic Fiction: How many women does it take to win the IPAF?Cairo International Book Fair 2014: Reader, where art thou?44th Cairo Book Fair: A breath of fresh air for publishersEgypt's literati: Shifting sands, choosing sides
Empty aisles and stands at the Cairo International Book Fair 2014 (photo: Amira El Ahl)

Cairo International Book Fair 2014

Reader, where art thou?

Many Egyptians are avoiding this year's Cairo International Book Fair for fear of new outbreaks of violence or terrorist attacks. Publishers are complaining about intolerable conditions and a lack of planning. By Amira El Ahl in CairoMore

German Bookshop Lehnert & Landrock: The Dangerous Job of Selling Books in Cairo44th Cairo Book Fair: A Breath of Fresh Air for PublishersThe Merit Publishing House in Cairo: A Mecca for Intellectuals, a Centre of the Revolution
Visitors of the Cairo book fair (photo: Amira El Ahl)

44th Cairo Book Fair

A Breath of Fresh Air for Publishers

Last year, the Cairo Book Fair was thrown into the shadows by the revolutionary events in Egypt, but this year the public is once more showing interest. As Asira El Ahl found out, the young generation is especially keen on the kinds of books which meet their interestsMore

PEN Award for the Egyptian Publisher Mohammed Hashim: A Father of the Revolution17th International Book Fair in Algiers: A Missed OpportunityThe Merit Publishing House: A Mecca for Intellectuals, a Centre of the Revolution
Dancers of the "Stop and Dance" project in a Cairo subway station (photo: Amira El Ahl)

"Mahatat" Dance Project in Cairo

Stop and Dance!

Spontaneous flash mob art amid social upheaval and political turmoil – "Stop and Dance" is an ambitions intercultural dance project, which aims to promote mobile street art in Egypt. Amira El Ahl reports from CairoMore

The Film ''Tracks of Cairo'': An Audio Diary of the RevolutionThe Cultural Scene in Egypt: Creative Artists Are the Motor for ChangeInterview with the Egyptian Theatre Director Laila Soliman: Vomit – Until the Revolution Comes
Adel Imam at the opening of the Dubai Film Festival (photo: AP)

Prison Sentence for Egyptian Actor Adel Imam

Curbing Cultural Expression

The sentencing of the famous Egyptian actor Adel Imam for allegedly offending Islam in one of his films spotlights the latest bout of power posturing by Muslim hardliners and the increasing threat to freedom of expression on the Nile. A report by Amira El Ahl in CairoMore

Remarks on Sherif Arafa's ''Terrorism and Kebab'': Conformist ProvocationsEgyptian Cinema: Enormous Creative EnergyThe Role of Film-Makers in the New Egypt: Revolution on Screen
Scene from "Father Is Doing Fine" (photo: Brave New Work)

The Road Movie ''Father Is Doing Fine''

In a White Van to Ramallah

"Father Is Doing Fine" is a turbulent comedy about the complex relationship between two brothers and the first German movie to be filmed in Jordan. The film's international cast and crew's working language is however English, and this is spoken in many different accents on set. Amira El Ahl watched them at workMore

The Documentary ''The Green Wave'': The Rise and Fall of Iran's Protest MovementComedy ''Salami Aleikum'': Oriental Fairy Tale in East GermanyJordanian Cinema: "Captain Abu Raed": Short Getaways from the Daily Grind
Violent protests on Tahrir Square in Cairo (photo: dpa)

Egypt's Parliamentary Elections

Moving in the Wrong Direction?

The upcoming elections in Egypt will be the first free parliamentary poll after three decades of Mubarak's rule, and their outcome will have a key influence on the political future of this large Arab nation. But the process is being overshadowed by irritation at the complexity of electoral regulations, economic insecurity and recent unrest. Amira El Ahl reports from CairoMore

The Reaction of Egyptian Politicians to the Elections in Tunisia: ''Egypt Is Not Tunisia! Or Is It?''Egypt before the First Post-Mubarak Parliamentary Election: Organised UncertaintyDemonstrations against the Military Council in Egypt: The Revolution Comes First
A demonstrator holding a small placard referring to the start of the Egyptian Revolution on 25 January (photo: dpa)

Demonstrations against the Military Council in Egypt

The Revolution Comes First

"The military council is not cooperating with the revolution; it is trying to control it." This is the kind of thing that demonstrators are saying in Cairo. Once again, they are flocking to Tahrir Square in their thousands; only this time, they are protesting against the military council and the transition government. Amira El Ahl sends us this reportMore

Egypt after Mubarak: Revolution without Change of PowerAn Interview with the Egyptian Author May Telmissany: For Secularism and Civil Society