Author: Emmy Plaschy
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Alaa Abu Elhamd: Revisiting Ancient Egyptian Art
Luxor, West Bank. In the quiet of Upper Egypt, painter Alaa Abu Elhamd develops a body of work rooted in memory, intimacy and ancient Egyptian philosophy. We went on a journey from Karnak temple to his studio to discuss how his paintings bridge personal experience with myth. From village walls to fine arts Born in Read more
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Oriental Geneva: Food & Culture Hidden Gems
If you’re living in or visiting Geneva, Switzerland, and want to experience a piece of the Arab world, I got you covered. While living there, and when anytime I go back, I always crave Turkish coffee and Islamic architecture. Here is the result of my hunt for Geneva’s Oriental gems! (a selection, last updated April Read more
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Ziyad Jassam: Expressionism & Intimacy in Iraq
Baghdad, Iraq. “Those who have the courage to innovate will one day see themselves become one of the greats.” This is the guiding principle of Ziyad Jassam, a remarkable figure whose work spans painting, sculpture, and installation. I met him recently to explore his journey, his philosophy, and the stories behind some of his most Read more
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Xenia Nikolskaya & Cairo’s Forgotten Architecture
It all started with a postcard. I was browsing a boutique tucked inside an art gallery, one of those places where time feels suspended, and I found something that stopped me in my tracks. I couldn’t even describe it—it was haunting, like something was gone yet still present. I looked up the photographer and discovered Read more
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Nour Elmassry: Revealing the Light in Cairo
You know a photograph is good when it stays with you.Years before I ever thought about moving to Egypt, I came across a picture of a Cairo balcony on Instagram. Soft light, old architecture, a quiet atmosphere that felt both nostalgic and mysterious. It was 2022 and I remember thinking, “I wish I could live Read more
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Wael Nour: Timeless Watercolours of Upper Egypt
Early morning in Luxor. It’s already hot, the chlorophyll-green fields glowing under the first sun. A very welcome breeze moves through the still air, soft and brief. I’m sitting here with Wael Nour, one of the few Egyptian artists fully devoted to watercolour. He’s calm, grounded, and quietly intense. His upcoming solo exhibition opens at Read more
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Khaled Hamed: Carving Dali’s Legacy in Fayoum
In the quietude of Fayoum, where desert meets water, I met Khaled Hamed, a sculptor whose works radiate both tension and grace. With more than thirty years in the field, he’s about to exhibit at Tam Gallery’s Cairo Art Fair West, starting 10 January 2026, as one of the most prominent Egyptian contemporary artists. Who Read more
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Yousra Hafad: Painting Women’s Feelings
In Luxor, I recently sat down with Yousra Hafad, a painter whose canvases seem to transport women into other worlds. Her work blends cultural roots, emotion, and symbolism in a way that feels both intimate and universal. Who is Yousra Hafad? “I come from a multicultural background: an Egyptian father and a Moroccan mother. I Read more
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Timeless Communication: Teachings from the Pyramids
Isn’t it fascinating that for over 4,500 years, the Pyramids have been telling the stories of Pharaohs, of their quest for power, of eternity? That’s why I think there are 3 fundamental lessons on communication we can learn from them. As a communications expert, I often wonder: how can we create messages that last? How Read more
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بدأت تعلم لغة، وفي النھایة دخلت عالم جدید
.بعد أن جذبتني حروف اللغة العربية، قررت أن أتعلمها لقد رأيت الخط العربي في كتب مدرسية وسحرني فوراً. في طفولتي، كنت أسكن في بلدة ريفية فرنسية وفي ذلك الوقت كان تعليم اللغات الأجنبية محدوداً على أربع لغات: الإنجليزية، الألمانية، الإسبانية والإيطالية. عندما حصلت على الفرصة بعد سنوات عديدة، بدأت تعلم اللغة العربية الفصحى في مدرسة، خارج Read more