Culture and Art
Rahaf's magic wand... and the verse of God
At first, he thought that the air had a hidden reckoning with the wind, but then his journey of philosophy and his "shy" and persistent prophecy came to an end
At first, he thought that the air had a hidden account with the wind, then his journey of “shy” philosophy and prophecy, based on reading a page from a “book,” ended with a more common and less complicated path, when he realized that the comfort of his “head” was more important, and finally he judged: it must be the eternal war between good and evil.
They had always descended with a regular, almost weekly, slow descent, like two submissive clouds, as if surrendering to a divine decree ordained since eternity, and reverent to the gentle remembrance of God, offering their delicate bodies to the chants of a sound and solemn call to prayer, so much so that even the wind could not help but submit to an unexpected bitterness. I mean the bitterness of the air's failure to provide for those two clouds, for it was not sufficiently ripe today, so that it would not reach the point of dew, and they would not reach their most splendid form as was customary on previous days. Thus they would come, harmonious and complete, the rhythm of the wind aligning with the rhythm of their footsteps, and above the heads of dozens of worshippers near a minaret and trees, they would descend slowly, dancing and intertwined. But (ah, the wind, ah!) I mean the air that preferred to lie still. This prompted his “defeated” question, uttered in a disgusted voice and with gloating features: “Is all this burden left to the wind alone?! Oh, this wretched air!”.
After the muezzin's melodious voice faded, the wind's energy had nearly subsided at two solitary trees, chosen by Aniya from among seven. One of these trees, she claimed, was graced by a dark-skinned woman with sleepy, kohl-rimmed eyes and a small mouth framed by smiling, ripe lips. Each time you saw them, you imagined they were poised for a kiss that would come in mere seconds. You might even imagine her lips possessed a rare, almost ethereal quality. Her hair was black with a hint of gray. She was exactly like black coffee—the kind you brew yourself, with your favorite music, your art-loving spirit, and its sweet, bitter allure. That's how she appeared when she smiled!
"Perhaps she, too, didn't see the view like a passing cloud?!" he wondered, or rather, he sincerely hoped so, when she commented from behind him in a lively voice, snapping some pictures with her small camera: "This tree's fertility is insufficient, unlike the other one. I wonder what's between it and the air?" Then she walked quickly towards it. He said nothing, not because they had nothing to say, but because of the shock of his "innocent" wish, and the question that passed lightly and returned disappointed: "How could they have missed her?! Besides, they cut right in the middle of the two trees?!"—directly above her head. And she was fast asleep! (That, then, is a grievous disappointment), he felt it within his chest when he stood between them, captive to the allure of their harmony and the charm of their beautiful appearance, in that narrow space separating them, that space which contradicts its meaning entirely, until he felt that one of them was carrying him higher and higher in his arms. At that moment, he imagined that one of them carried the intercession of a great, unforgivable sin that he had committed, denying standing before God, and in the other he saw himself as a submissive lover before Him!
But what caught his attention and stirred his emotions, and touched something old that had died within his heart, was that they were all standing in the same place, neither advancing nor retreating - tree against tree - and cloud against cloud!
And she, the woman who resembled "coffee" with its thorns and its thorns, stood beneath and between them, lost in a profound, tree-like contemplation, when she struck the "heart" of the tree with both hands of her left hand. Then, in the same manner, she took a "stick"—the remnants of futile attempts by those whose hearts were untouched by blood—to plow the tree's trunk. "As for these people," she said, "we can do nothing but offer a very small amount of pity and a torrent of curses until they strike one of them. I am certain they will strike them all, not now, but after patience and waiting, perhaps after endless hope and giving. If only we could learn to lean on one another until we die standing, not bent over. Then... without a doubt, our curses will strike them all." She spoke, as satirists would say, with speed and intense anger, then returned to continue her very intimate relationship at this stage with the tree's "trunk.".
(What you say is beautiful and poetic, but if we were human, we would be like trees)... He moved his tongue secretly, and he did well. Then he also improved the way he stood. Curiosity had gnawed at his skin. He wanted to know what this lady, whom he still had not dared to ask, would do or say. “What is your name?!” This was a new curiosity, but it was at the wrong time.
She gently beckoned him closer, followed by a confident smile. "Look at the two trees together, or each one separately, starting from the trunk... what do you see?" she gestured
- nothing !
Her facial features changed, her most charming eyes reddened, as if he had not thrown a "word" but a spark at her ear, which was extinguished by a series of words spoken in one breath:
“Didn’t you notice they’re equal in depth, thickness, and strength? Isn’t the stem of one straight, solid, and flawless, while the other is slanted at its base? I mean, the end of the trunk and the beginning of the stem—look closely at this area. It’s the heartwood,” she said, gesturing around it. But he had focused all his attention elsewhere, on the two lovers’ attempt to draw a heart, or perhaps on the fact that a “complete” heart had indeed formed. He saw it shrunken, as if it held the pangs of longing.
She quickly scanned the two "trees" with her eyes, their crowns and leaves, right and left, then continued calmly and gently: "The leaves of this tree are abundant and sturdy, unlike its sister, whose branches are sparse and pale. I could only imagine her with her head bowed, like a beautiful young woman who had been raped some time ago." Here, she was referring to the tree that bore the mark of her own heartbreak. And he made no attempt to comment on the "ruin"—the pain—within the "wood of the heart"—another heart that was suffering!
With his characteristic "composed" awareness, he noticed that one of the two clouds was no longer opposite the other! He pessimistically took two steps back, thinking he belonged to a completely different category than he actually was, to confirm. Indeed, he could see only a single, dense cloud! "It looks like it's going to rain. Time for me to go back," he thought, finding a reason to leave. In a moment of eerie silence, he decided to abandon everything and head back. At a distance of about two hundred meters, he realized what had happened. He blurted out her name quickly, three letters at once, without any preamble!
Despite his quick wit, he took some time to slow down his rapid steps. Then she continued: "Tell me from this great distance between you now, as you see the two trees more widely. What do you see so I can tell you who you are?!".
- nothing (!)
Here he is today, claiming that he feels nothing, and nothing happens to him, except that every time he stretches out on his “desired” deathbed to stealthily escape the longing of his “regular” questioning to see him only, he scratches his heart, saying: “You see, when I was coming back, how the two trees turned into the image of a man kneeling before a woman… and holding scissors in his hands!?”
Critical view
Dr. Adel Khamis
The story is beautiful... it reveals a true literary talent.
Talent... talent... is not just a shadow of talent.
The poetic language in the text is distinctive and captivating.
Even if it overshadows the narrative structure.
I mean that the story is a narrative genre, and the narrative is based on the story and the way it is told, and the (higher) language comes to be an additional embellishment that increases the splendor of the work, and deepens the meaning more (that is, the function of poetic language in the narrative text contributes to building aesthetics and contributes to the surplus of meaning).
But sometimes it overwhelms and affects the narrative structure of the text. (The story sometimes gets lost behind levels of linguistic formation).
The text is beautiful, and it takes you to different horizons of contemplation and interpretation.
Culture and Art
Hend Sabry discusses addiction in her new series, "Immunity"
Hend Sabry is preparing to star in the series "Manna'a," which tackles issues of addiction and family protection. Learn more about the show, its social dimensions, and its anticipated impact on Arabic drama.
Tunisian star Hend Sabri to embark on a new and different dramatic experience through a series entitled “Immunity”, which is set to address highly sensitive and complex social issues, most notably the issue of addiction and ways to protect children and youth in light of the challenges of contemporary society, according to what was mentioned by the “24” platform.
A true story that touches the hearts of Arab families
The series "Immunity" comes within the context of a recent trend in Arab drama towards works that strive to combine compelling storytelling with a purposeful awareness message. The series focuses primarily on the story of a central character facing formidable challenges within a socially stressful environment, shedding light on the devastating effects of addiction, not only on the addict but also on the cohesion of family relationships and the future of children.
The series portrays the intense psychological struggle of a mother desperately trying to protect her family from disintegration and her tireless efforts to safeguard her children from the dangers surrounding them in this age of technology and openness. Initial production details indicate that the team was committed to delivering a balanced dramatic treatment, avoiding blatant directness and relying on impactful acting to convey the social message.
Hend Sabry... a career full of meaningful roles
Hend Sabry's choice of this type of role comes as no surprise to fans and critics alike; the star has always been known for her artistic acumen and her commitment to selecting works that resonate with reality and address women's and family issues. From her early career to her recent works such as "Ola Wants to Get Married" and its evolution into "Searching for Ola," Sabry has demonstrated her ability to discuss social changes in a way that combines seriousness with a connection to the audience.
This work adds a new dimension to her career, which is characterized by social responsibility, as she is expected to utilize her long experience and high acting abilities to embody the suffering of the Arab mother in the face of the “monster” of drugs, which gives the work great artistic and popular weight.
The importance of drama in raising community awareness
The series "Immunity" gains its significance from its timing and the nature of its subject matter. With the increasing rates of addiction and its diverse forms globally and regionally, drama plays a "soft power" role in shaping collective consciousness and sounding the alarm. Drama critics believe this trend strengthens the presence of Arab drama as a mirror reflecting phenomena that threaten the family unit, thus transcending its traditional entertainment role to become a partner in the process of social reform.
The series is expected to attract widespread attention from the Arab public, given the originality and vitality of the subject matter, and the presence of an artistic and production team that understands the importance of balancing elements of excitement and suspense with the depth of the human message that the work carries.
Culture and Art
Promo for the series "Al-A'sha Street 2": Conflicts and surprises in Ramadan
Watch the teaser trailer for the second season of "Al-A'sha Street" this Ramadan. A shocking twist turns the tables and escalates conflicts with a host of Saudi and Gulf drama stars.
The production company behind the series "Al-A'sha Street" has released the official teaser trailer for its second season, officially announcing the show's participation in the highly anticipated Ramadan drama lineup. This release comes amidst widespread public anticipation, building on the immense popularity and positive feedback the series garnered in its first season, which topped viewership charts and trended on social media platforms.
The rise of Saudi drama
The continuation of "Al-A'sha Street" for a second season comes amidst an unprecedented artistic movement in Saudi Arabia, where local drama is experiencing a golden age, supported by massive productions and scripts that boldly and profoundly address social realities. These works are part of a cultural evolution focused on presenting Saudi and Gulf identity in modern dramatic formats that compete regionally, making the second season of this series a focal point for both critics and audiences, especially given the high expectations for its visual quality and dramatic plot.
Escalation of conflicts
The teaser trailer revealed radical shifts in the dramatic structure of the work, as conflicts escalate within the working-class neighborhood where the events unfold. The footage showed the main characters facing new existential crises that will completely alter the course of their lives, increasing tension in relationships and intertwining plot lines in an atmosphere charged with surprises and mystery, avoiding the monotony that can plague second seasons of dramas.
pivotal turning point
The trailer intensely highlighted a pivotal development in the character of "Aziza," portrayed by the brilliant actress Lama Abdel Wahab. The scenes suggest she experiences a profound shock that represents a major turning point, not only in her personal journey but also as a pivotal event whose impact reverberates through the other characters and overturns the balance of power and social equilibrium within the neighborhood, promising viewers a high dose of suspense and psychological drama.
The importance of the Ramadan season
The series' return during Ramadan is particularly significant, as the holy month is considered the peak of the television season in the Arab world and the fiercest arena for competition among production companies. The production company promoted the new season on social media platforms with firm promises of unexpected events and more complex conflicts compared to the first season, reflecting confidence in the content and its ability to attract Gulf and Arab viewers amidst the crowded field of shows.
A selection of Gulf stars
The producers are banking on a cast that includes some of the brightest stars of Gulf and Saudi drama, promising high-caliber performances. The cast for the second season includes Baraa Alam, Elham Ali, Khaled Saqr, Aisha Kay, Lama Abdulwahab, Nasser Al-Dosari, Alaa Salem, Muhannad Al-Hamdi, Amira Al-Sharif, Maha Al-Ghazal, Basel Al-Sali, and Tarfa Al-Sharif, in addition to several other prominent actors who will add significant depth to the storyline.
Culture and Art
An emergency meeting of artistic unions to resolve the Hani Mehanna crisis and prevent his appearance
Mustafa Kamel calls for an urgent meeting with the heads of artistic unions to discuss the crisis of Hani Mehanna’s statements, amid a decision to ban him from appearing in the media in order to preserve the symbols of Egyptian art and its history.
In a rapidly unfolding development within the Egyptian art scene, artist Mustafa Kamel, head of the Musicians Syndicate, has called for an urgent meeting tomorrow with leaders of the artistic unions in Egypt. This move comes in response to the ongoing fallout from the controversy surrounding renowned musician Hani Mehanna, following his recent statements that sparked widespread debate and resentment among both the artistic community and the public.
Unified union action to contain the situation
The meeting is expected to be attended by high-level representatives, including the heads of the three artistic unions affiliated with the Federation of Artistic Syndicates. Dr. Ashraf Zaki, head of the Actors' Syndicate, and director Mosaad Fouda, head of the Cinema Professions Syndicate, will participate, along with director Omar Abdel Aziz, president of the Federation of Artistic Syndicates. This gathering of union leaders aims to formulate a unified and institutional stance to contain the current crisis and ensure it does not escalate in a way that could harm the image of Egypt's rich artistic heritage.
Background to the crisis and the Supreme Media Council's decision
This call comes in the wake of a firm decision issued by the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, which referred musician Hani Mehanna to the Federation of Artistic Syndicates for investigation, accompanied by a decision to ban him from appearing in all visual, audio, and print media. This decision came in response to complaints that deemed Mehanna's statements offensive to a number of deceased and current Egyptian art figures, which necessitated swift regulatory and syndicate intervention to control the artistic media landscape.
Protecting soft power and art symbols
This meeting holds particular significance, transcending the mere resolution of a personal dispute, as it touches upon the very essence of preserving Egypt's "soft power." Egyptian art, with its long history and timeless icons, represents a fundamental pillar in shaping the Arab consciousness. Therefore, the attendees seek to emphasize that freedom of expression is guaranteed, but it is limited by the boundaries of infringing upon the reputations of artistic figures who have shaped Egypt's cultural history. Protecting the reputation of these icons is an integral part of the role of artistic unions in preserving the nation's cultural heritage.
Managing conflicts within the artistic community
In a related context, Mustafa Kamel emphasized in his official statement the important principle of "respecting elders and honoring icons," stressing the union's categorical rejection of any transgressions that might diminish the stature of artistic figures. The head of the Musicians Syndicate pointed out the necessity of addressing any differences of opinion within the legitimate union and legal frameworks, away from media mudslinging that could transform professional disagreements into personal conflicts damaging everyone's reputation.
Expected decisions and recommendations
The meeting is expected to produce a set of recommendations and decisions aimed at establishing a code of ethics to regulate media statements related to the history of art and its symbols, in addition to determining the legal and union position regarding the musician Hani Mehanna based on the results of the investigations, and in a way that ensures the preservation of the prestige of artistic institutions and the image of Egyptian art before the world.
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