The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Celebrating its
third-year running at Fustat Wadi El Gemal National Park, the Characters of
Egypt Festival is taking place this weekend! If you happen to have the weekend
free and would like to spend it in Marsa Alem; it’s
sure to be an exciting experience.

Characters of
Egypt was launched to bring together tribes from all corners of Egypt to meet
together for a few days, experience cultural exchange and connect over their
common bonds. Egypt
has a rich history of tribal heritage and this weekend gives us a chance to see it for ourselves.

In recent years,
the festival has seen great success not only with these specific groups but with
all of the volunteers that have facilitated the event and participants that travelled
to Marsa Alem to enjoy the festivities. However, this year will be the first
time that the festival will be completely headed by one Cairo-based non-governmental
organisation, CISV (originally an acronym for Children’s International Summer Villages).

CISV  has not
only coordinated all of the volunteers; but it has also worked for months to
make this weekend an unforgettable experience. For CISV, it’s a great
opportunity to help lead a huge cultural event that simultaneously supports
diversity and sustainable development. Because part of CISV’s vision is to
educate and inspire its members to contribute to the surrounding community
through local projects; this is a perfect opportunity for both the organisation
and our Egyptian community as a whole.  

In a creative
environment that supports discovery, the weekend will be filled to the brim
with things to do. The festival will showcase traditional arts,
and host friendly competitions between tribes that include ancient games and
sportive challenges. Music, poetry, dancing and storytelling are on the agenda in
addition to desert adventures. Activities for children include exciting learning
opportunities from desert trips to explore the fauna and flora, and to learn about tribal
costumes, jewels and the sampling of traditional foods.  

Also included
will be a bazaar of handcraft goods and crafts on sale, as well as a
photography exhibition and a coordinated competition. With Marsa Alem’s
beautiful scenery, there couldn’t be a better place to practice your
photography skills!

To help support
eco-tourism, guests will have the opportunity to stay in the beautiful eco-lodge
of Wadi El Gamal; but you must book your place as soon as possible. For
detailed information regarding accommodation and transportation options, check
out the Facebook page here or head over to their homepage
for more
details.

Don’t miss this
opportunity to explore the tribal heritage of this amazing country and have fun
while you’re at it.