Get on your bike for Friday’s ‘A Greener Maadi Festival’

Local environmental groups are joining forces to host “A Greener Maadi Festival” on Friday on Maadi’s Road 9. The event will see the closure of Road 9 from Medan al-Mahata (by Cilantro and Seif Pharmacy) to McDonald’s, blocking off four side roads leading to Road 9.

“We hope, long term, that Road 9 becomes only for pedestrians,” says Dr. Nagwa Hedayet from Green Maadi, a nongovernmental organization (NGO). According to Omar al-Naggar, co-founder of Green Maadi, 60% of Road 9’s business owners are in favor of permanently closing the street to cars.

Most of the area’s businesses are on board for the Friday event, with coffee shops all along the street offering special discounts and deals.

But some workers in the area could lose income because of the festival: in particular, the people who normally park the cars of shoppers who have driven into Road 9. “We were worried about the parking attendants, so we gathered them up and explained to them that we needed them to help us organize parking for the event,” says Hedayet.

The festival is the first of its kind to be held in Maadi. Two years ago, Green Maadi organized a farmers’ market on Road 9. But the scope of this Friday’s festival is much bigger.

“We want Maadi residents and the public to be aware of the environmental NGOs and youth groups in Maadi. It’s an opportunity for people to know more about what these NGOs do,” explains Naggar, who hopes that residents will take a more active role in keeping Maadi green.

Those taking part in the event include the NGOs Green Maadi, Maadi Environmental Rangers and Wa’fiyet al-Maadi; youth groups, including the Maadians, Rabtet Shabab al-Maadi, Ein al-Bee’a and Maadi Club Youth Group; the Rotaract Club and Gezzazy, a group from Ein al- Bee’a that recycles glass.

Ibrahim Saber, the head of the Maadi district, has also been very active in organizing the event. “The mayor has shown a lot of enthusiasm about the project and initiated ideas for the event,” Naggar says.

All of the NGOs and groups involved in the festival will have booths where members will talk about the various green projects going on in Maadi. This includes recycling efforts in the area. There will also be training in ‘separation at source’ — sorting trash in your home to help the recycling process.

Singer Ahmed Harfoush will perform on a stage set up near Medan al-Mahata, along with other bands, including Mallaleem.

Cairo’s cycling groups are also getting involved, and will spend the day cycling around Maadi wearing festival T-shirts to promote the event. The Wheelers cycling group will be offering cycling classes for adults.

“It’s all about getting Cairo residents — Maadi residents in particular — aware of environmental issues and how they can be a part of the change towards a greener Maadi,” explains Naggar.

There are some obstacles looming for Friday’s event, with weather forecasts calling for rain. Organizers are readying themselves for a possible downpour with tarps and umbrellas.

“There’s also potential for protests in Maadi on Friday,” says Naggar. Local youth groups have taken it upon themselves to “protect the streets,” he adds, by monitoring all entrances and exits along the Road 9 festival site.

Although there may be a few craft sellers present, Naggar explains that “A Greener Maadi Festival” won’t be like the Taste of Zamalek festival, which focuses on consumerism. “This event is free. There are no tickets. We want to gather the community to reconnect and build awareness.”

The event runs from 12 noon to 5 pm. Festival-goers are encouraged to leave their cars at home and cycle or walk to the event.