Tips from the culture desk: Lots of chances to learn in Cairo this week

As well as these four events to attend, applications are open this week for interesting educational opportunities.

The Arab Digital Expression Foundation has an open call (in Arabic) until January 17 for those wishing to attend a workshop on computing, digital and video art and digital design. Studio Khana for Contemporary Art and Cultural Development has an open call (also in Arabic) for a seven-month education and research program for Egyptian visual art students to develop their technical skills and knowledge in preparation for professional practice. And Sunday is the last day to apply for the MASS Alexandria independent study program for visual artists. 

Out on the Street — Sunday and from Wednesday

Jasmina Metwaly and Philip Rizk’s “hybrid documentary” concerning the corrupt privatization of Egyptian factories, police harassment and labor action in the wake of the 2011 revolution receives its long-awaited premiere in Egypt on Sunday after having been shown in various festivals and exhibitions abroad.

“Very gently, the film eases us into a state of illusion without exploiting it or over-romanticizing its aesthetics,” wrote Jenifer Evans and Andeel in their review of Out on the Street. “Its sharply thoughtful approach, both politically and aesthetically, keeps you surprised, on the edge of your seat.” After Sunday’s premiere, during which the filmmakers will be available for a discussion, the film will screen for one week as of Wednesday.

January 10 and then from January 13 for one week, at Zawya, the back of Cinema Odeon, downtown Cairo.

The Art Economy in Egypt: Challenges, Needs and Opportunities — Sunday

In a rare event organized by the Binational Fulbright Commission in Egypt, this seminar sees Egyptian artists Khaled Hafez, Hamdy Reda (founder of Artellewa) and Moataz Nasreldin (founder of Darb 1718) talk to an American artist called Mariam Aziza Stephen about the local art economy, moderated by artist Bassem Yousri and AUC assistant professor Haytham Nawar.

6 pm, January 10, Gezira Art Center, 1 Marsafy Street, Zamalek, Cairo. Free, see Facebook event here.

The Sciences of Islam, between Repetition and Innovation: What is Commenting in Islam? — starts Thursday

Organized by the Dominican Institute for Oriental Studies, this conference brings together sixteen scholars from institutions all over the world speaking variously in French, Arabic or English (no translation provided) about the bygone authors of classical Arabic cultural heritage and Islamic commentary. It is the conclusion of the EU-funded 200 Project, an initiative to historically contextualize and apply intertextual criticality to 200 of these authors, and includes workshops that are open to all at the beautiful old Beit al-Sennari.

9 am to 6 pm, January 14 to 16, at Beit al-Sennari, Harat Monge, Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo. Free, no prior reservation needed. Full program here.

Sherif Bakr: Publishers and Translation — Thursday

The director of Cairo-based book publisher and distributor Al-Araby, which publishes a lot of translated literature, will discuss (in English) issues such as the publisher’s role in translation, the readership that exists for translations into Arabic and whether some types of books are non-existent in Arabic. Sherif Bakr is also an elected board member of the Egyptian Publishing Association and is responsible for its Development and E-Publishing Committee.

6 pm, January 14, at the Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo, 1 Dr. Mahmoud Azmi Street, Zamalek, Cairo. Free. Limited capacity, first-come, first served.