Revolutionary Graffiti - Cairo, 2011

Wondering around the streets of Cairo during these revolutionary times I have found and photographed nearly 100 works of [street] art. It seems the graffiti art trend has spread! New artists copying the style of our Banksy, but in a revolutionary context. I asked my daughter-in-law, who is a strong supporter of the revolution, to translate some of the arabic on them, but didn't have the time to get her to translate them all for me. Like i said, over 100 photos! Here are some of my favourites.

A collage of graffiti, with the universal expletive

The patched eye refers to the habit of the police of shooting demonstrators in the eye with their rubber bullets.

Reference to the shooting out of demonstrators eyes

The icon of the revolution, Crescent Moon of Islam and Cross of Christianity

"Know your enemy" A leading officer of the Junta, SCAF, Supreme Council of the Armed Forces

The Lions of Kasr el Nil Bridge

" I want these cartridges and bullets thank you god"

"The revolution of the grand children will bring the glories"

"We are the People of Tahrir"

Alaa abdel Fattah, Imprisoned by the army, the sign says 'No' to the military courts

" we are not forgetting Tahrir"

I think this is the Egyptian girl who posted a nude picture of herself on Facebook

" no to military trails"

Gamal Mubarak

Brigadier General Tantawi, head of SCAF as dracula

Tantawi as a poodle of the Israelis

Football game between SCAF and the Salafi and Muslem Brotherhood teams on who will destroy the Revolution first.

Ministry of Interior men who were shooting at the Demonstrators

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, SCAF, supported by America in the form of McDonalds

"Ahmed Harara, your silence kills me" He was shot in the eye, went to Paris where they tried, unsuccessfully , to restore his sight.

Self explanatory

Against the one-sided  normalisation of relations with Israel

Egyptian Elections 2011

We are spending the christmas period in Egypt - Christmas in Cairo then three days in Luxor, and New Year in the Fayoum. My first blog here is rather a serious one about the current elections. Lightening up a bit, I have taken great joy in taking hundreds of photos of the graffiti and street art which are all over the place at the moment because of the Revolution. I had also found some marvellous old 1950's American cars, casually parked in the street. Eventually I'll put up a couple of my infamous 'Then & Now' pictures from Luxor. But for now, enjoy this one.

The Al-Nour Party, representing the Muslim ultra orthodox Salafi Movement.

The Freedom and Justice Party representing the Muslim Brotherhood 

The Egyptian Block Party

Egypt is expected to to be dominated by Political Islam, in stark contrast to the strictly secularist political character stretching back to the nationalism of Nasser, and recently typified by an ugly corrupt crony capitalism. The 83 year old Muslim Brotherhood are expected to be the dominant party. 

The question is, with whom will they rule? On one side there is the extreme puritan El Nour party representing the Salafi Movement. This is Saudi Wahabi in character, the Sunni equivalent to the Shia Taliban, the bearded pious zealots who want Halal tourism. On the other side is the secular grouping under the banner of The Egyptian Bloc. They consist of the liberal Free Egyptians, Al-Kotta Al Masriya, founded by the wealthy businessman Naguib Sawiris, the Social Democratic Party and the socialist Tagammu. The Free Egyptians tend to be supported by the minority Coptic Christians, lending an unfortunate sectarian character. A second small liberal grouping is the Revolution Continues Alliance.In very simple terms the choice is between a democratic Turkish style or a sunni equivalent to an undemocratic Iranian approach. Sadly the youthful idealistic atmosphere of the revolution will be hijacked by the Islamists, a hijacking phase that is perhaps typical of any revolution. This however depends on whether the military, through the currently ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, allows it. They took over following the end of President Hosni Mubarak 30 year rule this February, the result of the 25 January Revolution.  But whatever happens the West’s influence will be reduced, perhaps part of a global trend.

In the meantime Egypt has to cope with the continuing practical problems of the economy, food, employment and The Nile as it continues its 5,000 year search for its destiny.

John Grimshaw and Leeds

I have always been fascinated by "Then & Now's", comparing old paintings and postcards with the same urban view today. On a visit up north to see our daughter I came across the Leeds born victorian painter John Atkinson Grimshaw {1836-1893} who specialised in atmospheric nocturnal scenes full of moonlight. Two of his paintings in the Leeds City Art Gallery are readily identifiable today. The first is "Leeds Bridge" painted in 1880 is identifiable today, comfortably from the riverside rooms of the charming Malmaison Hotel. Standing on the bridge the Leeds Parish Church is visible in the distance with warehouses on either side.

The second painting "Park Row Leeds" painted in 1882 is more confusing until, with the help of the Local History Dept at Leeds Library, one learns that the spired church in the distance was demolished and replaced by "Permanent House" in 1936 for the Leeds Permanent Building Society and, now, the Radisson Hotel. In the painting the eclectic gothic revival building on the right, the Leeds Old Bank, has been replaced by the The NatWest and Santander banks. On the left was a museum.  

This is my first unassisted blog and I await, with certain trepidation, my daughter's comments, she has put this blog together for her "nerdy" father.