Border crossers, p.3
Border Crossers, page 3
Similarly, the invention of the telephone had a significant impact on social communication and transcending the spatial and temporal boundaries that separate individuals. Alexander Graham Bell (USA) obtained a patent for the telephone in 1876, although Antonio Meucci had presented a similar invention earlier. The first telephone was capable of transmitting sound via electrical signals.
Then, as the world shifted to email and social media networks like Facebook and Twitter (before it became Platform X), as well as Instagram, LinkedIn, and other specialized platforms, communication and crossing spatial, temporal, and even cultural boundaries became easy. However, this shift also raised significant privacy concerns. Many companies collect massive amounts of data from multiple sources, such as social media, internet searches, mobile applications, financial transactions, and even internet-connected devices (the Internet of Things). This data is analyzed using artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to understand individual behaviors and preferences, allowing companies to influence users' decisions in various ways.
These technologies are used to analyze data from these sources. The friends continued their conversations about data and social media, which represent a crossing of national Borders. One of them, a Border crosser, agreed with the previous viewpoints but offered his own perspective:
"Algorithms create information bubbles, where users live in a virtual environment that reflects only their own opinions. This strengthens extremism and weakens social dialogue. Furthermore, algorithms may be designed to prolong usage time by presenting controversial or emotionally charged content, thus influencing public opinion.
Some platforms may also rely on dynamic pricing, where prices change according to user data (such as location or device). Someone might pay more for the same service simply because they use an iPhone instead of an Android." The world has become Borderless with the advent of technology, but I had read an article on Wikipedia about the Kardashev scale, a theoretical framework for classifying civilizations based on their energy consumption. This scale was developed by the Russian astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964 to measure the level of technological advancement of civilizations based on their ability to utilize energy. This scale is based on the idea that civilizations develop as their control over energy sources increases, from planets to stars, then galaxies, and ultimately the entire universe. It categorizes human civilizations according to their energy consumption:
- Planetary Civilizations: These are civilizations that possess the ability to harness all available energy on their planet (such as Earth), including solar energy, wind, volcanoes, and tides. Humanity may reach this level within 100-200 years.
- STELLAR CIVILIZATIONS: These are civilizations that possess the ability to completely control the energy of their star (such as the Sun), such as by building a Dyson sphere (a massive structure on the star to absorb its energy). It may take humanity several thousand years to reach this level.
- Galactic Civilizations: These are civilizations that possess the ability to harness the energy of an entire galaxy (such as the Milky Way), including stars, black holes, and dark matter. Humanity may reach this level between 100,000 and one million years.
It seems we're running low on time. My house is quite far, so I'll take my leave now, said the Border Crosser. He said goodbye to his friends, and the rest of the group began to leave.
See you next evening at Fishawi's Coffee Shop in Al-Hussein, God willing. Okay... Peace.
Esports
The Border Crosser woke up to the sound of his alarm. He looked at the time and saw it was 7:00 AM. He performed ablution, prayed the dawn prayer, had breakfast, and listened to the weather forecast and the local and international news. The news was discouraging; most of the headlines were about wars in multiple locations: the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Israeli-Gaza war, the Lebanese-Israeli war, the Iranian-Israeli war, the Syrian-Israeli war, the war between North and South Sudan, skirmishes between China and the Philippines, skirmishes between Turkish and Greek Cyprus, and a war between India and Pakistan.
The man who had crossed the Border felt remorseful after hearing the news. He lived by the motto, "Be beautiful, and you will see beauty everywhere." His father woke up late and greeted him, "Good morning. How are you today?" The man replied, "I've become pessimistic because of all the news headlines filled with reports of war."
His father said, "That's life. Miracles are born from crises, and peace always prevails."
"By the way," the father asked, "what are your plans for today?" The man replied, "I'm going to attend a seminar on quality management, and then I'm going to the gym."
"Do you need anything?"
His father answered, "Of course. I want you to buy some snacks: sunflower seeds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and carob seeds. Don't forget the carob."
The man laughed, and both father and son joined in. "At your service, Dad. Whatever you need." The Border crosser prepared to disembark, put on his black suit, and drove to his destination. While driving, his friend called him, saying: "I apologize for calling at such an inconvenient time, but I wanted to thank you for all the help and advice you've given. Give my regards to all the neighbors and your family," he said.
The man replied, "May all your hopes and aspirations be fulfilled." The man then finished his daily routine as planned and went to the gym. He does his fitness exercises to maintain his health and physique. Today was his chest workout.
The man reminisced about his early days in fitness, recalling how he used to buy the sports magazine "World of Sports," a publication specializing in bodybuilding. He had posters on his bedroom wall featuring Lee Haney, Lou Furino (the Incredible Hulk), Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the Egyptian legend El-Shahat Mabrouk, who won the world bodybuilding championship several times.
In his early life, the man participated in running, particularly cross-country running, and continued this practice into his youth. He then began practicing yoga, although it's not very popular among the Egyptian people. He loves football, and the achievements of the world-renowned Egyptian player Mohamed Salah have fueled his passion for the sport. Many young Egyptians follow the English Premier League, as well as the Italian and Spanish leagues, and now they also follow the Saudi Professional League.
The most popular Egyptian team among young people is Al-Ahly, known for its red jerseys and its Arab and African achievements, and more recently, its global reach, represented by the FIFA Club World Cup. Al-Ahly's traditional rival is Zamalek, known for its white jerseys, and it has a large fan base.
This doesn't mean that other sports are unpopular. There's judo, and perhaps the best role model for young Egyptians in judo is the world champion Mohamed Rashwan. The most famous example in squash, and one of the most prominent founders of the sport in Egypt, is the world champion Mohamed Barada. Recently, young people, especially teenagers, have turned their attention to esports. It began with FIFA, followed by other video games. However, esports didn't truly take off until the advent of eSports Polygonal Modeling in the 1990s. This computer graphics technology creates three-dimensional models of objects and characters, revolutionizing video game development and gameplay, thus paving the way for esports as we know it today.
The man returned home, feeling exhausted. He washed his face and rinsed his feet with salt water. He then began exploring the refrigerator, but nothing caught his eye. He called Abu Shakra's Kebab and Kofta restaurant and ordered extra tahini salad and a Pepsi. About half an hour later, the delivery driver knocked on the door, and the man paid the bill, leaving a tip, of course. The traveler devoured the kebabs and kofta with gusto; it was an irresistible meal.
The tahini salad added a sweetness and wonderful flavor. Egyptian cuisine is considered one of the most famous and delicious in the Middle East, and many tourists embrace it because its ingredients are not off-putting, and most importantly, it's delicious, showcasing the harmony between cultures.
As soon as the traveler finished his meal, he looked for something to aid his digestion: Pepsi. This was a habit he inherited from his father. As the saying goes, "Like father, like son." Then he joined his father for a game of chess on the balcony. His father had placed snacks in front of them—sunflower seeds, peanuts, carob, and sunflower seeds—while the music of the legendary Umm Kulthum played in the background. The game continued, round after round, all under the beautiful and enchanting starlit night of Cairo.
Music is a universal language
Music in Egypt holds a special allure for the Middle East, much like Indian music holds a special place in Asia and the world. Cairo's reputation as the Hollywood of the East has undoubtedly contributed to its prominence, even in the realm of music. The "Border traveler" and his high school classmates made a point of attending the Citadel Festival, a music and song festival held at the Citadel of Saladin in Old Cairo. Musicians from around the world, including Arab countries, participate in this vibrant and dreamy atmosphere, enjoying the beautiful weather, tranquil nights, and the captivating charm of the historic site, all complemented by gentle breezes.
This progress isn't limited to the local scene. There's also a vibrant local folk music scene that rivals American rap. Among the most famous rappers in Egypt and the Middle East are Wegz, Marwan Pablo, and Afroto.
As for contemporary, tranquil music, Abdel Halim Hafez is considered the foremost singer, a singer for generations, beloved by most Egyptians.
WITH THE EVOLUTION of musical styles, Nubian music, closer to African influences, has begun to emerge, and one of the most famous Egyptian singers in this genre is Mohamed Mounir. The singer who has transcended local boundaries to achieve international recognition is the young star known as "El Hadaba" (The Hill), Amr Diab. In the rap genre, there are Mohamed Ramadan and the singer Wegz. Romantic and sentimental music is dominated by female singers such as Angham and Sherine.
Harmony is the "secret" that transforms a simple melody into a rich sonic tapestry. Whether in classical music, jazz, or even modern Arabic music, understanding harmony opens up vast horizons for creativity. Harmony relies on the balance between consonant and dissonant sounds. Most compositions are based on tertiary harmony, to which augmented notes with tensions are added. These are additional notes that create a rhythmic distance in relation to the bass.
Monotonous rhythm, on the other hand, is a pattern of predictable, repetitive notes or sounds, lacking nuance and complexity, like the ticking of a clock.
IT IS OFTEN USED TO alleviate anxiety and tension. Non-monotonous rhythm, however, is a dynamic, varied, and unpredictable rhythm that conveys feelings of joy, excitement, and sadness. It is frequently used in jazz, salsa, and hip-hop music.
It's no wonder that classical Arabic music focuses on monophony without harmony, while modern Arabic music has blended Western harmony with Arabic maqams (for example, Omar Khairat's music uses chords that support the Bayati maqam).
Omar Khairat's music is considered similar to the style of Enigma and Dance2Trance in Western music. There's also Yahya Khalil, a jazz musician who has contributed to popularizing jazz among Arab youth.
Music has a place in the life of this cross-Border individual. From his high school and university years, he developed a refined musical taste, listening to Western music. Among his favorite artists were Bob Marley, Chris de Berg, Tracy Chapman, Cranberries, Madonna, Lenny Kraftz, Jackson, Eminem, Metallica, 50 Cent, and Iron Maiden. This diverse musical collection shaped his sensibilities and musical taste, allowing him to choose music according to his mood and state of Mind.
He didn't just listen; he also contributed to composing musical pieces in the Trap and House music genres. These pieces are available on the Reverberation platform.
Digital Art
In 1884, Nipkow invented a mechanical rotating disc for transmitting images, paving the way for the later development of electronic television. Regular television broadcasting began in the 1930s, followed by the development of cinema—that technological, cultural, and artistic creation that transports people from place to place, transcends Borders, and explores emotions and the depths of the human psyche. Cinema garnered global attention, and Egypt was no exception. The Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest and most important film festivals in the Arab world and Africa, and is considered one of the most prominent cinematic events in the Middle East. The festival was founded in 1976 and is held annually in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
The festival was founded by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) with the aim of promoting film culture in Egypt and the region. Since its inception, the festival has successfully attracted films from around the world, making it an important platform for cultural and artistic exchange.
The festival aims to promote film culture in Egypt and the region by showcasing films from various countries.
The festival also provides a platform for cultural and artistic exchange between filmmakers from different countries, fostering mutual understanding. Other film festivals include the Alexandria International Film Festival, the Luxor International Film Festival, and the El Gouna Film Festival. Beyond his love for Western music, which he saw as a way to transcend Borders, from local to global, and feel his place as a global citizen, he also loved digital art and created paintings in his free time as a way to pass the time or to release pent-up emotions from the pressures of life.
Digital art is gaining value because it reflects pressing issues, from globalization and ecological and economic crises to the building blocks of human relationships. Artists have replaced traditional drawing tools with digital tools and paints, and the internet has provided opportunities for everyone to contribute to the creation of contemporary artworks.
DIGITALIZATION HAS contributed to the digital transformation of traditional artworks in museums and galleries into digital images that can be displayed online or on computer screens. Recently, at GITEX, I saw a Wacom digital drawing tablet consisting of a light pen and a whiteboard for writing with that pen, along with the MoXi System software, which simulates the process of drawing with a brush, especially watercolors. The brush is connected to a sensor that acts as an input unit for the tablet or computer.
Furthermore, in 1975, Stephen Sasson (Kodak, USA) developed the first digital camera, revolutionizing the way images were captured and processed. The invention of the digital camera had a magical effect on people across Borders, enabling them to record the best and most important moments of their lives while traveling, visiting historical sites, or enjoying breathtaking landscapes, and even to capture the human moments they experience in their own lives or the lives of others.
Grandparental Tales
These tales highlight the transcendence of boundaries. The stories convey societal values and address problems that may appear local but are, in fact, universal, existing in every society. The core issue lies in the individual's interaction with circumstances and their capacity to interact with others.
The more a person transcends geographical boundaries—by reading, listening, watching, or speaking through all forms of media and informational and cultural platforms—the more they can transcend the limitations of time and place. Only then do they truly become a global citizen.
The First Story: Taghreed Awaits Her Fate
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING of her life, Taghreed was burdened by hardship and the relentless pressures of daily life. She was the youngest of three brothers, in a family that valued only sons, who inherited their father's name and were a source of pride within the village community. The more sons a family had, the more prestige and respect it commanded. As for household chores, Taghreed bore the brunt of them, receiving no assistance. She cooked, baked bread, washed clothes, swept, and cared for the animals and birds.
She fed them, cleaned up their mess, and even set fire to the garbage, as burning trash was the common practice in rural areas. She performed these tasks every day, never complaining of illness or pain. On top of that, her brothers demanded she make a cup of tea or go to the grocery store to buy cigarettes for them.
If she failed to comply with any of these demands, her father and brothers would shower her with insults and severe beatings. This was her life, until she matured. As she matures and reaches the peak of her youth, her family chooses a husband for her from among relatives or neighbors, without her expressing any opinion.
Once married, another problem arises: everyone pressures her to bear a son, for he is the one who will inherit his father's name and strengthen his family's position among the other families. If she doesn't bear children, her fate is either divorce or her husband taking another wife. This was Taghreed's fate; she married but didn't have children, so her husband took a second wife and only sees her when he remembers he has a wife.
She remains trapped in her life until God decrees what is to be. As for her brothers, they pay her no attention unless one of her neighbors or relatives complains about her. This is her daily routine: every day she wakes up with nothing to do, and at night she remains with her shadow, which never appears, so she is alone both day and night. She knew no happiness in her childhood or youth, yet if you saw her, she would speak to you as if nothing were wrong, and she would not speak of her sorrow to anyone except her Creator, for He is the One who comforts the lonely in their solitude and the grieving in their sorrow. The story only ends when the Angel of Death seals the end of her grief when her time comes, and she rests beside her father and mother, and the saying is true: "This is what my father reaped, and I did not wrong anyone."
The second story: A mischievous teenage beauty.
Then, as the world shifted to email and social media networks like Facebook and Twitter (before it became Platform X), as well as Instagram, LinkedIn, and other specialized platforms, communication and crossing spatial, temporal, and even cultural boundaries became easy. However, this shift also raised significant privacy concerns. Many companies collect massive amounts of data from multiple sources, such as social media, internet searches, mobile applications, financial transactions, and even internet-connected devices (the Internet of Things). This data is analyzed using artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to understand individual behaviors and preferences, allowing companies to influence users' decisions in various ways.
These technologies are used to analyze data from these sources. The friends continued their conversations about data and social media, which represent a crossing of national Borders. One of them, a Border crosser, agreed with the previous viewpoints but offered his own perspective:
"Algorithms create information bubbles, where users live in a virtual environment that reflects only their own opinions. This strengthens extremism and weakens social dialogue. Furthermore, algorithms may be designed to prolong usage time by presenting controversial or emotionally charged content, thus influencing public opinion.
Some platforms may also rely on dynamic pricing, where prices change according to user data (such as location or device). Someone might pay more for the same service simply because they use an iPhone instead of an Android." The world has become Borderless with the advent of technology, but I had read an article on Wikipedia about the Kardashev scale, a theoretical framework for classifying civilizations based on their energy consumption. This scale was developed by the Russian astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964 to measure the level of technological advancement of civilizations based on their ability to utilize energy. This scale is based on the idea that civilizations develop as their control over energy sources increases, from planets to stars, then galaxies, and ultimately the entire universe. It categorizes human civilizations according to their energy consumption:
- Planetary Civilizations: These are civilizations that possess the ability to harness all available energy on their planet (such as Earth), including solar energy, wind, volcanoes, and tides. Humanity may reach this level within 100-200 years.
- STELLAR CIVILIZATIONS: These are civilizations that possess the ability to completely control the energy of their star (such as the Sun), such as by building a Dyson sphere (a massive structure on the star to absorb its energy). It may take humanity several thousand years to reach this level.
- Galactic Civilizations: These are civilizations that possess the ability to harness the energy of an entire galaxy (such as the Milky Way), including stars, black holes, and dark matter. Humanity may reach this level between 100,000 and one million years.
It seems we're running low on time. My house is quite far, so I'll take my leave now, said the Border Crosser. He said goodbye to his friends, and the rest of the group began to leave.
See you next evening at Fishawi's Coffee Shop in Al-Hussein, God willing. Okay... Peace.
Esports
The Border Crosser woke up to the sound of his alarm. He looked at the time and saw it was 7:00 AM. He performed ablution, prayed the dawn prayer, had breakfast, and listened to the weather forecast and the local and international news. The news was discouraging; most of the headlines were about wars in multiple locations: the Russian-Ukrainian war, the Israeli-Gaza war, the Lebanese-Israeli war, the Iranian-Israeli war, the Syrian-Israeli war, the war between North and South Sudan, skirmishes between China and the Philippines, skirmishes between Turkish and Greek Cyprus, and a war between India and Pakistan.
The man who had crossed the Border felt remorseful after hearing the news. He lived by the motto, "Be beautiful, and you will see beauty everywhere." His father woke up late and greeted him, "Good morning. How are you today?" The man replied, "I've become pessimistic because of all the news headlines filled with reports of war."
His father said, "That's life. Miracles are born from crises, and peace always prevails."
"By the way," the father asked, "what are your plans for today?" The man replied, "I'm going to attend a seminar on quality management, and then I'm going to the gym."
"Do you need anything?"
His father answered, "Of course. I want you to buy some snacks: sunflower seeds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and carob seeds. Don't forget the carob."
The man laughed, and both father and son joined in. "At your service, Dad. Whatever you need." The Border crosser prepared to disembark, put on his black suit, and drove to his destination. While driving, his friend called him, saying: "I apologize for calling at such an inconvenient time, but I wanted to thank you for all the help and advice you've given. Give my regards to all the neighbors and your family," he said.
The man replied, "May all your hopes and aspirations be fulfilled." The man then finished his daily routine as planned and went to the gym. He does his fitness exercises to maintain his health and physique. Today was his chest workout.
The man reminisced about his early days in fitness, recalling how he used to buy the sports magazine "World of Sports," a publication specializing in bodybuilding. He had posters on his bedroom wall featuring Lee Haney, Lou Furino (the Incredible Hulk), Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the Egyptian legend El-Shahat Mabrouk, who won the world bodybuilding championship several times.
In his early life, the man participated in running, particularly cross-country running, and continued this practice into his youth. He then began practicing yoga, although it's not very popular among the Egyptian people. He loves football, and the achievements of the world-renowned Egyptian player Mohamed Salah have fueled his passion for the sport. Many young Egyptians follow the English Premier League, as well as the Italian and Spanish leagues, and now they also follow the Saudi Professional League.
The most popular Egyptian team among young people is Al-Ahly, known for its red jerseys and its Arab and African achievements, and more recently, its global reach, represented by the FIFA Club World Cup. Al-Ahly's traditional rival is Zamalek, known for its white jerseys, and it has a large fan base.
This doesn't mean that other sports are unpopular. There's judo, and perhaps the best role model for young Egyptians in judo is the world champion Mohamed Rashwan. The most famous example in squash, and one of the most prominent founders of the sport in Egypt, is the world champion Mohamed Barada. Recently, young people, especially teenagers, have turned their attention to esports. It began with FIFA, followed by other video games. However, esports didn't truly take off until the advent of eSports Polygonal Modeling in the 1990s. This computer graphics technology creates three-dimensional models of objects and characters, revolutionizing video game development and gameplay, thus paving the way for esports as we know it today.
The man returned home, feeling exhausted. He washed his face and rinsed his feet with salt water. He then began exploring the refrigerator, but nothing caught his eye. He called Abu Shakra's Kebab and Kofta restaurant and ordered extra tahini salad and a Pepsi. About half an hour later, the delivery driver knocked on the door, and the man paid the bill, leaving a tip, of course. The traveler devoured the kebabs and kofta with gusto; it was an irresistible meal.
The tahini salad added a sweetness and wonderful flavor. Egyptian cuisine is considered one of the most famous and delicious in the Middle East, and many tourists embrace it because its ingredients are not off-putting, and most importantly, it's delicious, showcasing the harmony between cultures.
As soon as the traveler finished his meal, he looked for something to aid his digestion: Pepsi. This was a habit he inherited from his father. As the saying goes, "Like father, like son." Then he joined his father for a game of chess on the balcony. His father had placed snacks in front of them—sunflower seeds, peanuts, carob, and sunflower seeds—while the music of the legendary Umm Kulthum played in the background. The game continued, round after round, all under the beautiful and enchanting starlit night of Cairo.
Music is a universal language
Music in Egypt holds a special allure for the Middle East, much like Indian music holds a special place in Asia and the world. Cairo's reputation as the Hollywood of the East has undoubtedly contributed to its prominence, even in the realm of music. The "Border traveler" and his high school classmates made a point of attending the Citadel Festival, a music and song festival held at the Citadel of Saladin in Old Cairo. Musicians from around the world, including Arab countries, participate in this vibrant and dreamy atmosphere, enjoying the beautiful weather, tranquil nights, and the captivating charm of the historic site, all complemented by gentle breezes.
This progress isn't limited to the local scene. There's also a vibrant local folk music scene that rivals American rap. Among the most famous rappers in Egypt and the Middle East are Wegz, Marwan Pablo, and Afroto.
As for contemporary, tranquil music, Abdel Halim Hafez is considered the foremost singer, a singer for generations, beloved by most Egyptians.
WITH THE EVOLUTION of musical styles, Nubian music, closer to African influences, has begun to emerge, and one of the most famous Egyptian singers in this genre is Mohamed Mounir. The singer who has transcended local boundaries to achieve international recognition is the young star known as "El Hadaba" (The Hill), Amr Diab. In the rap genre, there are Mohamed Ramadan and the singer Wegz. Romantic and sentimental music is dominated by female singers such as Angham and Sherine.
Harmony is the "secret" that transforms a simple melody into a rich sonic tapestry. Whether in classical music, jazz, or even modern Arabic music, understanding harmony opens up vast horizons for creativity. Harmony relies on the balance between consonant and dissonant sounds. Most compositions are based on tertiary harmony, to which augmented notes with tensions are added. These are additional notes that create a rhythmic distance in relation to the bass.
Monotonous rhythm, on the other hand, is a pattern of predictable, repetitive notes or sounds, lacking nuance and complexity, like the ticking of a clock.
IT IS OFTEN USED TO alleviate anxiety and tension. Non-monotonous rhythm, however, is a dynamic, varied, and unpredictable rhythm that conveys feelings of joy, excitement, and sadness. It is frequently used in jazz, salsa, and hip-hop music.
It's no wonder that classical Arabic music focuses on monophony without harmony, while modern Arabic music has blended Western harmony with Arabic maqams (for example, Omar Khairat's music uses chords that support the Bayati maqam).
Omar Khairat's music is considered similar to the style of Enigma and Dance2Trance in Western music. There's also Yahya Khalil, a jazz musician who has contributed to popularizing jazz among Arab youth.
Music has a place in the life of this cross-Border individual. From his high school and university years, he developed a refined musical taste, listening to Western music. Among his favorite artists were Bob Marley, Chris de Berg, Tracy Chapman, Cranberries, Madonna, Lenny Kraftz, Jackson, Eminem, Metallica, 50 Cent, and Iron Maiden. This diverse musical collection shaped his sensibilities and musical taste, allowing him to choose music according to his mood and state of Mind.
He didn't just listen; he also contributed to composing musical pieces in the Trap and House music genres. These pieces are available on the Reverberation platform.
Digital Art
In 1884, Nipkow invented a mechanical rotating disc for transmitting images, paving the way for the later development of electronic television. Regular television broadcasting began in the 1930s, followed by the development of cinema—that technological, cultural, and artistic creation that transports people from place to place, transcends Borders, and explores emotions and the depths of the human psyche. Cinema garnered global attention, and Egypt was no exception. The Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest and most important film festivals in the Arab world and Africa, and is considered one of the most prominent cinematic events in the Middle East. The festival was founded in 1976 and is held annually in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
The festival was founded by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) with the aim of promoting film culture in Egypt and the region. Since its inception, the festival has successfully attracted films from around the world, making it an important platform for cultural and artistic exchange.
The festival aims to promote film culture in Egypt and the region by showcasing films from various countries.
The festival also provides a platform for cultural and artistic exchange between filmmakers from different countries, fostering mutual understanding. Other film festivals include the Alexandria International Film Festival, the Luxor International Film Festival, and the El Gouna Film Festival. Beyond his love for Western music, which he saw as a way to transcend Borders, from local to global, and feel his place as a global citizen, he also loved digital art and created paintings in his free time as a way to pass the time or to release pent-up emotions from the pressures of life.
Digital art is gaining value because it reflects pressing issues, from globalization and ecological and economic crises to the building blocks of human relationships. Artists have replaced traditional drawing tools with digital tools and paints, and the internet has provided opportunities for everyone to contribute to the creation of contemporary artworks.
DIGITALIZATION HAS contributed to the digital transformation of traditional artworks in museums and galleries into digital images that can be displayed online or on computer screens. Recently, at GITEX, I saw a Wacom digital drawing tablet consisting of a light pen and a whiteboard for writing with that pen, along with the MoXi System software, which simulates the process of drawing with a brush, especially watercolors. The brush is connected to a sensor that acts as an input unit for the tablet or computer.
Furthermore, in 1975, Stephen Sasson (Kodak, USA) developed the first digital camera, revolutionizing the way images were captured and processed. The invention of the digital camera had a magical effect on people across Borders, enabling them to record the best and most important moments of their lives while traveling, visiting historical sites, or enjoying breathtaking landscapes, and even to capture the human moments they experience in their own lives or the lives of others.
Grandparental Tales
These tales highlight the transcendence of boundaries. The stories convey societal values and address problems that may appear local but are, in fact, universal, existing in every society. The core issue lies in the individual's interaction with circumstances and their capacity to interact with others.
The more a person transcends geographical boundaries—by reading, listening, watching, or speaking through all forms of media and informational and cultural platforms—the more they can transcend the limitations of time and place. Only then do they truly become a global citizen.
The First Story: Taghreed Awaits Her Fate
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING of her life, Taghreed was burdened by hardship and the relentless pressures of daily life. She was the youngest of three brothers, in a family that valued only sons, who inherited their father's name and were a source of pride within the village community. The more sons a family had, the more prestige and respect it commanded. As for household chores, Taghreed bore the brunt of them, receiving no assistance. She cooked, baked bread, washed clothes, swept, and cared for the animals and birds.
She fed them, cleaned up their mess, and even set fire to the garbage, as burning trash was the common practice in rural areas. She performed these tasks every day, never complaining of illness or pain. On top of that, her brothers demanded she make a cup of tea or go to the grocery store to buy cigarettes for them.
If she failed to comply with any of these demands, her father and brothers would shower her with insults and severe beatings. This was her life, until she matured. As she matures and reaches the peak of her youth, her family chooses a husband for her from among relatives or neighbors, without her expressing any opinion.
Once married, another problem arises: everyone pressures her to bear a son, for he is the one who will inherit his father's name and strengthen his family's position among the other families. If she doesn't bear children, her fate is either divorce or her husband taking another wife. This was Taghreed's fate; she married but didn't have children, so her husband took a second wife and only sees her when he remembers he has a wife.
She remains trapped in her life until God decrees what is to be. As for her brothers, they pay her no attention unless one of her neighbors or relatives complains about her. This is her daily routine: every day she wakes up with nothing to do, and at night she remains with her shadow, which never appears, so she is alone both day and night. She knew no happiness in her childhood or youth, yet if you saw her, she would speak to you as if nothing were wrong, and she would not speak of her sorrow to anyone except her Creator, for He is the One who comforts the lonely in their solitude and the grieving in their sorrow. The story only ends when the Angel of Death seals the end of her grief when her time comes, and she rests beside her father and mother, and the saying is true: "This is what my father reaped, and I did not wrong anyone."
The second story: A mischievous teenage beauty.
