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Al-Ahram Weekly 27 May - 2 June 1999 Issue No. 431 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 27 May - 2 June 1999 Issue No. 431
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Living Features Travel Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters A land for all ages
By Nesmahar Sayed
The Egyptian Media Production City Company (EMPC) in 6 October City was launched in 1994. Since then, the company has made profits in excess of LE16 million. Magic Land, a theme park attached to the vast studio complex, opened in 1996. Although it represents only 10 per cent of the company's activities in economic terms, it has done far more in terms of publicity. Magic Land is approximately one and a half kilometres of sheer, unadulterated fun: a theatre, a movie plateau, Dinosaur Island, dolphin shows and underwater cinema, the Suzanne Mubarak Centre, a park, a simulator, Rapid River, Traffic City (where the kiddies can learn how to drive), ice skating, a cafeteria and boutiques.
Sami Badawi, a member of the EMPC board, says: "The main aim of the EMPC is media production, but we built the theme park so that people could have a good time on location, and so that we could use the facilities for entertainment purposes." He says Magic Land's popularity skyrocketed after work was completed on part of the Ring Road, thanks to which the trip from Mohandessin to 6 October City now takes about 15 minutes.
There are other amusement parks, of course, both in Cairo and in 6 October City. "We are not competing with other parks in terms of games: we are specialised in media-related entertainment," Badawi explains. Other rides and events are planned for the future, most related to themes dealt with in movies. He believes that competition is actually useful to Magic Land: "If it was the only fair around, people would soon get bored." The park, furthermore, offers special features: "A family atmosphere, as well as information about Egyptian culture through the Pharaonic and Islamic areas."
Maj.-Gen. Ahmed Sobeih, a member of the War Veterans' Association, was on a trip to Magic Land. He was especially happy when he saw the set of the film Nasser '56, featuring Manshiya Square in Alexandria. "It reminds me of the times when I used to sit with Nasser, Naguib, Salah Salem and the rest of them," he said, tears in his eyes. Other sets also triggered emotional reminiscences; pointing at a replica of Saad Zaghlul's house, he said: "Saad used to stand right there."
Others are here for less nostalgic reasons. Nahwat from Ismailia brought her daughter here as a treat before final exams, but was sorry there was no way of knowing beforehand when the shows start.
Reminding older people of the past while educating young generations of Egyptians by giving them hands-on experience of their history -- even if these are only sets, after all -- seems to be one of Magic Land's goals. But many non-Egyptians love the place, too. Khadiga from Yemen was visiting the park for the second time. "It's just as good as theme parks in America," she said. Her children can't get enough of the dolphin show. Mariam Mubarak and Mohamed Ahmed, from Bahrain, were on their honeymoon, and had set aside a day for a trip to Magic Land. Mariam liked the Russian ice show. She already knew about Magic Land, having seen advertisements on the Egyptian satellite channel. "What makes it different from theme parks in the Gulf is actually seeing the locations where films are shot," she explained.
Behind the scenes, things are equally busy. Sayed Marzouq, an engineer, started working here "when it was nothing but desert". He says that every year, more equipment and studios are added, and more technical improvements made.
Added to the list of the EMPC's projects is a new monthly talent show that will be held to discover rising media stars. By the end of next year, a five-star hotel, a mall and a conference centre will be built under a BOT (Build, Operate and Transfer) agreement. Visitors will also be able to bathe in the artificial lakes where scenes taking place in Alexandria are shot. Soon, it seems, there will be no need to leave Magic Land at all.
photos: Sherif Sonbol
