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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 9 -15 November 2000 Issue No.507 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 9 -15 November 2000 Issue No.507
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Books Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Faces in the city
By Fayza Hassan
Artist Ahmed Seif El-Nasr used to know everyone in Cairo, he tells Fayza Hassan. There were landmarks, places and people dear to his heart that he always expected to come across during his walks about the city. Before entering Groppi on Soliman Pasha Street or Lappas on Qasr Al-Nil, he knew who would be there. He could guess the conversations of the habitués, without actually hearing them. He knew where to go to hear the latest gossip, where to stop for a good cup of coffee and where to buy his favourite magazines. The city, he felt, was his, and it was a safe place.
Now things have changed and Seif El-Nasr is not sure he recognises anything. What happened to the streets? Where are the reassuring smiles alive in his memory? Instead of the friendly familiar faces he used to meet every day, he only sees strangers. As he still loves the city, however, he has gathered the anonymous faces he now encounters into distinct categories. He feels that he is getting to know them better this way.
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