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Egyptian American Society Newsletter   Vol. 2  Issue  4 -  Feb 15, 2010
Cairo Turns Red on Valentine's Day
© Babylon & Beyond - Los Angeles Times, Feb 15, 2010

1001laughs A scene of romantic decorations, big red hearts and teddy bears dominated stores throughout the streets of Cairo as thousands of Egyptian lovers celebrated St. Valentine's Day on Sunday.

The hot climate didn't stand in the way of many who went out to buy presents, flowers and souvenirs for their sweethearts and family members. Gift shops and florists were not the only ones prepared for the event, as restaurants and cafes were similarly awash with hearts and splashes of red.

Celebrating Valentine's Day is a new trend in Egyptian life. People in Cairo and other big cities started taking it seriously during the late 1990s, as younger generations became more exposed to Western culture. Now some young Egyptians even celebrate Halloween, which is technically denounced by Islam because of its pagan roots.

But with the financial difficulties in Egypt -- more than 40% of the population lives on $2 or less a day --celebrating Valentine's Day doesn't come cheap.

Mohamed Zanati runs a souvenir shop in downtown Cairo. He said the price of an average gift (a set of candles, a large teddy bear or a doll) can reach up to $50, as they vary according to their material and size, adding that his trade prospers during the week before and after Valentine's Day despite the relatively expensive prices.

"Most of our clients on Sunday were young people between 18 and 25 years old, and this year we've had more customers than the year before, when recession was hitting people harder than now. We ran out of many items and had to order for more," Zanati said.

Cafe owner Mokhtar El Khawaga says that he had to hire extra staff for Sunday, stressing that Valentine's Day has grown to be an exceptional event in recent years. "We stared preparing for Valentine's earlier in the month. We have to make sure we've got double the quantity of everything we serve this day.

"We get at least double the guests we host in other regular days," he said.
ABOUZEID LAW
Back in Business

1001laughs
Dear Friends:

I am very pleased to report that my health has improved considerably, and that I am therefore ready and eager to resume the practice of law.

Thirty-five years of experience have seasoned me  and allowed me to acquire quite a well rounded sense and perspective of how things work in the legal world. I look forward to using that knowledge to the advantage of those who retain my services.

I will continue to offer consultation and representation in the areas of business, insurance and general civil litigation, and will be prepared to provide second opinions and evaluations of legal work being performed by other counsel. In addition, I will be pleased to provide referrals to legal specialists in areas outside my expertise.

I may be reached at 831-760-2566, or by email at abouzeid@abouzeid-law.com.

Best regards,
Mahmoud Abouzeid
 
EAS Books & DVDs Drive

The following books and DVDs are available for a $15 donation. Just use the donation button below and the book or DVD you pick will be shipped within 24 hours to the address you entered on the Paypal form. If you encounter any difficulties, please email your request directly to eascafe@gmail.com.

ARABIC BOOKS
 
 2006تاكسي حواديت المشاوير لخالد الخميسي
Fictional dialogues with Cairo taxicab drivers, recreated from the real experience of the author.
   2002عمارة يعقوبيان لعلاء الأسواني
A controversial masterpiece in story-telling which describes a country that is corrupt, unfair and thuggish. It follows the lives of residents both rich and poor of the Yacoubian, an actual apartment building in downtown Cairo.
 2004نيران صديقة لعلاء الأسواني
A novella and collection of short stories dissecting modern Egyptian society and revealing with skill and detachment the hypocrisy, violence and abuse of power characteristic of a world in moral crisis.
 2007ربع جرام لعصام يوسف
Follows the lives of a group of drug addicts in their early twenties in modern Egypt
 2008يوتوبيا لاحمد خالد توفيق
Set in 2023 at a time where Egypt has been divided into two separate societies: an extremely wealthy class living in the secluded compound of Utopia, and an extremely poor class living in the slums and fighting for its right of survival.
 ماذا حدث للمصريين لجلال أمين1999 
Economist Galal Amin explores the changes in Egyptian Society from 1950 to the Present.

DVDs
باحب السيما لأسامة فوزي2005
حين ميسرة لخالد يوسف 2007
TechWadi March 18 Event
Early Bird Registration ends 2/18/2010

1001laughs

Silicon Valley and the Middle East: Building a Successful Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

With 20 distinguished speakers, the event will bring together venture capitalists, successful executives, young entrepreneurs and seasoned investors from Silicon Valley and the Middle East.
For registration go to www.techwadi.org

EAS Members: Enter Promo Code 'SVNET' for an additional discount.
 
EXCITING EVENTS IN FEBRUARY
 

   faten_hamama       Ayn_Shams 
 
February 17: Taha Hussein's & Henri Barakat's دعاء الكروان (Nightingale's
Prayer) with Faten Hamama & Ahmad Mazhar, playing at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA.

February 20: Hala Dance hosts an Arabic music and Khaliji dance performances at the Hoover Theatre in San Jose, CA

February 26:  عين شمس (Eye of the Sun) an Egyptian movie with English subtitles playing at the Arab American Cultural Center in San Jose, CA.


For more information, visit http://www.eascafe.org/events.
 

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