Authentic Cultural Tours in Cairo: Embracing Heritage & Local Engagement
By: Buthayna El Haggar
Cairo, a city steeped in history and culture, offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore its rich heritage through various organized tours. With a focus on authenticity and sustainability, several organizations are dedicated to reviving the cultural landscape of this vibrant metropolis.
Here, we delve into three noteworthy initiatives that facilitate immersive experiences in Cairo, particularly in historic areas like Old Cairo.
1. MASQ – Maq‘ad of Sultan Qaitbey
MASQ is a cultural center located in the Mamluk Desert Region of Cairo that offers concerts, guided tours, and workshops. Their guided tours allow visitors to explore neighborhoods rich in history, such as Islamic Cairo and the bustling streets of Al-Muizz.
MASQ focuses on connecting tourists with local artisans and enhancing cultural understanding while supporting the local economy. Through workshops in traditional crafts, participants engage with the living heritage of Cairo, making their experience both educational and memorable.
For their latest event on October 26, 2024, MASQ led a walking tour through the City of the Dead, organized in collaboration with ARCHiNOS Architecture and the Sultan Foundation, featuring conservation specialist Jarosław Dobrowolski.
This was followed by a tour of the sculpture exhibition “Bastet’s Daughters,” which celebrated the ancient Egyptian goddess Bastet and Cairo’s iconic street cats, presented by the sculptor, Egyptian artist Zeinab Sobhy.
2. Qahrawya
Qahrawya is a sightseeing tour agency focused on artistic, cultural, and heritage walking tours around the historical landscape of Cairo. They offer a unique cultural walking tour experience, providing personalized tours led by locals who reveal hidden cultural gems, including visual arts events and authentic cuisine.
Qahrawya emphasizes storytelling as a vital component of their tours, with unique itineraries that navigate Cairo’s historical landscape. Their commitment to responsible tourism and community engagement positions them as leaders in promoting Cairo’s historical and contemporary richness.
Check out their upcoming events on their Instagram page, and hurry up because many of them are fully booked.
3. Megawra
The Built Environment Collective (Megawra) is a collaborative platform dedicated to dialogue and action in architecture and urbanism, emphasizing the connection between cultural heritage preservation, sustainability, and social responsibility.
It operates through partnerships and organizes regular cultural programs, including educational tours led by professionals, workshops, and lectures.
Megawra also facilitates a specialized library and exhibition space to promote knowledge exchange and raise community awareness about the vital role architecture plays in daily life while supporting development initiatives within the field.
Cairo’s urban heritage is a rich tapestry of history, culture, and contemporary expression, and these three initiatives—MASQ, Qahrawya, and Megawra—are at the forefront of showcasing this vibrant narrative.
You can also check out a variety of architecture, art, advocacy, urban development, and interdisciplinary projects that tackle issues concerning the city, urban surroundings, and public spaces in Cairo on the Cairo Urban Initiatives Platform.
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