Oral history, Egyptian artist

Interview

A 65 year-old artist gives her account of her experience of the 2011 revolution in Egypt. She took part in student protests in 1972 in Alexandria and participated in other movements during the mid-1970s.

Learning about the Tahrir protests from her children (who had been informed through Facebook), she participated in the 18 days of demonstrations. She recalls the sense of community across diverse social classes, religions and ages and describes the clashes between protesters and security forces, having witnessed the attacks on protesters praying on Kasr El Nil bridge and a young man getting shot in the eye. The interviewee comments on the safety situation and the efforts of young protestors to protect public property like the Egyptian Museum in Tahir Square. She also tells of her participation in a women’s march as well as the June and July 2013 protests in Tahrir Square. Also covered are her views on the Egyptian media coverage of the revolution up to the 2013 protests, and on Egyptian politics from President Mubarak’s removal through President Morsi’s ouster and the 2014 presidential elections.

American University in Cairo 'On the Square' project

American University in Cairo

Copyright 2012, American University in Cairo. All rights reserved.

Audio file

Arabic

12/05/2014