Darb 1718’s gallery in Old Cairo is buzzing with people speaking French, flashing camera lights and waiters serving white wine and petit fours. It is the opening night of Le Printemps des Artistes, “Artists’ Spring” in English, a charitable event helping the House of Torah School in Maadi.
On the walls of the open gallery space jostle paintings created by both prominent Egyptian and up-and-coming artists.
The organiszer behind the event is Caire Accueil, an association run by volunteers that helps French and French-speaking people adapt to their new life in Cairo. The event is the first of its kind, organizer Zeynep Lecrosnier tells Egypt Today.
“The event tonight is similar to one in Turkey, which is organized by the Accueil branch in Istanbul. Their charity exhibition has been taking place annually for 11 years, and we hope our project will keep on too,” she says.
On an easel near the entrance, a painting of tanoura dancers in white clothes has been given a special place in the exhibition. The picture is painted by Mohamed Azhary and was auctioned away for LE 11,000—the proceeds going toward the House of Torah School.
The goal is to help the preschool in providing medical consultations and healthy meals for the 400 children. All profits from the exhibition will be donated to the cause, while the 16 exhibited artists will donate 30 percent of the sales to the underprivileged communities of Torah.
Among the artists exhibiting are Al Assmaa Takidden, Mohamed El Shimy and photographer Banu Diker.
Artwork By Anna Bersen
Artwork By Anna Bersen
Artwork By Anna Bersen
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