Author: Asmaa Elsharkawy
In the heart of Nag Hammadi, north of Qena Governorate, lies the village of Bahgoura, one of the ancient villages that still preserves its ancient architectural treasures. Its streets are adorned with a number of palaces, houses, and historic schools built in various architectural styles, including Italian, Greek, Coptic, and Islamic, most of which date back to the 19th and 20th centuries. Bab Masr takes a tour inside the village and its buildings.
In Qena, stories are not limited to temples and monuments, but also extend to Qena Heritage Schools that were once beacons of knowledge and centers for building generations. These are ancient buildings whose walls bear the marks of time. Their courtyards echo with the laughter and noise of the students who passed through them. But today, these schools face the threat of extinction, as neglect and a lack of restoration and maintenance have turned them into silent ruins. Some have been closed, others are caught up in legal disputes, while a large number of them stand on the brink of…
For more than four centuries, Qena has retained its distinctive character in commemorating the Prophet’s birthday. As the occasion approaches, the streets and squares are decorated with lights and banners, and traditional families prepare to welcome visitors, in a scene where the sounds of remembrance and praise of the Prophet mix with the melodies of the local flute, creating a unique atmosphere that reflects the depth of the popular heritage in Upper Egypt.
With the arrival of August, celebrations begin for the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which take on a special character in the villages and cities of Upper Egypt, where popular traditions passed down through generations blend with a spiritual atmosphere. These celebrations are not limited to churches with their prayers and hymns, but extend to the streets and markets, with both Copts and Muslims participating.
In November, the governorate of Qena is preparing to launch the first edition of the “Heritage Arts and Crafts Festival,” which will feature a series of documentary films on traditional crafts, as well as a competition for the most beautiful photograph depicting these crafts. The festival will also include art workshops and folk costume shows.
The Faculty of Fine Arts at Luxor University presented a collection of diverse paintings for the 2025 student graduation projects, which discussed a number of different and varied issues inspired by real-life stories. Among these issues were the displacement of the people of Gaza and their movement between different areas, the displacement of the Nubians in Egypt before the construction of the dam, as well as the blending of women, nature and folk folklore, and other issues that the students highlighted through the paintings they created and designed. “Displacement”… the suffering of the people of Gaza The “Displacement” project attempted…