Kodak Agfa Presents : Shurba’s Christmas in video and photos “25th December Edition”

First of all Merry Christmas to all those celebrating tonight around the globe and in Egypt

Second of all, Kodak Agfa is sharing on this very occasion about this long-neglected Christmas decoration and Christmas trees market in Cairo’s Shubra.

I hope you enjoy this video and I would kindly ask you to share it. It is shaky as usual. I own a gimbal but unfortunately, I feel awkward and uncomfortable while using it in places like this in Cairo. 

Many Egyptians are focusing on the Christmas decorations and trees in upscale areas, compounds and malls in New Cairo and Sheikh Zayed, as well as districts like Heliopolis but they, are rarely paying attention to Cairo’s Shubra.

One of the oldest quarters in Cairo, its name in Coptic means a village.

 

Christmas bells decorations in Shubra makeshift market

Shubra hosts one of the biggest Christian communities in Cairo. The majority of Christians there are from the Coptic Orthodox Egyptian community who celebrate Christmas on 7 January annually according to the Julian calendar just like the rest of the Orthodox Churches around the globe. 

The Nativity scene sold in different shapes in Shubra 

There are Christians from other sects like Catholics and Protestants in Shubra, thus it is normal to celebrate Christmas on 25 December too. So The Christmas lights and decorations are here to stay from December till 7 January. 

Christmas decorations sold in Shubra 

Lights are hung on the main long commercial streets in the entrance of Shubra as you have seen in the video.

Shubra's Street Christmas lights 

You can find several small shops and even some makeshift stands made by street vendors selling Christmas decorations but the peak of the Spirit of Christmas celebration is at the end of the Tareaa Al-Bolaqia street, which is one of the famous commercial and main streets in the famous district.

Christmas decorations makeshift market 

This is the other version of El-Siyada Zeinab’s Ramadan Lanterns market but for Christmas stuff starting with Christmas trees to wreath to ornaments to everything Santa and “Welcome 2022” for cheaper prices than parts in the capital. 

All Christmas stuff from decorations are sold here in Shubra 

The market does not attract Christians only as you may think but it is also attracting Muslims whether moms and kids who take photos with the big Christmas trees or moms who are trying to find cheaper decorations to celebrate the New Year.

Taking a photo with Santa in Cairo's Shubra

I mean kids and moms were causing traffic jams in the crowded Shubra street while snapping photos with the Christmas trees. 

Taking a photo with the Christmas tree in Cairo's Shubra 

All kids drag their parents to snap photos underneath the big Christmas tree.

The biggest Christmas tree in Cairo's Shubra for the year 2021

This is the biggest Christmas tree in Shubra according to its maker and designer Amir Ghattas.

The biggest Christmas tree in Shubra according to its designer Amir Ghattas 

Ghattas is the owner of the “San Ibram” store for Coptic Orthodox priesthood clothes and Christmas stuff as well.

"San Ibram" in its Christmas mode in Cairo's Shubra 

 “San Ibram” is the biggest store for Christmas staff in Shubra and actually, it supplies other shops and sells to restaurants.

It is a new fact for me but in Shubra you can find handmade Egyptian Christmas trees with a price ranges between LE 150 to 300 only !!

These Christmas trees are made in Egypt and they are sold in Cairo's Shubra 

The Christmas wreathes are also Egypt handmade also for a price ranges between LE 150-250.

Egyptian handmade Christmas wreaths 

The Christmas ornaments are imported from China and they start with a price tag of LE 15.

Chinese Christmas ornaments are sold in Cairo's Shubra

Some of those bad-ass Santas are imported too. 

Cool, dumb, Kind and badass Santas imported from China to be sold in Cairo's Shubra 

The reindeers are imported too but I do not remember their prices.

Reindeers in Cairo's Shubra 

Here we are speaking about the Middle Class and working-class Egyptians in Shubra. 

Buying Christmas decorations for cheaper prices

Cheap prices in times of inflation without doubt play an important role.

Santa Claus and Christmas Trees have become associated with the New Year for many Egyptian Muslims for some reason I do not understand but there is nothing wrong with joy.

Plushy Santas :) 

Wait for the rest of the photos, I will publish them on 6 January on the occasion of the Orthodox Christmas inshallah.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas from Shubra