Kodak Agfa Presents : Shurba’s Christmas in video and photos “7th January Edition”

Merry Christmas again from Egyptian Chronicles to all those celebrating Christmas tonight per the Orthodox Church above them the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt.

The nativity scene as sold at the San Ibram store in Shubra 

This time the Christmas is according to the Julian Calendar. And the majority of Christians in Shubra have been waiting for this day to celebrate it since December.

Christmas lights and decoration in the old streets of Shubra 

Interestingly many people knew about the Christmas decorations in Shubra when the Egyptian press began to pay attention to the Christmas Decorations market.

Again all the attention goes to the upscale decorations in areas like Sheikh Zayed and New Cairo to the level that there is a joke that went viral in the social media that the Vatican did not spend on Christmas decoration all this money Sheikh Zayed and New Cairo spent.” 

Shubra's main streets celebrated Christmas on both sides 

It is worth mentioning that the state or the government or the district is behind. It is more of a public initiative whether in Sheikh Zayed or New Cairo or even Shubra. You got companies, malls, compounds and in the case, in Shubra you got shops, merchants and MPs behind those decorations.

For instance, the gigantic Christmas tree in Shubra at Tarea Al-Bolaqia street is a gift from MP Ehab El-Tahawy of the Mostaqbal Watan Party to his Shubra Constituency.

Shubra's biggest Christmas tree was a gift by MP Ehab El-Tahawy

El-Tahawy is the Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives.

This tree and others in the street are designed and made by Amir Ghattas, the owner of the San Ibram store which is the biggest store for Christmas decoration stuff in Shubra. 

The other big Christmas trees designed by Ghattas in the street 

Both Ghattas and Al-Tahawy are members of the Mostaqbal Watan party in East Cairo’s Shubra constituency.

Nevertheless, I do not think that people pay attention to this political affiliation or publicity not to mention Ghattas has been in this business for decades. 

The second San Ibram store at El-Tarea El-Bolaqia in Shubra 

People want to be happy even for a few moments and merchants want to gain money in hard economic times.

Snapping a photo with Santa in Shubra 

I read statements for Ghattas that there were problems in the imported Christmas goods’ shipment from China due to the latest global shipments problems but they were solved eventually.

Christmas merchandise for sale in Shubra 

The Christmas ornaments, some dolls and figures, some Christmas trees “expensive ones” and reindeers are imported. 

The imported golden reindeer 

Surprisingly, I knew for the first time that there are Egyptian handmade Christmas trees and decorations sold in the market.

Egyptian handmade Christmas trees and garlands 

They are different shapes, styles, colours and sizes of those trees.

Egyptian Christmas trees 

The Christmas garlands are also made in Egypt.

Christmas merchandise and decorations from every kind in Shubra

According to one of the sellers I spoke with the Egyptian made Christmas decoration products are made in workshops that work starting from January right after the end of the Orthodox Christmas till October.

So we have another hidden industry working silently for years.

Egyptian made Christmas garland and the new year decorations 

It is indeed a whole industry like Ramadan lanterns and decorations.

Some may think as marginal but actually, it opens a lot of houses from workshops to sellers to shops to seasonal street vendors.

A very little shopkeeper at San Ibram store 

I know I may sound like some orientalist but this is the first time I go to this area in Shubra in this time. “I have not gone to Shubra for years”

I was surprised to see this scene and actually, it was a warm joyful scene.

Crowded buzzing Shubra 

A real Cairene Christmas where East meets West naturally and normally in normal coexistence.

Plushy Santa , Christmas wreath and 2022 decorations 

This is Shubra indeed, a working-class area that listens to Shaabi and Maharagants more than Western Christmas music

Selling Christmas decorations and smiling at the camera from afar

You can see a slide show of the whole album of the photos I have taken during my quick tour in Shubra here 

In the end, I will share again the video I shot in Shubra for its Christmas market in December.

I hope my voice in Arabic is not that bad. It got English subtitles. 

Merry Christmas again 

Strike a pose with Santa