Were the divas of Egypt’s roaring 20’s also pioneers of Egyptian feminism? A conversation with Raphael Cormack

Raphael Cormack, visiting researcher at Columbia University, discusses his book, Midnight in Cairo; profiles the amazing women who shaped and dominated Egypt’s music, theater, film and cabaret scene in the early 20th century against the backdrop of dramatic political and social change; describes the rivalry between Mounira al-Mahdiyya and Oum Kalthoum, the two most popular entertainers of their times; and more.

Links:

-Midnight in Cairo: The Divas of Egypt's Roaring '20s

-Munira al Mahdiya Yamamah 7ilwah - YouTube

-Badia Masabni y su Casino Badia - YouTube

-Egyptian Museum of Antiquities gets makeover to compete for tourists (al-monitor.com)

-The reform challenge: What Oman (and others) might learn from Egypt (al-monitor.com)