El-Sawy CultureWheel
El Sawy Culturewheel is a full scale cultural center. Established in 2003 as a beacon of light seeking to energize artistic and cultural productions by providing spaces, stages and the necessary equipment for a variety of artforms to see the light. In so doing, it follows the ideas and guidelines of its namesake, the prominent author, thinker, journalist, and minister of culture, Abdel Monem El Sawy, may his soul rest in peace. ( To know more about A.M.ELSAWY).
El Sawy Culturewheel cooperates with various entities and cultural centers both internationally and locally. As well as providing additional benefits to NGOs, civil society institutions, universities and schools.
El Sawy Culturewheel hosts and conducts short courses & workshops directed at teaching various art forms at different levels, whether for beginners or advanced students. Our cultural center today offers no less than 3 performances every day over the course of the year performing almost one thousand & one night( 1001). These events appear on local media channels and the social media platforms.
Elsawy Culturewheel organozies more than 30 festivals and competitions yearly in the fields of Theatre, Photography, Literature, Film, Visual & Performing Arts, in addition to our exclusive Chocolate Festival, El Sakia Cell Phone Camera Movies, and a number of festivals targeting children & families.( Click here for more information).
The story
December 2001, beneath the 15th of May bridge in Zamalek.
" I arrived at the Abu el Feda tunnel to try and figure out how to make use of it for advertising purposes. I noticed a big opening in one of its walls and was taken by my curiosity as an architect to explore the empty space behind the tunnel. I was surprised to see a huge pile of garbage and trash, but it quickly disappeared and was replaced, in my mind's eye with a complete theatre with lights and curtains. I found no escape from holding on to that image and trying to make it a reality, (M.A.ELSAWY).
This is what took place in Engineer Mohamed Abdel Monem El Sawy's imagination (Click here for more information) . This idea made itself prominent in his meeting with Dr. Abdel Rahim Shehata, may his soul rest in peace, the then governor of the city of Cairo. Dr. Shehata surprised everyone with his approval to allocate that deserted land into a space dedicated to culture. A space that would carry the name of the distinguished author Abdelmonem El Sawy, a man of prominent standing and a master who raised countless of the governor's generation, as the governor himself put it. This venture required great creative energy, and it was accomplished through the cooperation of a great number of creative youth, who shared the dream and devoted themselves to its completion and continued development.
The reason behind the name
I've been asked hundreds of times about the reason behind the name El Sawy Culture wheel. I never got tired of answering and clarifying this question, and I still find it an opportunity to emphasize the following:
- My gratitude and appreciation towards my father, Abdel Moneim EL Sawy, may he rest in peace, which obliged me to have his name associated with the space.
- I wrote on a blank sheet classical titles for the space, such as Abdel Moneim EL Sawy's Cultural Centre, Abdelmoneim EL Sawy's complex for Arts, Abdelmoneim El Sawy's Art Halls. I found myself crossing all these titles out and replacing them with El Sakia. Then, in the following line, I wrote, El Sawy Culturewheel. I was joyed with using the title, El Sakia from one of his most famous novels, which he wrote in the sixties of the last century, and was turned into an extremely successful television series at the time, that aired all over the Arab world.
- I chose "Sakia", the waterwheel, for its Egyptian heritage and historical breadth, and as a symbol associated with prosperity, bearing thought and culture, (M.A.ELSAWY).
Location
El Sawy Culturewheel encloses/ comprises 5000 square metres of land under the 15th of May bridge on the island of Zamalek. The centre boasts 5 theatres, the River Hall, the Wisdom Hall, the Word Hall, El Sakia Garden and The Nile Orchard (El Bostan). All five theatres are equipped with cinema screens and audio-visual aids. As well as five additional rooms for workshops and conferences.
The Vision
An ethical Egyptian environment that motivates people to develop and strengthen their culture through arts, enlightenment & creativity.
Mission Statement
To cooperate with artists and organizations to highlight the importance of culture as being the main pillar of the Egyptian society.
Our goals:
- Preserving the Egyptian, Arab identity with its thousands of years of heritage.
- Eradicating negative inherited values and creating innovative, positive ideas.
- Establishing new, attractive, standards for awareness campaigns, and motivating creativity, and human development.( the human definition by M.A.S),( click here for more information).
- Restoring Egypt's leadership role amongst Arab and African nations, as one worthy of honest competition in the creative fields both locally and regionally.
Strategies
- Setting ambitious plans, based on diversified arts and cultural services.
- Applying equal measures and conditions in dealing with artists of the same field
- Treating all visitors equally regardless of their status: social, official, economic…etc.
- Encouraging young and new talents by offering them opportunities to perform or present their works
- Supporting intercultural exchanges and cooperation to widen the scope of cultural resources
- Trying to offer lots of activities for free and keep prices as low as possible for the rest
- Respecting people’s wishes, opinions and criticisms, and taking them into consideration for future planning
- Involving Sakia friends and volunteers in various projects and missions starting from simple tasks such as controlling gates
- Maximizing hours of operation (7 days a week, 17 hours a day, all year round), utilizing all halls and stages
- Applying the latest technologies and administrative methods, as well as humane measures
- Unique marketing approach that enhances sponsorship spirit rather than the ‘give & take’ spirit of advertising
- Taking a social responsibility by creating & conveying awareness messages and campaigns for the society.
General Rules:
Mutual affection and respect are the basis of all interactions within the space. Our employees are committed to these values with members, visitors, creatives, and colleagues. On this basis, we ask of our members their commitment to the following general guidelines:
- Refrain from disturbing others through noise and fast, erratic movement
- Polluting the waters of the river Nile is absolutely forbidden
- Everyone is bound to rules of hygiene and general tidiness
- Smoking is prohibited on all of the spaces' premises
- No food and beverages from outside will be allowed at the venue
El Sawy Culturewheel Fact Box:
Opening Hours: from 8 am till 11pm winter time, 12pm summer time.
7 days a week
365 days a year
The Program:
2-4 events daily
An average of 2000 visitors/day
Age bracket for 75% of visitors is between 18 and 43 years.
10,000 visitors a day during special events.
More than half a million visitors annually/each year
Approximately 100 000 members
Social Media Platforms and Outreach:
https://www.facebook.com/Sawy.
https://twitter.com/
https://www.instagram.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/Elsakiatvconcerts
