Beneath the Cairene summer sun

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THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Egypt has put a number on how climate change could hit public finances

Good morning, friends, and happy long weekend. It’s been a busy week — and we have the full round-up below. But first, today’s issue may or may not have taken on an Odyssey theme entirely by accident: we have Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey at the cinema, Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad on the shelf, a guide to water activities in Cairo for anyone whose own epic journey this weekend doesn’t extend beyond the city, and a café in Alexandria for those passing through on the way to Sahel. We also pay tribute to the late Hany Shenouda.

But first, your weekly recap…

🗞️ LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS-

FISCAL POLICY-

Egypt has, for the first time, put a number on how climate change could hit the state’s balance sheet. The country’s first-ever Fiscal Risk Statement on Climate Change for FY 2026/27, obtained by EnterpriseAM, quantifies how physical climate shocks and the global shift to a low-carbon economy could hit public finances — from the electricity grid to its biggest PPP-backed infrastructure projects.

Why it matters: The statement turns climate risk from an environmental talking point into a fiscal line item. It sits inside Egypt’s IMF-backed reform program — the Fund singled out the state’s guarantee stock as a fiscal risk in its 29 June statement — and it sets the template for how the government will budget for climate exposure as it shifts to program-based budgeting by FY 2027/28.

ECONOMY-

The CBE issued the first-ever 63-day Treasury notes, worth EGP 150 bn, on behalf of the Finance Ministry this week. The return on these short-term instruments floats with the CBE’s corridor rate rather than being fixed at auction.

REGULATION-

Individual persons’ ins. policies worth EGP 10 mn or more now carry a mandatory credit check on the applicant, under new risk-management standards from the Financial Regulatory Authority. The standards also require insurers to pull an applicant’s credit record when their income, occupation, premiums, or requested cover don’t add up, or where there’s doubt about the legitimacy of the application.

AND- An auditor who has worked with a company for at least five years by the time it lists can now keep auditing its books for up to two more fiscal years after the offering, per amendments from the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA). By keeping the auditor who knows a company best through its listing, the FRA removes a friction point for firms weighing a float.

DEBT WATCH-

The Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund committed a USD 30 mn senior secured corporate loan to Hassan Allam Utilities to help finance the Minya 1 GW solar and 660 MWh battery-storage system. Separately, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is weighing up to USD 170 mn in senior debt for the same plant, against a total project cost of USD 764 mn.

AUTOMOTIVE-

Imported cars are facing stretched-out customs registration and lower priority for FX, even before a new tariff takes effect. While importers of finished cars are facing these informal challenges, parts and local-content importers are being waved through. A formal tariff on fully-built cars is coming separately by end-August.

INVESTMENT-

Petrojet and Enppi secured a six-year route into Petroleum Development Oman’s (PDO) USD 6 bn+ project pipeline. The Egyptian consortium was selected as one of four international contractors and alliances eligible to compete for engineering, procurement, and construction work under a long-term framework with PDO.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS-

Telecom Egypt wants to keep its data center business in-house. The EGX-listed telco pulled the plug on its planned sale of a majority stake in its Regional Data Center Hub (RDH) to Helios Investment Partners, the UK-based, Africa-focused PE firm. Telecom Egypt cited unmet conditions in the term sheet but gave no further details.

The EnterpriseAM Egypt Forum is back — and this year, we’re giving the full day to the one question on every business leader’s mind: What does AI actually mean for your company, your people, and your own job?

Leaders in New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore are asking the same things, and nobody has built a playbook that works yet. We’re all figuring it out in real time — and for Egypt, the stakes are unusually high.

Egypt could leapfrog a generation on the back of this technology — or watch AI hollow out the industries and jobs we can’t afford to lose. The leaders who get literate early will be the ones who get to decide which road we take.

Every session on stage answers one question: “So, what do I actually do about it?”

Join us on 5 October in Cairo. Seats are limited, and attendance is by invitation only.

Request your invitation here.

🌍 AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS-

This week’s headlines were dominated by the most relentless stretch of the US-Iran war yet — 11 consecutive nights of US strikes, US soldiers killed, and oil prices going haywire — alongside Russia’s biggest missile attack on Kyiv in months, and a new UK prime minister. Here’s the rundown.

The war escalated sharply after an Iranian strike on Jordan killed two US service members — a third was confirmed dead by Monday — prompting Washington to carry out its eighth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh consecutive nights of strikes targeting Iran’s coastal surveillance, air defence, and missile infrastructure. Tehran retaliated with waves of drones and missiles at US bases across Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, and formally announced it would no longer adhere to the interim truce. Oil briefly jumped above USD 90/bbl for the first time in a month before retreating after Iran’s foreign ministry signaled that negotiations could return to the table. On Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate Appropriations Committee the war has cost USD 37.5 bn so far — the number in itself an undercount.

On a separate regional front, Israel pulled back its forces from southern Lebanon as a US-brokered truce took effect — premised on Beirut exerting military authority over Iran-backed Hezbollah. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met Donald Trump, the first summit between the two nations’ leaders in roughly 20 years.

MEANWHILE- Russia launched one of its largest ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv since the full-scale invasion — more than 40 missiles and 125 drones targeting the Ukrainian capital, killing at least one and wounding 14. Ukrainian defenses intercepted 108 drones and shot down 18 missiles.

IN LONDON- Andy Burnham was formally appointed Britain’s seventh prime minister in 10 years, succeeding Labour predecessor Keir Starmer. The former Manchester mayor pledged to restore stability and deliver a long-term economic plan later this year.

IN THE BUSINESS PRESS- Trump’s trade war found a new front: Washington is set to impose a 50% tariff on a wide range of Canadian goods — taking effect in 30 days, exempting energy and critical minerals. TSMC announced a further USD 100 bn investment in its Arizona facilities on surging AI chip demand after reporting record 2Q results. And a US federal court approved a USD 1.5 bn copyright settlement between Anthropic and a class of authors over Claude’s training data — the largest payout in US copyright history.

ALSO- Spain captured the 2026 World Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina in New Jersey, claiming its second-ever title. Andrew and Tristan Tate were arrested in Miami by US Marshals on charges of rape and human trafficking as the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service pursues extradition.

AND- France banned children under 15 from using social media, becoming the first EU country to do so. Both chambers of parliament voted in favor of the measure.

☀️ THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND-

It’s a brutal start to the long weekend in Cairo. Today, the capital peaks at 42°C, with a low of 26°C overnight — Alexandria stays cooler at 34°C, with a low of 26°C. Tomorrow brings somewhat of a reprieve to Cairo, with a high of 37°C and a low of 25°C, compared to a high of 32°C and a low of 22°C up north, according to our favorite weather app. Expect more of the same on Saturday both in the capital and throughout the coast.

🎤 HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND-

Standup comedian Ahmed Hassan gets his first-ever comedy special at Teatro 90, presenting The Special 1 tonight at 9:30pm. The show marks his biggest and most personal one to date — expect brand new material and the audience interactions he’s become known for. Tickets are available on TicketsMarché.

Marwan Pablo and Lege-Cy are taking their unmistakable flow to the North Coast. The rap icons join forces at Porto Golf in Alamein tonight at 9pm to kick off the Porto Golf Summer Festival. Expect an evening of chart-topping hits, booming beats, and enough crowd energy to rival the summer heat. Tickets are available on TicketsMarché.

Cairo Opera House’s Summer Festival for Music and Singing is back, and kicking it off is a live performance by Ali El Haggar at Alexandria Opera House’s Sayed Darwish Theater tonight at 8:30pm. Experience the great singer’s timeless hits and unmistakable vocals live. Tickets are available on Tazkarti.

This Sahel season, it’s all about sunset experiences — and Ruby is bringing another one to Amarai Beach tomorrow to ask the age-old question: Leih Beydary Keda? The concert kicks off at 5pm, and you can grab your tickets — with beach access included — on TicketsMarché.

Looking for a good laugh while in Sahel this weekend? The Goats are landing at The Plot at Playa Strip Mall tomorrow. The stand-up comedians bring their sharp humor, signature crowd work, and witty “Sahel tayeb” vs “Sahel sherir” jokes. The show kicks off at 11pm, with tickets available on TicketsMarché.

🎤 HAPPENING NEXT WEEKEND-

Sharmoofers are joining this summer’s Sahel concert lineup, performing for this year’s Localine, taking place at Masyaf in Ras El Hekma on Friday, 31 July. The event brings together a mix of local brands, shopping, and live entertainment. The concert kicks off at 8pm — tickets are available on TicketsMarché.

The Tiatro Romano festival continues on Friday, 31 July, bringing performances from Reda El Bahrawy, Rahma Mohsen, and Ahmed Sheba at The Roman Theater in Al Alamein’s Marina 2. Expect vocal-heavy live performances and sing-along anthems. The concert kicks off at 10pm — tickets are available on TicketsMarché.

Your guide to Cairo’s best water activities and where to find them

🌊🏄 Looking for a summer escape without the hassle of leaving Cairo? Whether you’re after adrenaline and adventure or a more relaxed day on the water, the city has options across budgets and preferences. This week’s edition of The Enterprise Guide takes you through the best water activities and destinations in Cairo to help you plan your next day out.

🚣 Kayaking on the Nile

Kayaking is one of the best options for anyone looking for a different side to Cairo — away from its usual noise and pace. Head out at dawn or catch the water at sunset. Most Nile-based centers have qualified instructors and safety equipment on hand, making it suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.

#1- Zamalek Kayak: One of Cairo’s best-known and most accessible kayaking spots, with tours departing from inside Talae El Gaish Club. Sessions include a brief intro for beginners, a life jacket, and instructor supervision throughout. Each session runs around an hour and a half.

📍 WHERE TO FIND IT- Abu El Feda Street, Zamalek.

💰 PRICE- EGP 400-500 per person per session.

#2- Nile Kayak Club: One of Cairo’s oldest and most established kayaking venues, located in the heart of Maadi, a few minutes from the Nile Corniche. Nile Kayak Club offers a quiet paddling experience in a natural setting, with bookings available throughout the day from 8am.

📍 WHERE TO FIND IT- Maadi Corniche, near El Bahr El Azam.

💰 PRICE- EGP 150-250 per person per hour, depending on session length.

#3- Go Kayak: A good fit for beginners and anyone looking for a quick, safe experience on the Nile. Sessions include a short briefing on paddling basics and safety before departure and run around 70 minutes. Suitable for children aged six and above and adults up to 120 kg.

📍 WHERE TO FIND IT- El Manial, near Maadi Corniche.

💰 PRICE- EGP 150-200 per person. Booking required 24 hours in advance.

#4- EgyRow Academy: The right choice for anyone serious about learning to row properly. The academy runs training programs under specialist coaches, including beginner sessions covering the fundamentals of kayaking and rowing in a structured, safe environment.

📍 WHERE TO FIND IT- Inside the Egyptian Sea Scouts Club, El Nil Street, Dokki.

💰 PRICE- Prices vary by session or program type.

🎢 Water parks

Planning a full day of fun? There are several water parks well-suited to families and groups, with a mix of giant water slides, wave pools, swimming pools, and rides for all ages.

#1- Aqua Park Tolip Family Park: Combines pools and water attractions in a family-friendly setting, with a full day-use option that does not require a hotel booking. Seating areas, restaurants, and supporting facilities make it a solid choice for families looking for a complete summer day out.

📍 WHERE TO FIND IT- Cairo–Suez Desert Road, New Cairo.

💰 PRICE- EGP 300-450 per person, depending on available offers.

#2- JW Marriott Cairo: For a more upscale option without leaving the city, the JW Marriott has an artificial beach, water slides, and pools for all ages, alongside a range of restaurants and cafes for a full day with the family.

📍 WHERE TO FIND IT- Mirage City, New Cairo.

💰 PRICE- Prices vary by package.

#3- Aqua Park El Obour: One of Egypt’s largest water parks, spread across more than 66k sqm. It has nine water rides, five pools — including a women-only pool and a wave pool — and chalets available for daily rental for those looking to spend a full day.

📍 WHERE TO FIND IT- Cairo–Ismailia Desert Road, opposite Mostakbal City.

💰 PRICE- EGP 450-580 per person.

#4- Dream Park: Combines a water activities zone with a traditional amusement park, with over 45 rides alongside the water attractions, plus restaurants, cafes, and open spaces. A solid option for a full family day or a group outing.

📍 WHERE TO FIND IT- 6th of October City.

💰 PRICE- Starts at EGP 300 per person; family ticket (four people) EGP 1.1k.

#5- Jewel Aqua Park: The hotel boasts four pools, a children’s water activities area, jacuzzi, sauna, and various leisure facilities, with evening concerts and musical performances. Multiple restaurants and seating areas round out a full resort-style day without leaving the property.

📍 WHERE TO FIND IT- El Zahraa, Nasr City.

💰 PRICE- Prices vary by package.

🏖️ Full-day resorts

Looking for something beyond the water park? These destinations combine pools and water activities with entertainment, dining, and open-air spaces — think horseback riding, art workshops, live shows, and restaurants with outdoor views, all in one place.

#1- Byoot Bay Club: The resort includes pools, water attractions, a professional paintball court, a children’s play area, as well as weekend entertainment and concerts.

📍 WHERE TO FIND IT- Cairo–Alexandria Desert Road.

💰 PRICE- Starts at EGP 900 per adult; EGP 459 per child.

#2- IL CAMPO: If you prefer something that mixes nature with hands-on activities — pottery, painting, barbecue, animal feeding — alongside an outdoor pool, IL CAMPO makes for a day that’s vastly different from the standard resort experience.

📍 WHERE TO FIND IT- El Bahr El A’zam, Giza.

💰 PRICE- Prices vary by package.

#3- Paradise Resort: Nile-facing pools, daily entertainment and activities including live shows and children’s competitions, and relaxing riverside restaurants for a different kind of summer day on the banks of the Nile.

📍 WHERE TO FIND IT- Maadi.

💰 PRICE- Starts at EGP 1.35k–1.5k per person.

#4- El Ref El Araby Village: For those who prefer greenery and a traditional Egyptian atmosphere, this venue combines green open spaces and a rural aesthetic with an aqua park, horseback and camel riding, a 7D cinema, and artistic and live performances.

📍 WHERE TO FIND IT- Saqqara, Giza.

💰 PRICE- Starts at EGP 300 per adult; EGP 150 per child.

From Oppenheimer’s bomb to Odysseus’ horse — Nolan returns to the guilt of men who changed the world

🎥 Odysseus through Nolan’s lens: The Odyssey hit theatres a week ago — hailed by many to be Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan’s most significant work of his career so far. Shot entirely on IMAX cameras in an unprecedented first, the film opened to the biggest debut of the British director’s career: USD 124.5 mn in the US and Canada, and USD 264 mn worldwide, surpassing his landmark The Dark Knight.

The plot: Nolan retells the story of the king of Ithaca and Trojan War hero Odysseus (Matt Damon) — focusing on his journey home: the horrors Odysseus and his soldiers face across raging seas, strange islands, witches, and terrifying gods, with Athena (Zendaya), goddess of wisdom, watching over his return. Meanwhile, another war is being fought in his palace, as suitors compete for the hand of his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway), led by Antinous (Robert Pattinson), while their son Telemachus (Tom Holland) stands by his mother against them.

Oppenheimer yesterday, Odysseus today: Nolan returns to the theme of guilt that haunts those who triumph in wars larger than themselves. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is celebrated as the architect of the Trojan Horse — the deception that finally broke Troy’s impenetrable walls after years of stalemate. But in the moment of victory, as Agamemnon’s forces pour into the city, Odysseus grasps the weight of the bloodshed he has caused. Nolan renders this moment with precision: the realization that military victory is a crushing defeat for humanity, in a way that recalls Oppenheimer’s lifelong torment over the bomb he built and the world it changed forever.

The moment Odysseus confronts his own guilt is revealed to the audience late — allowing us to understand that everything that befell him across years of wandering was nothing but penance for those sins, which perhaps began the moment he deceived the unfortunate Sinon. That moment transforms Odysseus from war hero and legend into something else: a man deceived by his own mind into believing the ends justify the means, haunted by the guilt of having destroyed the world.

Nolan deliberately sets aside some of the essential details of Homer’s original, including the “Nobody” plotline and the exchange between Odysseus and Polyphemus, son of the sea god Poseidon — which some regard as the origin of the curse. We suspect this was intentional: Odysseus’ curse was already real and self-made. He didn’t need to provoke the cyclops nor reveal his name for Poseidon’s wrath to follow him. In Nolan’s telling, the curse takes hold the moment Troy falls and the blood begins to flow.

What we liked: As ever, Nolan excels on the level of craft and visual storytelling. Dutch cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema’s work is stunning, and Swedish Oscar-winner Ludwig Göransson’s score is equally impressive — confirming once again that the filmmaking team Nolan has built around him consistently delivers. The casting also works throughout: each character earns their place without distracting from the story, with Samantha Morton as Circe a particular standout.

The verdict: This is another polished entry in Nolan’s catalog — the kind of film that will be remembered. Despite running close to three hours, we didn’t feel a single dull moment — we were at the edge of our seats for most of it. The jokes about Nolan making films that demand special screens to be seen properly are well-earned — but we genuinely recommend seeking out IMAX to get the full experience.

WHERE TO WATCH- The Odyssey is screening at Vox Cinemas at City Center Almaza, Mall of Egypt, and Alexandria. You can also catch the film at City Stars Cinema, CFC and D5’s Scene Cinema, Cima Arkan, and Zawya. Watch the trailer on YouTube (watch, runtime: 2:32).

Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad: A post-modern counter-narrative to The Odyssey

📚 It took Odysseus 20 years to return home after leaving for Troy — 20 years Penelope waited. This is her story. While most modern retellings of The Odyssey over the decades (and centuries) have prioritized the titular character, Odysseus, very few have paid much attention to his stalwart and patient wife, Penelope — until Margaret Atwood. In The Penelopiad, the Canadian novelist and author of The Handmaid’s Tale directs her focus towards the Queen of Ithaca in one of her most brilliant — yet shockingly least talked about — works.

What to expect: “Now that I’m dead, I know everything.” So begins Atwood’s Penelopiad. Narrated by Penelope herself, the novel begins in the modern-day underworld (Hades). Penelope has long been dead, and she has had more than ample time to recall the events of her life — and omnisciently, that of her civilization. She muses on her upbringing, her marriage to the Trojan hero, and her tumultuous relationship with her cousin, Helen. The novel then dissects her 20-year wait for her husband and the events that shaped those arduous years, including the 12 hanged maids — a central yet discarded plot point in Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey.

What we liked: The Penelopiad is no usual Greek myth retelling and bears little resemblance to the works of Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes, both of whom remain faithful to the Grecian context. Instead, Atwood subverts The Odyssey, dissects it, and counters it. Strewn throughout the narrative are tidbits of modern-day discourse — Penelope ruminates on modern historical figures, explores life in the 21st century, and compares it to her own, while her handmaids sing of injustice in modern courts. By veering from the path oft trodden, Atwood crafts a brilliant work that bridges past and present, proving that some things — the good and the bad — do not fade with time.

In just under 200 pages, with simple yet biting prose teeming with Atwood’s signature wit and dry humor, The Penelopiad truly stands out for its refusal to restrict itself. The book deftly explores sexism, misogyny, justice, and class — giving Penelope the autonomy and agency to tell her own story, the way it happened, when Odysseus remained at large.

The verdict: Whether or not you’ve watched Nolan’s The Odyssey yet, The Penelopiad proves a pivotal read that offers a contrarian take on the Greek epic. It is both gravely serious yet deliberately ludicrous at times — a balance only a literary genius of Atwood’s stature can accomplish. Despite being published in 2005, it remains fresh, relevant, and wholly entertaining.

WHERE TO READ IT- You can find The Penelopiad as an e-book on Amazon. You can also place a special order for the book through The Bookspot.

Good coffee, a sourdough tuna melt, and a French toast worth going back for — Mirissa is Alexandria’s most pleasant surprise

🍴 Feel like dropping by to Alexandria on your way to Sahel a la Odyssey this weekend? This one’s for Alexandria regulars and visitors alike. On a recent trip to Alexandria, we came across Mirissa — a small café tucked into a quiet corner of the Kafr Abdo neighborhood, on a street overlooking Sir. Allenby Garden. We were pleasantly surprised.

First impressions: Right off the bat, the bohemian-leaning decor caught our attention. Outside, a small wooden bench for two sits by the entrance for anyone waiting or wanting a moment in the open air. Inside, white walls meet wooden seating and beige accents for a calm, unfussy atmosphere, while large glass windows facing the garden let in generous natural light without sacrificing the cool air conditioning. A few bookshelves line the walls, with titles available to borrow and read on the spot.

The menu: Mirissa isn’t just a coffee-and-pastries set-up. The menu runs well into breakfast and brunch territory, covering fruit bowls, yogurt, chia and acai options, various omelets, and a full English breakfast. There are also sourdough sandwiches, savory waffles — including a halloumi waffle with pesto sauce — bagels, wraps, and salads. On the sweet side, classics like tiramisu and brownies.

What we ordered: We went with the tuna melt sourdough, served with a side salad, and the salmon and cream croissant, which comes with a hot pepper jam sauce, alongside an iced latte. The croissant was fresh with a rich filling — but the real standout was the tuna melt: creamy tuna with sweet corn, jalapeño, avocado, and melted cheddar. The sourdough was slightly on the firm side, though it didn’t detract from the sandwich at all. The coffee was well-balanced and clean, with no bitterness.

…And there was room for dessert. We finished with the classic French toast. The brioche was thick and fragrant with cinnamon and vanilla, topped with a light caramel drizzle, a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, and plenty of fresh raspberries.

What we liked: The café punches above its size on almost every front — the easy background music, the relaxed atmosphere, the pleasant view of the garden and quiet street, the range on the menu, the quality of the ingredients, and the coffee. Our only real note is that the indoor space is on the smaller side, which may not work as well for larger groups.

Our verdict: Mirissa is the kind of find that makes a trip worthwhile. It does everything you want a café to do: good coffee, a varied menu, and a dessert memorable enough to bring you back. If you live in Alexandria or are planning a visit soon, do pass by.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Mirissa on 15 Mina Street, Kafr Abdou, Alexandria. You can also order through Talabat if you’re in the city.

💵 Per person: EGP 350-500

🪑 Outdoor seating: No

🍺 Alcohol: No

🦽 Accessibility friendly: No

Hany Shenouda: The man behind the records that rewrote the rules

🎶🇪🇬 Al Massrieen, Amr Diab, Mohamed Mounir, and a country’s worth of film scores — the common denominator across six decades of Egyptian music was Hany Shenouda, the visionary composer, arranger, and producer whose influence would come to define modern Egyptian music.

Shenouda died earlier this week in Cairo at the age of 83, ending a career that spanned over six decades. Egyptian TV presenter Mahmoud Saad announced his death, and the Musicians’ Syndicate paid tribute to him as one of the country’s foremost musical figures. Widely regarded as the architect of modern Egyptian music, he left behind a catalogue that reshaped Arabic pop, transformed Egyptian film scoring, and launched the careers of some of the region’s biggest stars.

Born in Tanta in 1943, Shenouda graduated from the Faculty of Music in 1966 before continuing his studies at the Higher Institute of Music. In 1977, he founded Al Massrieen, a six-piece band that challenged convention by fusing Egyptian musical traditions with disco, funk, psych rock, and contemporary Western arrangements. The result was Bahebak La — an album packed with socially grounded storytelling, infectious grooves, and songs like El Shawarae Hawadeet, as well as the title track that helped redefine what Arabic popular music could sound like.

His instinct for spotting talent proved just as influential. Shenouda composed four songs and arranged the entirety of Mohamed Mounir’s debut album Allamouny Eneiki, before returning to compose eight tracks and oversee the arrangements for his sophomore release, Bentewled. He also discovered a young Amr Diab after watching him perform with Al Massrieen in Port Said, encouraging him to move to Cairo to study music before composing four songs, arranging his debut song Ya Tareeq, and introducing him to lyricists including Salah Jahin.

The composing record stretches far beyond pop. Shenouda wrote timeless songs for Nagat El Saghira, including Bahlam Ma’ak and Ana Ba’shaq El Bahr, alongside beloved works for Faiza Ahmed such as Hoda El Leil. His film scores became just as iconic as the productions themselves, with soundtracks for Al Mashbooh, Al Hareef, Ghareeb Fi Beity, and Shams El Zanaty. Shenouda also composed the iconic score, Longa 79, for ‘80s Egyptian sports show “El Camera Fil Mal3ab” — a tune later used for the intro of Ramy. He continued creating until the very end, with his final project being a reimagining of Bahlam Ma’ak in a cross-generational collaboration with rapper Ziad Zaza and singer Tina.

His contributions earned him Egypt’s State Appreciation Award in the Arts in 2023 — an honor he described as one of the defining moments of his career — while Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority later celebrated his impact on Arab music with a tribute concert, which included Amr Diab and Mohamed Mounir on the bill. If there’s one place to revisit Shenouda’s genius, though, it’s Bahebak La: the album where the sound of modern Egyptian pop arguably began.

WHERE TO LISTEN- Bahebak La, alongside Al Masserieen’s bigger catalogue and Hany Shenouda’s other works, can all be found on Apple Music, Anghami, Spotify, and YouTube.

THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

🗓️ JULY

7 July - 8 August (Tuesday-Saturday): Khayal Mareed Play at Theatro Arkan.

23 July (Thursday): Official holiday for 23 July Revolution.

23 July (Thursday): Honey Drop Vol.3 Ft. Disco Misr at Beachouse One, Seashell.

23 July (Thursday): Marwan Pablo & Lege-Cy at Porto Golf.

23 July (Thursday): Ahmed Hassan: The Special 1 at Teatro 90.

23 July (Thursday): Ali El Haggar at Sayed Darwish Theatre, Alexandria.

23-24 July (Thursday-Friday): El Sahel El Sherir at Porto Theater, Al Alamein.

24 July (Friday): The Goats at Playa Strip by G Developments.

24 July (Friday): Medhat Saleh at Premiere Show, Porto Golf.

24 July (Friday): Tamer Ashour at Tiatro Romano, Marina 2, Al Alamein.

24 July (Friday): Ramy Sabry at Cocoon Beach, Sidi Abdel Rahman.

24 July (Friday): Ruby Sunset Live Concert at Amarai Beach.

24 July (Friday): Adriatique at the North Coast.

27 July (Monday): Saad El Oud at Open Air Theater, Cairo Opera House.

28 July (Tuesday): Sherif Mounir Nostalgia Band at Open Air Theater, Cairo Opera House.

29 July (Wednesday): Ali El Haggar at El Sawy Culturewheel, Zamalek.

30 July (Thursday): Medhat Saleh at Sayed Darwish Theatre, Alexandria.

30-31 July (Thursday-Friday): Garage Sale at Darb 15, Maadi.

31 July (Friday): Studio El Etneen at Premiere Show, Porto Golf.

31 July (Friday): Disco Misr and Lino Cheikho at The Smokery Beach, Bianchi.

31 July (Friday): Localine Vol.3: Sharmoofers at Masyaf, Ras El Hekma.

31 July (Friday): Reda El Bahrawy, Rahma Mohsen, and Ahmed Sheba at Tiatro Romano, Marina 2, Al Alamein.

31 July (Friday): Shorelines Festival at Almaza Bay.

AUGUST

1 August (Saturday): El Leila El Kebeera at Theatro Arkan.

1 August (Saturday): Omar El Gamal Vol.66 at Teatro 90.

4 August (Tuesday): Amr Selim at Open Air Theater, Cairo Opera House.

6 August (Thursday): Cairo Comedy Club at Teatro 90.

6 August (Thursday): Hamada Helal at Premiere Show, Golf Porto.

6 August (Thursday): Amr Selim at Sayed Darwish Theatre, Alexandria.

6 August (Thursday): Massar Egbari at Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

6 August (Thursday): Deep House Bible at North Coast.

6-15 August (Thursday-Saturday): The Garden Market at Lakeyard, Hacienda Bay, North Coast.

7 August (Friday): Salah El Daly - Stand Up Comedy Show at Teatro 90.

7 August (Friday): Ali El Haggar at Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

7 August (Friday): Ismailia Mango Festival.

7 August (Friday): Sherine at Porto Golf, Al Alamein City.

7 August (Friday): Cairokee Ft. Disco Misr at D-Bay, North Coast.

8 August (Saturday): Boosh Bshasha Stand-up Comedy Show at Teatro 90.

10-11 August (Monday-Tuesday): Mohamed Helmy Standup at Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

13 August (Thursday): Hisham Abbas at Premiere Show, Golf Porto.

14 August (Friday): Tul8te at U Arena, North Coast.

14 August (Friday): Mohamed Ramadan at Porto Golf, Al Alamein City.

14 August (Friday): Nawal El Zoghby and Wael Jassar at Tiatro Romano, Marina 2, Al Alamein.

16-17 August (Sunday-Monday): Omar Khairat at Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

20 August (Thursday): Mohamed Fouad at Premiere Show, Golf Porto.

20 August (Thursday): Hisham Abbas at Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

21 August (Friday): Black Coffee at Cubix North Coast.

21 August (Friday): Ruby and Rami Aiash at Tiatro Romano, Marina 2, Al Alamein.

21 August (Friday): Autostrad at Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

22 August (Saturday): Wust El Balad at Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

23 August (Sunday): Autostrad at El Sawy Culturewheel, Zamalek.

25 August (Tuesday): Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday.

27 August (Thursday): Jadal at Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

28 August (Friday): Amal Maher at Premiere Show, Golf Porto.

29 August (Saturday): Jadal at El Sawy Culturewheel, Nile University, Sheikh Zayed.

30 August (Sunday): Tamer Ashour at Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

SEPTEMBER

4 September (Friday): Ehab Tawfik at Premiere Show, Golf Porto.

26 September (Saturday): John Achkar’s Feena Nehke at Theatro Arkan.

OCTOBER

1-4 October (Thursday-Sunday): She Arts festival across Cairo and Alexandria.

6 October (Tuesday): Armed Forces Day.

15-23 October (Thursday-Friday): El Gouna Film Festival.

24 October (Saturday): Blue 25th Anniversary Tour at New Capital.

28-31 October (Wednesday-Saturday): Egypt’s Cheese Festival at Al Horreya Garden, Zamalek.

NOVEMBER

5 November (Thursday): Gala De Danza at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

11-20 November (Wednesday-Friday): Cairo International Film Festival.

19-28 November (Thursday-Saturday): Cairo Design Week.

28 November (Saturday): Shakira at the Pyramids of Giza.

DECEMBER

11-12 December (Friday-Saturday): The Marakez Pyramids Half Marathon at the Pyramids of Giza.

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