The polyglot path

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THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Kuwait could invest USD 4 bn held in Egypt

Good morning, friends, and welcome to yet another long weekend. We have three days of better weather ahead, we hope you make the most of them with family and friends, and get some much needed R&R.

Ever wondered how some people seem to pick up languages so effortlessly? The good news is that you can too. Our Enterprise Guide this week unpacks the secrets of successful polyglots. From building a solid foundation to maintaining momentum when progress slows, we’ve gathered practical, fun strategies that fit into your everyday life so you can start chatting multilingually in no time.

LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS-

INVESTMENT WATCH-

Kuwait could invest USD 4 bn held in Egypt: Kuwait is reportedly in talks to turn the USD 4 bn of deposits it holds in Egypt’s central bank into direct investments across several sectors. The Gulf country is aiming to move forward with its plan soon, with a target of investing at least USD 2 bn by the end of the year, but no final decision on the timeline has been reached yet. A ministerial delegation will visit Kuwait soon to discuss upcoming investments, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly confirmed at his weekly presser.

LEGISLATION WATCH-

New Criminal Procedures Law will soon be the law of the land: The House of Representatives gave its final approval to a landmark overhaul of the long-debated Criminal Procedures Law, concluding four months of extensive discussions on the 544-article legislation. The legislation lays out the framework for investigating, prosecuting, and trying criminal cases.

The House also gave its final approval to a draft law that would assign properties a unique digital ID on a centralized government database. The legislation aims to accurately document and regulate Egypt’s vast real estate holdings, much of which remains unmapped due to a lack of precise data.

MANUFACTURING-

China’s Wu’an Xin Feng has kicked off construction on its planned USD 1.7 bn integrated industrial complex in Ain Sokhna’s Industrial Zone. The two-phase complex being built by the company’s Egyptian arm Xin Feng Egypt Steel will be completed over a five-year period and create 8k direct jobs.

AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS-

This week brought a mixed back of news, with the foreign press taking note of Trump’s latest demands of the Suez Canal, his first 100 days in office, Canada’s federal election, and a new Palestinian vice president.

US President Donald Trump demanded that American military and commercial vessels pass the Suez Canal and Panama canal “free of charge.” Trump also claimed that the two canals “would not exist without the United States of America” — a claim that has left us scratching our heads in the case of the Suez Canal.

Trump then celebrated his first 100 days in office with a rally in Michigan, where hailed his time in office as the “most successful 100 days of any administration in the history of our country” and touted the success of his economic policies, including tariffs. He also renewed his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, saying he’s “not really doing a good job” and “I know much more than he does about interest rates.”

He also signed an executive order to give automakers in the US a two-year grace period to boost the percentage of domestic car parts before applying the 25% levy on foreign ones.

NEXT DOOR- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party will form a minority government after it secured a narrow victory in Canada’s federal election with 169 seats in the House of Commons, falling just short of the 172 seats required for a majority. It was a sharp turnaround for the party, which had been trailing until Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on Canada and made inflammatory remarks about making it the 51st US state, triggering a wave of nationalist sentiment across the country.

CLOSER TO HOME- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appointed longtime confidant Hussein Al Sheikh as his deputy — and likely successor — in a move seen as an attempt to quell mounting US, Arab, and international pressure for a clear succession plan.

And Israel launched an airstrike in a southern suburb of Beirut, jeopardizing a ceasefire that has been held since November after claiming it was targeting an area that is a stronghold for Hezbollah, where Israeli officials said they were storing precision missiles. No casualties were reported.

Over in Iran, a massive explosion tore through a port in Bandar Abbas, killing tens of people and injuring over a thousand. Iran’s Defense Ministry has denied international media reports claiming that the blast could be linked to the mishandling of solid fuel used for missiles, though most reports say chemicals at the port were the suspected cause of the explosion.

☀️ THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND- Clearer skies are forecasted for Friday, with the mercury rising to 28°C throughout a sunny day, and dropping to 17°C at night, according to our favorite weather app. Saturday may bring some rain alongside cooler weather, with the temperatures predicted at highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C.

HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND-

Feel like rolling in the deep this weekend? Rumor has it that Egyptian Adele tribute band The Daydreamers will make us feel their love at El Sawy Culture Wheel on Thursday, 1 May, with a medley of Adele’s biggest hits. The show starts at 8pm, and you can book your tickets through El Sawy Culture Wheel’s website.

Does it smell like teen spirit up in here, or is that just us? Egyptian grunge band Seattle, alongside singer Shady Ahmed, will be tapping into our collective nostalgia at Cairo Jazz Club Agouza with an extended set of Nirvana and Foo Fighters hits this Thursday, 1 May at 10pm, with doors opening at 8pm. You can book your spot through CJC’s website.

Don’t miss out on the unique experience of the El Masryeen band, led by Hany Shenouda and rapper Ziad Zaza, at AUC Tahrir on Thursday, 1 May. Doors will open at 3pm. The first wave of tickets for the concert has already sold out, but you can grab yours through Ticketsmarché .

Have you hopped on the latest game night craze? Boom Room is hosting a night of strategy and competition as the Skrew Official Tournament kicks off on Friday, 2 May. Tickets are available on Ticketsmarché.

HAPPENING NEXT WEEKEND-

Omar Khairat’s Grand Show is taking place on Friday, 9 May. Dress up in your finest formal wear and head to the Qubba Palace to experience the iconic composer’s unforgettable talent. Tickets are available on Ticketsmarché.

In the mood for vocals that will have you shedding a tear? Medhat Saleh would like a word. On Friday, 9 May, the Egyptian singer and songwriter will be taking to the stage at the Must Theatre in 6th of October. The concert starts at 8pm, and you can secure your seat through Ticketsmarché.

Calling all coffee enthusiasts: The Egypt Coffee Festival is bringing caffeine laymen and experts together for a full day of java-themed activities, competitions, and discussions. The event will kick off at 9am on Saturday, 10 May at Kamelizer in District 5. You can grab your tickets through Ticketsmarché.

The guide to learning languages

An increasingly interconnected world means that multilingualism has many advantages — not just for your cognitive abilities, but also professionally. Beyond boosting brain power by improving focus, strengthening your mother language, and sparking creativity, knowing more languages opens doors to better job opportunities in our global job market. With about 3.3 bn people — 43% of the global population — speaking two or more languages, being able to communicate across language barriers has become incredibly valuable. This guide will arm you with practical tools and strategies to help you learn a new language efficiently and effectively.

BUILD A SOLID FOUNDATION

#1- Focus on one language at a time: Italian polyglot and language expert Luca Lampariello, who speaks 11 languages including German, Russian, Polish and Mandarin Chinese, recommends learning one language at a time. Trying to learn multiple languages at once splits your attention and makes it harder to remember what you’ve learned. Focusing on one language will help you learn faster, remember more, avoid mixing up languages, develop good learning habits, and gain a deeper understanding of the language and culture.

#2- Start speaking early: Practicing speaking from the beginning helps you learn to think quickly and move beyond repeating the same basic phrases. Start with simple conversations, ideally with native speakers. Today’s language exchange apps make it easy to connect with native speakers from anywhere around the world, letting you practice from home.

#3- Record yourself speaking: Make video or audio recordings of yourself speaking in your new language. This gives you immediate feedback on how you’re doing. Create a simple worksheet with three columns: what you actually said (written down), what you meant to say in your native language, and the correct version in your target language. This helps you spot your mistakes, correct yourself, and improve for future conversations.

#4- Learn pronunciation early: Well-known language learner Olly Richards emphasizes learning proper pronunciation early on. Regular listening to and copying native speakers helps unfamiliar sounds become more natural over time. Tools like Glossika, Speechling, and Pimsleur let you compare your pronunciation with native speakers.

#5- Use a smart reading method: First, read the whole text without stopping to look up words. Then read it again, paying attention to sentence patterns. After that, look up words that appear five or more times (these are the most important), and finally, move onto new material instead of overanalyzing.

#6- Create your own word list: Build a personalized vocabulary list based on words you actually use. Record conversations in your native language using otter.ai or Descript, then analyze them with Voyant Tools to find your most commonly used words. Create a list of these words with their translations in your target language.

PLACING THE STEPPING STONES

#1- Learn like a child: Language expert Stephen Krashen found that learning a second language works best when it’s similar to how children learn their first language. Focus on meaningful communication rather than perfect grammar — aim to get your message across first rather than worrying about making mistakes.

#2- Find materials at your level: Krashen also suggests using learning materials that are just slightly above your current comprehension level. Look for content where you understand about 70-90% — this creates the perfect balance between what’s familiar and what’s new.

#3- Embrace making mistakes: Language researcher Merril Swain discovered that trying to express yourself, even imperfectly, drives learning by showing you what you don’t know yet. When you try to say something beyond your current ability, you identify exactly what you need to learn. This makes mistakes a valuable part of learning, not something to fear.

#4- Make learning fun: Staying motivated is essential for language learning. Connect your learning to things you already enjoy by accessing content you’d naturally consume in your native language. Create an everyday learning environment through watching videos, movies, and shows in your target language, listening to podcasts and music while doing daily activities, changing your phone’s language settings, and talking to digital assistants like Siri or Alexa in your new language. These small changes create consistent exposure without requiring major lifestyle changes.

MAINTAINING YOUR PROGRESS

#1- Getting past the learning plateau: Every language learner eventually hits a lull — a period where it feels like you’re not making progress despite continued effort. This is normal as the initial quick gains give way to deeper learning.

#2- Focus on language islands: Instead of jumping between unrelated topics, focus on developing related word groups or “ language islands.” For example, a food related island might include ingredients, cooking techniques, kitchen tools, and dining customs. A daily routine island could include morning activities, work terms, travel vocabulary, and evening activities. This approach creates connected word networks, making vocabulary easier to learn and remember.

AVAILABLE ONLINE RESOURCES

Today’s learners have many great digital tools beyond the famous green owl:

#1- Memrise:

Specialization: Conversational, travel-oriented language
Key features: Expansive vocabulary building, authentic native speaker videos, spaced repetition algorithms, gamified learning experience
Accessibility: Core features available at no cost

#2- Busuu:

Specialization: Community-based learning with peer feedback
Key features: Diverse flashcard systems, structured grammar exercises, authentic conversational models
Accessibility: Basic features available without cost, premium live instruction available

#3- Babbel:

Specialization: Practical dialogue-based learning
Key features: Contextual conversation scenarios, clear grammatical explanations, speech recognition technology
Accessibility: Limited free trial, subscription-based access

#4- Lingoda:

Specialization: Instructor-led virtual classroom experience
Key features: Hour-long Zoom-based instruction with qualified language educators
Accessibility: Subscription required for both group and individual instruction formats

An intersection of horror and history

🎥 In Sinners, director Ryan Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan have crafted something truly extraordinary — a vampire horror tale that transcends genre expectations to become a powerful historical allegory. Set against the backdrop of the 1930s US South, this film masterfully interweaves supernatural terror with the soulful cadence of blues music to create a haunting meditation on Black history and cultural identity.

The narrative centers on Sammy (Miles Caton), a gifted young man with a mesmerizing talent for singing, who finds himself trapped between his love for the Blues and the expectations forced upon him by his priest father, who sees his love for music as a dance with the devil.

Blues and blood: His life intersects with twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Jordan in a dual role), war-weary Chicago veterans who return to their Mississippi roots to open a juke joint. What begins as a celebration of music and community quickly descends into terror when white vampires, led by the charismatic Remmick (Jack O’Connell), infiltrate their opening night, transforming it into a blood-soaked nightmare.

It’s not often that a blood-sucker tale goes beyond entertainment. Coogler uses vampirism as a brilliant allegory for colonialism and culture appropriation in the most malicious sense — the vampires don’t just crave blood, they hunger for the very essence of Black identity and artistry. The Blues music that permeates the film becomes a powerful symbol of cultural resilience — something that cannot be bought, stolen, or erased despite overwhelming forces of subjugation.

Ovation-worthy performances all around: Caton’s haunting vocal talents add authentic emotional depth to the character’s journey. Jordan’s portrayal of the twins showcases his remarkable range, while O’Connell chills as the sophisticated yet merciless vampire patriarch. The production design meticulously recreates Depression-era Mississippi, and the film’s atmospheric cinematography alternates between warm, golden-hued musical sequences, and shadow-drenched horror.

The film’s commercial success — USD 163 mn in just its second week — speaks to its broad appeal despite its unflinching approach to both supernatural horror and historical trauma. The magnificent soundtrack, featuring original Blues compositions performed by Caton himself, serves as the film’s beating heart, creating an immersive experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

Be advised: The film contains graphic violence and disturbing imagery that isn’t suitable for all audiences. And whatever you do, don’t leave before the end credits scene.

WHERE TO WATCH- Sinners is playing at VOX Cinemas at City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt, Scene Cinemas at Cairo Festival City and District 5, Zawya Cinema, and Cima Arkan. You can watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:00).

When you find people living amongst the trees, it’s best to leave them be…

📚 Hanya Yanigahara is no stranger to heart-wrenching fiction. Though her acclaimed novel A Little Life certainly steals the spotlight in this category, we would argue that its lesser-known predecessor, The People in the Trees, does not play around when it comes to delivering an emotional uppercut.

The jury isn’t out for long. The 362-page novel begins with a letter written by a Dr. Ronald Kubodera, which provides testimony to the character of Norton Perina, an American doctor on trial. Perina is the novel’s focal character, whom the reader quickly discovers is — to put it plainly — not a good person.

Perina tells all. From that point onwards, the novel is presented through the memoirs of Perina himself. It’s a slow burn, and it’s an uncomfortable one. Perina’s inner monologue hints at a twisted nature — one that lacks a moral compass and does an incredible job of pretending otherwise. This sheer unflinching honesty is precisely why this book is unputdownable.

So what has this mystery doctor been up to? The People in the Trees, more or less operates on a linear timeline, with a few time jumps here and there. The real action starts when Perina joins an anthropological expedition to a Micronesian island on a goosechase for a “lost tribe” who are said to have discovered biological immortality.

Shockingly, it wasn’t a sham. Perina eventually does find the immortal tribe who have defied science, and discovers their “elixir,” only for everything to — expectedly — come crashing down at his hands. Author Hanya Yanigahara masterfully writes a character that is drunk on power, leaving no door unopened to the path of fame and prestige, and she does so in a manner that forces her readers to question their own morals.

The People in the Trees isn’t for the faint of heart. Gore, sexual abuse, and the horrors of the human mind are laid out plainly and unceremoniously with no fair warnings or preambles — there is no savior in this story, and that is exactly the point. As the pages inevitably turn, we come to discover that Perina was, after all, an unreliable narrator — all the horrors he tells us himself do not begin to compare to the ones revealed towards the end.

WHERE TO FIND IT- The People in the Trees is available at Diwan.

Innovative Lebanese and Latin American fusion cuisine

U Venues’ Evermore is the talk of the town, and for good reason. This newly opened restaurant introduces innovative Lebanese and Latin American fusion cuisine in their New Cairo location, packaged in a beautiful, colorful, and homey space.

The manchego brisket pasta was a showstopper. The tenderness of the beef brisket shines as the centerpiece of perfectly cooked spaghetti in a creamy mushroom sauce, topped with melted manchego — a traditional Spanish cheese made with sheep’s milk. Fair warning: consider sharing this rich dish, as its decadence may not leave space for much else.

Their truffle cheese burger earned its place as our second favorite. The juicy burger arrives on a platter swimming in a generous sea of creamy truffle sauce — you can choose whether or not to drown it in the sauce, depending on how much you like the intensity of the truffle and richness of the cream.

And since we couldn’t get enough of truffle tastings, we also ordered their truffle hummus. The bold flavor somewhat overshadowed the traditional hummus taste, dividing our opinions at our table. Nevertheless, it delivered the creaminess of authentic homemade oriental hummus and the luxurious complexity of truffle.

Evermore proves a perfect spot for seafood lovers as well: The smoky grilled shrimp in their shrimp tacos, combined with fresh greens and perfectly made guacamole, transports diners to the coasts of Latin America with every bite. For those watching their carb intake, the JG baby calamari salad offers a delicious alternative of fried calamari, arugula, and a mayonnaise-based sauce — though we felt that additional greens would have made it more substantial.

💵 Per person: EGP 500-700

🪑 Outdoor seating: Yes

🍺 Alcohol: No

🦽 Accessibility friendly: Yes

Die Hard in space… with pirates… and cats

🎮 Skin Deep isn’t just an immersive sim (imsim) — it’s a masterclass in creative chaos wrapped in a wacky space comedy. As Insurance Commando Nina Pasadena, your mission is simple: save cube-headed cats from space pirates while avoiding enemies who want you dead. What follows is an absurdly enjoyable and enjoyably absurd adventure that revels in its own unpredictability.

Die Hard in space (with cats): At its core, Skin Deep follows the imsim tradition established by games like Dishonored and Prey, but distinguishes itself through an infectious sense of humor. Rather than the grim dystopias that typically define the genre, Blendo Games delivers a vibrant, slapstick universe where Nina navigates various spaceships with bare feet, liberating feline hostages from pirates.

Each mission follows a similar structure: free the cats, call in an escape pod, then either eliminate the pirate reinforcements or steal their getaway shuttle. The beauty of Skin Deep isn’t just in what you’re doing, but in the countless ways you can approach this scenario. The game expects your plans to fail, and builds its best moments around these disasters.

Skin Deep excels in creating dense, reactive environments that respond to your every whim. Need to eliminate a guard? You could throw pepper at them to trigger a sneezing fit, make them slip on a banana peel, or lure them near an airlock before causing decompression, or bash them with a conduit pipe ripped from the wall. Every item has a purpose (or several), from walkie-talkies that can be smashed to create sparks for triggering explosions to books that can be thrown at security cameras or used to trigger library security gates. The game’s physical system creates moments of improvisational brilliance.

A comedy of errors: The game isn’t without its flaws — the missions can feel somewhat repetitive, as your objectives remain largely unchanged throughout. The elite enemies provide a difficulty spike that can disrupt the otherwise smooth flow of the gameplay, and some players reported crashes during save attempts that forced them to restart levels. The level structure also creates a bottleneck during the endgame sequence of each mission, when you must either defeat all reinforcements (extremely difficult), or find the Ship Authority Key to hijack an escape pod (typically the more practical option).

💯 Rating: 8/10

⌛ Hours of gameplay: 12-20 hours

🔁 Replay value: TBD

👾 Platforms: Steam for PC

💵 Price: On discount for USD 8.5 until 14 May

The world is vast, it needs those who explore it

👂 The world through Arab eyes: The Bar Bahr podcast specializes in travel and journeys, with Yemeni artist, traveler, and storyteller Sumayya Jamal Balqis guiding listeners on an excursion to discover both themselves and the vast world around them. Throughout the episodes, she opens her travel journals to narrate through voice what she couldn’t capture in images between land and sea.

Balqis doesn’t rely heavily on guests, but she doesn’t completely abandon them either. Most episodes are built around the Yemeni storyteller’s own experiences, while occasionally hosting individuals connected to the stories she covers to add more details and clarify mysterious or confusing elements.

Exploring the world is an integral part of exploring ourselves: Sumaya travels across continents in search of inspiration. Sometimes she learns important lessons in observation and silence, other times she climbs mountains to reconnect with her body. In one instance, she develops a new perspective of the universe based on Ancient Egyptian symbols, and in another, she ventures outside her comfort zone to challenge her preconceptions.

Balqis observes what remains of authentic Bedouin life in Jordan after modernization, finds space for adventure in her war-torn homeland, breaks stereotypes about Africa and its diverse countries, and visits the Turkish islands infamous for their harshness.

Sumaya dedicates three full episodes to discussing the Datça Peninsula in Turkey, an experience that revealed to her the fragility and weakness of humans when confronted with nature. This peninsula is not a tourist destination and is characterized by its pristine environment largely untouched by modernization. The storyteller endured difficult times there and came close to death, from being poisoned by “devil’s tomatoes” to attempting to escape a forest fire, alongside small details that could turn any traveler’s life into a complete nightmare.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can find Bar Bahr on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Anghami, Audible, and Amazon Music.

THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

APRIL

6-30 April (Sunday-Wednesday): More Than Just A Word art exhibit at Nout Gallery in Zamalek.

8-30 April (Tuesday-Wednesday): Faces of the Margin art exhibition.

MAY

1 May (Thursday): El Masryeen and Ziad Zaza at AUC’s Tahrir campus.

2 May (Friday): Skrew Official Tournament at the Boom Room.

3 May (Saturday): Enrique Eglesias at the Rixos Radamis in Sharm El Sheikh.

7 May (Wednesday): The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra concert featuring Samih Sawiris.

8-18 May (Thursday-Sunday): Cairo Photo Week in Downtown Cairo and District 5.

9 April (Friday): The Grand Show: Omar Khairat at Qubba Palace.

10 May (Saturday): Egypt Coffee Festival at Kamelizer.

16 May (Friday): Angham at the Cairo Opera House.

21-31 May (Wednesday-Saturday): Disney On Ice at Cairo International Stadium.

23 May (Friday): Project Meem at Cairo Festival City.

30 May (Friday): Adam Port at the New Administrative Capital’s Green River.

OCTOBER

16-24 October (Thursday-Friday): Gouna Film Festival.

30 October – 22 November (Thursday-Saturday): Forever is Now at the Great Pyramids of Giza.

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Kuwait could invest USD 4 bn held in Egypt

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The guide to learning languages

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An intersection of horror and history

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When you find people living amongst the trees, it’s best to leave them be…

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Innovative Lebanese and Latin American fusion cuisine

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Die Hard in space… with pirates… and cats

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The world is vast, it needs those who explore it

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THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

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