Colors of Cairo - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Strict moral and ethical standards are one of the main national features that are definitely worth mentioning while describing Cairo. Many of the local traditions may seem rather strange to foreign visitors, but travellers should not forget to respect the national culture and comply with all the rules. For instance, women cannot appear in the streets without a male. Here such behavior will be considered disgraceful. Travellers should not forget to select clothes properly before going for a walk along the streets of the city. Too revealing and extravagant outfits may cause confusion among the locals. Rigorous and as closed as possible clothes of neutral colors will be appropriate for any occasion.

There is also a range of strict rules regarding purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages. They can be purchased in special stores only. Drinking alcohol is allowed in restaurants and bars only. The appearance in the city in a drunken state is considered a sign of bad education and violation of public order. Beautiful markets are known as one of the main "national places of interest" in Cairo. Here you can find absolutely different items. Bargaining remains a kind of a ritual, and both buyers and sellers follow it with excitement. It should be noted that many traders may deliberately increase the price of a product, counting on the ignorance of tourists. Before going to a market, it is better to ask a guide about the approximate cost of the goods you’re interested in. This way it will be easier to estimate the prices indicated by sellers.

The locals are distinguished by sluggishness and deliberation. Punctuality is not a strong feature of the indigenous people. Being late even for an important meeting has become quite common in Cairo. However, foreigners still need to show respect and come to meetings at the appointed time. When communicating with the locals, foreigners may notice some increased expressiveness and emotionality. The local people can gesticulate actively during an argument and exaggerate facts during the discussion of exciting topics. This behavior does not bear any negative attitude to the other party. This is just one of the national characteristics. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In general the natives are friendly treat foreign cultures with understanding and respect. The only rule that should be followed during your stay in Cairo is respect for local traditions and orders. Only in this case tourists can count on a positive and friendly attitude of the local people.

Festivals in Cairo definitely deserve the attention of tourists who want to spend some quality time in the ancient city. Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival remains one of the most popular events in the festival calendar of the capital of Egypt. During it, the central streets of the city turn into venues for art exhibitions, music concerts, master classes, and interesting films. Vacationers can also participate in interesting excursions to the most notable landmarks of Cairo. The popular festival starts at the beginning of March and ends at the end of the month. In December, one of the main symbols of Egypt, Pyramids of Giza, becomes the venue for Sphinx Festival, during which all visitors are invited to enter a fabulous world of music and dancing.

Music fans prefer to visit Cairo in time for another famous event - Cairo Jazz Festival. It is an annual event that usually takes place at The Greek Campus at the end of October. Among participants, there are famous musicians from different parts of the world as well as local talents. In addition to concerts, visitors are welcome to attend interesting master classes that will help them to understand jazz music better and learn new facts about the history of this music style. The Greek Campus hosts one more interesting event, namely, Wanas International Folk Music Festival in Cairo. This festival, which is usually held in mid-November, never ceases to attract numerous guests from all parts of the world. For tourists, it is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get acquainted with the diverse culture of Egypt through its music.

Cairo Bites is another popular event in the event calendar of the city. Every year, hundreds of foodies arrive in the capital of Egypt to sample international and local cuisine, try various drinks, listen to local musicians, watch cooking contests, and participate in master classes. The festival is annual and is usually held at Family Park. Cairo’s Fashion Festival is the event that many fashionistas impatiently await every year. This is a truly fabulous event, so it definitely deserves a mention. Despite the fact that Cairo’s Fashion Festival is a relatively new event that has been organized since 2012, it has quickly become internationally popular. Cairo Festival City Mall usually hosts the event, so numerous fans come here to see fashion shows by famous international and local designers. As a rule, the fashion festival date falls to the end of November or the beginning of December.

Tourists who visit Cairo in mid-March and take kids with them will be able to visit a truly mesmerizing event called Hakawy International Festival. It is one of the most popular events with Egyptian families, which attracts more and more foreign guests every year. For young tourists, it is a wonderful opportunity to participate in special performances for children, puppet shows, and interesting seminars. The unique children festival is held at Hanager Theatre. The last but not the least, Cairo International Film Festival is famous far beyond the borders of the country. It is usually held at Cairo Opera House at the end of November. Among the national holidays that tourists will find interesting to attend in Cairo, it is important to mention Coptic Christmas, Mawlid (Prophet Muhammad’s birthday), and Eid al-Fitr (the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan).