Joana Saahirah´s World Blog

A Collection of Articles, Videos, and Freebies on Egyptian Dance, Self-Discovery & Empowerment

An Intimate Portrait of Mahmoud Reda

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We´re on the highway, between Cairo and Alexandria, and Abdel Wahab is playing on the radio.

There´s light - a light you only find in Egypt, attached to a scent of past and hope - peaking through my window in the backseat of the car. A soul-comforting light; one of the reasons why I lived and worked in Egypt for almost a decade of my life; a return home.

There's me, Mahmoud Reda, and his wife, in the car.

I´m singing along, using my best Arabic, with Abdel Wahab.

The song ...

Singing in the rain with the Master, Mahmoud Reda

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That was our first work trip together outside of Egypt. In Brighton, the UK, a little, cozy, town with dollhouses.

I was assisting Mahmoud Reda, the Father of Egyptian Folklore and the genius behind the "Reda Troupe", in his workshops and I was also teaching mine.

Mahmoud and I, having lunch, during a break at the festival where we taught in Brighton (the beautiful and talented dancer, Orit Maftsir, is in the group ;) )

In the evening, there was a show. I performed, watching Mahmoud´s face...