Cairo, the largest metropolitan area in Africa, was the focal point of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution against former president Hosni Mubarak with over 2 million protesters at Tahrir Square. Despite the revolution being predominantly peaceful, it was not without violent clashes between the police, the military forces and protesters. At least 846 people were killed and 6,000 injured.
Over the year, security forces have closed off roads leading to the government buildings, barricading the areas around the ministries with concrete block walls, barbed wire and red painted lines. Cutting off traffic pedestrian or otherwise in the area, causing damage to local businessmen and residents.
Red painted line prohibiting protesters from crossing (source)
Map of barricaded area (source)
The roads that once ushered students to university, in particular the American University of Cairo (AUC), Lycee Francais and Deutsche Schule Der Borromaerinnen have been silent witness to the injustices against protesters. The barriers, further proof of the silence required from the inhabitants of Cairo by the government and its security forces.
However, artists in Cairo have taken the initiative to break through the barriers by more creative means; by painting murals that give the people a voice. Below are some images of murals painted on several of the barricaded streets. Their work is proof enough that art is a powerful tool of communication. Art can give voice to an oppressed people, remember the fallen, and give hope for the future.
The mural of Sheik Rihan Street above, is one of the more impressive perspectives depicting the clashes of December 2011 between the military police and protesters. It was carefully designed and painted by Ammar Abo-Bakr, Mohamed al-Moshir, Laila Maged and other collaborators for more than four days.
Artists at work on the murals.(image source)
'Tomorrow and Yesterday', a mural by some artists comes to life, commemorating the fallen of Port Said massacre on one end and portraying a hope for the future on another. Their art brings a message of hope on an uninviting barrier that serves as a constant reminder of the tragic events that have befallen Cairo.
Additionally, painting murals on the concrete barricade is not the only way artists are tackling the barriers and getting the message out there. Artists are also expressing their voice through the media of film. 'Forbidden' is a short film by a group of artists, Sayed Mohsen, KareemHammouda, Mazin Abdulkarim and Tamer Nader, depicting the present and future impact of the red lines painted onto main roads in Cairo as part of the barricades the military have put up. Take a look below.
Short film 'Forbidden'
As a parting word of advice, we shall keep it simple: we at KIAFRIKA encourage you to speak through your art, for art ceases to be when it says nothing. For what is the point of art seen yet not heard?
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