Orient Expressed

(FR, EN and AR subtitles available) This is a conversation with Egyptian storyteller and content creator Beshir Shousha about making Egypt’s history come alive through storytelling, humour and social media. We explore how Egyptians and foreigners see Egypt, the journey of its temples and obelisks abroad, and the impact of Egyptomania. We also dive into the fascinating stories behind artefacts that left Egypt, from the obelisks to Nefertiti’s bust, and the question of their restitution.00:00 Intro · مقدمة01:20 Where his passion comes from · مصدر شغفه03:21 People's response · رد فعل الناس04:24 Meaning of being Egyptian · معنى إنك تكون مصري08:20 Foreigners vs residents' perception of Egypt · نظرة الأجانب مقارنة بالمصريين لمصر10:09 How to get the new generation interested in history? · إزاي نخلي الجيل الجديد يهتم بالتاريخ؟12:05 Why is storytelling so important? · ليه الحكي مهم؟13:22 Is humour the same in Egypt & Europe? · هل روح الفكاهة واحدة في مصر وأوروبا؟15:15 Fun break: Q&As · استراحة خفيفة: أسئلة وأجوبة21:07 Social media opening doors, literally · السوشيال ميديا بتفتح أبواب، حرفيًا23:50 The Egyptian temples that travelled abroad · المعابد المصرية اللي اتنقلت للخارج25:44 The 13 obelisks of Rome · الـ١٣ مسلة في روما27:03 The French & British transporting obelisks · نقل المسلات على إيد الفرنسيين والبريطانيين28:13 The only remaining obelisk of Heliopolis · المسلة الوحيدة المتبقية من هليوبوليس29:47 Egyptomania: a blessing or a curse for Egypt? · هوس مصر: نعمة ولا نقمة على مصر؟32:32 His wish for Egypt in 10 years · أمنيته لمصر بعد ١٠ سنين34:10 The restitution of artefacts to Egypt · استرداد الآثار لمصر34:38 How the bust of Nefertiti left Egypt · إزاي تمثال نفرتيتي خرج من مصر38:21 How artefacts left Egypt and how to retrieve them · إزاي الآثار خرجت من مصر وإزاي نقدر نستردها40:17 The story of Dendera zodiac · قصة دائرة البروج في دندرة43:14 How the French lost the Rosetta stone to the British · إزاي الفرنسيين خسروا حجر رشيد للبريطانيين😎 GUEST Beshir Shousha is an Egyptian storyteller and content creator passionate about history and culture. Through engaging and often humorous storytelling, he brings Egypt’s heritage to life for a new generation. He is also known for his work in theatre, film and digital media.🔎 FIND OUT MORE IG: / beshirshousha FB: / beshirshousha 👁️ ABOUT Orient Expressed Orient Expressed is produced by Emmy Plaschy, to bring a new perspective and build bridges between the worlds of Europe and SWANA – with a focus on art, culture, and growth.Season 2, Episode 7Emmy's outfit by: IG: / ozzie.thedesigner

(FR and AR subtitles available on YouTube)This is a conversation with Egyptologist Dr Arto Belekdanian about some of Ancient Egypt's greatest mysteries, from how the pyramids were built and what happened to the Sphinx's nose to the little-known stories of female pharaohs and the artists behind iconic masterpieces like Nefertiti's bust. We also explore hieroglyphs, royal rituals and why this ancient civilisation still fascinates us today.00:00 Intro · مقدمة02:06 Becoming an Egyptologist · كيف بدأت رحلة علم الآثار05:24 How the pyramids were built · كيف بُنيت الأهرامات08:47 Purpose of ancient Egyptian art · 11:04 Ancient Egyptian artists names revealed · اسماء فنانون من مصر القديمة · فنانون من مصر القديمة13:33 Who made Nefertiti's bust? · من صنع تمثال نفرتيتي؟17:21 Female kings explained · الفراعنة النساء22:24 Q&A: Ancient Egyptian rulers & gods · أسئلة وأجوبة: حكام وآلهة مصر القديمة23:01 Ramses II, Cleopatra and the gods · رمسيس وكليوباترا والآلهة25:43 Nefertiti as possible female pharaoh · احتمال حكم نفرتيتي28:44 Useful resources to deep dive · موارد مفيدة للتعمق في الموضوع30:33 Writing hieroglyphs on a laptop · كتابة الهيروغليفية رقمياً35:20 The mystery of the Sphinx’s nose · لغز أنف أبو الهول38:40 AI and hieroglyph translation: Fabricius · الذكاء الاصطناعي والهيروغليفية41:06 Egyptian language and pronunciation · نطق اللغة المصرية القديمة42:45 Coronation rituals in ancient Egypt · طقوس التتويج45:23 Closing reflections · ختام الحلقة▶️ Video episode https://youtu.be/IDB8PxlhptE😎 GUEST Dr Arto Belekdanian is an Egyptian-Armenian egyptologist, and an AUC & Oxford graduate, he specialises in ancient Egyptian religion, kingship and royal rituals. He very skilfully bridges academic research and knowledge sharing with wider audiences through lectures, documentaries (National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, BBC Studios), and social media.🔎 FIND OUT MORE Instagram: @arto.belekdanian👁️ ABOUT Orient Expressed Orient Expressed is produced by Emmy Plaschy, to bring a new perspective and build bridges between the worlds of Europe and SWANA – with a focus on art, culture, and growth.Season 2, Episode 6Shot at: Villa Layla, Cairo, EgyptEmmy's outfit by: ALMAH

This is a conversation with Louis Barthélemy, a French artist and designer whose colourful, symbolic and rebellious work is carried out in collaboration with artisans of the countries he travels to. We talk about identity, intuition, colonial heritage, cultural appropriation and the deconstruction of toxic masculinity.00:00 Intro · مقدمة01:53 Who is Louis Barthélemy? · من هو لويس بارتيليمي؟03:45 First impressions of Egypt · الانطباعات الأولى عن مصر05:43 How he started working with Egyptian artisans · كيف بدأ العمل مع الحرفيين المصريين10:54 Artwork: Voyage de la Zarafa · عمل فني: رحلة الزرافة13:59 Unstitching hypermasculinity · تفكيك مفاهيم الرجولة السامة18:09 Going beyond colonial perspectives and "us vs them" · تجاوز المنظور الاستعماري وثنائية20:54 Cultural appropriation vs appreciation · بين التقدير الثقافي والاستيلاء الثقافي22:44 Fun Q&A: Louis Barthélemy & Egypt · أسئلة سريعة: لويس بارتيليمي ومصر30:06 Paulo Coelho & the "personal legend" · باولو كويلو ومفهوم «الأسطورة الشخصية»35:36 Amin Maalouf & "In the Name of Identity" · أمين معلوف وكتاب «الهويات القاتلة»YouTube episode: https://youtu.be/R4tD-WnH8-s😎 GUEST Louis Barthélemy is a French multidisciplinary artist and designer. He started his career in the French luxury industry before deciding to change life completely. His search for authenticity and culture storytelling lead him to create projects with artisans in Egypt, Morocco, Uzbekistan, and more. In 2025 he was awarded the Elle Decor prize for his Egyptomania collection for Balineum at the International Design Awards.🔎 FIND OUT MORE Instagram: @louisbarthelemy👁️ ABOUT Orient Expressed Orient Expressed is produced by Emmy Plaschy, to bring a new perspective and build bridges between the worlds of Europe and SWANA – with a focus on art, culture, and growth.Season 2, Episode 5.

This episode follows Alaa Abu Elhamd, an Egyptian painter from Upper Egypt, whose work reconnects contemporary painting with ancient Egyptian visual heritage. We explore his symbolic, figurative language shaped by Luxor, his personal life, as well as the themes of spirituality, memory and rebirth in forming his artistic vision.00:00 Intro · مقدمة00:49 Who is Alaa Abu Elhamd? · من هو علاء أبو الحمد؟02:45 Artwork 1: from The White Wall (2023) · العمل الفني 1: من الجدران الأبيض04:41 Artwork 2: from The Fields of Iaru (2025) · العمل الفني 2: من حدائق اليورو07:02 Artwork 3: from Pomegranate Seeds (2022) · العمل الفني 3: من كان حب الرمان08:22 Meaning of blue colour in Ancient Egypt · معنى اللون الأزرق في مصر القديمة09:34 Artwork 4: Untitled (2020) · العمل الفني 4: بدون عنوان10:29 Why paint dark eyes? · لماذا يرسم العيون الداكنة؟11:05 Why skin looks like wood? · لماذا تبدو البشرة كأنها خشب؟12:21 The artists that inspire him · الفنانين الذين يلهمونه12:57 Can anyone become an artist? · هل يمكن لأي شخص أن يصبح فناناً؟13:55 Why Luxor is so special · لماذا الأقصر مميزة جداً؟14:46 His take on AI in art · رأيه في الذكاء الاصطناعي في الفن16:46 Current projects · المشاريع الحالية17:22 Luxor and its energy · الأقصر وطاقة المكان18:24 His favourite spot in Karnak · مكانه المفضل في الكرنك😎 GUEST Alaa Abu Elhamd is an Egyptian contemporary painter from Upper Egypt. He works in oil on canvas inspired by ancient Egyptian art and Luxor’s visual heritage. He likes to explore spirituality, memory and rebirth through symbolic figurative works. Assistant Professor at Luxor University, he has exhibited widely in Egypt and abroad, with solo shows including The Fields of Iaru (2025) and Biban, and won the Youth Salon Award.🔎 FIND OUT MORE Instagram: @alaa_abuelhamd👁️ ABOUT Orient Expressed Orient Expressed is produced by Emmy Plaschy, to bring a new perspective and build bridges between the worlds of Europe and SWANA – with a focus on art, culture, and growth.Season 2, Episode 4.Shot at: Lady of The Sun Guesthouse, Luxor, EgyptOutfit by: The Sahara CollectionShot by: Mobarak Saad AliCreative support: Yasmine @Heartfull StudioBlog article: https://emmyplaschy.com/alaa-abu-elhamd-revisiting-ancient-egyptian-art/

This episode explores how artist Ziyad Jassam questions cultural identity as well as the contemporary realities of Iraq. We discuss expressionism, social taboos, and how best to perform and live your art.00:00 Intro · مقدمة01:02 Who is Ziyad Jassam? · من هو نور المصري؟03:03 The difference between an artist and a painter · بداية التصوير الفوتوغرافي04:35 Artists that inspire him · الفنانون الذين يلهمونه05:39 The influence of Christo · تأثير كريستو08:08 Artwork 1: Moment of Love (2014) · العمل الفني 1: لحظة حب11:01 Reaction to the exhibition in France · ردود الفعل على المعرض في فرنسا14:01 Artwork 2: Recycling (2016) · العمل الفني 2: إعادة التدوير17:59 Artwork 3: Peace will be born (2021) · العمل الفني 3: سيولد السلام19:26 Link with Naseer Shamma · الرابط مع نصير شمّا20:59 AI and art: a good combination? · الذكاء الاصطناعي والفن: هل هو مزيج جيد؟24:23 Useful advice for artists · نصائح مفيدة للفنانين26:01 Cliché he wants to get rid of · الصورة النمطية التي يريد التخلص منها📖 Blog article https://emmyplaschy.com/ziyad-jassam-expressionism-intimacy-in-iraq/😎 GUEST Ziyad Jassam is a multidisciplinary Iraqi artist recognised for his paintings, sculptures and writings. He also writes art criticism and designs literary publications. He completed his studies at the Institute & the Academy of Fine Arts in Baghdad. Ziyad has held several solo exhibitions in Iraq and abroad, including Paris, Beirut and Marocco, receiving several awards.🔎 FIND OUT MORE Instagram: @ziyad_jassam👁️ ABOUT Orient Expressed is produced by Emmy Plaschy, to bring a new perspective and build bridges between the worlds of Europe and SWANA – with a focus on art, culture, and growth.Season 2, Episode 3.Produced by: @emmyplaschy

This episode explores Cairo’s disappearing architecture through the lens of award-winning photographer Xenia Nikolskaya, whose long-term project documents Egypt’s overlooked heritage.We discuss photography as a tool for memory, the journey to becoming a photographer, and how artists record cultural change in contemporary Cairo.Watch the full filmed conversation on YouTube.📚 CHAPTERS00:00 Intro · مقدمة00:50 Who is Xenia Nikolskaya? · من هي كسينيا نيكولسكايا؟01:30 Starting photography · بداياتها في مجال التصوير الفوتوغرافي05:00 Coming to Egypt · وصول إلى مصر06:30 Her book "Dust: Egypt's Forgotten Architecture" · "كتابها "غبار: العمارة المنسية في مصر09:09 Villa Casdagli: a challenge · فيلا كازداغلي: موقع يشكّل تحدّيا للتصوير10:13 Photography, all about social skills · التصوير الفوتوغرافي والمهارات الاجتماعية11:46 Why document heritage? · لماذا يُعد توثيق التراث أمرا ضروريا؟12:59 Maria Golia: Photography in Egypt · ماريا غوليا والتصوير الفوتوغرافي في مصر13:49 AI and art: good or bad? · الذكاء الاصطناعي والفن بين الإيجابيات والسلبيات15:05 How to become an artist? · كيف يمكن للمرء أن يصبح فنانا؟18:12 What it takes to be an artist · متطلبات أن يكون الإنسان فنانا18:48 Ongoing project: "Plastic Jesus" · "مشروع مستمر بعنوان "يسوع البلاستيك😎 GUEST Xenia Nikolskaya is a Russian-Swedish photographer, curator and educator, based in Cairo. She currently teaches photography at German University in Cairo. Xenia took part in more than 40 international exhibitions, 20 of them solo shows. She is the author of "Dust: Egypt’s Forgotten Architecture", a project spanning 2006 to 2022 that covers 30 locations and documents Egypt’s fading and forgotten architecture.🔎 FIND OUT MORE Instagram: @xenia_nikolskaya_photography👁️ ABOUT Orient Expressed Orient Expressed is produced by Emmy Plaschy, to bring a new perspective and build bridges between the worlds of Europe and SWANA – with a focus on art, culture, and growth.Season 2, Episode 2Produced by: Emmy PlaschyShot at: AUC Press

This episode explores how photographer Nour Elmassry captures the atmosphere of Cairo through light, colour and urban composition. We discuss street photography, memory, and how contemporary Egyptian artists translate everyday city life into visual narratives.An expert at blending realism with cinematic mood, he documents familiar spaces while transforming them into poetic, almost surreal scenes that reflect Cairo’s emotional landscape.Watch the full filmed episode on YouTube.00:00 Intro · مقدمة00:58 Who is Nour Elmassry? · من هو نور المصري؟01:38 Starting photography · بداية التصوير الفوتوغرافي02:43 What he likes to shoot · ما الذي يحب تصويره04:05 Artists that inspire him · الفنانون الذين يلهمونه07:09 Artwork 1: Tale of Cairo · العمل الفني 1: حكاية القاهرة09:32 Artwork 2: City in Blue · العمل الفني 2: المدينة باللون الأزرق11:07 Artwork 3: Nile Tableau · العمل الفني 3: لوحة النيل13:20 Artwork 4: Light of Garden City · العمل الفني 4: ضوء جاردن سيتي15:01 Advice for aspiring photographers · نصائح للمصورين الطموحين17:40 Facts about Nour Elmassry · حقائق عن نور المصري18:42 Upcoming projects · المشاريع القادمة😎 GUEST Nour Elmassry is a Cairo‑based Egyptian photographer, art director and film production designer known for capturing the poetry of Cairo's streets and architectural heritage. He creates spaces that are both familiar and surreal, where light, colour, and composition are the main characters. He gained international attention after an early Instagram shot went viral, and continues to shine with his original visual style.🔎 FIND OUT MORE Instagram: @nour_elmassry👁️ ABOUT Orient Expressed Orient Expressed is produced by Emmy Plaschy, to bring a new perspective and build bridges between the worlds of Europe and SWANA – with a focus on art, culture, and growth.

😎 GUEST Wael Nour is a Luxor-based Egyptian contemporary artist who specialises in classical watercolours. His work beautifully captures the soul of Upper Egypt. A graduate of the Faculty of Art Education at Assiut University and former student of the late Bekheit Farrag, he paints light as much as landscape, capturing the stillness and soul of rural Egypt in fluid, meditative scenes that linger in time. His work has been exhibited widely across Egypt and Europe.🔎 FIND OUT MORE Instagram & Facebook: @nour.watercolors

😎 GUEST Khaled Hamed is a full-time Egyptian visual artist based in Tunis Village. Inspired by Salvador Dali, he sculpts in bronze, wood, fibreglass, and resin, and also writes poetry. Active on the art scene since 1998, he has participated in numerous group exhibitions, including the Youth Salon and the General Exhibition, and has held several solo shows at the Cairo Atelier.🔎 FIND OUT MORE Instagram: @khaled_hamed_2357👁️ ABOUT Orient Expressed Orient Expressed is produced by Emmy Plaschy, to bring a new perspective and build bridges between the worlds of Europe and SWANA – with a focus on art, culture, and language.

😎 GUESTYousra Hafad is an Egyptian-Moroccan artist, based in Luxor, Egypt. She expresses women's innermost feelings through metaphorical works. The palatial and elegant women of her oil paintings convey a sense of stability, strength, and boldness.🔎 FIND OUT MORE Instagram: @yousra.hafadFacebook: yousra.hafadFind video episode here: https://youtu.be/b-Rvfos2KbgFull article here:https://emmyplaschy.com/yousra-hafad-painting-womens-feelings/