Omniya Abdel Barr أمنية عبد البر

I have found a new passion this year in visiting Cairo’s ruins, with the hope that I can one day fix some. As I am working on my book on the James Wild sketchbooks, I feel the pain he must have felt as he wandered the city. Though the ruins he found 184 years ago were much more glorious. Cairo has been calling for help for over two centuries.

Stained glass, at Christ Church in Streatham Designed by James Wild in 1841.

In this Double-Take, we’re looking at the two sides of heritage preservation. @omabarr highlights the stakes—the loss of our collective memory—while @louisbarthelemy provides the solution: active commissioning and evolution. It’s not just about looking back; it’s about giving our heritage a voice that works for now. Out now, watch the full episode on YouTube This episode is brought to you by @azzafahmy

Meet the tutor: Omniya Abdel Barr (@omabarr ) Cairo Residency (16 -> 27 January) Stay tuned to meet the other tutors the following weeks!

في جولتنا الثالثة مع الدكتورة أمنية عبد البر مدير التنمية في المؤسسة المصرية لإنقاذ التراث، بين عدد من البيوت التراثية في الدرب الأحمر. تتحدث عن ضرورة الحفاظ على المدينة القديمة من الهدم، والحفاظ على ما تبقي منه من منازل وحرف تراثية، ومحاولة ترميم ما تبقي بعد تعرض عدد من البيوت للهدم والشطب من لوائح التنسيق الحضاري. #باب_مصر #architecturelovers #architecture #heritage #فعاليات #ثقافة #تراث #ثقافةعامة #إزالة #تراث_المدينة #عمارة_البلد #هدم #تطوير #الدرب_الأحمر #باب_مصر #architecturelovers #architecture #heritage #فعاليات #ثقافة #تراث #ثقافةعامة #إزالة #تراث_المدينة #عمارة_البلد #هدم #تطوير #الدرب_الأحمر

منذ عام دشن موقع «باب مصر» حملة عمارة البلد وكان ضمن الحملة منزل صادق باشا أحد معالم الذاكرة في الدرب الاحمر والتى تناولت الدكتورة أمنية عبد البر مدير التنمية في المؤسسة المصرية لإنقاذ التراث، تاريخة المعماري وناشدت بالحفاظ عليه ، اليوم تعرض المنزل للهدم بعد شطب البيت من على لوائح التنسيق الحضاري السنة اللي فاتت ونظرًا لوجود شرخ بسيط في الواجهة اصدر من خلاله "حي وسط" قرار ازالة. #باب_مصر #architecturelovers #architecture #heritage #فعاليات #ثقافة #تراث #ثقافةعامة #إزالة #تراث_المدينة #عمارة_البلد #هدم #تطوير #الدرب_الأحمر

‘Sahil | Cairo-Karachi Textile Residency’ is based on research between living heritage and contemporary interpretations of intercultural dialogue, exploring the confluences inherent in the craft of hand embroidery. The research residency focuses on particular techniques, motifs and innovations that have developed in Karachi and Cairo. This appreciation for hand embroidery, intricate ornamentation, storytelling through traditional motifs, and techniques cultivated through collaboration with master artisans, challenges global trends of mass production and the dilution of cultural identity. Ancient civilizations with histories of exchange, have evolved around the Indus and Nile Rivers; Karachi and Cairo both coastal cities are hemmed by strategically located water bodies like the Arabian and the Red and Mediterranean Sea. These legendary waterways allowed the desert urban landscapes to prosper for millennia—nurturing trade, agriculture, migration and textile innovation. This exchange and encounter, allowed an osmosis in craft and culture which is deeply ingrained and visible in their architecture and embroidery traditions. Like the confluence of the Seas, cultural knowledge continues to flow, invigorating the lives of creatives and reminding us of the legacy of these traditions. As long-standing cotton and textile producing regions, the coasts of Karachi and Cairo stand as markers of exploration and opportunity, making them a natural harbour for collaboration Curatorial Note: Saima Zaidi Numaish–Karachi ** Omniya Abdel Barr | Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation @ehrf.eg ** Residency Artists and Artisans | Karachi @shamoon.haider | @tapujaveri Saima Zaidi | Ameer Iqbal | Maqsood ** Residency Artists and Artisans | Cairo Peri Abouzied | @paz.cairo Cairo Amr Ghazi ** ARTISTS | Karachi Bunto Kazmi | Faiza Samee | @noorulainali | Sadia Salim @thepinktreecompany Cover photo: @tapujaveri The Reading Room Volume II is a collaboration between @numaishkhi and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. This project is funded by the @britishcouncilpakistan 's Cultural Protection Fund in partnership with the UK government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

‘Sahil | Cairo-Karachi Textile Residency’ is based on research between living heritage and contemporary interpretations of intercultural dialogue, exploring the confluences inherent in the craft of hand embroidery. The research residency focuses on particular techniques, motifs and innovations that have developed in Karachi and Cairo. This appreciation for hand embroidery, intricate ornamentation, storytelling through traditional motifs, and techniques cultivated through collaboration with master artisans, challenges global trends of mass production and the dilution of cultural identity. Ancient civilizations with histories of exchange, have evolved around the Indus and Nile Rivers; Karachi and Cairo both coastal cities are hemmed by strategically located water bodies like the Arabian and the Red and Mediterranean Sea. These legendary waterways allowed the desert urban landscapes to prosper for millennia—nurturing trade, agriculture, migration and textile innovation. This exchange and encounter, allowed an osmosis in craft and culture which is deeply ingrained and visible in their architecture and embroidery traditions. Like the confluence of the Seas, cultural knowledge continues to flow, invigorating the lives of creatives and reminding us of the legacy of these traditions. As long-standing cotton and textile producing regions, the coasts of Karachi and Cairo stand as markers of exploration and opportunity, making them a natural harbour for collaboration Curatorial Note: Saima Zaidi Numaish–Karachi ** Omniya Abdel Barr | Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation @ehrf.eg ** Residency Artists and Artisans | Karachi @shamoon.haider | @tapujaveri Saima Zaidi | Ameer Iqbal Maqsood ** Residency Artists and Artisans | Cairo Peri Abouzied | @paz.cairo Cairo Amr Ghazi ** ARTISTS | Karachi Bunto Kazmi | @noorulainali | Sadia Salim @thepinktreecompany Cover photo: @tapujaveri The Reading Room Volume II is a collaboration between @numaishkhi and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. This project is funded by the @britishcouncilpakistan 's Cultural Protection Fund in partnership with the UK government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Going down a not-so-distant memory lane! We enjoyed hosting a baithak for Dr Omniya Abdel Barr’s for 'Stories from Historic Cairo: Heritage Crafts & Modern Challenges' as part of The Reading Room Series 2024-2025 back in February. She shared insights into her incredible work with the Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation (EHRF) at the 15th-century medieval palace Bayt al-Razzaz in Old Cairo since April 2018. We reiterate our immense gratitude to Professor Dr Anila Naeem, @a.naeem.dr Chairperson of the Department of Architecture and Planning at NED University, for inviting Dr Barr for their annual International Conference 'On Architecture, Architectural Encounters'. This opportunity allowed us to have a cross cultural dialogue and resulted in our current collaboration ‘Sahel | Cairo-Karachi Textile Research Residency’. How fortunate! ❤️ ** The Reading Room | Karachi Volume II is a project continuing to revitalise and open up this historic library and hall as an inclusive, cultural urban retreat, promoting healthy exchanges among visitors of different age groups, genders, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds. This is collaboration between @numaishkhi and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. This project is funded by the @britishcouncilpakistan s Cultural Protection Fund in partnership with the UK government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport. @dcmsgovuk @culturewingkmc @ehrf.eg

Sahel: Cairo-Karachi Textile Residency 2025 🌊 Numaish-Karachi and Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation [EHRF]. This initiative primarily pairs Karachi and Cairo-based creative practitioners with indigenous artisans. Informed by primary and secondary research, it aims to nurture each city’s community of traditional makers, spotlighting them in contemporary dialogue. The open studio will take place at the Khalikdina Hall, Karachi on Sunday, December 14. ** Cover photo: @tapujaveri The Reading Room | Karachi Volume II is a project continuing to revitalise and open up this historic library and hall as an inclusive, cultural urban retreat, promoting healthy exchanges among visitors of different age groups, genders, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds. ** This is a collaboration between @numaishkhi and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. This project is funded by the @britishcouncilpakistan 's Cultural Protection Fund in partnership with the UK government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport. @dcmsgovuk @culturewingkmc @ehrf.eg #khalikdina #khalikdinahall #cairo #cairokarachi #textile #textileart #exhibition #karachi #egypt #sea #coast #coasttocoast

The Mamluk exhibition has reached the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and I am delighted to be invited to speak next week about their wonderful design legacy. I have been researching for this talk for a while, as knowing the history and monuments is something, but looking closer to what the Mamluks have created in all forms of arts and crafts is another thing. From illuminated manuscripts, to extremely sophisticated carpentry, to glass, ceramics and let's not forget carpets, there was always something uniting their creative process and I will tell you what I have learnt: The Mamluks designed to overwhelm, but they also designed to inspire. Every stroke was a step towards achieving perfection. The beauty didn't lie in luxury only, but it has found it's way in volumes, scale, proportion and balanced rhythm. The Mamluks architects, artists and makers were bold, funny, innovative, diverse, but most important, they were not afraid to try new things. Their legacy survives today, as their work was always an open invitation for contemplation and reflection. Their work speaks to the souls and not just the eyes. So if you are in Abu Dhabi next Wednesday, join us at the Museum. I am working hard to making this an enjoyable talk. Cheers to the Mamluks, the great builders of Cairo!