STORY: Upper Egyptian women weave stories of tradition through art
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 3, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 4, 2025
LENGTH: 00:02:32
LOCATION: Cairo
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the products
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SOUAD THABET, Artist
3. various of the products
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MARYAM AZM, Artist

STORYLINE:

Vibrantly colored threads weave the stories and experiences of female artists from Upper Egypt, as they embroider these tales onto canvas.

These women learned their crafts from a young age at the Upper Egypt Association.

For 80 years, the association, located in Akhmim Governorate, has played a pivotal role in educating children and adults, nurturing their talents, and helping them find suitable job opportunities.

The association has provided them with skills in weaving, woodworking, copperworking, pottery, and other crafts, ensuring they could sell their creations in local markets, exhibitions across Egypt, and internationally.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): SOUAD THABET, Artist
"I create paintings based on whatever I see on the tablecloth, and only after that do I express my own ideas. It usually takes two or three months, depending on the subject. The work is challenging because it involves intricate knitting, which strains my eyes and requires sitting for long hours. I work for three hours at a time, and the process doesn't finish in a single day or night."

Maryam Azm, a program graduate, began embroidery training at 12 after leaving school due to financial hardships.

Today, she displays her work globally, representing the association's success in transforming lives.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MARYAM AZM, Artist
"I am Maryam Azm from Akhmim. I didn't finish school, but when I found this place open, I began learning at the age of 12. I create art boards, end-of-year frames, and the boards behind me. I even made the board for the martyrs of Libya. I also designed a piece for a fish club party and a lovers' party. In addition, I do embroidery. I traveled to Bahrain, boarded a plane, and embroidered for the princess there. She gave me a shield and they threw a big celebration for me. The shield is here, alongside those wearing white. I implement everything I see. I always strive to make something better than what I've done before. The board I created this year, for instance, I won't recreate it next year. I like to push myself to grow and improve. I don't like repeating my paintings."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Cairo.
(XHTV)