STORY: Luxor artisans revitalize ancient Egyptian art of alabaster carving
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 28, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 29, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:50
LOCATION: Cairo
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of artisans working on alabaster
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): GAMAL MAHMOUD, Craftsman
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MAHMOUD ABU-AISH, Craftsman
4. various of artisans working on alabaster
5. various of alabaster artworks

STORYLINE:

Among the ancient temples and tombs of Egypt's Luxor, skilled artisans transform alabaster into artworks that revive an ancient legacy.

In open-air workshops on the west bank of the Nile, artisans use traditional tools to sculpt the luminous stone into sculptures, vases, and figurines.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): GAMAL MAHMOUD, Craftsman
"We use the same techniques, tools, and materials employed in ancient Egypt to craft these artifacts."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): MAHMOUD ABU-AISH, Craftsman
"This craft is our heritage and the legacy of our ancestors, which I learned here in the factories. We transform stones into ashtrays and vases, and I consider it a true art."

Alabaster, found in hues ranging from pristine white to warm browns and emerald greens, presents both challenges and creative possibilities.

Though alabaster carving once faced decline, it now enjoys a resurgence fueled by interest from younger generations.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Cairo.
(XHTV)