Zaba-Helween #1 is the slightly crazy musical awareness project that we dream of making a reality in Egypt.

For which audience?

We want to reach the children and families of the Mokattam and Ezbet al-nakhl districts, better known as Zabbaleen or "the ragpickers' district", representing a dump city of 720,000 inhabitants, mostly from the Coptic community, of which 80,000 people live directly from sorting the waste of the Egyptian capital.

What are we going to put in place?

For this first session, we wish to introduce families, and particularly children, to musical practice through singing and rhythmic practice, reusing waste as instruments.

The project will take place over 3 consecutive weeks, in the form of an internship.

Why such an idea?

During our regular trips to Egypt, we have always been struck by the discreet presence of the "ragpickers" in the city, as well as their resilience in living in an open-air dump, where schools, places of welcome for disabled people have been built, and where life finds its way amidst the filth.

Arthémusa's main mission is to develop cultural activities for everyone, in France and Egypt. There is very little access to culture in this area south of Cairo due to a lack of volunteer teachers and artists.

We wish to offer this educational musical activity in conjunction with the Egyptian educational structures already present in the area, as a breath of fresh air for the children, an opening to the world and the realm of possibilities.

And in practical terms?

We have already been present on site, met the various partner organizations who are waiting for us with joy, and would be delighted to finally welcome music into schools, which have been forgotten from any cultural practice at the moment.

We are held back by the financial aspect, if only to ensure transport and living expenses on site.

And then what?

We are aware that such a project requires time to develop.

This first session will help us to continue our requests for support with a concrete and visual action report to present to sponsors and/or organizations who wish to engage with us.

Our second objective is to take these families to the Cairo Opera House, with an approach to raising awareness of live performance, and a longer presence on site.

We thank you for your support in making this Zabba-Helween #1 project a reality, and for your commitment to Arthémusa.