Introducing 'Hands of Time: Stories from the Jameel House in Cairo'

CAIRO, EGYPT – 10 NOVEMBER 2025 | Community Jameel is pleased to present ‘Hands of Time: Stories from the Jameel House in Cairo’, a new series of films following graduates of the Jameel House of Traditional Arts in Cairo.

Over four episodes, Esraa Badawy, Gamila Mourad, Lydia Malak and Rawan El Taweel invite us into their creative processes, exploring the skills and know-how they developed as students at the Jameel House in Cairo.

Through their eyes, encounter the textures, challenges and beauty of working with ceramics, brass, gypsum and wood, using traditional techniques.

Even as these crafts are at risk of fading away from Egypt, these artists continue to shape them into the present.

Watch all four films here.

About the Jameel House in Cairo

The Jameel House in Cairo was launched in 2009 and is a collaboration between The King's Foundation, Community Jameel and the Cultural Development Fund of Egypt.

Each year, around 20 students are accepted onto a two-year programme, designed and delivered by the King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, to study the principles of traditional arts.

The course includes modules in sacred geometry, observational drawing, colour harmony and decorative floral patterns, as well as specialised training in ceramics, glass and gypsum, metalwork and woodwork.

Credits

Co-directed by Mohammad Hossam and Mazin Salah

Editor: Mohammad Hossam

Director of photography: Moh Tarek

First assistant camera: Mahmoud El-Hashmy and Michael Espiro

Art director: Nouran Walid

Composer: Abdelrahman Esmat

Producer: Sabrina Gilby

Title design: Habiba Haddara