While the shift from childhood to adulthood is difficult everywhere, it is especially so in Egypt. With countless social pressures, inadequate education and superficial popular culture, young Egyptian men and women often find themselves helpless figuring out who they are and what they want to do. Children live with their parents until they get married, which could sometimes mean up to their late thirties. Reading is not a widespread habit, and even those who have it find very few choices before them, particularly when they cannot speak other languages than Arabic. Available Music, both Arabic and Western, is usually minimalistic and superficial. Television and Cinema are often confined to low forms of entertainment. While critics in all societies have similar opinions, the situation in Egypt is rather abysmal. In the end, Van Gogh's "Poppy Flower" was stolen in broad daylight from the only museum featuring Western art in Egypt less because of lax security than the poignant fact that no other visitors than the thieves were present; the museum received 11 visitors that day, all foreign tourists.
This program seeks to address the various aspects of this problem through direct interaction with our members and audience. Stressing financial independence from parents, we will promote successful examples of young people who live on their own money and in their own places. We will also feature reviews and discussions of great works of art, literature and music on our blog as well as in regular meetings. We will discuss the ethical aspects of intimate relationships, friendship, family, work and public behavior. All in all, this program focuses on the perennial question concerning the meaning of individual existence within society.