Graffiti/Street Freedoms

Egypt is now covered with graffiti, much of it is the Egyptian flag, a true testament of love for the country.

Some are signs of peace, like below near where we live in Alex ...

Others are signs of struggle, this one is by the sea front in Alexandria ...

However, it is a dangerous expression of ones thoughts and desires. During the run up to today's protests several people were detained for their street art. Mohammed Fahmy, an infamous graffiti/street artist was one of them. 

Street art is another way of expressing anger, justice and absence of fear, for example the graffiti below has been explained to represent the underwear of Mohamed H Tantawi, the commander of the armed forces - an attempt to show that many are no longer afraid of the military.

With the military cracking down on such freedoms of expression, and many are beautifully sprayed onto the rugged and somewhat desperate buildings and roads of Egypt, many have taken to using stencils in order to avoid being caught and probably detained. 

Egypt seems to be battling the future. People are talking on TV shows especially crested to serve endless discussions on the revolution everyday. Coffee shops are filled with the words of 'change', 'freedom' and 'stability'. Everyone has become politicised. However some are expressing it individually, as many no longer want to talk.

 Anger, love, peace, desperation is written on the walls, streets and bridges of Egypt. It is both beautiful and saddening as nothing seems to be happening, not really.