Image via website
There is something about Ramadan in Egypt that goes far beyond the food. It lives in the details, the conversations, the anticipation before iftar, and the warmth of gathering around a table that feels both ordinary and sacred at the same time. This is exactly what Sofra & Tabliya sets out to capture, and it is now taking over Cinema Radio Passage in Downtown Cairo with a photography exhibition that feels as personal as it is nostalgic.
Opening on 29 April 2026 at 6 PM and running until 29 May, the exhibition is organised by Photopia Cairo in collaboration with Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment and Documentaries. Set in one of Downtown’s most character-filled passages, the space itself adds to the mood, creating an experience that feels rooted in Cairo’s past while speaking to its present.
A Visual Story Told Through Real Moments
Image via website
Sofra & Tabliya is not about perfectly styled plates or curated aesthetics. Instead, it leans into authenticity, documenting real moments from homes and streets across Egypt. From intimate family iftars to spontaneous street-side meals, the exhibition captures the emotional texture of Ramadan and Eid as they are truly lived.
The photographs take visitors on a journey across the country, moving through Cairo, Alexandria, the Delta, Upper Egypt, and even as far as Halayeb and Shalateen. Each image reflects a different rhythm, a different setting, yet all are connected by the same underlying sense of community and belonging that defines the season.
The Photographers Behind the Lens
Part of what makes this exhibition so compelling is the diversity of voices behind it. The participating photographers include Ahmed Mostafa Saudi, Mostafa Shorbaji, Ahmed Emad Hamdy, Hossam Ahmed Abd El Tawab, Shema Abdelnaser, Nurhan Sheta, Islam Mohamed, Mohamed Abdelsatar Mohamed, Osama Sherif, Ahmed El Khawaga, Loai Zedan, Maryam Mady, Amira Adel AbdelMonem, Nora Koloyan, Haidy Ibrahim Saeed, Mohamed Ahmed Fouad, Batoul Khalifa, Rola George Fawzy, Khaled Suleyman, Mohamed Ghareeb, Maram Elkhashab, Ahmed Dream, and Islam Suliman.
Each brings their own perspective, resulting in a collection that feels layered, intimate, and deeply human. Together, their work creates a narrative that is not just seen but felt.
More Than Just an Exhibition
Image via website
What sets Sofra & Tabliya apart is how quietly powerful it is. It does not try too hard to impress. Instead, it draws you in through familiarity. A table that looks like one you grew up around. A moment that feels like something you have lived before. It is this sense of recognition that makes the experience so engaging.
The exhibition explores how food becomes a language of connection, how traditions are carried across generations, and how even the simplest meals can hold the most meaning. It is less about showcasing and more about remembering.
A Downtown Plan Worth Making
For anyone looking to experience something different in Cairo, this is the kind of outing that stays with you. It offers a slower, more thoughtful alternative to the usual scene, giving visitors space to reflect while still feeling immersed in the city’s energy.
Sofra & Tabliya is not just another exhibition to pass through. It is one you move through slowly, noticing details, recognising moments, and leaving with a sense that you have been part of something familiar, even if you are seeing it for the first time.
