Four Texts On Cairo
Cairo: Capital of Egypt, largest city not just in Africa, but also in the Arab World, with an estimated population of around 16–22 million (though presumably considerably higher) – a significant chunk of the country’s total population of 75 million. The city of Cairo is also a vital center of culture in the Middle East. Essentially all Arab hit music is produced here, as well as a significant share of Arab films. According to available data, the population of the country as a whole is 94% Muslims and 6% Copts. Egypt is a republic, but democratic elections have never been held. (President Mubarak has been in office since 1981.) The GNP is around $1300 per capita. In the fall of 2002, a Swedish-Egyptian exchange project took place, which was to culminate in exhibitions in both Cairo and Stockholm. It was arranged in connection with the exhibition at the Townhouse Gallery in Cairo in October last year, when we, members of SITE, jour-neyed from Sweden to Cairo.

Excerpt from Four texts on Cairo by Power Ekroth and Kim West.