Magnum photographer Bieke Depoorter has traveled to Egypt regularly since the beginning of the revolution in 2011, making intimate pictures of Egyptian families in their homes. In 2017, she revisited the country with the first draft of this book, inviting others to write comments directly onto the photographs. Contrasting views on country, religion, society, and photography arise between people who would otherwise never cross paths. The included booklet features all of the handwritten notes in the original Arabic as well as the English translations. As it may be depicts a population in transition with integrity, commitment, and respect.
Bieke Depoorter (born in Kortrijk, Belgium, 1986) joined Magnum Photos at the young age of twenty-five and became a full member in 2016. She received a master’s degree in photography at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent in 2009. She has won several awards for her documentary projects, including the Magnum Expression Award in 2009. Her previous publications include Ou Menya (2012) and I am about to call it a day (2014).
Ruth Vandewalle (essay) is a Belgian journalist and correspondent who has been working with Bieke Depoorter since 2011.