Street Art Has Slowed In Egypt

In Egypt, graffiti serves as important medium for communication and expression. Especially influential during the Arab Spring, street art displayed the thoughts and concerns of Egyptians with a certain anonymity. While this communicative art carried on past the events of the Arab Spring, it has noticeably slowed in the past few months.

Optimism has hit a low in Egypt, writes USA Today. It is distressing that the street art, which has been a direct reflection of Egypt’s political atmosphere, has slowed. After the revolution, the public space seemed to have been returned to the Egyptian people; now, however, a more troubled atmosphere rests in Tahrir Square.

The article explains the situation:

Since now-president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ousted Islamist leader Mohamed Morsi last July, authorities have killed hundreds of people and jailed thousands more. Unapproved protests have been banned and authorities are allegedly planning for mass Internet surveillance. In November, local media reports said a proposed law seeks to criminalize graffiti.

While street art is still prevalent, the ambition to express oneself is stifled by fading optimism and intimidation of military actions.

To read more from USA Today, click here.

Written by Sonja Trierweiler, social media specialist and blogger on the Middle East.