As part of the Beit El-‘Aila program, I contributed a short piece to the Shubra Archive that tells a story centered around a so-called “historic” bathtub—an object that becomes a lens through which to question how we engage with the city.

In this piece, I reflect on spaces like al-Khalifa—often referred to as part of Historic Cairo—and ask: Should neighborhoods like these become open-air museums? Do we treat the city as something to be consumed, or as a living space for its residents? Or is there a middle ground?

Alongside the written piece, I created a video as a visual meditation on these questions—questions I’m still exploring. A map included in the project highlights what has been officially designated as “monuments” within Historic Cairo, prompting further reflection on what (and who) is considered worthy of preservation.