Downtown Cairo is a living museum, with each street, building and alleyway holding memories. As modernisation makes its way through the city, it becomes more important than ever to preserve these historical landmarks. Dr. Riham Arram, a heritage preservation expert, is leading this effort through her project, “The People’s Museum of Downtown”. Documenting Riham’s work is renowned filmmaker and photographer Ahmed Kadry, a longtime user of Canon, who has spent 20 years capturing Egypt’s stories through his lens. With Canon’s cutting-edge Cinema Line, Kadry brings Riham’s mission to life, ensuring that the architectural beauty and historical significance of Cairo are not lost to time.
Dr. Riham Arram’s Vision
Cairo’s downtown is a historical landmark needing preservation. The area blends architectural sites and human stories, highlighting Egypt’s past and present. Visual storytelling, through photography and filmmaking, plays a crucial role in these efforts. Riham’s “People’s Museum of Downtown” transforms the entire city into a dynamic exhibition, integrating history with everyday life. She emphasises that heritage is about people and their stories, connecting past and present through visual storytelling and ensuring residents’ voices are part of the city’s historical narrative.
Canon’s Role in Heritage Preservation
Ahmed Kadry, a photographer with decades of experience, has seamlessly moved into filmmaking. For his latest project, he chose the Canon EOS R5 C—lightweight, user-friendly, and ideal for shooting in downtown Cairo. Not only did it deliver high-resolution stills, but its strong battery life and RAW dynamic range ensured efficiency and stunning visuals. Canon’s RF 15-35mm lens captured grand architecture, while the 50mm f/1.2 lens preserved emotions. Ahmed’s documentary on Riham’s project highlights how filmmaking drives preservation. “When people see their history captured vividly, they care more,” he says. With innovative technology and unmatched quality, Canon continues to empower creators to bring their stories to life.
The Power of Visual Storytelling
Canon’s dedication to visual storytelling goes beyond its products, reflecting the company’s Kyosei philosophy of working together for the common good. Through partnerships, mentorship programmes, and technology advancements, the company supports the next generation of creatives through initiatives like its Miraisha Programme, Young People Programme (YPP) and other education programmes. Canon’s partnerships provide opportunities for emerging photographers and filmmakers, and its technologies improve lives beyond imaging, even contributing to medical advancements. Ahmed’s documentary on Dr. Riham’s project shows how photography and video can influence perceptions and encourage action. Canon’s Cinema Line was crucial in this project, with the EOS R5 C’s RAW dynamic range capturing Cairo’s hues and textures in detail, while battery efficiency allowed for extended shoots in bustling streets.
Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director remarked: “At Canon, we recognize the profound role that visual storytelling plays in preserving history. Through the lens of creators like Ahmed Kadry, we see how technology can safeguard cultural heritage, ensuring that Egypt’s architectural beauty and historical narratives endure for future generations. The EOS R5 C and our Cinema Line empower filmmakers to capture every detail with stunning clarity, bridging the past and future through imagery. As we continue to innovate, we remain committed to supporting storytellers who bring history to life, one frame at a time.”
Modern imaging tools from Canon play a vital role in preserving historical narratives in the digital era. These advanced cameras and lenses make capturing high-resolution images and videos easy, in turn making cultural documentation more accessible. Canon’s innovations in photography and videography ensure that these stories are not only recorded but also passed on to future generations.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Riham’s work and Ahmed’s documentation serve as a call to action. Students, local communities, and future historians can now access these visual records, learning from them and contributing to the ongoing story of Cairo.
As technology continues to evolve, so too does the way we capture and share history. With Canon’s advancements in imaging products, the past is remembered and brought to life, inspiring generations to come.
