“Gratitude is our attempt to find the hidden rays of positive energy dimmed by the clutter of anxiety, loss, and remorse. It is not necessarily proportional to our accomplishments; on the contrary, only through our most painful experiences do we get the chance to rebuild ourselves. And here comes gratitude which, though difficult, is not impossible, but is actually necessary as an act of resistance and a clear message of life,” explained the award winning Egyptian writer and storyteller Sahar El Mougy, when asked why she chose “Messages of Gratitude” as the theme of a series of weekly storytelling nights during Ramadan.
These messages, told by a group of brilliant budding writers and storytellers, were adaptations of pieces written during four Seshat writing workshops at Doum Cultural Center, led by Sahar herself. We were lucky to attend the last night in the series, which revolved around being thankful for secrets. Participants, both the writers and willing attendees, shared intimate stories of turning points, heartbreak, and rebirth. And how can a night on gratitude and secrets end perfectly? A surprise birthday party for Sahar, thrown by the writers as a symbol of their gratitude!
For more information: Doum Cultural Foundation, Sahar El Mougy