Author’s Note

The essays and notes published on this website are a cultural and analytical exploration of how societies express, transmit, and export meaning. They do not represent any government, institution, or political body. The views expressed are the author’s alone, grounded in cultural observation rather than ideological judgment.

Some pieces engage with themes such as diaspora, marginalization, and state narratives, which naturally intersect with sensitive political or social contexts. These reflections are offered not to condemn, but to gain a deeper understanding. Their purpose is to provoke thought, not controversy.

The aim is to examine the force of culture surplus, not as a geopolitical tactic, but as a human phenomenon that shapes how we see ourselves and how we are seen by others.

Readers are invited to approach these writings with nuance and openness, recognizing that culture, like identity, is dynamic, layered, and often contradictory.

Notes M.A. Modhayan Notes M.A. Modhayan

Reclaiming “Baladi”: When Local Becomes Authentic

Once dismissed as outdated, “Baladi”, the Egyptian word for “local” , is being reclaimed by a new generation as a symbol of authenticity and pride. But revival without meaning risks turning heritage into décor. “Baladi” must be allowed to tell its own story.

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