In the 'Republic of Tahrir,' Egypt gets its Woodstock moment

[unhappycamper]

More and more protesters are braving the chilly nights and camping out under an array of tents and plastic sheeting


In the 'Republic of Tahrir,' Egypt gets its Woodstock moment
By Shashank Bengali | McClatchy Newspapers
Posted on Tuesday, February 8, 2011

CAIRO — Sherif Tharwat was stroking his chin, searching for a description for the jubilant scene before him in Tahrir Square, as a large group of anti-government protesters danced past carrying a mock wooden coffin. It was for Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, they laughed, to be buried in the country he loves: Israel.

Tharwat, a 25-year-old musician, finally hit on a comparison: "It's like Woodstock or something," he said.

There's no sex or drugs — and apart from nationalist anthems blaring from tinny speakers, not much music either — but the protests that entered their 15th day Tuesday have nevertheless become this Egyptian generation's Woodstock moment. To the protesters, Tahrir Square is the freest, safest, happiest and truest place in long-repressed Egypt, where no Mubarak joke is off-limits and nothing short of his immediate ouster is acceptable.

Outside the barricaded square, this frenzied metropolis is slowly regaining its normal rhythms. In the halls of political power, the Mubarak regime is making once-unimaginable concessions and negotiating with opposition groups to ensure its survival. With every passing day, and the continued backing of the Obama administration, the 82-year-old president seems likelier to withstand the indignity of resignation and serve out his term until the fall.

Inside what's become known as the Republic of Tahrir, however, little of that matters.

[PufPuf23]

1. Interesting and telling observation. Thanks.

Saving face of the Establishment.

I am an American that has traveled and is educated more than most but never have been to Egypt and the Holy Lands (and likely never will -- will miss the Yucatan and Peru as well) -- love Egyptian history (even with Brit bias), the Egytians I have met, and even my American foyer has an Egyptian flavor in art and literature).

Egypt is ancient, mysterious, long partially western (European and USA and Empire)), and has smart people. I hope the Egytians the best and I hope they wish the West their best but with unique insight --- I say this easily because the USA has been a hypocritical fuck-up --- Israel should not be treated other than a unique entity of questionable history that humane morality is to be a good neighbor and settle Palestine fairly ASAP.

May Egypt, the United States, Israel, and the World have an educating and enlightening moment for the future.