1960s Egypt was a time when the modern Arab identity was being questioned and defined. Have a look at it in photos.
If you even so much as glance at a newspaper these days, you’ll see that Egypt is very much in the throes of an identity crisis. This is nothing new, and as these images suggest, much of these differing viewpoints on what a modern Egypt “should” look like stems from social and political thought in the mid 20th century
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1 of 24Women and men embrace the summer heat at a beach in 1964. Source: Egyptian Streets 2 of 24Sunbathers near the Port of Alexandria, 1955. Source: Foreign Policy 3 of 24Skirts and schooling for women in 1966 Aswan. 4 of 24Gamal Abdel Nasser shaped the face of Egypt from 1956 to 1970. A critical time on national and international fronts, his social justice-oriented ambitions did not come entirely democratically. He won his second term by legally forbidding others to run against him. Source: Shmoop 5 of 24Tahrir Square in the 1960s Source: Egyptian Streets 6 of 24A woman reading an Egyptian magazine in the 1950s. Source: Egyptian Streets 7 of 24Vespa uses Cairo–not Rome– as the scenic backdrop for a 1950 advertisement. Source: Egyptian Streets 8 of 24An advertisement for a Jewish department store, Benzion, in Egyptian publications. Source: Egyptian Streets 9 of 24Young women hanging out at Sidi Bishr beach in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy 10 of 24Agami Beach, the Egyptian Saint-Tropez, in 1956. Source: Foreign Policy 11 of 24Source: Foreign Policy 12 of 24Friends gather at Alexandria’s Sidi Bishr beach in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy 13 of 24Students in the quad at Cairo University, 1960. At this point in time Egyptian education was considered by many to be one of the best in the world. Source: Egyptian Streets 14 of 24A 1960 ad for soap features a woman in her underwear. Source: Egyptian Streets 15 of 24A couple in front of the Sidi Bishr beach cabanas in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy 16 of 24A 1956 beauty competition. Source: Egyptian Streets 17 of 24Marlboro makes its way to Egypt in the 1960s; smoking is still a huge. Source: Egyptian Streets 18 of 24A woman directs traffic in the 1960s. Source: Egyptian Streets 19 of 24A woman arming herself in 1956. During the 1950s when Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal and joined together in resistance against the Israeli-French-British attack, it wasn’t uncommon for women to volunteer to fight. Unless filling administrative spots, women today cannot assume such roles. Source: Egyptian Streets 20 of 24Women engage in political rallies in Assiut: not a single one is wearing a veil or conservative dress. Source: Egyptian Streets 21 of 24Egyptian star Magda appears in a 1952 Coca-Cola ad. Source: Egyptian Streets 22 of 24The Alexandria waterfront at Montaza Palace, 1956. Source: Foreign Policy 23 of 24Taken in 1959, this photo captures Alexandria at its cosmopolitan height. Six languages were regularly spoken in Egypt’s second largest city, and Arabs, Sephardic Jews and Europeans would intermingle peacefully, sporting whatever clothing they pleased. Much of this influence changed upon the arrival of Gamal Abdel Nasser, who made it his presidential ambition to shirk Egypt of its colonial past and cultivate an “authentic” Arab identity–even if it meant repressing those whose understanding of “Arabness” included a very public display of one’s religion. Today, Alexandria is one of the most conservative cities in Egypt. Source: Foreign Policy 24 of 24Like this gallery?Share it:
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1950s And 1960s Egypt: When Arab Modernity Allowed Bikinis View Gallery
Wanting to part ways with imperialist powers and craft what he deemed to be a united Arab identity, Gamal Abdel Nasser plotted Egypt’s political path through the international turmoils that defined 1950s and 60s.
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1 of 24Women and men embrace the summer heat at a beach in 1964. Source: Egyptian Streets 2 of 24Sunbathers near the Port of Alexandria, 1955. Source: Foreign Policy 3 of 24Skirts and schooling for women in 1966 Aswan. 4 of 24Gamal Abdel Nasser shaped the face of Egypt from 1956 to 1970. A critical time on national and international fronts, his social justice-oriented ambitions did not come entirely democratically. He won his second term by legally forbidding others to run against him. Source: Shmoop 5 of 24Tahrir Square in the 1960s Source: Egyptian Streets 6 of 24A woman reading an Egyptian magazine in the 1950s. Source: Egyptian Streets 7 of 24Vespa uses Cairo–not Rome– as the scenic backdrop for a 1950 advertisement. Source: Egyptian Streets 8 of 24An advertisement for a Jewish department store, Benzion, in Egyptian publications. Source: Egyptian Streets 9 of 24Young women hanging out at Sidi Bishr beach in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy 10 of 24Agami Beach, the Egyptian Saint-Tropez, in 1956. Source: Foreign Policy 11 of 24Source: Foreign Policy 12 of 24Friends gather at Alexandria’s Sidi Bishr beach in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy 13 of 24Students in the quad at Cairo University, 1960. At this point in time Egyptian education was considered by many to be one of the best in the world. Source: Egyptian Streets 14 of 24A 1960 ad for soap features a woman in her underwear. Source: Egyptian Streets 15 of 24A couple in front of the Sidi Bishr beach cabanas in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy 16 of 24A 1956 beauty competition. Source: Egyptian Streets 17 of 24Marlboro makes its way to Egypt in the 1960s; smoking is still a huge. Source: Egyptian Streets 18 of 24A woman directs traffic in the 1960s. Source: Egyptian Streets 19 of 24A woman arming herself in 1956. During the 1950s when Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal and joined together in resistance against the Israeli-French-British attack, it wasn’t uncommon for women to volunteer to fight. Unless filling administrative spots, women today cannot assume such roles. Source: Egyptian Streets 20 of 24Women engage in political rallies in Assiut: not a single one is wearing a veil or conservative dress. Source: Egyptian Streets 21 of 24Egyptian star Magda appears in a 1952 Coca-Cola ad. Source: Egyptian Streets 22 of 24The Alexandria waterfront at Montaza Palace, 1956. Source: Foreign Policy 23 of 24Taken in 1959, this photo captures Alexandria at its cosmopolitan height. Six languages were regularly spoken in Egypt’s second largest city, and Arabs, Sephardic Jews and Europeans would intermingle peacefully, sporting whatever clothing they pleased. Much of this influence changed upon the arrival of Gamal Abdel Nasser, who made it his presidential ambition to shirk Egypt of its colonial past and cultivate an “authentic” Arab identity–even if it meant repressing those whose understanding of “Arabness” included a very public display of one’s religion. Today, Alexandria is one of the most conservative cities in Egypt. Source: Foreign Policy 24 of 24Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 24Women and men embrace the summer heat at a beach in 1964. Source: Egyptian Streets 2 of 24Sunbathers near the Port of Alexandria, 1955. Source: Foreign Policy 3 of 24Skirts and schooling for women in 1966 Aswan. 4 of 24Gamal Abdel Nasser shaped the face of Egypt from 1956 to 1970. A critical time on national and international fronts, his social justice-oriented ambitions did not come entirely democratically. He won his second term by legally forbidding others to run against him. Source: Shmoop 5 of 24Tahrir Square in the 1960s Source: Egyptian Streets 6 of 24A woman reading an Egyptian magazine in the 1950s. Source: Egyptian Streets 7 of 24Vespa uses Cairo–not Rome– as the scenic backdrop for a 1950 advertisement. Source: Egyptian Streets 8 of 24An advertisement for a Jewish department store, Benzion, in Egyptian publications. Source: Egyptian Streets 9 of 24Young women hanging out at Sidi Bishr beach in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy 10 of 24Agami Beach, the Egyptian Saint-Tropez, in 1956. Source: Foreign Policy 11 of 24Source: Foreign Policy 12 of 24Friends gather at Alexandria’s Sidi Bishr beach in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy 13 of 24Students in the quad at Cairo University, 1960. At this point in time Egyptian education was considered by many to be one of the best in the world. Source: Egyptian Streets 14 of 24A 1960 ad for soap features a woman in her underwear. Source: Egyptian Streets 15 of 24A couple in front of the Sidi Bishr beach cabanas in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy 16 of 24A 1956 beauty competition. Source: Egyptian Streets 17 of 24Marlboro makes its way to Egypt in the 1960s; smoking is still a huge. Source: Egyptian Streets 18 of 24A woman directs traffic in the 1960s. Source: Egyptian Streets 19 of 24A woman arming herself in 1956. During the 1950s when Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal and joined together in resistance against the Israeli-French-British attack, it wasn’t uncommon for women to volunteer to fight. Unless filling administrative spots, women today cannot assume such roles. Source: Egyptian Streets 20 of 24Women engage in political rallies in Assiut: not a single one is wearing a veil or conservative dress. Source: Egyptian Streets 21 of 24Egyptian star Magda appears in a 1952 Coca-Cola ad. Source: Egyptian Streets 22 of 24The Alexandria waterfront at Montaza Palace, 1956. Source: Foreign Policy 23 of 24Taken in 1959, this photo captures Alexandria at its cosmopolitan height. Six languages were regularly spoken in Egypt’s second largest city, and Arabs, Sephardic Jews and Europeans would intermingle peacefully, sporting whatever clothing they pleased. Much of this influence changed upon the arrival of Gamal Abdel Nasser, who made it his presidential ambition to shirk Egypt of its colonial past and cultivate an “authentic” Arab identity–even if it meant repressing those whose understanding of “Arabness” included a very public display of one’s religion. Today, Alexandria is one of the most conservative cities in Egypt. Source: Foreign Policy 24 of 24Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 24Women and men embrace the summer heat at a beach in 1964. Source: Egyptian Streets 2 of 24Sunbathers near the Port of Alexandria, 1955. Source: Foreign Policy 3 of 24Skirts and schooling for women in 1966 Aswan. 4 of 24Gamal Abdel Nasser shaped the face of Egypt from 1956 to 1970. A critical time on national and international fronts, his social justice-oriented ambitions did not come entirely democratically. He won his second term by legally forbidding others to run against him. Source: Shmoop 5 of 24Tahrir Square in the 1960s Source: Egyptian Streets 6 of 24A woman reading an Egyptian magazine in the 1950s. Source: Egyptian Streets 7 of 24Vespa uses Cairo–not Rome– as the scenic backdrop for a 1950 advertisement. Source: Egyptian Streets 8 of 24An advertisement for a Jewish department store, Benzion, in Egyptian publications. Source: Egyptian Streets 9 of 24Young women hanging out at Sidi Bishr beach in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy 10 of 24Agami Beach, the Egyptian Saint-Tropez, in 1956. Source: Foreign Policy 11 of 24Source: Foreign Policy 12 of 24Friends gather at Alexandria’s Sidi Bishr beach in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy 13 of 24Students in the quad at Cairo University, 1960. At this point in time Egyptian education was considered by many to be one of the best in the world. Source: Egyptian Streets 14 of 24A 1960 ad for soap features a woman in her underwear. Source: Egyptian Streets 15 of 24A couple in front of the Sidi Bishr beach cabanas in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy 16 of 24A 1956 beauty competition. Source: Egyptian Streets 17 of 24Marlboro makes its way to Egypt in the 1960s; smoking is still a huge. Source: Egyptian Streets 18 of 24A woman directs traffic in the 1960s. Source: Egyptian Streets 19 of 24A woman arming herself in 1956. During the 1950s when Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal and joined together in resistance against the Israeli-French-British attack, it wasn’t uncommon for women to volunteer to fight. Unless filling administrative spots, women today cannot assume such roles. Source: Egyptian Streets 20 of 24Women engage in political rallies in Assiut: not a single one is wearing a veil or conservative dress. Source: Egyptian Streets 21 of 24Egyptian star Magda appears in a 1952 Coca-Cola ad. Source: Egyptian Streets 22 of 24The Alexandria waterfront at Montaza Palace, 1956. Source: Foreign Policy 23 of 24Taken in 1959, this photo captures Alexandria at its cosmopolitan height. Six languages were regularly spoken in Egypt’s second largest city, and Arabs, Sephardic Jews and Europeans would intermingle peacefully, sporting whatever clothing they pleased. Much of this influence changed upon the arrival of Gamal Abdel Nasser, who made it his presidential ambition to shirk Egypt of its colonial past and cultivate an “authentic” Arab identity–even if it meant repressing those whose understanding of “Arabness” included a very public display of one’s religion. Today, Alexandria is one of the most conservative cities in Egypt. Source: Foreign Policy 24 of 24Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 24Women and men embrace the summer heat at a beach in 1964. Source: Egyptian Streets
2 of 24Sunbathers near the Port of Alexandria, 1955. Source: Foreign Policy
3 of 24Skirts and schooling for women in 1966 Aswan.
4 of 24Gamal Abdel Nasser shaped the face of Egypt from 1956 to 1970. A critical time on national and international fronts, his social justice-oriented ambitions did not come entirely democratically. He won his second term by legally forbidding others to run against him. Source: Shmoop
5 of 24Tahrir Square in the 1960s Source: Egyptian Streets
6 of 24A woman reading an Egyptian magazine in the 1950s. Source: Egyptian Streets
7 of 24Vespa uses Cairo–not Rome– as the scenic backdrop for a 1950 advertisement. Source: Egyptian Streets
8 of 24An advertisement for a Jewish department store, Benzion, in Egyptian publications. Source: Egyptian Streets
9 of 24Young women hanging out at Sidi Bishr beach in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy
10 of 24Agami Beach, the Egyptian Saint-Tropez, in 1956. Source: Foreign Policy
11 of 24Source: Foreign Policy
12 of 24Friends gather at Alexandria’s Sidi Bishr beach in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy
13 of 24Students in the quad at Cairo University, 1960. At this point in time Egyptian education was considered by many to be one of the best in the world. Source: Egyptian Streets
14 of 24A 1960 ad for soap features a woman in her underwear. Source: Egyptian Streets
15 of 24A couple in front of the Sidi Bishr beach cabanas in 1959. Source: Foreign Policy
16 of 24A 1956 beauty competition. Source: Egyptian Streets
17 of 24Marlboro makes its way to Egypt in the 1960s; smoking is still a huge. Source: Egyptian Streets
18 of 24A woman directs traffic in the 1960s. Source: Egyptian Streets
19 of 24A woman arming herself in 1956. During the 1950s when Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal and joined together in resistance against the Israeli-French-British attack, it wasn’t uncommon for women to volunteer to fight. Unless filling administrative spots, women today cannot assume such roles. Source: Egyptian Streets
20 of 24Women engage in political rallies in Assiut: not a single one is wearing a veil or conservative dress. Source: Egyptian Streets
21 of 24Egyptian star Magda appears in a 1952 Coca-Cola ad. Source: Egyptian Streets
22 of 24The Alexandria waterfront at Montaza Palace, 1956. Source: Foreign Policy
23 of 24Taken in 1959, this photo captures Alexandria at its cosmopolitan height. Six languages were regularly spoken in Egypt’s second largest city, and Arabs, Sephardic Jews and Europeans would intermingle peacefully, sporting whatever clothing they pleased. Much of this influence changed upon the arrival of Gamal Abdel Nasser, who made it his presidential ambition to shirk Egypt of its colonial past and cultivate an “authentic” Arab identity–even if it meant repressing those whose understanding of “Arabness” included a very public display of one’s religion. Today, Alexandria is one of the most conservative cities in Egypt. Source: Foreign Policy
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1950s And 1960s Egypt: When Arab Modernity Allowed Bikinis View Gallery
1950s And 1960s Egypt: When Arab Modernity Allowed Bikinis View Gallery
1950s And 1960s Egypt: When Arab Modernity Allowed Bikinis View Gallery
1950s And 1960s Egypt: When Arab Modernity Allowed Bikinis View Gallery
1950s And 1960s Egypt: When Arab Modernity Allowed Bikinis
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To put it quite lightly, Nasser was a point of major annoyance to Western powers who sought Egypt’s help during the Cold War, and to religious Egyptians whom Nasser pushed to the social margins in his secularization of the state, he was an object of absolute scorn. But to millions of others who saw benefits from charismatic Nasser’s social justice-oriented ambitions and socialist, secular reforms, his vision was the new Arab modernity.
Decades later, fundamentalists pushed to the sidelines re-emerged, resonating with many Egyptians frustrated with the status of the Egyptian state. The Muslim Brotherhood and the now-ousted president Morsi have picked up on Nasser’s winning blend of populism and dictatorial tendencies and are using this period of political and economic flux as an opportunity to cast a new vision for what they believe is the “true” modern Egyptian identity. What that actually looks like remains to be seen, but if these pictures are to prove anything it is that people can, for better or worse, change.
If you liked this post, be sure to check out our gallery of Afghanistan in the 1960s.
