Rehab Eldalil

Photographer
 
Traces Of What Remains
Location: Cairo
Nationality: Egyptian
Biography: Documentary photographer and visual storyteller based in Egypt. Rehab's work focuses on the broad theme of identity explored through participatory practices. Having lived in the US during 9/11 and experienced rising xenophobia then returning... MORE
Public Story
Traces Of What Remains
Copyright Rehab Eldalil 2024
Updated Jun 2021
Topics Human Rights, Photography
(2020) January 25, 2021 marked 10 years since the start of the Egyptian Revolution. I was in my senior year in college and life hasn’t been the same ever since. This day marks the proudest moment of my generation yet what proceeds after has become our greatest disappointment. Physical evidence disappears day by day as the new/old regime regains their authority and oppression. Walls that were once filled with murals of our revolution heroes; the ones who were injured, killed or imprisoned, have become melancholy grey walls intended to deny the truth. The only evidence that remains are our memories, the heavy weight on our hearts and memorabilia kept safe from authorities.

In this story, I attempt to trace down memories of our revolution through collected stories, artefacts and archives from activists and protestors, most have set that part of their life aside to protect themselves and their families.

This process has been both reflective and painful for story protagonists and myself. Many of the depicted artefacts have been kept hidden away for years in an effort to shut down the resulted trauma and mental wounds. For many of the protagonists who’ve taken part in telling their story, this is their first time taking a look back to process their experiences during the revolution.

May we always remember this day, those who left us and the bravest who remain in the oppressors’ cells.

This story has been shortlisted for the World Press Photo Awards, contemporary issues category, 2021. And has been partly published in Liberation French newspaper, January 2021.

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