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Egypt: Tahrir Square's Mini Utopia

Categories: Middle East & North Africa, Egypt, Arts & Culture, Citizen Media, Ideas, Music, Protest, Youth

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011 [1].

There is another side to the ongoing revolution in Egypt, which is the daily life of those people sitting in on Tahrir Square [2]. For the past 12 days, they have remained on the square, eating, drinking, chanting, cheering – simply living there day and night. Life here has its own rhythm now, and the spirit on diplay is of a mini Utopia.

Mornings begin with physical exercises while chanting “Down down Mubarak!”.

As the day continues, and more people pour into the square, residents welcome them with more chants as @ashoukry [3] says:

أجمل لحظات اليوم:استقبال الثوار بالغناء و التصفيق عند دخول التحرير، لحظات لا تنسي و نسائم حرية حقيقية تتهادي و تتدفق فاذهبوا و أروا قلوبكم
The best time of the day: Welcoming the rebels into Tahrir Sq. with singing and clapping. Unforgettable moments where we breathe the air of freedom.

The million pound question on everyone's mind, was asked by @Maysaloon [4] from Syria on Twitter:

Had a thought today, what are all those people in Tahrir Square doing for sanitation? I don't see any cubicles anywhere…

And so I replied [5]:

Either they use nearby mosques’ or underground public toilets, or nearby buildings, or shops. Some even return home & come back.

For instance @TAFATEFO [6] tweeted while staying on Tahrir Square himself:

واحد قال في الميك انه ممثل أصحاب الـ 3 عمارات اللي في الميدان .. وانهم فاتحين الدورين السادس والسابع للي عايزين ياخدوا دش أو يناموا
Someone said on the loudspeakers that he is a representative from the 3 buildings on the square. They said they opened their 6th and 7th floors to anyone wants to take a shower or sleep.
People spend a good while of their day cleaning the square [7]

People spend a good while of their day cleaning the square. Photo by Monasosh on Flickr (CC-BY 2.0)

Even while it rains, people keep marching covered by a plastic sheet [8]

Even while it rains, people keep marching covered by a plastic sheet. Photo by Nadia El Awady on Twitpic

With every that day passes, the mood on the square becomes more like a daily open carnival organised by the people and for the people. As @etharkamal [9] tweeted:

LOVE Egyptian ingenuity: for LE1 [one Egyptian pound] a 7antoor (horse carriage) will take you across Kasr El-Nil bridge to reach #tahrir #jan25

@Tarekshalaby [10] also added:

At Tahrir sq. you can find pop corn, couscous, sweet potatoes, sandwiches, tea & drinks! Egyptians know how to revolt! #jan25

Egyptian tea anyone? [11]

Egyptian tea anyone? .. Photo by Gigi Ibrahim shared on Facebook

That's how people keep going, eating dates. [12]

"That's how people keep going, eating dates." Photo by Gigi Ibrahim shared on Facebook

People praying, a scene repeated five time a day [13]

People praying, a scene repeated five time a day, by Floris Van Cauwelaert on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

At night, its much quieter, yet the same spirit prevails. @Tarekshalaby [14] said on Sunday night:

Cold n rainy night in Tahrir sq. Has been very festive/entertaining with songs n poetry. #jan25

@estr4ng3d [15] said:

Loud cheerful music playing now, people dancing & clapping #tahrir

One night people combined their chants in a song entitled “Power to the people” to celebrate Egyptian youth coming together for peace, freedom and change:

Some days behold different and special events, on Sunday @Ekramibrahim tweeted:

1 - [16] Christians and Muslims holding hands in #Tahrir and singing hymns after Coptic mass was a marvelous attitude never seen [before]. #Egypt #jan25

2 - [17] A couple got married today at #Tahrir. God bless the couple. Very creative and warm attitude. #Jan25 #Egypt

@estr4ng3d [18] expressed a feeling shared by many:

#Tahrir is definitely the happiest spot in #egypt right now. #jan25

It's happening in Tahrir Sq. now [19]

"It's happening in Tahrir Sq. now.. Egypt" – Photo by Monasosh on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011 [1].