Nadia Wassef Discusses Her Experiences as a Cairo Bookseller on the Women Who Travel Podcast

This excerpt discusses the concept behind a bookstore named “Diwan.” The founders envisioned a space that merges various cultural elements—books, music, film, and a café—creating a modern social hub where people could linger and engage in cultural dialogues. The narrative emphasizes the blending of Eastern and Western influences, aiming to break down binary notions of culture. “Diwan” is highlighted as a fitting name, symbolizing a collection or meeting place with deep roots in Arabic and Farsi cultures, encapsulating poetry, calligraphy, and a sense of connection across languages and ideas. The founders express a sense of serendipity in the naming process, noting how everything came together effortlessly.