The Political Role of Cairo's Cafés (Rich and Isaevich Café) as a Model A Historical Study

Abstract

      When we hear the word café at first glance, we imagine it as just a place to drink coffee, meet friends, or spend leisure time, but in reality, cafés played a bigger and deeper role than that, because many of the cafés that emerged in Egypt were established in the French style, a place that gives the possibility of freedom of expression and building social relationships. The cafés also provided the opportunity for those with controversial political and social opinions to express themselves freely. In conjunction with European cafés, Cairo cafés played a role parallel to their counterparts in Europe, as they played a role in many of the political events that Egypt witnessed from the mid-nineteenth century until the late twentieth century. Among the first of these cafés were: Matatya, Resch, and Isaevich.