In one of Zamalek's old and cherished buildings, Shewekar revives a playful fragment of Egyptian heritage with 'Sandouq El Donia,' the Box of Wonders, for Cairo Design Week 2025. The concept draws from a time when Egyptians, young and old alike, would gather around a wooden box, peering through small openings to witness animated folk tales and legends come to life. Operated by a simple side lever, this mechanical window into imagination was among the era’s most treasured forms of entertainment long before screens or technology.
“The idea is to bring the same sense of narrative of ‘Sandouq El Donia’ to this exhibition,” says Shewekar El Gharbly, Founder of Shewekar Design Studio & Gallery. The exhibition takes place in Shewekar’s showroom in the historic Al Yamani Building in Zamalek, the first building in the district that was originally home to palaces and villas of Cairo’s political and artistic elite.
'Sandouq El Donia' celebrates Egyptian identity and culture through design and experience. Every room unfolds as a distinct journey. 'Beit Al Merayat', the House of Mirrors, surrounds visitors with reflections, fragmenting perception and inviting contemplation of space and form. In 'Al Masrah', the Theatre, yellow-hued walls frame a suspended performance while Shewekar’s furniture pieces take their place as both spectators and stage, with stepped forms echoing traditional theatre seating. 'Khayal Al Zel', Shadow Play, transforms light and shade into a medium through which the furniture tells its own story, while the Carousel turns the exhibition into a playful choreography of movement and illumination. “We’re not creating something entirely new. Joy and celebration have always been part of our culture, and today we’re channeling that spirit to celebrate Shewekar’s pieces.” explains Basant Tarek, Art Director & Designer at Shewekar Design Studio & Gallery.
The experience begins at the carnival-style ticket booth, with clowns on tall stilts greeting visitors at the building’s gate. After riding the original vintage elevator, guests step through a narrow entrance that opens into a realm draped in colourful fabrics, transporting them into the vibrancy and wonder of the original box. The exhibition was brought to life through collaboration with her team and her sister, whose support was invaluable, creating a space that invites visitors to inhabit a world of wonder that resonates across generations.