From Observation to Making: A Tour and Workshop on Wood Veneer

For thousands of years, Egyptian craftspersons have turned wood into art. From mosques and home doors to ornate boxes to ivory and mother-of-pearl inlay work, wood has stood as a testament to refined taste and a heritage passed down through generations.

In our upcoming tour, we will reconnect with this living traditional craft through a visit to the Museum of Islamic Art, where we’ll explore a selection of carved and inlaid wooden pieces and uncover the precision, symbolism, and beauty of Islamic craftsmanship.

The tour will be followed by a hands-on workshop at Athar Lina’s Heritage Workspace, where we will learn about the history of wood veneer, its types, and its current applications.
Each participant will create their own wooden coaster inspired by elements they discover during the tour.

The workshop will be instructed by our wooden production unit:
Fatma Alaa al-Din
Farah Essam
Abd al-Rahman Bassiouny
Omar Walid

The tour and workshop will be conducted in Arabic.

Date and Time: Saturday, 22nd November 2025, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Meeting point: Museum of Islamic Art
Workshop location: Heritage Workspace.

Tour fees: 600 EGP
Fees cover the tour, museum tickets, workshop tools and transportation.

Register here

This event is part of al-Khalifa Tours program run by the Built Environment Collective, and all proceeds allocated will support the sustainability of the initiative’s educational and community programs in al-Khalifa neighbourhood.