Diwan Bookstore opened its Heliopolis branch to the public on Dec. 8, with a day-long celebration. Diwan's doors kept swinging from 9 am until well past 10 pm. The morning started with children's activities and a photo exhibition. Diwan collaborated with the local independent non-profit art space Contemporary Image Collective (CIC), displaying and selling the photos on opening day. The evening brought in a string quartet and the Fayrouz Karawiya band. Drinks and appetizers were served all day long. By around 8 pm, there wasn't much room to walk. The new Diwan was filled to the brim with book lovers from Heliopolis and customers loyal to the Zamalek branch. "I am extremely pleased with the turnout tonight. It has been a long but exciting day, said Karim Harouny, Diwan's marketing director for Heliopolis. Harouny said he was confident that Diwan Heliopolis is going to be a success and a positive addition to the community. Egypt's DJ Samba, a resident of Heliopolis, attended the event. He said, "There is finally a bookstore in Heliopolis. I don't have to go all the way to Zamalek now just to find what I am looking for. Jennifer, a big fan of fiction, said, "I spent this whole week trying to find a book. I searched everywhere. It's good to know there is now another place I can look. Diwan s new Heliopolis branch bills itself as the "largest bookstore in Cairo. Indeed, this is the impression you get upon entering the two-storey villa at 105 Abu Bakr El Seddiq Street. In the center of the bookstore is a snug café where you can sip a cappuccino while reading the book you grabbed from the voluminous Arabic section, the vibrant children's section, or the ample bestseller's table. Or, you can listen to the new CD you just purchased from the extensive multimedia room. The kids' room will host storytelling and sing-alongs, book signings, and meetings for the book club. "Diwan stands for culture and heritage, said Nihal Schawky, a member of Diwan's board. "Heliopolis is rich in both and we feel it is only fitting that our most dynamic and spacious store yet is located in this neighborhood.
