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Bayt Yakan’s journey ... from slaughterhouse to cultural center
Most of the time people see old houses as abandoned desolate spaces. It happens to be rare to find someone caring or searching for the archaeological and artistic value of these houses.
Our story about Bayt Yakan begins in modern Egypt. The house was named after its owner Adly Pasha Yakan who was from Turkish origins, and whose lineage extends to Muhammad Ali Pasha. He was the minister of education from 1917 to 1919 and he has the full credit for introducing the Arabic language into Egyptian education. He was also the prime minister of Egypt for three times, the last of which was in 1926.
Yakan’s house is located on Souq El-Selah Street. The design of the house combines the late Mamluk style as well as the Turkish Baroque style. That makes it an architectural masterpiece, in addition to its historical and political value.
As the story continues, like most monuments, the house gets its share of neglect, and time leaves so many signs or mostly scars on its walls, hiding its beautiful features.
Until its savior appeared, Prof. Alaa Al-Habashi, a university professor who decides to buy and restore the house. Then in order to do so, he founded a group called “Turath Conservation Group” with the help of his wife Architect Ola Salah.
Indeed, he renovated the place and converted it from an abandoned house and an old slaughterhouse to a huge cultural center.
While some organizations that share the same interest in heritage conservation such as “Art Jameel” helped him, he was able to organize free summer programs for children in a different and non-routine way to make those children get to know their ancient heritage.
At the end of our story, we can proudly say that the attempt to restore our phenomenal house was a great success. The house is now a suitable venue for holding place where cultural and educational sessions to educate young architects on buildings in historical areas and how valuable they are, in addition to many other artistic activities such as painting and pottery workshops.
Thanks to all these efforts, our house comes again to light and has become one of the most famous places in Masr El-Adema neighborhood. It attracted the attention of the media and local newspapers. Even a page was created on Facebook called "Bayt Yakan Fans".
Well, this is how the journey of Bayt Yakan happily ends and a new story is being written by new generations.
Translated by: Aya Khaled
Proofread by: Christine Maged
About the author: Aya Khaled, loves music, singing, painting, and watching series. A Translator, a talented teacher as well, loves shadowing special cases.
