Imagine a future Egypt, 100 years after the Tahrir Square uprising—a century that promised revolution but delivered something far more complex. What if the dreams of 2011 faded into a dystopian reality? This is the provocative premise of Egypt + 100: Stories From a Century After Tahrir, a collection that dares to envision Egypt in 2111 through the eyes of twelve diverse writers. From science fiction to satire, horror to reportage, these authors paint a picture that is both haunting and thought-provoking.
But here's where it gets controversial: instead of a utopia, many of these stories depict a bleak, disheartening Egypt. Hope and enthusiasm, once the driving forces of the 2011 uprising, seem to have evaporated. As one character poignantly notes, the very concept of 'exhilaration' feels alien, a relic of a bygone era. Is this the inevitable fate of revolutions—to be swallowed by the weight of time and unfulfilled promises?
The collection doesn't shy away from universal anxieties either. Artificial intelligence looms large, creating alternate realities and empowering shadowy rulers—a chilling reflection of our own fears about technology's unchecked power. Environmental collapse also takes center stage, with climate change submerging Egypt's north coast and the Nile River becoming a fickle lifeline, flooding some areas while abandoning others. And this is the part most people miss: the most intriguing stories take Egypt's current realities to their absurd extremes. Imagine sprawling megacities where walking on the ground requires permission, and gated communities become fortresses of privilege. Outside these fantastical constructions, a dangerous world persists, plagued by poverty, crime, and the haunting memories of a time when change felt possible.
Edited by Ahmed Naji and reviewed by Lisa Anderson in Foreign Affairs, this anthology is more than just a collection of stories—it's a mirror held up to our present, asking uncomfortable questions about progress, power, and the human spirit. Do we dare to dream of a better future, or are we doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past? What do you think? Is this vision of Egypt's future too bleak, or does it capture a truth we'd rather ignore? Let’s discuss in the comments.
