For the third year in a row, Maker Faire hit Cairo, to create more, inspire more, and innovate more.
On the 7th and 8th of April, Cairo’s smart village witnessed two eventful days, packed with invention, creativity, and resourcefulness from very diverse fields, like technology, art, science, and entrepreneurship.
The event was organized by FabLab Egypt in cooperation with the information resource center of the American embassy.
This greatest show and tell on Earth gathered the whole community of makers, ranging from tech enthusiasts and crafters, to homesteaders and scientists, to garage tinkerers—all gathered in one place to showcase what they’ve made.
Such a celebration demonstrated the significance of innovation and its undeniable role in boosting the spirit of making in the Egyptian community, through turning simple materials into awe-inspiring creations, which in turn will be the head start to a promising future. You think that it’s out of your league?
Cairo Makers’ team believes that there is no limit for innovation. And indeed, the essence of the Maker Faire emphasizes on how all people are makers and not just consumers!
The best part for attendees was the options to create their innovations with others. That led to learning from people, inspiring and encouraging each other to spread the notion of making, and contributing in changing the future through the advanced and unconventional revolution of manufacturing.
This year, Maker Faire Cairo had a wider scope, being the biggest in the MENA region and engaging the audience with more sessions, projects, performances, exhibitions, special events, hands-on activities, and a day just for kids!
People’s participation varied from technology freaks to artists. One of the participants, Nael El-Ashri, took a part in the event with the very first Lego clock. Al-Ashri decided to highlight the passion he has for Lego by making a clock that’s totally built and works by small Lego pieces.
Cairo Makers gives the chance for hundreds of passionate geeks to introduce their ultimate life lusts to the Egypt.
The event also witnessed the motivational speech by Indian designer Ashok Rupner, who designed hundreds of science teaching aids and models that have been uploaded on the website. Working at Children’s Science Center of IUCAA, Rupner along with the team made 1,050 short videos on low-cost models, science activities, and toys. These videos have been dubbed in many languages. Presently the website has 8,100 short videos on Youtube, which have been viewed by over 55-million people across the world.
In his speech, Rupner talked of his journey of combining science with entertaining activities so that children can relate the textbooks in their daily lives.
The event also witnessed the speech of Sabrina Merlo, the creator of Maker Faire’s global event, of which she talked of the process of turning the local event into a worldwide annual date that takes place in over 35 countries and reaches 1.45 million people annually.
