After administrative obstacles forced an interruption in the cultural activities of the Maqad of Sultan Qaitbey cultural hub in the Desert of the Mamluks (MASQ), they resumed on 18 March 2023 with a bang. The long-awaited opening of the multimedia exhibition/installation Celestial Pas-de-Deux by the Syro-Lebanese/Dutch artist Rana Chalabi was accompanied by a live performance by Dala Matar of her unique aerial dance and video projections of astonishing modern ballet. On the same day, the exhibition of paintings by Sherine al-Barudi and Sahar al-Amir was the first time that the recently renovated historic space of the CRAFTASTIC! crafts training centre was used as an art exhibition venue. Live concert by the Egyptian musical group Flute and Bow was followed by a performance of traditional tabla drumming by local children and youth – the fruit of a creative workshop at the MASQ. A guided tour of the neighbourhood was also part of the day packed with events attended by numerous and varied audience.