Coptic Life in Egypt - Tapa blanda

This collection of photographs concentrates on the religious traditions and social life of ordinary Egyptian Coptic Christians, revealing a little known side of the lived religion of a Christian community largely unfamiliar in the Western world. Each chapter begins with a short introductory text giving the background on customs, traditions and beliefs. People in Egypt like to display their religious beliefs: in every shop or commercial establishment run by Copts, tokens of Christianity are on exhibit. For many Copts, their religion is a very large part of their lives, finding expression in their passionate attendance at "Mulids" and pilgrimages. "Mulids" are an example of how social life is combined with religious life how religious devotion is fused with fun and joy.

Claudia Yvonne Wiens is a freelance photographer based in Egypt.