At Prince Taz Palace in El-Khalifa District, Old Cairo, the 'Egypt through the Eyes of Australian Photographers' exhibition was inaugurated by head of the Cultural Development Fund (CDF) Fathy Abdel-Wahab and Ambassador of Australia in Cairo Glenn Miles on 14 February.

Part of the photos on show at the exhibition (Photo: Courtesy of the CDF Media Office)

The exhibition shows rare photos taken by Australian photographers who visited Egypt 100 years ago and are kept in public collections in Australia. The show includes photographs that Australian soldiers and nurses photographed during their presence in Egypt during World War I and II.

The images on display show people and places in Egypt during the early 20th century, such as Al-Qanatir Al-Khaireya, local dress, as well as people engaged in professions that have since become extinct.

The exhibition is organised by design theorist Anne-Marie Willis, a visiting professor at the University of Adelaide, Australia, in cooperation with the Egyptian Society for Civilisation and Arts in Cairo, headed by artist Mohamed Zeinhom, the Australian embassy in Egypt, and the Centre for Asian and Middle Eastern Architecture at Adelaide University.

The opening was enlivened by a dance show performed by Al-Tanoura Whirling Dervishes dance group, which is affiliated with the General Authority for Cultural Palaces. The exhibition is scheduled to be displayed from 5 to 14 March at the Museum of Fine Arts in Alexandria.

The exhibition will remain on show until 28 February at Prince Taz Palace.