Face to Face

Face to Face is a long-term artistic project that was created in close dialogue between photographer Sara Younes and women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Its aim is to destigmatize oncological diseases, open public debate about breast cancer, and raise awareness of the experiences of women who go through this illness. The exhibition opened at Darb 1718 not only presents the resulting portraits but primarily the process of meeting, trust, and co-creating images, where personal experience, courage, and conscious self-representation become key themes. The project was developed in collaboration with Baheya Hospital , which provides specialized breast cancer treatment in Egypt and has long been dedicated to education and support for patients. The connection of the artistic process with professional healthcare support enabled the creation of a project that operates at the intersection of documentary, participatory art, and intimate testimony, while also contributing to greater empathy, understanding, and solidarity in society.

Face to Face

The exhibition The Fighters: Face to Face was opened in the space of Darb 1718 as the culmination of the exceptional long-term project Face to Face. It began with an open selection of the photographer – with sincere thanks to all the talented authors who expressed interest in participating – and continued with a sensitive and time-consuming process of meetings. The selected photographer Sara Younes gradually built relationships with women undergoing breast cancer treatment at Baheya Hospital. Thirteen of them ultimately decided to share their personal experiences with the illness through portraits. These women – Fighters – actively participated in the creation of the images, co-creating their visual representation and adding deeply personal layers of meaning. This collaboration gives the resulting works their extraordinary authenticity.

Process, curatorial approach, and original Czech idea

The sensitive photographic approach and respectful creative process were further developed by curator Melania Partamian , who, along with the team at Darb 1718 , imparted a specific character to the exhibition. The installation creates space for focused encounters with individual stories and allows viewers to perceive the experience of illness without pathos, emphasizing dignity, silence, and respect. The project also builds on the original Czech concept Face to Face , authored by photographer Vladimír Kožíšek and Martina Kožíšková, who personally attended the opening of the exhibition. A significant role was also played by Mohamed Mahdy , a photographer and member of the jury selecting the project's photographer, who closely followed the entire process and provided valuable professional consultations.

The meaning of the project and its message

We believe that the exhibition The Fighters will resonate with a wide audience in Egypt and offer hope and understanding to those who are struggling with oncological diseases or are close to those who are going through them. At the same time, we want to respectfully remember one of the Fighters , who lost her battle with the disease during the preparations for the project. Her presence, courage, and shared story remain a lasting and integral part of the Face to Face project.

In 2026, the Czech Centre Cairo plans several more presentations of the exhibition.