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Abstract
The revolutionary and post-revolutionary period in Egypt created emerging and vivid public spheres that became communication milieus for various strata of society. Therein, new ideas and concepts were confronting old and established perceptions. Hereby, a genre of political graffiti in Cairo was formed, and within a comparatively short lapse of time it became an integral part of the revolution itself. Shortly graffiti started to be seen with glorified and romanticised connotations and graffiti artists were perceived as resistance fighters: primarily against the regime, thereafter against security forces and eventually against the Muslim Brotherhood. Their works were seen as tributes to revolution and its illustration.
Although approaching graffiti as the dominated s resistance against the dominator indeed explains a wide realm of this societal conduct, it nevertheless regards graffiti only as a pro or counter statement. Therefore quite often, significant side-meanings and social perceptions on various issues are omitted.
This paper explores Cairo graffiti not only as revolutionary narrative, but also as a prevailing public sphere where debate takes place. Analysing the "side-messages" that are drawn on the walls, helps to address social attitudes and public opinions on a variety of revolutionary and non-revolutionary issues. It employs various social sciences approaches and looks how the Cairo graffiti scene follows patterns of the notion defined as the 'public sphere'.
Introduction
For many in Egypt, the 18 days of the January 25 Revolution was something what Turner would call a liminal moment - when everything is possible, but nothing yet is replaced. Tahrir square became a symbol of hope, unity and power. And to a great extent that power, either real or implicit, was gained through people freeing their voices of expression. This freedom of expression per se and what it represented: self empowerment, pursuit of justice, expectancy of equality, etc. was one of the precious values and means of participation among revolutionaries. Speaking up and expressing one's mind became crucial, and different people found different ways to embody this objective.
Thus, the revolution created many genres of participation: sit-in protests in Tahrir, marches and clashes with security forces, and tweeting or writing blogs and articles in various media outlets. The public sphere and vocal self-expression within it, became inbuilt elements of the revolution.
Eventually Tahrir...