EGYPT-WISHING WELL Egyptians make wishes of love and fortune at Alexandria's Masoud well

Record ID: 632011

  • Title: EGYPT-WISHING WELL Egyptians make wishes of love and fortune at Alexandria's Masoud well
  • Date: 16th February 2015
  • Summary: ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT (FEBRUARY 4, 2015) (REUTERS) MEDITERRANEAN SEA SIGN READING (Arabic) "COFFEE SHOP BEIR MASOUD" WELL OF BEIR MASOUD FAMILY STANDING NEAR WELL OF BEIR MASOUD DIVER INSIDE WELL OF BEIR MASOUD CROWD GATHERED NEAR WELL OF BEIR MASOUD DIVER INSIDE WELL OF BEIR MASOUD (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RESIDENT OF THE AREA, HASSAN, SAYING: "When it comes to this well, ever since we were kids, we used to come around here, to dive to the other side, to look for fortune, and love of course. Lovers used to come here and throw things behind their shoulders and wish for fortune and love." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE AROUND WELL OF BEIR MASOUD DIVER IN WELL OF BEIR MASOUD PEOPLE AT WELL OF BEIR MASOUD (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DIVER ALY MOHAMED, SAYING: "We've known about Beir Masoud for a long time, we've known for a while. Lots of films were shot at Beir Masoud, since the days of Fareed al-Attrash and Abdel Haleem Hafez and all these people - they used to come act here, so we've always known about this place. Since the days of the cabins and all, but before it was in better shape, and now the well has collapsed more than before, it used to be 2 or 3 meters down - when you used to dive to the bottom, you'd find everything that was thrown." PEOPLE GATHERED BY BEIR MASOUD A COUPLE STANDING BY BEIR MASOUD MAN THROWING A COIN INTO THE WELL OF BEIR MASOUD DIVER IN WELL OF BEIR MASOUD MEDITERRANEAN SEA
  • Embargoed: 3rd March 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA9SLN6MJV5WEKCSDHIXGB3C6XZ
  • Story Text: Egyptians are flocking to Beir Masoud's well, also known as the ''wishing well'', to take part in the tradition of throwing coins into the water and making a wish that they hope would come true.
    A five-meter deep well in Alexandria's Sidi Bishr, Beir Masoud, has swallowed many coins and heard many whispers from people who believed in its power.
    According to an ancient myth, the well was named after Masoud, a kind Egyptian man who had come from the southern part of Egypt, to make wishes at this well.
    But that is just one of the many stories that have been told about Beir Masoud.
    Some people say that Masoud was a drug dealer who fell to his death inside the well during a police chase.
    Hassan, one of Sidi Bishr's residents, spoke of his childhood memories at the well.
    "When it comes to this well, ever since we were kids, we used to come around here, to dive to the other side, to look for fortune, and love of course. Lovers used to come here and throw things behind their shoulders and wish for fortune and love," said Hassan.
    The tradition of throwing coins inside a well and making a wish is a popular one in many parts of the world.
    The tradition is also seen at the Trevi Fountain in the Italian capital of Rome, which is a popular destination for visitors from around the world, especially after it was featured in the film of Italian director Fellini (La Dolce Vita).
    According to diver Aly Mohamed, Beir Masoud not only attracted ordinary people wishing for good luck, but also film directors and artists who used the well as a location for their films.
    "We've known about Beir Masoud for a long time, we've known for a while. Lots of films were shot at Beir Masoud, since the days of Fareed al-Attrash and Abdel Haleem Hafez and all these people - they used to come act here, so we've always known about this place. Since the days of the cabins and all," said Mohamed.
    Hoping to find something of value, the well has seen many divers and young men jump into it, searching its base.
    But that has changed over time, and the well is no longer as deep as it used to be in the past.
    "Before it was in better shape, and now the well has collapsed more than before, it used to be 2 or 3 meters down - when you used to dive to the bottom, you'd find everything that was thrown," added Mohamed.
    Nonetheless, visitors continue to come from all parts of Egypt to wish for fortune and love at Beir Masoud.
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