Ataba Was Once Called Farida

Do not be surprised to learn that the scene in Ismail Yassin’s 1959 film “The Green Ataba,” in which he tries to rename the square “Adila Square” after his wife, came very close to a real attempt to rename the square after a wife. However, the new name did not last long, and the square later reclaimed its name.

During the reign of King Fuad I, Ataba Square was expanded by demolishing the Mixed Courts, the remaining part of the Green Ataba Palace that occupied part of the current square and gave it its name. At the same time, Prince Farouk Street, now Al-Geish Street, was opened before he became king, after being cut through from the square to extend along its current route.

Following the death of King Fuad, King Farouk I was officially crowned King of Egypt on 29 July 1937 at the age of 18. Six months later, he married “Queen Farida.” Amid the joy of the marriage, the name “Queen Farida Square” was given to Green Ataba Square, one of Cairo’s most prominent squares and a central hub for travel in all directions of Cairo and for commercial activity. This linked the square’s name with King Farouk Street branching from it, completing the symbolism of Farouk’s connection with Farida.

The name “Queen Farida” was given not only to the square but also to Abdel Khalek Tharwat Street, which extends from Opera Square to Ramses Street, with the name added to the opposite extension connecting Opera and Ataba Squares. Part of it now forms the entrance to the Al-Azhar Tunnel, completing the association between the street and the square.
The square and the street retained the name “Queen Farida” for 11 years, during which the gulf between the couple widened.

On 19 November 1948, the divorce took place. As a result, Queen Farida resumed using her name Safinaz, while Ataba also regained the name “Green Ataba Square,” and Abdel Khalek Tharwat Street regained its name. The phrase “formerly Al-Manakh” also returned beneath the sign mounted on some of its buildings.