Pack of Cards
By Madame Sosostris
Have you noticed how festive the carts of lupin seeds look sometimes? I never know how they manage the arrangements of paper cones. This one was particularly clever and tempted my dear friend, Weekly photographer Sherif Sonbol, who made it into something quite spectacular. Of course, he had to move Al-Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa'i mosques for a stunning background, but, as you may already know, nothing will stand in Sherif's way when he is after a good photo.
I always joke about my friends who send their children to Ivy League colleges in the US to get a fancy degree in parasailing, cheerleading or finger painting. This time, however, when my friend Samia Abdennour told me about her daughter Soha, I must confess that I was duly impressed. Just imagine: When Soha obtained her doctorate she was the first PhD ergonomist (no dears, not agronomist) in the state of Florida, and one of only ten PhD ergonomists in the entire United States of America. Ergonomists, of course, specialise in the scientific interdisciplinary study of individuals and their physical relationship to the work environment in order to improve work performance while protecting workers' health and safety. I thought I would change the subject, and ask about Soha's other interests. Apart from teaching at San Jose State University, and working as senior ergonomics consultant for a firm dealing with applied risk management, she and the love of her life, Reda, are now the proud parents of little Hana.
Last week, I attended a very special event, the Mustafa and Ali Amin Association award ceremony, which took place at the newly opened Conrad Hotel. There were so many of my friends and colleagues present that I was quite out of breath by the time I had made the rounds. Members of the distinguished jury included the much admired Al-Ahram columnist and veteran journalist Salama Ahmed Salama as well as poet Farouk Guweida, who is also Al-Ahram's culture editor. A very touching note was struck when awards were bestowed posthumously on Ali El-Ra'i, the renowned literary critic, and on prominent writer Lutfi El-Kholi. Among the lucky winners were famous cartoonist -- our very own -- Gomaa Farahat, writer Hosn Shah and Akhbar Al-Yom's dynamic journalist Sonia Dabbous. Artistic talent was also given pride of place, with Samira Ahmed, Youssef Sha'ban and Samir Sabri topping the list this year.
I do so love happenings, dear, and when my friend Pierre Sioufi dropped an attractive flyer in my mailbox the other day I thought I would just have to share it with you. Passe-Temps, it said, is an open-house joint exhibition of artwork by father and son in the stairway of a building overlooking Tahrir Square. Eleven levels, different moods and special settings combine to create a play where the actors are the artworks. Intrigued? Why not drop by the Soussa Building at 1 Talaat Harb Street, any time from 30 April at noon till 1 May at midnight? You'll be sure to see me there.
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When Minister of the Environment Nadia Makram Ebeid is not looking after our ecosystem's health, she is watching members of her staff get married, it seems. Still, according to the lovely bride, Ghada Salah Ahmadein, administrative coordinator for Nadia's office, and the groom, Hassan Mahmoud Hassan, financial manager of the technical cooperation office for the environment, it is not every day that love finds its way at the ministry.
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Continuing our romantic theme, the delightful Amira Hadhoud was formally engaged to my dear friend and colleague Khaled El-Ghamry just the other day. Amira, her fiancé says, is loving and gentle, and it was her demure and ladylike nature that won his heart. Her father, Maj. Gen. Eng. Mustafa Hadhoud, was quite understandably over the moon. Among the distinguished dignitaries present were former Prime Minister Ali Lutfi and former Minister of Economy Mustafa El-Said. We at Al-Ahram Weekly wish the happy couple a long and enjoyable marriage.
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On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Chopin's death, the great Franco-Argentinian pianist Miguel Estrella, founder of Musique Esperance, will give a concert for the benefit of the Association of Upper Egypt for Education and Development on 29 April at the Gomhouriya Theatre. The organising committee is headed by Argentina's ambassador, Domingo Santiago Cullen, and includes French ambassador Jean-Marc Rochereau de la Sablière. Music lovers take note.
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For those of you who prefer a bit more action, the US-based Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, a multi-cultural performing arts group, will be at the Gomhouriya Theatre on 22, 23 and 24 April. They are here for the first time, and I sincerely hope it will not be the last.
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Yesterday I attended a momentous event at the very exclusive Al-Shomou Gallery, where Lotus Abdel-Karim, who is also the editor-in-chief of Al-Shomou magazine, hosted the opening of artist Farid Fadel's exhibition of portraits and still lifes, appropriately entitled Intimate Visions. The exhibition was inaugurated by our minister of culture, Farouk Hosni. The most remarkable portrait of the collection was that of his lovely wife Mona Zaki, associate director of public relations for cultural events at AUC . If you were not able to make it yesterday, the exhibition will continue till 4 May, so do pop in some time this week.
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