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Al-Ahram Weekly 19 - 25 August 1999 Issue No. 443 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 19 - 25 August 1999 Issue No. 443
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Keeping culture afloat
By Nevine El-ArefPrime Minister Kamal El-Ganzouri has quashed a decision by Cairo Governor Abdel-Rehim Shehata to dismantle a "floating" theatre, located along the Nile Corniche in the Manial district. Although the open-air structure is popularly described as the "floating theatre", it was built, in fact, on the river bank. El-Ganzouri, overruling Shehata's objections, announced that the theatre would remain in place.
But did the sighs of relief, raised after El-Ganzouri's announcement, come too early? Shehata is sticking to his hard-line position. He said El-Ganzouri's decision to establish a fact-finding committee to study the status of the theatre ran counter to an earlier government decision to remove all encroachments on the Nile. This earlier decision should be applied to all trespasses without exception, Shehata said.
Shehata's decision to dismantle the theatre is part of a two-year-old plan to beautify the Nile Corniche by removing all encroachments that obstruct the panoramic view of the river.
Culture Minister Farouk Hosni objected to Shehata's decision, and sent two memoranda to the Cairo governor and the prime minister, demanding that this "arbitrary" move be stopped. Attached to the memoranda was a comprehensive report, defining the exact location of the theatre along the Corniche, as well as its importance to the residents of Cairo and Giza.
"It is not true that the theatre is blocking the view of the Nile," Hosni said. He explained that the theatre is located five metres below the Corniche level and, therefore, it cannot block the view of pedestrians and motorists who are on a higher level.
The only obstructions of the view were tall advertising signs installed on the theatre's entrance gate and these were removed last year in response to objections by the Cairo governor, said Hosni.
The theatre, a large cultural structure built 37 years ago, includes two stages: a large one for general shows and performances and a small one for children's shows. Adjacent to the theatre is a spacious and beautiful garden.
"It is the only state-owned open-air theatre which provides fine art and entertainment during summer time to the general public, as well as children, and at cheap prices," Hosni said. "How can we deny the public this entertainment?"
According to Culture Ministry records, 3,000 spectators, in addition to 1,000 children frequent the theatre daily during the summer season.
The Actors Syndicate has backed Hosni's position, and sent a memorandum to El-Ganzouri demanding that the theatre be allowed to survive. Syndicate Chairman Youssef Shaaban said actors are in dire need of more theatres, not the dismantling of existing ones. "Demolishing a theatre is like destroying a school or a university," he said.
