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Al-Ahram Weekly 2 - 8 September 1999 Issue No. 445 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 2 - 8 September 1999 Issue No. 445
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Focus Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters A lot of hot air?
By Nevine El-ArefMore than a week after the completion of restoration work on the Balloon Theatre, an opposition newspaper has claimed that the restoration was below standard and that the theatre continued to be in a sad state of affairs. The newspaper accused the Culture Ministry of dealing with an unqualified public contractor and misusing public funds.
The newspaper based its allegations on the fact that the theatre was shut down one week after its official inauguration following the completion of the restoration work.
But Abdel-Rahman El-Shafei, head of the art house for folklore dances, denied the allegations, describing them as "lies". He told Al-Ahram Weekly that the opposition sought to put down any positive achievement made by the Culture Ministry.
"Before the restoration began, opposition newspapers criticised the ministry for alleged negligence of government-owned theatres, claiming that they were in dire need of restoration," El-Shafei said. "But after we took the initiative and renovated one of our most important and distinguished theatres, they are still unhappy. What can we do to please them?"
El-Shafei said the theatre was closed down because the Reda folklore troupe was rehearsing in order to open on 1 September as scheduled. He denied the opposition newspaper's claim that the reason for the shutdown was because a government committee responsible for taking the theatre over following the restoration had discovered 20 "fatal" mistakes in the renovation work.
photo: Randa Shaath
"We do not act haphazardly, but on the basis of extensive studies and research," El-Shafei said. "We assigned the renovation work to a highly qualified team of specialised engineers as well as a group of Cairo University engineering professors."
He said the opposition newspaper's report was based on inaccurate information because the government committee had not yet examined the building. "How can it announce a decision before examining the theatre?" El-Shafei asked.
The restoration work began a year ago and included two phases. The first, which has been completed, included renovating the main hall and stage. The theatre's tent-like dome has been removed and replaced by fibre glass to prevent light and heat from escaping. The entertainers' dressing rooms have also been renovated and the sound-and-light equipment replaced by a new system.
The opposition newspaper claimed that the fibre glass managed to filter out only 20 per cent of sun light, not 80 per cent as was intended. As a result, the power of a newly-installed air-conditioning system had been reduced, the newspaper alleged.
Rejecting the claim, El-Shafei said the fibre glass allowed the leakage of only 15 per cent of light and that the air-conditioning was working at full strength.
"Anyone who does not believe this can go to the theatre and have a look for himself," he said.
El-Shafei added that it was impossible to misuse public funds. "We are a government sector and every piastre spent must be accounted for and registered in documents carrying the state seal," he said.
In the second phase of restoration, rehearsal rooms and the theatre's documentary library will be renovated.
