4 -10 April 2002
Issue No.580
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 4 -10 April 2002 Issue No.580 |
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Current issue | Previous issue | Site map | ||
Pack of CardsThese are very sad times, and one is tempted to stay glued to one's television set, zapping away to catch snippets of news from Ramallah which may indicate that the carnage is about to stop. So far, no such luck; and it seems that it will have to get even worse before it gets any better. |
For those of you who need diversion from the gloom, the Embassy of Turkey in cooperation with the Cairo Sheraton Hotel has organised a Turkish Culture Festival that started on 1 April and lasts five days, and which is expected to boost cultural relations between our two countries. The occasion was preceded by a press conference headed by the Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosni and his Turkish counterpart Istemihan Talay, Turkish ambassador to Cairo Aykut Cetirge and our new first undersecretary for Foreign Cultural Relations at the Ministry of Culture Cherif El- Choubachi. During the festival, sponsored by many Turkish companies, a splendid fashion show was held and 10 Turkish top models presented 50 dresses designed in the Olgunlasma Institute for Girls in Ankara, a governmental organisation providing training in garment production. The Turkish models also showed authentic local costumes from the institute, such as marvellous caftans of Ottoman design.
The Antalya State Opera and Ballet Group presented Yoz Dongu (Vicious Circle), a Turkish folklore ballet, while a music group played popular songs. Two internationally acclaimed cooks have come to Cairo to present samples of Turkish cuisine. As well, embroidery, handicrafts and carpets were on display. Talay also inaugurated the recently renovated Turkish cemetery in Medinat Nasr. On 13 April, the Turkish Embassy will hold a spring charity bazaar, of which the proceeds will supplement the scholarship programme for students orphaned in the 1999 earthquake. The bazaar, organised in collaboration with Al-Nour wal-Amal Association, will take place in the garden of the Turkish ambassador's residence. |
In times of sorrow, good music rarely goes amiss, and so I am heartened by the news that the Cairo Opera Company and Choir, conducted by Aldo Magnato, and the Cairo Opera Orchestra, led by the Italian maestro Giorgio Croci, will present -- in cooperation with the Italian Cultural Centre -- Puccini's Tosca at the Opera House's Main Hall on 4, 5, 7 and 10 April. Among the vocalists are soprano Cecilia Gasdia, tenor Mario Malagnini, baritones Maurizio Scarfeo, Elhami Amin and Ramez Labbad, sopranos Iman Mustafa and Injy Mohsen and bass baritone Abdel- Wahab El-Sayed. Tosca, the most recent artistic production of the Opera House, is directed by Abdallah Saad, who has already directed several international operas and is currently busy preparing Aida, to be presented at the end of this month.
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Our good friend, multi- talented artist and ophthalmologist Farid Fadel, never ceases to amaze me with the abundance of his production. Vespers is the title of a new exhibition to be inaugurated by Culture Minister Farouk Hosni and director of Al-Hanager Art Centre Hoda Wasfi on 8 April. With over 40 paintings and drawings, the artist explores the theme of contentment in simple farmers, shepherds and fishermen going about their daily activities. Originally meaning evensong, vespers take on a whole new dimension in Fadel's works. The exhibition continues through 25 April at Al- Hanager Art Centre.
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Under the supervision of the Student Union at the American University in Cairo, Volunteers In Action (VIA), a community service club dedicated to helping the deprived strata of the community, particularly orphans, organised a great charity event featuring popular singer Mohamed Mounir and other stars at the AUC's Greek Campus.
The programme started with a song by gorgeous actress Youssra. She also introduced Mounir to one of his biggest fans, an orphan to whom he sang a special song. This was followed by dancing to music arranged by DJ Yasser El- Hariri. Singers Khaled Selim and Tamer Hosni also participated with a few songs. Mounir sang some of his recent hits, keeping up the energy for the best part of an hour and a half, to the greatest joy of his fans. A large audience attended the party, from which the funds will be donated to an orphanage in Mit Oqba. The VIA selected seven poor families in that area as the recipients of food, medicine, education and clothing. VIA also provides professional training and loans to start small projects. |
Under the auspices of Culture Minister Farouk Hosni, an exhibition of abstract and surrealist paintings by budding artist Omar Bakri was inaugurated at the main exhibition hall of the Faculty of Fine Arts. The opening was attended by Minister of Higher Education Mufid Shehab and a group of art professors.
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Greek Ambassador Demosthenes Constantinou's palatial mansion was the scene of a reception commemmorating Greek Independence Day on 25 March. A tent decked out in the national blue and white accommodated a select crowd of 300 with a strong contingent from the world of Egyptian cinema. Actresses Laila Elwi and Lebleba were there, with director Samir Seif, renowned cinema critic Rafik El- Sabban and actor Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz. The world of culture was also represented by the Culture Ministry's Cherif El-Choubachi.
Also present was American Ambassador David Welch, secretary of the presidency Mustafa El-Diwani and scores of politicians, diplomats and journalists. |
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