16 - 22 May 2002
Issue No.586
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 16 - 22 May 2002 Issue No.586 |
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Current issue | Previous issue | Site map | ||
Pack of CardsDarlings, our dear colleague Inas Nour, Al- Ahram's bureau chief in Athens, has conveyed some heartening news to us. The first African Festival for Foodstuffs and Handicrafts, a beautiful charity bazaar held at the house of South African Ambassador Jamie Momporg, contained many Egyptian contributions which paid testimony to the resourcefulness of the wives of Egyptian diplomats, in part. Greek translations of books by Naguib Mahfouz sold like hot cakes as well. The event was presided over by our Ambassador to Greece Magda Chahine, and Inas assures me that it was delightful. What with performances and concerts from all over Africa, it was, she said, a memory to treasure. |
Extraordinary only just begins to describe the exhibit that is currently on display under the watchful guard of Egypt's historic pyramids. The exhibit, "Pyramids People", is one of abstract art -- the German artist's trademark. A graduate of the Art Academy in Dusseldorf, Ha Schult themes his work around the current global economic imbalance. In this light, he uses garbage as his building material of choice. Schult's work has moved closer and closer to everyday life, creating a unique dialogue between life and art.
His Pyramids exhibit is part of a tour; "1,000 trash people travelling around the world". The figures, which are literally made of trash, currently stand at the foot of the Pyramids since their arrival from China on 2 May. The exhibit remains at the location until 20 May. It is, my friends, a fascinating sight, but not one that has been met with no controversy. The local media critiqued the display, saying that it was inappropriate, disrespectful, and degrading, to both construct 'people' of garbage, and to stand them at the feet of the glorious Pyramids. The coming of the "people" was met with a several-day reception, comprising press conferences, speeches, dinners, and a grand banquet. Guests included the Weekly's dear friend Farouk Hosni, minister of culture, Ahmed Nawwar, head of the Fine Arts sector, Mamdouh El- Beltagui, minister of tourism, and Baron Paul Von Maltzahn, ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany. My lovely artistic souls, even if the concept does not quite meet with your approval, this unprecedented exhibit is definitely worth a viewing. |
My dear and talented friend Farouk Hosni, minister of culture, graciously inaugurated the plastic arts exhibit of Fatma El-Tanany yesterday. Guests were welcomed by Mohamed Rezk, chairman of the Gezira Art Center in Zamalek, where the exhibit will be showing until 25 May.
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Photography, dear readers, is in the air. The Royal Netherlands Embassy is hosting the "World Press Photo" exhibit at the Townhouse Gallery from 12 to 29 May, then at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina from 2 to 16 June. The exhibition displays the award-winning press photos of 2001. A superb display of work, my friends.
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World renowned, US-based nutritionist Ali Reda, profiled on the pages of the Weekly in a recent issue, was elected president of the Gold's Gym Egypt. Reda was welcomed to Egypt by businessman and chairman of the company, Ali Mahmoud. The event Mahmoud says, marks the beginning of a campaign to spread fitness awareness in the country and make it a part of every Egyptian's life. |
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The Cairo Opera House, in collaboration with the Arts Council of Switzerland Pro Helvetia, will present the Swiss Linga Ballet Company due to perform at the Gumhouriya Theatre on 16, 17 and 18 May. Among other dancers who will present the 3 Pieces: One, One -- Bach 1043 -- Trepak ballet are Christian Bakalov, Jérôme Benoist, Elodie Boulet, Emilie Camacho and Krassen Krastev. It features choreographers Katarzyna Gdaniec and Marco Cantalupo. The company which comprises six dancers was founded by Gdaniec in 1993 and is currently based in Lausanne, Switzerland. An event not to miss! |
The most delightful news of the week came from our dear colleague Hani Mustafa, whose beautiful wife Nermin Serhan gave birth to an adorable baby boy, Ali, on 3 May. The darling little boy who weighs just 2.4 kilogrammes is keeping his daddy up all night! The Weekly family wants to congratulate the proud new father and his lovely wife.
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