Pack of Cards

As you know, my dears, I enjoy dances of all sorts, and that's why this time of year you'll find me in an especially lively mood. After all, the Fourth International Festival of Dance Theatre is set to take place from 5-29 June at both the Cairo Opera House's main and small halls, as well as the downtown Gumhouriya theatre. I am privy to this information thanks to my diligent colleague Reham El- Adawi, who attended a press conference where Walid Aouni, the festival's artistic director, outlined the events in store.

This year's festival, it seems, is set to include nine different shows being put on by eight troupes, four of which are from Scandinavian countries: Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Aouni said that Scandinavian dance theatre differs from that of any other European country, with their innovative style conveying a sense of willpower prevailing over movement. Although the four performances are different, they all deal with the same theme of incompatibility in human relations.

This year's festival also promises to open up new horizons for a great number of Egyptian choreographers, including Mohamed Shafiaa, Karim El-Tonsi and Karima Mansour. "Through their performances, we can visualise our society and culture, and observe the development of the Egyptian way of thinking," Aouni said.

Aouni has also been invited by the Pearl Jokage Ballet Company to represent Egypt at a festival of modern dance theatre to be held in France in June. His performance, entitled The Life Jacket Under the Seat, revolves around the dangers facing man in modern times and provides a glimpse into the means of overcoming them.

My heart also soared, my sweets, when I was told that Zahi Hawass, the newly- appointed secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), who also happens to be a columnist here at the Weekly, was recently granted an honourary membership in the Russian Academy for Natural Sciences at a prestigious celebration held at the Russian Embassy in Egypt.

Hawass became only the second Egyptian after Boutros Boutrus Ghali to have received the award. The Russian deputy chief of mission gave Hawass, on behalf of the academy, a memorial medal for his devotion to archaeological and cultural endeavours at both the Egyptian and international levels. He spoke in detail about the archaeological discoveries made by Hawass, including the cemetery of pyramids builders in Giza and the Valley of the Golden Mummies at the Bahariya Oasis, as well as Hawass's relentless efforts at promoting archaeological awareness across the world via his writings, lectures and books, which have been translated into English and French. Among the attendees at the ceremony were the director of the Russian archaeological mission in Egypt, Elie Nora, who spoke of Egyptian-Russian cooperation in antiquities restoration, specifically the ongoing work at the Cemeteries of the Nobles. Hawass, meanwhile, seized the opportunity to praise the professional work being done by the Russian restorers working on Coptic icons at the Hanging Church.

Recently, the Modern Education School (MES) held its kindergarten talent show at the Cairo Opera House. About 200 boys and girls made their parents proud, along with Head Mistress Magda Abdel-Moneim. The show started with a group of children reciting the 99 Holy names of God. Merna Mohamed Habib, daughter of our colleagues Mohamed Habib at the daily Al-Ahram and Shaden Shehab, was a particular standout. KG1 then showed solidarity with the Palestinians by waving Palestinian flags while singing Al-Quds Haterga Lenah (Jerusalem Will Be Ours Again). Some parents were brought to tears. With more patriotism, KG2 students dressed like diva Umm Kulthoum, Nobel Laureate Naguib Mahfouz, pillar of literature Taha Hussein and feminist Hoda Sha'rawi. The children sang with their classmates El-Masri, (The Egyptian). The show ended with children acting out scenes from the Lion King and singing the Circle of Life. Kindergarten Mistress Farida El-Ahwal was applauded for her efforts.

As usual, my dears, I have saved the best for last. This week, I was delighted to attend, along with so many of my colleagues here at the Weekly, the wedding of our dear colleague Heba Samir to Raymond Mitri. The traditional ceremony took place at the St George Church in Giza, and featured the bride looking lovely in her beautiful dress alongside the handsome groom, who is an electrical engineer at Alcatel Business Partner Egypt. I could hardly contain my happiness as I watched our very own photographers Khaled El-Fiqi and Randa Shaath snap away, forever capturing that perfect moment when two souls decide to forever commit. My sincerest congratulations go out to Heba and Raymond -- hoping they have a happy, fruitful life together.