Pack of Cards
By Madame Sosostris
As the holy month of Ramadan draws nearer, the nation as a whole is getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of Ramadan preparations. While the traditional buying of dried fruits and nuts, and other Ramadan-linked foods prevails, this globalising city is preparing for the month in more high-tech ways too.
The Internet site www.LayalyRamadan.com is one of the most innovative of the tech-related Ramadan features. The site is the brain wave of a group of young entrepeneurs eager to provide services for those wanting to partake in the month's lively social gatherings. The service -- which functions as a database of all the nightspots where one can eat the iftar and suhour -- allows users to log-on and make reservations in an easy, convenient manner, 24 hours a day. Users are also able to choose the restaurant or tent according to the type of "scene", price-range, or geographical area. Definitely smart, certainly convenient, and absolutely something that everyone should take the time to surf.
As the mood of the film festival saturates the air, celebrations surrounding it are in abundance. One such extravaganza -- held at the Diplomatic Club in honour of Egyptian actress Iman -- was hosted by Mustafa El- Feki, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the People's Assembly and president of the Egyptian- Austrian Friendship Association. Iman is among those receiving awards at this year's 26th Cairo International Film Festival. She was honoured for her contribution to Egyptian cinema before her immigration to Germany 40 years ago. Guests included Iman's husband -- German businessman Max Schler -- director of the 26th Cairo International Film Festival Cherif El- Choubashi, Austrian Ambassador to Egypt Ferdinand Trauttmansdorff, Egyptian Ambassador to Bahrain Mahmoud Abdel-Gawwad, Jordanian Ambassador to Egypt Hani Al-Malqi, painter Farid Fadel and his wife Mona Zaki, Al-Ahram Hebdo Editor- In-Chief Mohamed Salmawy and his wife, painter Nazli Madkour, as well as veteran TV journalist and provocateur Moufid Fawzi.
Together with my colleague Reham El-Adawi, I enjoyed a stimulating presentation on aspects of North African Berber culture, -- or "Imazighen" or "Free People" as they prefer to be known -- which was presented through a joint exhibit at the American University in Cairo's Rare Books and Special Collections Library and the Sony Gallery. The exhibit includes a stunning collection of Imazighen silver and old picture postcards of the Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) taken by Lehnert and Landrock and their contemporaries. Both exhibits were inaugurated by Moroccan Ambassador Ali Oumlil and Director of the Sony Gallery Abdullah Schleifer. After the opening ceremony, Jean-Jacques Schaffer gave a lecture on "The Treasures and Mysteries of the Berbers of Morocco". Schaffer owns one of the most beautiful collections of Imazighen jewelry in the world and is the author of two publications on the prehistory of Morocco as well as other ethnological studies. The Sony Gallery exhibition will stay on display until 12 December while the Rare Books and Special Collections Library exhibition lasts until 31 October.
At Le Pasha Boat, the Women's Inner Wheel Club organised a panel discussion introducing the controversial Dream TV presenter Hala Sarhan. Beginning with a look at her TV and press career, Sarhan and members of the club discussed several issues related to the growing role of the Arab woman on both local and international levels, as well as her contribution and role in addressing development and environmental problems. Other members included Samia Abul-Fotouh and Nagwa Ziyadi.
An exhibition of drawing and painting entitled "Alexandrian Puns" by artist Farid Fadel is inaugurated this week by Head of the Centre for Plastic Art Ahmed Nawwar, Head of the Central Administration for Museums and Exhibitions Mohsen Shaalan, and Director of the Mahmoud Said Centre for Museums Awatef Bahrouz. The exhibit -- displayed at the museum's exhibition galleries in Alexandria -- features a collection of Fadel's recent paintings depicting scenes of Egyptian landscape. It runs until 15 November.
My dear friend, and icon of etiquette Shirley Shalaby celebrated EN VOGUE modeling school's 12th Graduation Ceremony, held this year at the "Beach" of JW Marriott. The event included a fashion show launching Claire Kids & Concepts, followed by the Autumn and Winter collection of Wild and Minx. Among the judges selecting the EN VOGUE "Look of the Year", were actress Safeya El-Emary, founder of Savoy International chain of hotels Emad Aziz, General Manager of Oriflame cosmetics company Michael Losek, Shell environmental advisor Hazem Bashat, and famous filmmaker Tarek El-Erian. Prominent caricaturist Ramsis was also there drawing all the guests.
An exhibit showing the works of four contemporary Egyptian artists -- Sayed El-Bibani, Mohamed Dessouki, Iman Mahran and Adel Thabet -- was inaugurated this week by AUC's Interim President Thomas Bartlett at AUC's Ewart Gallery. The exhibition -- which runs until 31 October -- features coloured paintings, black and white drawings, as well as ceramic plates and pots.
In honour of the Indian cinema delegates attending the 26th Cairo International Film festival, Indian Ambassador to Egypt Satnam Jit Singh held a reception party which was attended by a galaxy of senior officials, film stars, critics and media people. Among the attendees were Indian Cultural Counsellor Kanchan Gupta, renowned British actress Vanessa Redgrave, Indian actress Nandita Das, director of the festival Cherif El- Choubashi, Egyptian actress Laila Sho'ier, as well as Ismail Merchant -- chairman of the festival's jury and director of several award winning and Oscar nominated films based on India.
More news on the AUC: A large event called La Galleria was organised for the first time in an effort to explore and enhance students' artistic skills and talents. The three-day event -- organised by the Student Union in coordination with the Student Cultural Activities Office -- included a display of student work. Competition categories included: painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, caricature, fashion design, Arabic and English poetry and short story writing. The board of judges included 15 members and certificates were given by advertisement designer Khaled Roushdi and photographer Mohamed Gabr. The event was attended by prominent artists such as ascending movie star Mustafa Shaaban and actor Sherif Mounir.
Renowned international painter and sculptor Jose Luis Cuevas, and Mexico's Ambassador to Egypt Miguel Angel Orozco will open the third annual Mexican Cultural Week being held in Cairo from 27 October to 2 November. During this week, the Mexican Embassy in conjunction with the hosting venues -- the Cervantes Institute (The Spanish Cultural Centre) and the Centre of Art -- will share an array of cultural highlights from the Aztec nation.
The week will begin with a Lola Alvarez Bravo's photo exhibition on Frida Kahlo -- Mexico's most popular female painter of the 20th century. A series of lectures given by Cuevas will explore common trends in contemporary art. Ethnologist Sergio Raśl Arroyo, director of the National Anthropological and Historical Institute of Mexico, will lead a discussion on how to integrate and consolidate a national Mexican identity. For those lovers of Mexican cuisine, participants will have the opportunity to satisfy their palates with typical Mexican dishes while enjoying the music of pianist Alberto Cruzprieto. The achievements of modern-day Mexican cinema will be featured in the movie One of Two. And in the tradition of the Mexican Embassy, the week will culminate with an offering of the Day of the Dead. This year is dedicated to Maria Felix, the diva of Mexican cinema, who died earlier this year.
All events will be held at the Cervantes Institute in Dokki, with the exception of Cruzprieto's piano recital, which will take place at Cairo's Arts Centre in Zamalek.
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