Issue No. 610
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31 Oct. - 6 Nov. 2002 Issue No. 610 People |
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The Fulbright Commission in Egypt celebrated 53 years of binational cooperation between the United States and Egypt at its Annual Alumni Dinner, on 28 October at the Marriott Hotel. The binational Fulbright Commission in Egypt (BFCE) became the 12th Commission worldwide and the first in Africa and the Middle East in 1949. As part of a continuing theme on sustained Egyptian- American cooperation and partnerships, this year's dinner observed the centennial of Egypt's relationship with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (MFA). The keynote address, entitled "The First Century of Friendship and Collaboration", was given by Rita Freed , Norma- Jean Calderwood curator of Ancient Egyptian, Nubian and Near Eastern Art at the MFA. It was introduced by the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Zahi Hawass, who also gave a lecture and slide projection titled "The Secret Doors".
The dinner programme started with a welcome by Fulbright Commission Executive Director Ann Radwan and a speech by the Ambassador of the United States to Egypt, David Welch. Among the renowned figures who shared in the commission's celebration were Minister of Youth Alieddin Hilal, archaeological consultant at the Ministry of Culture Gaballa Ali Gaballa, former Secretary- General of the Arab League Esmat Abdel-Meguid, Cairo Governor Abdel-Rahim Shehata and painter Gazbiya Seri. This is in addition to representatives of Fulbright Commission countries, such as Austrian Ambassador Ferdinand Trauttmansdorff, Indian Ambassador Satnam Jit Singh, and diplomatic guests: European Union Ambassador Ian Boag and the Ambassador of Panama, Remiro Ulises Batista.
At the opening ceremony of the 11th annual Arabic Music Conference and Festival scheduled to start on 1 November, Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni, Director of the Cairo Opera House Samir Farag, and the festival's Secretary-General Ratiba El-Hefni, will distribute certificates of recognition and shields to this year's honoured artists. The honoured artists are pioneers in the fields of music and singing: composer Salah Aram, violinist Said Heikal, Lebanese composer Tawfiq El- Basha, sha'bi singer Maher El-Attar and veteran Arabic calligrapher Abdel-Met'aal Mohamed Ibrahim. The festival -- directed by Abdel- Moneim Kamel -- will be opened with musical works titled Kom Al-Dekka and Raq Al- Habib, respectively commemorating late veteran composers Sayyed Darwish and Mohamed El-Asabgi. The festival, which runs until 10 November, will take place at the Cairo Opera House's venues: the Main and Small Halls, Al- Gumhouriya Theatre and the Arabic Music Institute -- which will begin its activities for the first time since its official inauguration on 4 June 2002. Eight countries: Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Palestine, Japan, Morocco, Lebanon and Iraq will participate in this year's round, representing 28 artists, including Lebanese singer Jahdah and Tunisian singer Saber El-Ruba'i, both participating for the first time in the festival. It will also feature 18 concerts and 16 Arabic music troupes such as Al-Yasmine Arabic Music troupe from Japan, Tarshiha troupe from Palestine, Iraqi Arab Music troupe, Oyoun group for Oriental Takht and Qithara troupe from Egypt. The Arabic Music conference will discuss two themes: the conditions of the contemporary song across the Arab world and visions on the musical appreciation of the child. This year's competition is on composing a song. The festival will also feature a calligraphy exhibition displaying works of 30 calligraphers. Celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, the festival will present a special evening featuring invocations and compositions by Sheikh Sayyed Mekawi titled Fi Hadrat Maoulana (In the Presence of Our Saint). Arabic Music lovers will be happy to know that ticket prices will be reduced during Ramadan.
In aid of the Palestinian children, the Indian Embassy organised a unique charitable, cultural event: "Solah Shingar: 16 Adornments of an Indian Bride," on 30 October at Mena House Oberoi Hotel. The event, held in Cairo for the first time, gave a glimpse of India's rich traditions and customs. Solah Shingar is an hour-long colourful and lyrical presentation recreating the transformation of a youthful Indian maiden into a stunning bride. This dazzling display of the most exciting part of an Indian marriage was accompanied by traditional Indian wedding music and dance, and a special performance of folk dances from the Western Indian state of Gujarati. A wedding feast followed the event. Among the distinguished guests at this event reserved solely for women, was Hoda Maher, wife of the Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher.
UNICEF's headquarters in Cairo organised a celebration honouring Mohamed Mounir, one of Egypt's most loved and popular singers, for his donation of a special song called Ya 'Aalam Iss'ha (Hey World! Wake Up) for the campaign to eradicate polio from Egypt. The campaign is sponsored by Mrs Suzanne Mubarak and organised by the Ministry of Health. The party was attended by the organisation's representative in Egypt, Shahida Azfar, who thanked Mounir for taking the initiative to participate in the campaign for free. The song written by Kawthar Mustafa, composed by Mohamed Diaaeddin and directed by Saber Qa'id, features children singing along with Mounir about a life of joy and hope.
On 25 October, the Pharaonic Village celebrated its 8th annual charity festival. The festival -- held by Abdel-Salam Ragab, the chairperson of the pharaonic village -- hosted 650 orphaned and special needs children. The celebration featured singers Anoushka and Hassan Abdel-Megid, and included art, crafts, pottery, and drawing on papyrus as part of the activities of the new art centre. Among the celebrities who attended, were actors: Ahmed Maher, Madline Tabar, Iman, Sameh El-Seraity, Ashraf Abdel-Ghafour, Abdallah Mahmoud, Mahmoud El- Guindi, Youssef Shaaban, and TV host Tareq Allam. The festival was held under the patronage of the Minister of Education Hussein Kamel Bahaaeddin and Giza Governor Mahmoud Abul-Leil.
Congratulations! Al-Ahram Weekly's very own Region and International pages contributor from Washington Anayat Durrani gave birth to a delightful little boy three months ago. Omar, she says, is a handful of joy. Wishing to share her happiness with the Weekly, she sent a picture of Omar. He is half Palestinian (her side) and half Afghan and Pakistani (her husband's side). All the Weekly staff send Durrani their warmest wishes.
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