Pack of Cards
By Madame Sosostris
Next Saturday, the Journalists' Syndicate will honour the memory of Al- Ahram Weekly's beloved late Editor-in-Chief Hosny Guindy (1940-2003) at 7pm. At the memorial service, a great many of Guindy's closest friends -- the veteran writers and journalists who worked with him for decades -- will be extolling Guindy's virtues as a journalist and editor, as well as his relentless efforts as the founder of Egypt's most prominent English- language publication. Amongst others will be the Weekly's very own senior columnist Mursi Saad El- Din, senior political analyst Salama Ahmed Salama, dynamic former MP Mona Makram Ebeid, Head of the People's Assembly's Foreign Relations Committee Mustafa El- Feki and senior AUC economics professor Adel Beshai. Our Managing Editor Hani Shukrallah will also be speaking on behalf of Al- Ahram Board Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Ibrahim Nafie, who is currently abroad.
On the sidelines of the event, a documentary chronicling the important milestones in Guindy's life -- including scenes from heartwarming family events such as his only daughter Yasmine's engagement, and some of the Weekly's birthday parties (we were always, after all, his second family) -- will be screened.
A book has also been published in Arabic and English entitled Hosny Guindy: A Tribute, including many of the articles written by the Weekly's staff and others about their departed leader and beloved friend. The book will be available on the same day at the syndicate's fourth floor grand hall, where the ceremony will take place.
Another event not to be missed is the photo exhibition currently showing at the American University in Cairo's Sony Gallery. Called "In Hope and Despair: Life in the Palestinian Refugee Camps", this collection of photographs documents the lives of people whose future has been put on hold, but who refuse -- at the same time -- to abandon the hope that one day the world will listen to them and recognise their right to return.
The photographer -- Mia Grondhal -- has visited most of the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. A Swedish journalist and photographer, she has been based in the Middle East since 1996. According to Hanan Ashrawi, the prominent Palestinian peace activist, academic, and member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, "the images captured by Mia Grondahl for this vital initiative are a moving testimony... and an indispensable witness to the triumph of the human spirit over perpetual pain." The show is only on display until 16 October, so hurry up and catch it before it's gone.
In conjunction with the Egypt-Italy Cultural Encounter 2003- 2004 celebrations which began earlier this month, the Italian Ambassador in Egypt Antonio Badini will be presenting renowned Nobel Laureate Naguib Mahfouz with the Mediterranean Academy Award for his unique contributions to literature and cinema. The ceremony takes place on 18 October in Naples.
With the Manasterly Palace's International Music Centre beginning its third season (2003-2004) next Sunday, its artistic director Ramzi Yassa told me he was proud that, "once again music will be the focus in this most magical setting. In our pursuit of excellence we are presenting performances that will enhance the emotions that only music can provide."
The first concert, due to be held on 12 October, will feature violinist Rodolfo Bonucci and pianist Corrado Greco from Italy. In 2000, Bonucci was appointed Cavalier Officer by the Italian president for his excellent artistic achievements. He was appointed principal conductor and musical director of the Bologna Opera Theatre in 2003. Greco, who studied with Italy's most renowned pianists -- including Alberto Mozzati and Michele Campanella -- has been the artistic director of the University of Insubria in Varese and Como since 2001.
After the tremendous success of the dinner theatre performance Shakespeare Revue at the Nile Hilton, the hotel is at it again. An Evening with Gary Lineker is the name of the new play, which is being put on by the Richmond Productions Theatre Company and stars the well-known British actor, director, and producer Alister Cameron. The performances will be taking place at the Alf Leila wa Leila Ballroom on 9 and 10 October. Described by the Evening Standard as "one of the year's sharpest and funniest comedies", the show also features Arthur Smith and Chris England.
On 14 October, the American University in Cairo's (AUC) Public Relations department, along with the university's Model Arab League, will be holding an Arabic lecture entitled "The Demographic Division in Israel and its Impact on the Peace March". Former Egyptian Ambassador to Israel and current Shura Council member Mohamed Bassiouny will be delivering the talk, which will take place at the university's Oriental Hall.
At the AUC Press meanwhile, a celebration was recently held to launch Hala El- Badry's newest novel -- A Certain Woman. El-Badry's fourth novel, it was awarded the best novel prize at the 2001 Cairo International Book Fair. The novel reflects a woman's journey of self- discovery and understanding, offering rare glimpses into her inner thoughts as she confronts questions of love and intimacy both within and outside of marriage. Amongst those who attended the book launch were some of the country's most prominent literati, including Bahaa Taher, Mohamed El-Bissatie, Ibrahim Abdel-Meguid, Fawziya Mahran, Miral El-Tahawy, Youssef Abu Rayya, as well as the AUC Press's friends, guests and journalists.
The Cairo Opera House recently honoured tenor Sobhi Bedeir, the former artistic director of the Cairo Opera Company, for his efforts over the past half decade in making the troupe what it is today. Opera House Director Samir Farag granted him both a certificate of recognition and a shield.
Bedeir's reputation as a consummate tenor was cemented via his masterful performances in several international operas such as Verdi's Rigoletto, Aida and La Traviata. Bedeir is currently busy heading the Friends band, which specialises in Latin and Neapolitan songs. He also teaches at the voice department at the Cairo Conservatoire.
AUC's Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office, in collaboration with the Office of Student Development (OSD), is organising its first seminar for this semester on "Street Children". Set to take place on 13 October, the seminar will feature guest speaker Abla El-Badry, general director of the Hope Village for Street Children, who will discuss the roots of this phenomenon and the efforts of the society to overcome it. The formation of a new student organisation -- the Leaders Society -- will also be announced. The new group will be striving to provide much needed support for both homeless and street children.
