I had a thrilling time last week, my sweets, at the Cervantes Institute (the Spanish Cultural Centre in Egypt, which is headed by Luis Moratinos) with my dear colleague Reham El-Adawi, as we took ina very unique fashion show by the world-renowned designer Miguel Adrover. At the centre's garden in Dokki, Adrover, 37, presented a collection that returned to themes that generated a great deal of controversy for him after 11 September 2001 -- namely Islamic dress. After he showed a delicious mix of Middle Eastern and African-inspired silhouettes on 9 September 2001, two days before the twin towers fell, Adrover said he was accused of "sympathising with the enemy" by the tabloids at the time. That was also how, after showing only two collections, Adroverbecame the most talked-about and sought-after designer in New York, his avant-garde clothing boutique Horn (which was forced to close its doors last winter due to financial troubles) quickly blossoming into a breeding ground for new talent. Adrover has visited Egypt about 20 times and stayed in Luxor and Aswan for long stretches. These experiences are very much reflected in his work, much of which is inspired by the Egyptian galabiya. The show was preceded by a two-day workshop organised in cooperation with the Spanish Designing Institute and Helwan University's fashion design department.
Arab foreign ministers who participated in a recent meeting in Cairo were invited by Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohamed bin Essato a lovely gathering at theMoroccan Embassy overlooking the Nile. Among the political and cultural luminaries in attendance were Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, senior presidential adviser Osama El-Baz, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, People's Assembly Foreign Relations Committee Head Mustafa El- Feki, veteran Al-Ahram columnist Anis Mansour, gifted novelist Gamal El-Ghetaniand Al-Ahram's back-page editor, Mona Ragab. Moroccan Ambassador in Egypt Mohamed El-Dokali and his wife warmly received guests, who all enjoyed the traditional Moroccan food that was served.
In his new exhibition Spirit of Egypt, my dears, artist Farid Fadel expounds on the things that make Egypt special for both Egyptology scholars and the casual visitor. The exhibition, which opened at the Al-Hanager gallery last week, features 60 paintings and drawings depicting portraits, seascapes, landscapes, Nile scenes, and people at work. Fadel'sgoal is to share his vision of Egypt's spirited street life --that blissful chaos of people, vehicles, animals, buildings, monuments and rubble. Fadel, by the way, has attained prominence in medicine, art and music: he has held 32 exhibitions; given several piano recitals and concerts; and has an MSc in Opthalmology in addition to being a practicing eye surgeon. The exhibition runs through 15 March.
Arab foreign ministers who participated in a recent meeting in Cairo were invited by Moroccan Foreign Minister Mohamed bin Essato a lovely gathering at theMoroccan Embassy overlooking the Nile. Among the political and cultural luminaries in attendance were Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, senior presidential adviser Osama El-Baz, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, People's Assembly Foreign Relations Committee Head Mustafa El- Feki, veteran Al-Ahram columnist Anis Mansour, gifted novelist Gamal El-Ghetaniand Al-Ahram's back-page editor, Mona Ragab. Moroccan Ambassador in Egypt Mohamed El-Dokali and his wife warmly received guests, who all enjoyed the traditional Moroccan food that was served.
In his new exhibition Spirit of Egypt, my dears, artist Farid Fadel expounds on the things that make Egypt special for both Egyptology scholars and the casual visitor. The exhibition, which opened at the Al-Hanager gallery last week, features 60 paintings and drawings depicting portraits, seascapes, landscapes, Nile scenes, and people at work. Fadel'sgoal is to share his vision of Egypt's spirited street life --that blissful chaos of people, vehicles, animals, buildings, monuments and rubble.
