Pack of Cards
As media in the Arab World assumes more exposure and clout, a workshop entitled "Reinforcing the Role of the Arab Media to Achieve Sustainable Development" will be held from 25 to 27 February at UN headquarters in Beirut. The workshop comes within the framework of implementing recommendations stemming from the Sustainable Development Summit and the Sustainable Development and Production Department of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), aimed to promote the Arab media as an effective partner in the transmittal of information for this cause. The event takes place in cooperation with the Arab Media Forum for Environment and Development, the Arab League, and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
Arab Media Forum Secretary- General Randa Fouad said the three-day workshop will be held under the auspices of Lebanese Minister of Environment Michel Moussa. Participants include a group of Arab media figures, journalists, in addition to representatives from the Arab League, the ESCWA, and Arab experts in the fields of development and environment.
A spectacular event is to take place at the Small Hall of the Cairo Opera House. The Japan Foundation will present the performance, Impersonators: Female Role Players in Asian Traditional Dance and Theatre, featuring performers: Gojo Masanosuke, Zhao Zhigang, Gopal Dubey and Didik Nini Thowok from Japan, China, India and Indonesia. The project -- to be performed 1 and 2 March -- focusses on the art of performing female roles played by men, which used to be of high importance in the history of Asian performing arts. The art of female roles played by men was once common in many parts of the world, including Asia, Europe, and also the Middle East, when women were not allowed to perform in front of public for traditional or political reasons. The art of female impersonation in Asia has developed unique and individual ways beyond mere substituting for female players. Namely, it is not meant to depict women in a realistic manner. Instead, the performers adopt highly stylised approaches aimed at expressing an underlying the concept of femininity. Their remarkably detailed symbolism associated with the costumes, make-up and physical movements are condensed examples of aesthetic sensibilities of the culture in question.The performance is on a tour to London, Paris, Cairo, Rome and Cologne. I am sure, my dears, you will be fascinated with the miracles of metamorphoses of the actors dressed up in these symbols. It is a show not to be missed.
What good news for the opera goers! The Cairo Opera Ballet Company, directed by Abdel-Moneim Kamel, along with the Cairo Opera Orchestra performs Theodorakis's fabulous ballet Zorba from 25 to 28 February at the Cairo Opera House's Main Hall.For the second consecutive year, dancer Hani Hassan is playing the role of Zorba, the Greek, after the smashing success he achieved last year. The dances, choreographed by the talented Lorca Massine, are a melange of classical ballet and dances from the Greek folklore.
Palestinian singer Ziyad Fayez El-Ansari, who lives in Canada, is touring the world singing the poem of Egyptian poet Farouk Gweida titled Jerusalem, and composed by Nabil William Eskander. He will also chant The Arab Rage song written by late poet Talaat Khaled who wrote the last song of late singer Farid El-Atrash. The song is composed by Yehia El- Mougi -- who is supervising El-Ansari's artistic career.
Governor of North Sinai Ahmed Abdel-Hamid, and director of the Cairo Opera House Samir Farag, inaugurated an art exhibition showcasing 30 works in addition to a musical festivity featured percussionist Nesma Abdel-Aziz, singer Khaled Shams and his band, and the National Arabic Music Ensemble, conducted by Selim Sahab. At the seminar held on sidelines of the celebration, our former ambassador to Israel and current member of Al-Shoura Council, Mohamed Bassiouni, spoke about the recent Israeli elections and the demographic structure of the Israeli and Palestinian people. It was attended by President of the Suez Canal University Farouk Abdel- Qader. The cultural seminar was enriched by prominent actors Youssef Shaaban and Khaled Zaki.
Al-Ahram Weekly Online : 20 - 26 February 2003 (Issue No. 626)
Located at: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/626/pe1.htm