Return of the Cairo International Festival for Experimental and Contemporary Theatre Following a five-year hiatus, the 23rd edition of the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre returned under a new name, with an eye towards change and expansion, and a "contemporary" focus. During the festival, which ran from 20 to 30 September, a total of 30 plays were staged, 17 of them by regional and international performers. The festival honoured the renowned guests: Gamil Rateb from Egypt, Torange Yeghiazarian from Iran/USA, Mumbi Kaigwa from Kenya, Femi Osofisan from Nigeria, Mohamed Saif Al-Afkham from the United Arab Emirates and Lu Ang from China. The festival also held workshops conducted by Egyptian and international experts from countries such as Chile, the United States, Pakistan, and India, among others. The event became an opportunity for actors and directors to interact, develop contacts and share in the creative process of their colleagues. Returning after five years of absence, the festival managed to fill the theatre halls with large audiences and revive interest in the genre. Collage from the plays that participated in the 23rd the Cairo International Festival for Experimental and Contemporary Theatre (Photos: Bassam Al Zoghby) Musical collaboration between Palestine's Yalalan and Egypt's Eskenderella Two classics from the repertoires of Egypt's beloved duo Sheikh Imam and Ahmed Fouad Negm were recently revisited in a fresh collaboration between Egyptian band Eskenderella and Palestinian band Yalalan. The first song was Ya Falastinia(O Palestinians), which came out in 1968 and which has, over the years, constituted a celebration of the Palestinian people's undying steadfastness and resistance. The song was released as a video clip via social media platforms on 16 August, and garnered over 6,000 YouTube views in just one day. The other song was Shayed Qusorak (Build your Palaces), another of the duo's chef d'oeuvres, which was released on YouTube and circulated via social media platforms on 25 September. Both songs were recorded during Yalalan's Egypt tour last June, during which they performed at the Cairo Opera House and Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Behind both productions stands Samer Jaradat, one of the most celebrated independent music producers in Palestine today, and also a percussionist for Yalalan. Commenting on this collaboration in an interview with Ahram Online last June, Jaradat said that selecting these specific songs from Sheikh Imam's repertoire constituted the “perfect choice to embody the encounter between Yalalan and Eskenderella.” Eskenderella and Yalalan pay homage to Egypt's beloved duo Sheikh Imam and Ahmed Fouad Negm by revisiting two of their classics. (Photos: Stills from Ya Falastiniyyeh YouTube video) Ballet cooperation between Alwanat centre in Upper Egypt's Minya and Cairo-based Easy Talents Academy In early September, Alwanat cultural centre located in Minya, Upper Egypt, took its ballet classes to the next level by initiating a partnership with Easy Talent Academy, a Cairo-based professional ballet school with branches in Maadi and Tagamoa. The vision behind this cooperation is to help Minya children interested in ballet develop their skills by following classical ballet methodology, and to help Minya trainers adopt these techniques. The cooperation aims to provide opportunities for advancement, on par with those available to young dancers in Cairo—including access to competitions and chances to perform outside Minya. The Easy Talent Academy is still in talks with Alwanat regarding the details of the partnership, but the process is moving forward. Between 12 and 15 September, two dancers from the Cairo centre paid a visit to Alwanat to understand the need and plan for upcoming endeavors. Ballet class at Alwanat in Minya (Photo: Bassam Al Zoghby) Tania Saleh's concert at Cairo's El-Genaina Theatre On Sunday 4 September, Lebanese singer-songwriter Tania Saleh sang to a packed El-Genaina Theatre, following her vibrant participation in this year's Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Summer Festival the day before. Taking the stage at El-Genaina Theatre for two hours, Saleh delivered an array of her most cherished songs, spanning her four albums to date: Tania Saleh (2002), Wehde (Unity, 2011), Live at DRM (2012) and most recently Shwayit Souwar (A Few Images, 2015). The concert also featured Egyptian oudist, singer and composer Hazem Shaheen, who shared the stage with Saleh for 20 minutes. Saleh also delivered an ode to Egyptian singer Mohamed Mounir, with a performance of Ya Hammam (Oh Pigeons). Hers was a brilliant reimagining of Mounir's song, thanks to a novel and fresh musical arrangement. Saleh's concert was part of El-Genaina's vibrant September programme, which also featured Al-Hadraa troupe,Jordanian band Random House, Palestinian musician Tamer Abu Ghazaleh, Lebanese band Adonis, and a weekly performance titled Zambalek by students of Al-Darb Al-Ahmar Arts School. Lebanese singer Tania Saleh performs at Cairo's El-Genaina Theatre on 4 September 2016. (Photo: Nourhan Tewfik) 14th Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Summer Festival Running from 29 July to 8 September, the festival offered a rich programme of over 40 cultural events for all musical tastes. The music programme included concerts by an array of established singers and musicians from Egypt and the region, from opening act Marcel Khalife to a festival-closing performance by Soad Massi. Genres ranged from independent rock and fusion bands to jazz, folklore and orchestral music. Among the internationally renowned singers, the festival also hosted Faya Younan from Syria, Tania Saleh and Rima Khcheich from Lebanon, and performers from India—recognized as the festival's guest of honour country. India gave a visually captivating performance by a Kathakali dance-drama troupe, set to the soothing sounds of santoor musicians. The musical events were topped with theatre performances and film screenings, as well as a special day tailored for the whole family. Collage with the artists who performed during the 14th Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Summer Festival
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