An exhibition at Bibliotheca Alexandrina is currently showcasing the life and belongings of late Egyptian starlet Faten Hamama. The exhibition titled The Silver Screen Lady Faten Hamama, an Icon of Art was organised in collaboration with the star's family, on the two-year anniversary of her passing. Hamama, who passed away on 17 January 2015 at age 83, was one of Egypt's most prominent actresses in the 1950s, 60s and early 70s. The exhibit serves as an archive of Hamama's life, including a wide array of her belongings, from a fountain pen, to a number of dresses, her wristwatch, passport, family photos, and a portrait painted by artist Ezz Eldin Hamouda in 1960. On display also are a number of awards including her honorary degree from The American University in Cairo, a 2001 award from the Hariri Association for the Arab Woman Award, and her Best Actress Award for the film Yom Helw w Yom Mor (A Sweet Day and a Sour Day, 1988). Also included are an appreciation award for her role in Afwah w Araneb (Mouths and Rabbits, 1977) from the Cinema Theatre Music Organisation and a certificate of appreciation from the Egyptian Catholic Cinema Center granted after her death. The display features an archive of news pieces written on Hamama throughout her career, up to the news of her death and the postage stamp made in her honor after she passed. Al-Ahram Arabic quoted Hamama's husband Mohamed Abdel-wahab as saying “Faten Hamama influenced cinema enormously through her works; her films have become history, to be taught to generations to come.” The exhibit opened on 19 January and will run through 24 January.
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