Khaled Galal, the head of the Cultural Production Affairs Sector, has expressed his sorrow over the death of famed lion trainer and circus personality Mohamed El-Helw on Wednesday. Speaking on behalf of the whole sector, theatre director Galal underscored El-Helw's important position on the Egyptian and regional circus scene. "El-Helw engraved his name among those of international circus artists, and left us proud of the history of this art form in Egypt, to which he contributed greatly," Galal said in a press release. El-Helw comes from a long line of lion trainers and circus owners, and his sons also work in the field. His grandfather, Mohamed Ali El-Helw, founded the family's first circus in 1889. In the early 1950s, the family established another circus, that was then nationalised in the 1960s. El-Helw passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 70 following a long struggle with illness. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
