* For the second time this year, the German Embassy in Egypt is hosting a thrilling photography exhibition by the German diplomat Mathias Tödt, who has been living and working in Egypt for the past four years. The exhibit was inaugurated by German Ambassador in Egypt Bernd Erbel, and attended by Gamal El-Shaer, head of the Egyptian Television's Cultural Programmes. The exhibition showcases the photographer's unique perspective of some of Egypt's spectacular yet untrodden terrain, and reflects the enchanting beauty of the Egyptian desert. It is ongoing for a couple of weeks. (See Exhibitions in Listings p.14) * On the occasion of his country's Independence Day, the Italian Ambassador to Egypt Antonio Badini and his wife Dounia invited 2,000 guests in what doubled as a farewell party for the diligent diplomat. During his stint in Cairo, Badini was highly active in representing his country and forging ties with both the Egyptian and diplomatic communities. The editor of this page Reham El-Adawi attended the celebration at the spectacularly designed and decorated Mohamed Ali Palace in Shubra Al-Kheima. A constellation of luminaries gathered around the palace's vast and beautiful fountain. Those in attendance were mesmerised by the powerful voice of the Cairo Opera House's tenor Sobhi Bedeir, who chanted famous Italian songs by the likes of Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli. Minister of International Cooperation Fayza Abul-Naga, Minister of Electricity and Energy Hassan Younes, Minister of State for Environmental Affairs Maged George, Minister of Housing and New Urban Communities Ahmed El-Maghrabi attended. A large number of Arab and foreign ambassadors in Egypt were present, in addition to media figures, including Al-Ahram Weekly 's very own Chief Editor Assem El-Kersh. The celebration was crowned with the bestowing of a prestigious Italian decoration upon the director of the Cairo Opera House Abdel-Moneim Kamel, and his wife ballerina Erminia. * Minister of State for Environmental Affairs Maged George inaugurated the Environment Film Festival headed by veteran caricaturist Mustafa Hussein at the Manial Palace. The opening was presented by lovely actress Nelly and veteran actor Ezzat El-Alaili, while pop singer Medhat Saleh enlivened the event with his songs. The Beni-Sweif Folk Music ensemble performed their very best. The festival which honoured the gorgeous actress Youssra was also attended by head of Al-Hanager Art Centre Hoda Wasfi, film critic Rafiq El-Saban and, from the media, Neam El-Baz, Dina Farouk and Eman Atta. * The Internet search engine Google has launched a regional office in Cairo, with the aim of enhancing its outreach in the Arab world, and helping increase its Arabic content. "We selected Egypt to locate our regional hub since it has the highest Internet use, with some 5.9 million Internet users," said Google's Middle East and North Africa Manager Sherif Iskander. He predicted that, "by 2010 Internet users will increase to reach 12.4 million in Egypt, four million in Sudan, 8.5 million in Saudi Arabia and 2.5 million in the United * The Garden City Lions Club, presided by Awatef Serageddin, organised a seminar at the Cairo Capital Club on the participation of civil society in supporting social development. Speakers included the Secretary-General of the National Council for Women Farkhonda Hassan, who confirmed the crucial role of Arab women in developing their families and societies. The seminar concluded with honouring the recently-appointed, first-ever female judges in Egypt. The honoured judges included Sarah Adli Hussein, Sally El-Saedi, Gihan El-Batouti, Samiha El-Desyawi, Ola Hussein Kamel and Suzanne Abdel-Rahman Fahmi. Among those attending were former prime minister Ali Lotfi and media figures Sekina El-Sadat, Soheir Shalabi and Sanaa El-Askari. * Head of the General Organisation of Cultural Palaces Ahmed Nawwar inaugurated the New Noras Library in Fayoum, within the framework of the 'Reading for All Festival'. Nawwar affirmed that this year the annually-held festival will extend to remote areas such as Halayeb and Shalateen south of the country, as well as Abu Ramad, the Siwa Oasis, and the New Delta. The event was attended by Governor of Fayoum Mohamed Magdi. * Chef Theirry Papillier who is in charge of the Nile Hilton Rotisserie Belvedere Restaurant recently inaugurated his culinary demonstration sessions at the hotel's premises. Papillier was happy to share his passion with a select group of ladies, including Annick Laplace, Josette Porchet, Hoda Hassan, Tamara Bakir and Public Relations Manager at Nile Hilton Farida Mansour. All attended the session, which was a demonstration of how to prepare and cook a complete gastronomic menu, the starter, main course and dessert. Papillier said he was looking forward to resuming his culinary classes in September. Last week, Ragaai Sobhi Ibrahim 's discussion of a doctoral dissertation in surgery was held at Al-Demerdash Hospital entitled "Predictive factors for the possible degree of difficulty before undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy". Doctors Hassan Zakaria, Alaaeddin Ismail and Nabil Shedid presided over the discussion.
