♣ US Ambassador Anne Patterson recognised the outstanding contributions of Egyptian women in science during a reception co-hosted by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the US Consulate General in Alexandria. At the event, Patterson inducted Alexandria University professor Boshra Salem into the State Department's 2013 Women in Science Hall of Fame for the Middle East and North Africa. “The US and Egypt have a long history of scientific cooperation,” said Ambassador Patterson. “Women on both sides of the Atlantic work together every day, making new discoveries that help us lead better lives.” Salem is one of Egypt's leading ecologists and an expert on sustainable development in arid lands. She co-founded Alexandria University's Department of Environmental Sciences, where she teaches and manages a remote sensing laboratory. Her research applies advanced remote sensing and geographic information systems to wildlife and conservation, with a particular focus on Egypt's northwest coast. She is also involved in desert development through UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme, most recently working on a project to bring solar desalinisation technology to Bedouin communities in Egypt and 10 other countries. “Across Egypt, women are doing groundbreaking work in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math,” said Patterson. The head of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina's cultural outreach sector, Hoda Al-Mikati welcomed attendees to the library, while Alexandria University President Osama Ibrahim delivered the closing remarks. A range of government officials, graduate students, researchers and development professionals attended the reception. The State Department's Middle East and North Africa Environment, Science, Technology and Health Office initiated a “Women in Science Hall of Fame” in 2010 to honour outstanding female scientists throughout the region. A dozen women were selected for their accomplishments each year. ♥ The Korean Embassy in Cairo organised a cultural celebration last Friday entitled “Korean Day” at the Maadi Sporting Club and its yacht. In his speech, Korean Ambassador Young-Soo Kim underlined the strength of Egyptian-Korean relations, pointing out that he is seeking to arrange a major celebration on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of full diplomatic relations between the two countries. He said that the Egyptian economy is promising and has good opportunities for growth and expansion, therefore Korean companies plan to expand their investments in Egypt in the years to come. The celebration included a photography exhibition of Korean site-seeing landmarks and a ceremony of modern and traditional music, in which a group of Egyptian girls performed the Korean dance song “Gangnam style”, in addition to a workshop of the Korean cooking Hanshik and another of the Korean uniform making Hanbok. ♠ The Children's Cancer Hospital Foundation 57357 has dedicated UNESCO's World Poetry Day to children with cancer. This is a cultural event but also a fundraising one: the evening will be devoted to the Children's Cancer Hospital Foundation 57357 and will take place today at the Cairo Opera House Open-Air Theatre at 6pm. It is organised by the Italian Cultural Institute in the framework of a project co-funded by the European Union, Kalam lel Shabab, with the support of the Embassies of Hungary, Portugal and Switzerland. The programme will include a reception, a book fair and a five-minute documentary on Hospital 57357. It will feature poets José Luís Peixoto (Portugal), Oliver Scharpf (Switzerland), Geza Szecs (Hungary), Dante Marianacci (Italy) as well as Egyptian poets Abdel-Moeti Hegazi and Hassan Taleb; Italian singer Eleonora Iannotta will perform two songs, and the Ashra Gharby band will give a concert. (see Listings p.23) ¨ The Four Seasons Nile Plaza organised a celebration marking the 200th anniversary of cooking the first sushi platter, hosting one of the most acclaimed sushi chefs in Japan, Emile Sushi, who gave a lecture on how to prepare sushi for a newlywed couple. ♣ The Nasr City Salon, presided over by Mustafa Kamel, held a cultural seminar featuring the political analyst Mustafa Al-Feki, who discussed his diplomatic and political career, followed by poetry recital by Saudi poet Hatem Al-Wejdani. The seminar was attended by former minister of antiquities Zahi Hawass, musician Mounir Al-Wasimi, director of the Cairo International Film Festival Soheir Abdel-Kader, director Hani Lashin, media figures Sherine Rabie, Dalia Al-Gezeiri and actor Sameh Al-Sereiti. ♥ The Four Seasons Nile Plaza Hotel saw the celebration of International Women's Day under the auspices of the spouse of the Bahraini ambassador to Egypt, Sheikha Latifa Al-Khalifa. It was crowned by the presence of an array of diplomats and society women such as Al-Ahram writers Aisha Abdel-Ghaffar and Afkar Al-Kharadli and society ladies like Hoda Ahmed Maher, Amal Al-Arabi, Youssria Ragab and Mona Kenouz as well as ambassadors' wives. ª Amr Shalakany, American University in Cairo (AUC) associate professor of law and Aga Khan distinguished visiting professor of Islamic Humanities at Brown University, has published a new book: Izdihar wa Inhiyar Al-Nokhba Al-Qanouneya Al-Masreya (The Rise and Fall of the Egyptian Legal Elite: 1805-2005). Published by Dar Al-Shorouk, the book examines the history of the Egyptian legal profession from the late 19th century to the present. Shalakany attempts to trace the effect of reforms on raising the profile of legal practitioners and empowering them as instrumental decision-makers on various public issues. In his book; he argues that today's economic and political need for reforms may contribute to restoring the long-lost status of Egypt's lawyers. ¨ The first story in the series of Kan ya ma Kan, The Lost Scarab, written and illustrated by Hala Sarofim, was recently launched in both English and Arabic. Kan ya ma Kan is a series of stories targeting children. Set in a real yet magical world, each story imparts to the reader some knowledge about the culture in which the story is set, introducing popular sayings and teaching the reader a moral. The characters have Arabic names which reflect their main characteristics, virtues or looks. Their sketched outlines are simple and bold but they come to life through simple little details in their expressions, mannerisms and dress inspired by Pharaonic history and art. The reader can see scarabs, hieroglyphics, and the lotus — all of which are adapted from historical and cultural symbols and motifs. The protagonists are two little mice who scamper from adventure to adventure. They are human in their characteristics, emotions and behaviour. They are watched over by a vet who also is their base or comfort zone and our storyteller. They are followed by a trio of celestial beings who come to their rescue and spell out the moral of the story. The drawings of all the characters have been inspired by Pharaonic, Arab and oriental heritage. The names are colour-coded to match the characters' main colours, making it easier for children to retain words and improve their vocabulary.
Following an agreement between the Ambassador of Ireland Isolde Moylan, the Minister of Tourism Hisham Zazou and the Minister of State for Antiquities Mohamed Ibrahim, the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx were illuminated in green, Ireland's national colour, on 14 March to celebrate St Patrick's Day, Ireland's National Day, Ireland's current EU Presidency and the friendship between Ireland and Egypt. The Giza Pyramids and Sphinx are the most important and exciting new addition to Ireland's “Global Greening” initiative during which famous world landmarks turn green for St Patrick's Day. The participation of Egypt in the initiative for the first time this year has sparked considerable international interest, providing an opportunity for Egypt to showcase its remarkable heritage and advertise itself as a prime global tourism destination. Speaking on Thursday at a reception in Giza overlooked by the green Pyramids, Moylan said, “We are delighted to be cooperating with the ministers of tourism and antiquities and the Misr Company for Sound, Light and Cinema on the Greening of the Pyramids initiative. While celebrating Ireland's National Day, Ireland's Presidency of the EU and our friendship with Egypt and its great people, we also aim to ensure that the Greening of Egypt's renowned Pyramids will serve as a reminder that Egypt remains a unique, fascinating and welcoming country for visitors.” The “Global Greening 2013” campaign will see over 50 iconic international landmarks right across the globe illuminated in green. In addition to the Pyramids and Sphinx, they include the Temple of Hercules in Amman, the Burj Al-Arab in Dubai, the Empire State Building, Niagara Falls, the leaning tower of Pisa, the Sydney Opera House and many more.
