Pharaoh's fruit For the first time this year, Aswan will be organising a Dates Festival as part of the celebration of the sun falling on the face of King Ramses II on 21 October. So says Masoud Shouman, the head of the General Organisation of Cultural Palaces, following his meeting with Aswan Governor Mustafa Yousri concerning the cultural activities scheduled to take place by the organisation on this occasion. Tarek Shawki, dean of the School of Sciences and Engineering at the American University in Cairo (AUC), was chosen to head the newly formed Specialised Council on Education and Scientific Research, affiliated to the Egyptian Presidency. Four other AUC professors will be members of the council: Malak Zaalouk, professor of practice at the Graduate School of Education; Amal Essawi, professor of mechanical engineering and associate director of the Youssef Jameel Science and Technology Research Centre at the School of Sciences and Engineering; Randa Abdel-Kerim, adjunct professor at the School of Sciences and Engineering; and Joyce Rafla, professional educator diploma instructor at AUC, the youngest member of the council. Marking the 65th anniversary of the Chinese national day, Chinese Ambassador Song Aiguo gave a lavish reception in the presence of Minister of Environment Khaled Fahmi, Minister of International Cooperation Naglaa Al-Ahwani, Lebanese Ambassador Khaled Ziyada, Ambassador of Georgia Archil Dzuliashvili, Iraqi Ambassador Diaa Al-Dabbas, Tunisian Ambassador Mahmoud Al-Khoumeri, Iraqi Ambassador Diaa Al-Dabbas, South Korean Ambassador Yung-So Kim, Algerian Ambassador Nazir Al-Arabawi, Greek Ambassador Chris Lazaris, Indian Ambassador Navdeep Suri and Finnish Ambassadress Tuula Yrjölä. The new German Ambassador to Egypt Hansjörg Haber, who has succeeded Michael Bock, celebrated Germany's national day at his residence in the presence of the Minister of Housing Mustafa Madbouli, the Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali and the Minister of Agriculture Adel Al-Beltagui. Al-Fayoum Governor Hazem Attiyatallah, El-Sawy Culturewheel founder Mohamed El-Sawy, the Saudi Ambassador Ahmed Al-Qattan and his Jordanian counterpart Bishr Al-Khasawena were also present. Congratulations! Hassan Azzazy, professor of chemistry at The American University in Cairo (AUC) recently received the Global Innovator Award, presented annually by the Texas Christian University (TCU) to individuals who conduct groundbreaking research that has a significant impact on society. The innovators receive a $25,000 grant to advance work in their home countries and are invited to the TCU campus to take part in cocurricular and multidisciplinary research. Moreover, Nageh Allam, assistant professor of physics at the university, has received the 2013 Best Publication Award from the National Research Center (NRC) for his innovative research on how nanotechnology can be used to convert solar energy to fuel or electricity, specifically the development of materials to replace the expensive silicon in sustainable industries. Samir Farid, director of the 36th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF, 9-18 November), announced that the French politician Jack Lang will be awarded the Naguib Mahfouz Prize (the Golden Pyramid) at the festival. Currently the Chairman of the Institute of the Arab World in Paris, Lang is well-known for his international vision and efforts in cultural exchange. Farid also selected Pantelis Voulgaris' Little England to be screened on the closing night of the festival. Little England is the most recent work by Greece's best-known auteur, which received the Golden Goblet Award for Best Feature Film at the 17th Shanghai International Film Festival in June, in addition to Best Actress and Best Director awards. The film was submitted to represent Greece at the Oscars in 2015, vying at the Best Foreign Language Picture category. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Greek film production, Greek cinema will be honoured at CIFF. Pop superstar Amr Diab, the World Music Award winner, rocked the stage at Porto Cairo Mall. Diab's first concert after the release of his latest album Shoft Al-Ayyam (Did you see the days), featured old hits as well as songs from the album. The Lebanese singer Mariam Fares' concert in Dream Park was also a great success, turning into an hour and a half long dance binge for the audience. The Iranian designer Maral's Spring-Summer 2015 collection was shown at Fashion Forward in Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai on 4 October. Maral's motto is “Life is in colours”, and she is particularly adept at the play and interplay of various hues. This is amply displayed in her work, executed in resplendent silk with delicate handiwork, which often uses a neutral white base to bring out the richness of the spectrum. Her Persian roots are evident, too, with many of her designs being contemporary reworkings of traditional and royal themes.
