A Photography and Video Exhibition is being held in collaboration between the Goethe Institute Cairo, the developmental project GTZ, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the Townhouse Gallery of Contemporary Art Architecture, Amira El-Noshokaty attended. The exhibition which is on display in the Townhouse's annex spaces extends until 23 February. It focuses on various aspects of the city's current and past development projects, as well as plans for the New Cairo City, in addition to a joint development project by GTZ and the Cairo City Authorities for the informal settlement of Manshiet Nasser. On display too is Al-Azhar Park and the revitalisation programme for Darb Al-Ahmar, undertaken by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. Within the same context, photography and video works of various Egyptian artists such as Heba Farid, Osama Dawoud and Hala El-Koussi were exhibited. Prominent photographer Randa Shaath also participated, with her works entitled, "Cairo's Side Walks, Work in Progress, 2004" in which she captures images embodying the spirit of Cairo. Shaath says, "we cope and thrive among the urban patchwork of Cairo with its noise, vehicles, animals, vendors, crowds, men, women, friends, lovers, commuters and strangers." photo: El-Sayed Abdel-Qader Under the title of "Centenary Celebrations and Future", Nobel laureate Ahmed Zuweil gave a lecture at the premises of the Ahli Club in Gezira last Friday, kicking off the club's centenary celebrations. Zuweil praised the pioneering role the club has played throughout the past 100 years in the social, sports, and political arenas. The centenary celebrations were inaugurated by Chairman of the Ahli Club Hassan Hamdi, head of the higher committee of the Centenary Celebrations Ibrahim El-Moallem, and the prominent poet Farouk Guweida. The event was also attended by the veteran television star Salah El-Saadani, actress Dalal Abdel-Aziz, and author Medhat El-Adl. The chairman of the Al-Shams Club Mohamed Abdel-Moneim El-Mallah was also present, as well as all members of the Ahli football team. Ebert, Sievers The Goethe Institute in Cairo bade farewell to its director, who is also the regional director in the Middle East and North Africa Johannes Ebert. Having spent five years in Egypt, the former director has been appointed as the institute director in Moscow, as well as the regional director in East Europe and Middle Asia. The gathering also welcomed the new director Heiko Sievers, who had held the same position in New Delhi. In the beginning of the farewell party, the German Ambassador in Cairo Bernd Erbel gave a speech in which he lavished praise on Ebert. Prominent writer Gamal El-Ghitani also gave a speech in which he detailed the achievements of Ebert. Among the attendees were the Editor-in-Chief of Alaaeddin children magazine Magda El-Guindi, and other members of German and foreign communities in Egypt. The North Cairo Lyons Club, presided by Samuel Emil, hosted an event at Al-Baron Hotel, on the role of women who work in the cinema industry, as regards promoting social awareness. Guest speakers were actress Youssra and director Inas El-Degheidi. Present among the audience was the veteran Lyons club member, Princess Wansa El-Amawi, as well as the Secretary of North Cairo Lyons Mohga Mahran and actress Manal El-Fattatri. photos: Ayman Barayez The Heliopolis Rotary Club, presided by Khaled El-Fiqi, organised a charity party on the occasion of the anniversary of Rotary Club at JW Marriott Hotel. The event was attended by heads of Rotary Club branches Nagwa El-Zaidi, Nehad El-Sherif, Fatma Barada, Seham El-Gohari, Dalia Monsef and Sheikha Fatma El-Fasi. Singer Khaled Selim and Moroccan Gannat gave their concert in this event. Director Magdi El-Hawwari has started shooting his new movie Khalig Neama (Neama Bay) in Sharm El-Sheikh. Written by Ahmed El-Beih, the movie revolves around the terrorism attacks that took place in Sharm El-Sheikh and their effects on the youth working there as well as the conditions of tourism there now. Ghada Adel, Mai Kassab, Randa El-Beheiri and Mahmoud El-Esseili are all young stars featuring in the movie. A lively evening in Alf Leila Ballroom witnessed an interesting concert given by the UK Bee Gees in Nile Hilton. The room was packed with 600 guests enjoying the dinner and dancing to the rhythms of songs like "Jive Talkin'", "How Deep is Your Love", "Stayin' Alive" and "Night Fever". "This was a tip-top event in keeping with a long history of the hotel bringing entertainment from around the world to Cairo. We're grateful to our sponsors and to all the people who came and made it such a success," said the Nile Hilton's General Manager Jean-Pierre Mainardi.
