From India to Egypt "India -- A Journey Within" is an awe-inspiring collection of photographs by Italian diplomat Nicolo Tassoni Estense, presently posted as economic counsellor at the Italian Embassy in Cairo. At the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) in Downtown, 44 of his brilliant pictures are exhibited that portray the cultural and geographical diversity of the country. The magic of a silvery dawn when the fisherman examines his catch in the river Narmada in central India; the explosive blue and yellow of a public bus in busy Kolkata; toddlers and young children drinking, eating, lolling and gazing; the magnificent grey landscape of Ladakh -- all these and more can be seen. The evocative pictures were taken by Estense during his posting in India from 2006 to 2009. Head of the Fine Arts Sector Mohsen Shaalan, Indian Ambassador to Egypt R Swaminathan and his Italian counterpart Claudio Pacifico, along with the Indian Minister Plenipotentiary for Cultural Affairs Suchitra Durai and Ghana's Ambassador to Cairo Alhaji Amin Amidu inaugurated the exhibition. ( see Listings p.7 ) photo: Ayman Barayez US Ambassador to Egypt Margaret Scobey hosted a prestigious reception marking the 234rd anniversary of US Independence Day at the American Embassy in Garden City. A plethora of esteemed personalities were present, including Minister of Higher Education and of State for Scientific Research Hani Hilal, Minister of Social Solidarity Ali Meselhi, Al-Ahram back page Editor Mona Ragab and veteran writer Neam El-Baz. President of the International Union of Muslim-Christian- Jewish Dialogue and Peace Education Ali El-Samman and his wife Brigitte Louvivre, head of the Plastic Arts Syndicate Mustafa Hussein, head of Garden City Lions Club Awatef Serageddin and superstar Adel Imam and actress Nabila Ebeid graced the delightful evening. A thrilling exhibition of Indian textiles was inaugurated last Sunday at City Stars InterContinental Hotel by First Under-secretary of the Ministry of Investment Yasser El-Qadi on behalf of Minister of Investment Mahmoud Mohieldin. Indian Ambassador R Swaminathan gave the opening speech. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Minister of Administrative Development Ahmed Darwish, head of the Egyptian-Indian Friendship Association Alieddin Hilal, and around 100 representatives of top Egyptian companies engaged in the field of textiles. Coinciding with the two-day exhibition of Indian textiles and yarns at the same venue, the first ever Indian fashion show was presented to top Egyptian textile and garment companies and dignitaries. The event featured 76 outfits of wide- ranging categories like day and evening wear, formal and embroidered garments as well as bridal dresses. The extravaganza of hues of varying colours, fashion and glamour was especially seen in the Saree, the traditional Indian dress for women. The outfits presented are the creative genius of four Indian designers: Archana Kochhar, Shivani Tijori, Bhamini Subramaniam and Shakeel Sheikh -- as well as the two Egyptian designers Ragda and Maram. The two events were organised by the Synthetic Rayon Textile Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC), an apex textile Chamber sponsored by India, in association with the Embassy of India in Cairo. photos: Abdel-Hamid Eid The summer season is occupied with films to the fullest! The premiere of the latest blockbuster Al-Kobar (The Bigwigs) took place at City Stars Cinema. The film casts gifted actor Khaled El-Sawi, emerging star Amr Saad, attractive actress Zeina and actor Mahmoud Abdel-Moghni. The film is a fantasy drama scripted by Beshir El-Deek and directed by Mohamed Gamal El-Adl. A galaxy of celebrities were keen to attend the screening and congratulate the cast, including veteran actress Yousra, producer Mohamed El-Adl and his brother, scriptwriter Medhat El-Adl, controversial filmmaker Khaled Youssef and singer Mohamed Mohei. Regional director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDs in the Middle East and North Africa Hind Khatib announced the selection of actor Amr Wakid as a UN goodwill ambassador. Khatib declared that the choice was based on Wakid 's relentless efforts in different social, development-based and humanitarian issues, assuring that Wakid will be an expressive voice for HIV/AIDs patients. Wakid expressed his gratitude and promise to shoulder due responsibility in helping HIV/AIDs patients. With a wonderful performance by Algerian singer Karima Nayt and Egyptian pianist Fathi Salama at the premises of Goethe Institute in Doqqi, a party was organised to bid farewell to Goethe Institute Director Heiko Sievers, also regional director in North Africa and the Middle East. His successor is Gabriele Becker, presently North America regional director in New York. Congratulations! Amal Essawi, professor of mechanical engineering at the American University in Cairo (AUC), was awarded the university's Excellence in Research and Creative Endeavours Award, as well as the Egyptian State Award in Engineering Sciences from the Egyptian Academy of Scientific Research. Breast Cancer Foundation of Egypt (BCFE) Chairperson Dr Mohamed Shaalan met with Joseph Biden, US vice- president, and his wife Jill Biden last Saturday at the commencement of a new campaign by Susan G Komen for the Cure. Shaalan shared his vision of American-Egyptian cooperation to fight breast cancer in the Middle East and North Africa. Shaalan also participated in the launch of the Komen Global Health Alliance, bringing together health ministers, officials from the World Bank, World Health Organisation, UNAIDS, and the Global Fund, along with ambassadors from over 15 countries. BCFE has a solid reputation in the fight against breast cancer in Egypt. With their black gowns and caps, Egypt Dream School students of third preparatory and sixth primary celebrated their graduation at its premises in Manial Sheha. The night was a glamorous one where all rejoiced their success and were awarded their graduation certificates by Engineer Hatem Ashour, school owner, and Gihan Abu Nasr, school headmistress. The school students gave speeches to thank the teachers and administrators for all their hard work. An exciting ceremony was held celebrating the 2009 Middle East Music Awards at Al-Salam Concorde Hotel. A galaxy of Arab and Egyptian singers were awarded during the ceremony. Best male singer award went to Moroccan singer Abdel-Fattah Al-Gereini, best female singer award to Moroccan singer Gannat, and best budding singers to Mohamed Qammah and Amina Suleiman while Walid Saad snatched the best composer award. Best song award went to talented singer Mahmoud El-Esseili for Asaab Haga (The Hardest Thing). A number of awards were distributed among encouraging promising artists such as Lebanese singer Bashar Al-Shatbi and singers Lara Iskandar, Randa Hafez and Yasser El-Hariri. The ceremony featured a performance by the Egyptian band Wama who were honoured as well. The event also honoured an array of veteran icons such as composers Helmi Bakr, Amaar El-Sherei and Gamal Salama, talented Egyptian singers Afaf Radi and Medhat Saleh and Lebanese singer Assi Al-Hillani.
