Al-Ahram is showing 150 of a total of 850 of its collection of art acquisitions in an exhibition called ‘The Exhibition of the Artistic Memory of Al-Ahram'. It is showing art by pioneer artists like Ingy Aflaton, Gazebeya Sirry, Salah Taher, Sabri Ragheb and others. The exhibition opened on Saturday and will go on till 28 April. The Giza Zoo: 125 years old The Giza Zoo, which was built 125 years ago, was once one of the greatest zoological gardens in the world. Due to years of negligence and complete absence of maintenance, it has lost its glamour and its status as a member of the World Association for Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). The zoo covers about 80 acres and has been home to many rare and endangered species, as well as a selection of rare plants and trees. At present, unfortunately, all you can see is the ramshackle infrastructure, empty caves that lost their animals to death and were never replaced, falling trees and neglected gardens. The once beautiful springs are filled with still water green with fungi, and uncollected rubbish can be seen everywhere. However, the zoo still receives thousands of visitors every day, a number that triples on weekends and public holidays. The first in the Middle East and Africa then, the zoo was built by Khedive Ismail, who imported plants from India, Africa, and South America; a banyan tree planted around 1871 can still be seen. The zoo opened in March 1871. In the late 1870s, the state took over the zoo as partial payment for Ismail's debts. By the mid-20th century, it was acknowledged as one of the best zoos in the world, though it was already having trouble adapting to the pressures of population growth. Attendance levels of 43,567 per year in 1889 had risen to 223,525 by 1906. In 2007, the zoo hosted almost 3.4 million visitors. It had lost its WAZA membership back in 2004. As of 2010, it has been a member of the African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB), however. It is currently working towards getting re-accredited by WAZA by improving the exhibits and the living conditions of the animals. “I think it is the responsibility of every Egyptian citizen to ask whether to support legal legitimacy and acknowledge the Saudi right to Tiran and Sanafir according to available documents or cling onto the belief that Egypt's guardianship of the two islands for the last 65 years gives it the right of possession. The second option may lead to a legal and political struggle with Saudi Arabia and create a crisis between the two states.” Makram Mohamed Ahmed, Al-Ahram ‘Egypt is isolated?' “Who said that Egypt is isolated? A few weeks ago, the Chinese president paid Egypt a significant visit during which the bilateral strategic partnership was emphasised and various important agreements were signed. Last week, we had three important visits from the Mauritanian and Togolese presidents and the Saudi king. This week we have two important visits, the first by the deputy of the German chancellor and the second by the French president. The idea that ‘Egypt is isolated' is in the minds of those pathetic people who consider that a visit to the White House is the only blessed visit and the rest doesn't count.” Mohamed Amin, Al-Masry Al-Youm Egypt and France “Egypt's relations with France went through various phases. However, they saw a rapprochement in the last few decades. The relations which were traditionally economic and military have widened to include political as well as cultural cooperation. Hollande's visit is likely to include signing various agreements and memoranda of understanding. Besides, there are various other important files like that of exchanging information in matters related to terrorism. France was one of the first states that understood Egypt's point of view regarding combating terrorism.” Ibn Al-Dawla, Al-Youm Al-Sabei Friday protests “Even the most pessimistic person would have never predicted that protests would be staged against President Al-Sisi less than two years into his presidency. Thus, we should analyse that matter rather than ascribing it merely to conspiracy – although there is one. The Friday scene makes people lose trust in the future. The authority is responsible for that by mismanaging the issue of the two islands and confusing everybody, including its supporters.” Mahmoud Musallam, Al-Watan “An effective response to the Friday protests which were launched by the young, from the political rather than the security angle, is of utmost importance. It is not acceptable to take the protest lightly on the pretext that the protesters were very young or that they did not exceed those of 25 January or 30 June or because the protests were kept under control by security. This is the responsibility of everyone: President Al-Sisi, parliament, the government and individuals.” Ahmed Abdel-Tawab, Al-Ahram Egyptian Essence: LE312 million on Sinai Day “Sinai Day (25 April) this year will see the opening of a number of developmental, housing and service projects to the value of LE312 million. The projects include seven ranches, 105 Bedouin houses and 248 fully decorated housing units.” Al-Ahram Facebook “The foreign maps that political activists share on social networks show the location of Tiran and Sanafir but they do not prove that the islands are Egyptian. Closing that argument will not just be via official documents or how far the maritime borders conform to international law and conventions – in addition to the testimony of international law professors, namely Hamed Sultan, Mohamed Fawzi, Talaat Al-Ghoneimi and others and the writings of men of thought like Hassanein Heikal and Abdel- Ghani Al-Gamasi. Settling that matter needs more research and that is what I am trying to do.” Taha Abdel-Alim “There are a few things that I need to mention: first, there is an old controversy over the two islands. It has been brought to the surface ever since King Salman came to power. Secondly, that difference is not clear. As a result, the two states have been negotiating the matter for the last eight months. Thirdly, it is clear that the available documents do not prove the Saudi rights clearly. Fourthly, people should have been notified since the start of the negotiations. Fifthly, people would have never agreed to give away the islands except after taking ferocious legal procedures.” Sameh Waheeb Twitter Timothy E Kaldas @tekaldas The only way human rights is at the center of talks between #Egypt & #France today is if those talks r a donut hole. Today is about money & guns. Shen Yoong @Puish Shame on France for boosting Egypt “international legitimacy” inspite of egregious human rights abuses. #GiulioReg Banda @PandaKinges Egypt gives Saudi Islands. Saudi gives Egypt Money. Egypt gives Money to France. France gives Egypt Weapons. Amr No 2 CC @Cairo67Unedited To reduce yesterday's demonstrations to the land issue is to fail to understand the depth of the Grievances on #Cairo streets yesterday.
