On Sunday in Oslo, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) was awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize for “its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons. “ICAN's efforts have given new momentum to the process of abolishing nuclear weapons,” chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Berit Reiss-Andersen said. Speaking at the Nobel Prize ceremony Reiss-Andersen said, “ICAN's main message is that the world can never be safe as long as we have nuclear weapons. This message resonates with millions of people who perceive that the threat of nuclear war is greater than it has been for a long time, not least due to the situation in North Korea”. “We have a choice: the end of nuclear weapons or the end of us,” the group's executive director Beatrice Fihn said. Fihn said the threat of nuclear weapons being used was "greater today than in the Cold War" and warned that a country's "moment of panic" could lead to the "destruction of cities and the deaths of millions of civilians". Fihn told Al-Ahram Weekly, “ICAN will increase its work all over the world and outside the treaty like changing government policy and thinking about nuclear weapons. Also, we invite all countries including Egypt to sign this treaty.” Ricciardone awards Habayeb Naguib Mahfouz Award 2017 On Monday 11 December, The American University in Cairo (AUC) Press awarded the 2017 Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature to the Palestinian writer Huzama Habayeb for her novel Mukhmal (Velvet). Presented by AUC President Francis J. Ricciardone, the award was decided by the members of the Award Committee: Tahia Abdel-Nasser, professor of English and comparative literature at AUC; Shereen Abul-Naga, professor of English literature in Cairo University; Mona Tolba, associate professor of Arabic literature, Ain Shams University; Humphrey Davies, renowned translator of Arabic fiction, historical and classical texts, AUC; and Rasheed Al-Enany, emeritus professor of modern Arabic literature, University of Exeter. Miss RussiaVictoria admires the Sun Boats Former Miss RussiaVictoria Lopyreva kicked off her global tour promoting the 2018 World Cup by starting with Egypt. Lopyreva said it was inevitable that her tour would begin at the cradle of the greatest civilisation known to mankind, the ancient Egyptian Pyramids of Giza. Wa'el Fathi, chief antiquities inspector of the Giza Plateau and Adel Al-Masri, consultant to the tourism minister, welcomed Lopyreva and accompanied her on a visit to the Sun Boats. Russia is hosting next year's World Cup. Egypt is among the 32 teams which qualified. (photo: Ayman Barayez) Mohamed Salmawi signs his autobiography The historical Aisha Fahmi Palace Hall in Zamalek was the scene of a book signing event centred on Mohamed Salmawi's newly released autobiography Yaoum Aw Baad Yaoum (A Day or Some of a Day). Minister of Culture Helmi Al-Namnam, director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Mustafa Al-Fekki and former minister of culture Gaber Asfour spoke about Salmawi's book and his ongoing journey in journalism. On hand was Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Walli, former culture minister Farouk Hosni, former minister of archaeology Mamdouh Al-Damatti, former minister of external affairs Mohamed Al-Orabi, and editor-in-chief of the online edition of Al-Ahram Ibrahim Al-Dessouki. Also in the audience was Fouad Mansour from Al-Ahram Hebdo newspaper, as well as actors Loubna Abdel-Aziz and Samir Sabri. (photo: Ayman Barayez) Singer Faia Younan at the Chinese Garden Syrian singer Faia Younan mesmerised the audience with a number of her highly acclaimed songs in a concert held at the Chinese Garden in Madinat Nasr in Cairo. The concert was sponsored by Al-Ahram Advertising Agency. (photo: Sayed Shaarawy). Nadia Lotfy honoured by the Academy of Arts The Academy of Arts Council granted legendary cinema actress Nadia Lotfi an honorary doctorate in appreciation of her filmography and lifetime contribution to the film industry. Lotfi received the papyrus doctorate certificate, decorated with impeccable hieroglyphic writings, from Minister of Culture Helmi Al-Namnam and the director of the Academy of Arts Ahlam Younis. Attending the ceremony was head of the Artists Syndicate Ashraf Zaki, actors Sameh Al-Seriti, Samiha Ayoub, Mervat Amin, Ragaa Al-Gedawi, Anoushka, Nahid Shaker and Samir Sabri, in addition to Al-Ahram's long-time writer Amal Bakir and vernacular poet Gamal Bekhit. (photo: Ayman Barayez) Laila Elwie in Siwa traditional costumes Upon the invitation of Ghada Walli, minister of social solidarity, actress Laila Elwie, UN goodwill ambassador, toured the pavilions of the "All of us Sinai" exhibition. At the exhibition's grounds in Nasr City, Walli and Elwie viewed handmade products from Sinai, Dakahlia, Port Said, Sharqia, Giza, the New Valley, Sohag, Luxor and Aswan. Elwie told Al-Ahram that she loved what the “productive families” of the women and children of Sinai had made. “I visited the north and south of Sinai many times and will soon visit them again in the coming weeks.” Elwie was received by Olfa Al-Salami, Walli's advisor and Hoda Sweilam, president of the Sinai Sons Association for Sinai Heritage. Salma Alaa Abdel-Ghany Amid a rousing convocation, Salma Abdel-Ghani, daughter of former deputy editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram Weekly Alaa Abdel-Ghani, graduated from the British University in Egypt, the Faculty of Economics, on Sunday 10 December. Among the guest speakers was BUE board member Farouk Al-Baz, one of the world's most famous space scientists, who told the fresh graduates that a strong economy “will make Egypt a strong country”. Czech illustrator and comix author Petr Kopl had a busy schedule in Cairo during the Egypt Comix Week 4 (4 to 9 December), holding a three-day workshop. Twelve gifted Egyptian students visited the Czech school in Cairo and met Czech Ambassador to Egypt Veronika Kuchynova and head of the Slavic Studies Department at Ain Shams University. This year, United Nations Volunteers in Egypt collaborated with the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) in implementing a joint three-day event from 5 to 7 December to shed light on how “Volunteers Act First” supports their communities and reinforces joint action on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The launch took place at ERC headquarters and was attended by ERC Under-Secretary General Nehal Hefni and the UN Resident Coordinator Richard Dictus. It was followed by two days of action promoting volunteerism and providing first aid training in various locations around Cairo. A double-decker bus decorated with the slogan Volunteers Act First is a prime symbol for the event as it has been taking a number of ERC and UN Volunteers to these locations, raising awareness and interest in the volunteer campaign and SDGs along the way. To mark International Volunteer Day Executive Coordinator Olivier Adam stated: “Here, everywhere, volunteers help prevent the worst effects of crisis, bringing much-needed relief to those who suffer the most. On International Volunteer Day, let us recognise the relentless efforts of volunteers who answer calls in times of need for the common dignity of all.” The quote captures the essence of the celebration of the work and efforts of volunteers across all communities.
