photos: Ayman Barayez Minister of Information Anas El-Fiqi hosted a dinner at the Amir Taz Palace in the Al-Khalifa neighbourhood. This was in honour of the Arab ministers of information who were in Cairo to attend an Arab League meeting. Present was Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa. The Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Eyad Madani also attended as well as Moroccan Minister of Information Nabil Abdullah and the Syrian Minister of Information Mohsen Bilal. From the Cairo diplomatic community was Bahraini Ambassador Khalil Ibrahim Al-Zawadi, United Arab Emirates Ambassador Ahmed Ali Al-Zoghbi and Moroccan Ambassador Mohamed Farag Al-Dokali. Al-Ahram Weekly 's very own Editor-in-Chief Assem El-Kersh attended. The guests enjoyed a sublime performance by that veritable master of the oud, Iraqi virtuoso and composer Naseer Shamma. Pakistani Ambassador Aref Yacoub and his wife Poonam held a reception on the occasion of the launch of American author Shirley Johnston 's book entitled Egyptian Palaces and Villas 1808-1960. Johnston who has authored several works on architecture held a book-signing for her readers. Her new book comprises 174 colour recently-taken photographs and spans Egypt's 19th and early 20th century scene. Johnston says that it is a history, not only of the buildings and palaces built in that far-off era, but, as well, the rich social history to which some of them still stand testament. The US Embassy honoured its country's delegation which attended the recently-held Global Summit of Women in Cairo. Its members included Undersecretary of State for Management, Henrietta H Fore, and Ambassador Representative to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women Patricia Brister. The Executive Vice-President of the International Republican Institute Judy Van Rest was also there as well as Senior Advisor to the State Department's Office of the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues Irene Marr. Programme Coordinator for the US Scientist Engagement Programme in Libya and wife of the US Ambassador to Egypt Marie Ricciardone was also present of course. Al-Ahram journalist and writer Mona Ragab attended, as well as US Cultural Affairs Officer Elizabeth Thornhill and Manal Rezqallah from the American Embassy's Press Department. On the 40th floor of the Grand Hyatt Hotel and at "La Tour D'Or" Restaurant, the highest located revolving restaurant in the Middle East, a sensational dinner was held by the American Ambassador of the United States of America in Cairo, Francis Ricciardone and his charming wife Dr. Marie Ricciardone. The seated dinner was for a few friends and acquaintances, mostly regarded as food "Connoisseurs", to experience the taste and versatility of U.S. beef newly introduced to the Hotel cuisine. The food was exquisite and the beef was second to none I had ever tasted. Chef Peter, Australian, and his team had done a superb job. Among the Ambassador's guests were our very own Al-Ahram Weekly 's Food Editor Moushira Abdel-Malek, TV food programme presenter Mona Amer, Actor Mahmoud Qabil, Ambassador of Goodwill, Al-Ahram Deputy Managing Editor Heba Loza, Haynes Mahoney Cultural and Press Counsellor at the American Embassy and his gorgeous wife and many others. Seated together, the dinner was cosy and intimate. The Nile view was breathtaking, with the rather unfelt, smooth revolving of the restaurant; it was an evening to remember! The dynamic Marketing Communication Manager Sherine Riad was the unknown soldier who successfully organised the event. Moushira chose her steak to be medium and when the ambassador asked her if she had enjoyed it, she told him: "that was not beef... that was butter". On occasion of the 2006 Tourism and Shopping Festival, head of the Federation of Egyptian Industries Galal El-Zorba held a reception at the Cairo Marriott Hotel. Tourism Minister Zoheir Garranah attended, as well as Chairman of the Egyptian Tourism Federation Ahmed El-Nahhas and President of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce Khaled Abu Ismail. The well-known political analyst and commentator Mustafa El-Feki who is also deputy chairman of the People's Assembly's External Affairs Committee was present as well. Amongst the many guests I glimpsed was Counsellor to the Religions Dialogue Committee of Al-Azhar Ali El-Semman, and prominent actors Fardous Abdel-Hamid and Mahmoud Hemeida. photos: Youssri Aqal The American University in Cairo (AUC) held its illustrious annual graduation ceremony at the Cairo Conference Centre. My colleague Ghada Abd El-Kader attended the high-flown 83rd annual summer commencement. Some 347 new graduates received their long-awaited Bachelors and Masters degrees. The distinguished patron of Islamic architecture and culture Prince Karim Aga Khan was the guest speaker of the event. AUC President David Arnold presented him with the university's honorary doctorate. The Aga Khan most aptly advised that, "accessing knowledge is only the first step... the application of knowledge is also demanding. Knowledge after all, can be used well or poorly for good purposes or bad." Among the graduates was Hedayet Ali, granddaughter of renowned journalist Mohamed Hassanein Heikal. Ali received her Bachelors degree in electronic engineering. Ali and Ahmed Hussein Abdel-Hay El-Orabi (electronic engineering) were both each awarded the president's cup for scholastic excellence. Ali who was also the president of the Students' Union won the coveted Parents Association Cup. Khaled Galal Rashed (electronics engineering) also received the Ahmed El-Mahallawi Family Award established by the late head of the Al-Ahram Centre for Scientific Translation. This was in recognition of his extra-curricular activities and community service. The Ahmed Zewail Award went to Diana Bakhoum Ibrahim (art). The Abdel-Rahman El-Sawy Award was also conferred on Rania Ahmed Hamza (construction engineering). Amongst the graduates was Hadeel, the daughter of the former Yemeni prime minister Mohsen Al-Aini. She received her Bachelors degree in political science. Perihane, daughter of the head of Trustees of the Presidential Office Said Zada received her Bachelors in journalism and mass communication. And again, from that same department Reem, daughter of the Egyptian Ambassador to Belgium Mahmoud Karem received her Bachelors degree. Reem 's grandfather is renowned Egyptian singer and star of the 1940s Karem Mahmoud. Also hailing from diplomatic families was Heba, daughter of Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon Ahmed El-Bidewi and Mohamed, son of the Egyptian Ambassador to Tanzania Magdi Sabri. Both received their Bachelors degrees in journalism and mass communication. Last and not least was Haidi -- daughter of businessman Hani Sorour -- who is engaged to the young acting star Karim Abdel-Aziz. Haidi graduated in business administration. Congratulations to one and all of this summer's graduating class! photo: Ghada Abd El-Kader On the occasion of the death memorial of the Argentine poet, essayist, and short story writer Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986), the Cervantes Institute held a seminar at the Bibliotheca Cervantes Institute (Adolfo Bioy Casares). Director of Cervantes Institute (The Spanish Cultural Centre in Cairo and Alexandria) Louis Moratinos, who is wrapping up his time spent in Egypt, attended. Present too was the Ambassador of Argentine Oswaldo Pascual, the bibliotheca director Ana Isabel del Puerto Gil, professor at the Cervantes Institute Santiago De Luca, Argentine biographer of Borges and the President of Borges Organisation at Buenos Aires Alejandro Vaccaro. Cervantes Institute media office head Safaa Ragab also attended. Vaccaro who has authored several books on the subject said that Borges was profoundly influenced by European culture specifically English literature. Borges 's works which revolved in the realm of dreams and fantasy also embrace universal themes, hence their appeal to the reader. photo: Khatchig Wanis Our very own distinguished columnist Mursi Saad El-Din gave a lecture at the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture. Drawing upon his rich experiences in travel and culture he spoke of "India as I see it". Indian Ambassador A Gopinathan attended. Saad El-Din was the first cultural attaché to be posted to an Egyptian Embassy in London, and the first translator of contemporary English literature into Arabic. He founded the Afro-Asian Pen Club, in addition to being a prolific author and respected columnist of Al-Ahram. Saad El-Din 's indomitably youthful spirit continues to encourage young generations of writers. As the editor-in-chief of the Egypt Today and Business Today magazines, he is in a prime position to do so.
