� My very diligent colleague Ghada Abd El-Kader attended the El-Sawy Cultural Centre "Freedom of Expression and Respect of the Other" seminar, dears with speakers like Bahrain Ambassador Khalil Ibrahim Al-Zawadi, former foreign minister Ahmed Maher, British Ambassador Derek Plumbly, Dutch Ambassador Tjeerd de Zwaan, Norwegian Ambassador Lasse Seim and director of the Arab-West Understanding Centre Cornelis Hulsman. Conducted by my very able friend Hassan Wagih, a specialist on negotiations if ever there was one, the seminar featured Wheel director Mohamed El-Sawy, TV anchor Leila Rostom, the US Counselor for Public Affairs Haynes Mahoney and former minister of industry Ali El-Saeedi. � Rejoice sweet pumpkins: a protocol has been signed. My very good friend, Cairo Opera House director Abdel-Moneim Kamel gave his official promise to the managing director of Misr Sound, Light and Cinema Company, Salah Hassab El-Nabi, to animate Sound and Light theatres across the country with an Opera show on the first Thursday of each month - starting this May. On the occasion I caught up with my lovely friend Dorreya Sharafeddin, director of the Radio and Television Union's satellite stations, and the very musical Mohamed Hamdi, head of Artistic House for Music, Ballet and Orchestra. � Until 5 May, dears, the Picasso Art Gallery in Zamalek shows "Seven Years of Love", a stunning collection of female portraits and statues by veteran male artist Ibrahim Abdel-Malak. The opening was an opportunity to catch up with friends: high-profile (TV) journalist Moufid Fawzi, comedy superstar Adel Imam, singer Ghada Ragab, writer Neam El-Baz and art critics Samir Abdel-Ghani, Nabil El-Hagrasi and Ezzeddin Naguib.
