� In an unprecedented development, German Foreign Minister Frank Steinmeier inaugurated the opening of the German pavilion at the 38th Cairo International Book Fair this week. In attendance was the head of the Egyptian Book Organisation Nasser El-Ansari ; the German Ambassador to Egypt Martin Kobler ; and the director of the Frankfurt International Book Fair Ihr Juergen Boos. A galaxy of intellectuals cheered on. Steinmeier seized the opportunity to visit the stands of several German companies -- the focus of this year's event -- exhibiting at the Cairo Book Fair. Well done, Germans. � And more news, my dears, on the 38th Cairo International Book fair! Al-Ahram Foundation held, in conjunction with Al-Ahram agency, a lavish reception for honouring the unique works published last year for the members of Al-Ahram Foundation Book Club. The reception was held at Al-Ahram Panorama. Among the attendees were Board Chairman of Al-Ahram Salah El-Ghamri ; General Manager of Al-Ahram Distributing Agency Hani Tolba and General Manager of Press and Projects Taymour Abdel-Hasib. General Manager of Advertisal Press Establishment in Qalyoub Hussein Abdel-Aal ; Palestinian Ambassador Mohamed Sobeih ; Chief of the Yemen Organisation for Books Fares Al-Sahaf and a great number of chief editors at Al-Ahram, publishers, and delegates from other nations were also present. Congratulations for all the winners. And women in action, my lovelies. The Association of Arab Diplomats Wives presided over by Mervat Cojock hosted a seminar entitled "The Role of Press in Developing Society". The guest speaker, Al-Ahram Editor-in-Chief Osama Saraya, deeply impressed his listeners. The thought-provoking seminar took place at the Egyptian Diplomatic Club. Among the dignitaries who attended the seminar were Nagwa Basyouni and a number of Al-Ahram's most distinguished writers including Mona Ragab and Dina Rayan. � Today, the Embassy of India is due to celebrate Republic Day. A flag hoisting ceremony will be held at the Ambassadorial residence in Zamalek, and the Indian tricolour will be hoisted by India's ambassador to Egypt, the most gracious A Gopinathan. � Last Friday, the Egyptian Lebanese Businessmen Friendship Association (ELBA) headed by engineer Fathallah Fawzi organised its annual charity ball at the Semiramis InterContinental. Lebanese pop star Nawal El-Zoghbi and veteran Egyptian singer Hani Shaker burnt the night with the sweetness of their melodies. Their voices were from Heaven, my sweets. A bevy of luminaries in the fields of media, press, and art were present. Among the attendees were ravishing actress Mervat Amin ; gifted actor Khaled Zaki ; the Lebanese Ambassador to Egypt Abdel-Latif El-Mamlouk ; members of the Lebanese Embassy and last but not least a few members of Rotary clubs. � On a more sombre and reflective mood, the British Embassy, in collaboration with the British Council in Cairo and Alexandria, is due to organise Nazra festival exploring the lives of Muslims in Britain and what it means to be a British Muslim. The festival sheds light on the views of a wide spectrum of British Muslims involved in different arenas -- music, art, media, politics and business. This will be done through live debates and online discussions with British Muslims visiting Egypt and performances by the British Muslim pop star Sami Youssef. The activities of the festival run from 31January until 12 February. � My very dear colleague Nader Habib, a podgy beau if ever there was one, took me to Samir Ramzi, my dears. Now you don't quite understand how smart Ramzi is. He defended his masters thesis on the mental images of organisational concepts. He graduated from the Sadat Academy for Management Sciences with flying colours. Hoda Saqr and Amr Ghanaiem of the Sadat Academy and Hassan Khaireddin of the Faculty of Commerce, Ain Shams University, were present. And, guess what my sweets, it was so deep, so engaging and so thoroughly researched that I ended up feeling I was in the presence not of a masters candidate but of a veritable genius. � KAIROTIC, the latest show at the Townhouse Gallery of Contemporary Art, was an opening to remember, beauties, featuring US ambassador Francis J Ricciardone and my very enchanting friend William Wells. The seriously solemn show with London-based artist Mona Hatoum ; American video art pioneer Gary Hill ; and New York-based Egyptian designer Karim Rashid -- all of whom produced work in relation to the city of Cairo -- runs through 8 February. Born in Cairo, of Egyptian and English parentage. Raised in Canada, Rashid is a leading figure in the fields of product and interior design, fashion, furniture, lighting and art. � Tomorrow, my sweets, the Kermes festival will be organised by the Houssaber Armenian Club at its headquarters in Beirut Street, Heliopolis. Come with your friends, have fun and win prizes. And, my lovelies, enjoy a pleasant day with the DJ, indulge in a variety of games, tombola, bingo, delicious food and nice company from 11am-6pm.
