photo: Ayman Barayez Last Saturday, I accompanied my colleague Amira El-Nakeeb to an enchanting evening, my dears, at the Mena House Oberoi Hotel. At the ravishingly decorated Khalifa Ballroom, we attended the closing ceremony of the sixth Oscar International Video Clip Festival. The gallant ambiance, my lovelies, is like stepping into a fairy tale. President of the festival Abdel-Moneim Saad announced the awards of the Jury Committee. Lebanese singer Nagwa Karam won the Arab female singer best prize. The prize for best Arabic duet was bestowed on Kuwaiti singers Abdullah El-Rowished and Nawal. Both singers, Azza Balbaa and Ihab Tawfiq, were given the best Egyptian singer prize. The prize for best Arab male singer was awarded to Iraqi singer Maged El-Mohandes, and Adel Sarhan was selected best director. The prestigious Award of Recognition went to popular singer Ahmed Adawia for his contribution in this traditionally sidelined art form. For this year, the Supreme Committee of the festival bestowed special honours on a number of prominent Arab artists. Among the honourees were distinguished Lebanese diva Fairouz, veteran artist Sabah ; esteemed poet Abdel-Rahman El-Abnoudi ; gifted composer Helmi Bakr ; late Syrian singer Fayza Ahmed ; the pioneer of folkloric dancing in Egypt and the Arab world Farida Fahmi ; composer Amar El-Shireai ; TV director Shoukri Abu Emera ; the late folk singer Mohamed Roushdi ; the musician and keyboardist Magdi El-Husseini ; and last but not least the late Lebanese singer Farid El-Attrash. A couple of days ago, my dear friend the Ambassador of Chad to Cairo Ousman Djidda fulfilled his hitherto longed-for dream of holding the wedding party of his gorgeous daughter Mona in Egypt. Djidda, who spent his childhood in Egypt where he received his education, regards Egypt as his homeland. The sumptuous wedding took place at Shephard Hotel last Friday. Mona was married to her Nigerian groom Beshir amid much pomp and ceremony. In attendance were a galaxy of distinguished personalities from the Nigerian and Chadian community in Egypt. Among other attendees were the Ambassador of Nigeria Mohamed Ghali. photo: Sherif Mahmoud photo: Ayman Barayez Last week, Indian Charge d'Affairs S P Mann flanked by members of the Indian community in Egypt on the occasion of the 59th Indian Independence Day. The festive event took place on the extensive grounds of the Indian Embassy premises in Zamalek. Good news to all Marina frequenters! Versatile artist and Secretary-General of the Alexandria International Song Festival Samir Sabri is currently preparing for a big musical event which will take place on 4 September in Marina. The revenues of the event will be donated to the victims of Sharm El-Sheikh, as a gesture of solidarity from the administration of the festival. Amiable pop singer Ihab Tawfiq and Shereen are to feature in the event. The Alexandria Film Festival, running through 7-13 September, is making preparations for the big musical concert that is scheduled to be staged on the festival's sidelines. Tunisian singer Latifa is the main candidate suggested to feature in the concert. My lovelies, Culture Minister Farouk Hosni approved a plan designed to revamp the settings of Cairo Opera House shows. The renovation plan will include improving the lighting and acoustics of all the Opera House theatres in Cairo and Alexandria, the Arab Music Institute in Ramses Street, Al-Gumhuriya Theatre in Abdin as well as the Aida Opera Theatre at the foot of the Pyramids, which accommodate an audience of around 5,000. The director of the Opera House Abdel-Moneim Kamel pointed out that these procedures fall within the framework of the opera's future plan to accommodate the modern technology implemented in the field of art across the world. He added that the coming artistic season will witness introducing a number of international shows and ballet troupes. It is also scheduled that the Cairo Opera House will be renovated for the first time since its establishment in 1988. In addition, the archive of the Music Library will be renewed as well. Under the auspices of President and Chairman of board of Arab Radio and Television network (ART) Sheikh Saleh Kamel, a musical operetta in Sharm El-Sheikh was held last Saturday. Held on the sidelines of the Arab Champions League, the delightful operetta carried a message of solidarity and togetherness. The organisers aimed at reassuring people and tourists in Sharm El-Sheikh of the peace and security of Egypt's leading Red Sea resort. The operetta was called Qoumi ya Misr (Arise Egypt), the scriptwriter being Medhat El-Adl. The music was composed by Mohamed Raheem. A number of distinguished artists featured at the concert, among them were Medhat Saleh ; Amal Maher ; Khaled Aggag ; Ahmed El-Attar ; Ihab Tawfiq and the beautiful singers Shaza ; Samah and Rahma. The operetta was directed by Khaled Selim and Ahmed Bergawi..
