This week, my dear readers, marked the second death anniversary of Al-Ahram Weekly 's very own founding Editor-in-Chief Hosny Guindy (1940-2003). In an attempt to commemorate his cherished memory, the versatile artist and Al-Ahram prominent caricaturist Nagui Kamel created a memorial plaque with a bronze medal depicting the profile of Guindy. Next week, the plaque will be officially unveiled in the presence of members of Al-Ahram family. It is planned to be placed at the entrance of Al-Ahram Weekly in the ninth floor. All thanks go to former Al-Ahram 's chairman and editor-in-chief Ibrahim Nafie, the Weekly 's former Executive Editor-in-Chief Hani Shukrallah, General-Manager of Al-Ahram Ali Ghoneim as well as Wahid El-Qelsh, who is in charge of Al-Ahram art acquisitions. It is worth mentioning that Al-Ahram building possesses a number of such plaques representing several political figures and intellectuals such as Boutros Ghali and Lutfi El-Kholi. This week, head of the Electricity and Electronics Engineers Association branch Mohamed Younes held a party at Conrad Hotel on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of establishing the association's branch in Egypt. During the party, a bevy of luminary Egyptian figures and scientists who exerted relentless efforts in improving the goals of the association were honoured. These illuminaries included Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, Minister of Communication and Information Tareq Kamel, Minister of Administrative Development Ahmed Darwish, Minister of Electricity and Energy Hassan Younis, IT expert Hisham El-Sherif and former EgyptAir chairman of the board Fahim Rayan A couple of days ago, a welcome reception was staged by the Dominican Ambassador Jorge Yeara Nasser in honour of accredited Latin American diplomats in Cairo. The riotous Latin party was held on the occasion of the re- opening of the Dominican Embassy in Egypt that was, unfortunately, closed for the past year and a half for financial reasons. In the first speech delivered by Nasser, he pointed out that the Dominican Republic found it impossible to close its embassy in Egypt for the crucial role played by Egypt on the Arab, African and international levels. "The Dominican President Leonel Fernandez is scheduled to pay a visit to Egypt in mid-December. This will be his first visit to the region and he will focus on discussion with the Egyptian authorities on developing cultural, economic and trade relations between the two countries." added Nasser Next Monday, I am happy to announce that the 59th Indian Independence Day will be celebrated by the Embassy of India in Cairo. A flag hoisting ceremony, accompanied by patriotic songs, will be held at the Indian Chancery Premises in Zamalek. The Indian Charge d'Affairs will unfurl the Indian national flag. On this happy occasion, an Indian film week will be organised from 14-18 August at Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture in Downtown. I am so proud, my lovelies, to know that the International Association for the Advancement of Modelling and Simulation Techniques in Enterprises, founded in 1981 by late professor Guy Mesnard of Lyon University, France, has selected Professor Nashaat El-Khameesy professor of informatics at Sadat Academy for Management Sciences as the vice-president of the association. It is the first time for an Egyptian professor to occupy this high- profile post for his valuable scientific contributions. The association aims at promoting the modelling and simulation techniques in solving problems concerning theories and applications. Oooh, it is way too technical for me, my darlings. But, I am sure it is very useful for the scientific community in Egypt. Last week, Alexandrian tycoon Hani Aziz held a mega birthday party at his opulent villa in Egypt's premier seaside metropolis of Alexandria. A galaxy of stars attended the party such as actress Pussy, the enchanting Lebanese singers Haifaa Wahbi and Nancy Agram, Syrian diva Mayada El-Hennawi, aspiring Egyptian pop singer Khaled Selim, composer Helmi Bakr, film producer Adel Hosni, media figures Amal Abdel-Salam and Mamdouh Moussa. For an entire month, the Arab World Institute in Paris has been organising cultural nights under the title "Nights of the Arab Cinema" including movies that varied between classical and folk and other movies that shed light on budding talents. The programme comprises 29 movies that cover films from the 1950s until today. The programme, running through 19 August, showed a number of the Egyptian cinema masterpieces such as Lahn Al-Kholoud (The Eternity Composition) by Youssef Chahin, Ahlam Hind wa Kamilia (Dreams of Hind and Kamilia) by Mohamed Khan as well as veteran comedian Adel Imam 's Al-Erhab wal Kabab (Terrorism and Kebab). My darlings, I'm so delighted to announce that my gorgeous friend Miss Egypt Miriam George returned from Beijing after participating in the Queen of Continents Beauty Contest. She was ranked as the 11th most beautiful contestant. There were some 63 participants, what a thrill, I'm so proud of Miriam. The reigning queen actually hails from Venezuela, a most beautiful country, indeed. Miriam is quiet busy taking her exams in the Modern Academy these days. In the days to come, she will also be participating in numerous charity events for children in need and orphans. It impressed me, my sweeties, to know that our Ismailia Folk Dance troupe is representing Egypt in the Conflon International Festival in Paris. Ismailia governor Saber El-Adawi met Mohamed Mabrouk, head of the delegation, and explained that the troupe will represent Egypt as the land of art and peace that denounces terrorism and violence.
