* One of the most commendable of national efforts is without question that of the preservation and restoration of Cairo's ancient heritage. Last week, the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) took the time to recognise these efforts, honouring Dr Ali Radwan, head of the General Arab Archaeologists Union, who was recently awarded the State Merit Award for his work in the field. Appropriately, the candle-lit ceremony was held at Bait Al- Suhaymi -- one such magnificent restoration project that was completed two years ago. Among those taking the time to honour Radwan, were SCA Secretary-General Zahi Hawass, Editor-in- Chief of Akhbar Al-Adab Gamal El-Ghitani, and Chairman of the Egyptian Tourist Authority Mohamed Shafiq. A host of distinguished professors and journalists in the field also attended. The event was just part of a busy SCA-related week. Hawass travelled to Paris to meet Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, to share with him a wealth of historical information which the actor needs for his upcoming movie. The production will be of international magnitude, focussing on the Mesopotamian Knight Gligamesh. SCA-related stardom aside, the council will be hosting a reception at Salaheddin Citadel this week to mark the inauguration of the SCA's latest endeavour for the education of children, as well as the release of its first Braille book for children, Egyptian Myths. The SCA children's programme will offer free visits to children at numerous archaeological sites and museums around the country. Also part of this noble effort to raise awareness amongst the country's children, is a two-month workshop entitled "Sculpting on Sand". To be held on local beaches over the coming weekends of the summer, the workshop will teach children how to sculpt Pharaonic figures using the sand. At the end of the summer, three first-prize winners will receive lifetime passes to all of Egypt's archaeological sites. The dynamic Inji Al- Fayed, head of the cultural development programme at the SCA, highlighted the fact that the workshops will be tailored as well to suit children with special needs. At the spectacular event set atop the historic hill, guests such as the distinguished Milad Hanna, and the gorgeous actress Poussie made grand appearances to support the most thoughtful and needed project. � National Day once again this week, this time though of France -- 14 July. Like all national day's, the event was celebrated in style, with the colours of the nation, and a lavish buffet of French cuisine. Guests arrived in dazzling outfits and sparkling smiles. Among them were the genial French Ambassador Jean-Claude Cousseran and the beautiful Hoda Gamal Abdel-Nasser and glimmering Isis Zaki. It was a breezy summer evening to be remembered. � Religious dialogue is rather in vogue these days, and the Norwegian Academy for Arts and Freedom of Expression took it upon itself to award Samir Morkos and Dr Vivian Fouad its first annual prize in recognition of their distinguished efforts in supporting the understanding between Muslims and Christians in Egypt over the past years. The academy considered their efforts distinguished in light of the international status quo burdened with extremism and violence. Established in 2003, the academy is an independent organisation concerned about supporting the freedom of expression around the world. Morkos and Fouad will receive their prize in November in a dazzling celebration scheduled to be held in Norway that will be attended by a plethora of academics, politicians, media men and intellectuals. � My dears they are certainly joyous nights in Tunisia these days. The "Joyous Nights" festival organised by Al-Ahram Organisation under the auspices of Chairman of the Board Ibrahim Nafie and sponsored by business mogul Naguib Sawiris, is causing much flutter in the press given its absolute success. The event comprises a series of most engaging and enjoyable events in the cultural arts, and has gathered an endless stream of enthusiastic guests. Once again, Al-Ahram outdoes itself with its creative and innovative endeavours around the world.
