My delights, on 6 June, I accompanied my diligent colleague Reham El-Adawi to the Italian residence in Garden City to share with our very dear friend the Italian Ambassador to Egypt Antonio Badini, and the rest of the Italian community in Egypt, their celebration of the 58th anniversary of Italy's National Day. Badini seized the opportunity to point out that Italy and Egypt have ancient and deep-rooted bonds. The two countries have created a solid foundation, on which is built a feasible model of partnership. The charming Badini, speaking as all Italians do with their hands, added that the Egypt-Italy 2003-2004 Year has confirmed the importance of cultural dialogue, highlighting once more how much we have in common. The reception party included a galaxy of luminaries including: Minister of Tourism Mamdouh El-Beltagui, veteran author Eisha Rateb, Al-Ahram columnist Mohamed Sayed Ahmed and his gorgeous wife, First-Under Secretary for Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Culture Cherif El- Shoubashi, former Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Gaballah Ali Gaballah, wife of Egypt's foreign minister, Hoda Maher, Head of the TV and Radio Union Hassan Hamed, Director of the Cairo Opera House Dance Company Abdel-Moneim Kamel and his gorgeous wife Armenia, Head of Mubarak Library Abdel-Raouf El-Ridi, Director of the Fulbright Educational Foundation Ann Radwan, my dear friend gifted painter Farid Fadel and his lovely wife Mona Zaki. This in addition to the embassy crew including First Secretary Marco Rusconi, Counsellor for Cultural Affairs and new Director of the Italian Cultural Institute Adelia Rispoli, director of the Italian Archaeological Institute Maria Casini as well as a group of foreign ambassadors, academics and businessmen. My dears, it was a vibrant event and the highlight of the first week of June. � In trademark style, the Goethe Institute celebrates the beginning of summer with a very special series of events taking place in a summer tent at the garden of the institute in Dokki from 7 to 13 June. In a relaxed atmosphere, in the quiet of the evening, the institute will feature films, documentaries, and a not-to-be-missed fashion show. This unique fashion show titled "Cover and Uncover" -- created by this year's graduates and students of the third year of the Faculty of Applied Arts -- is to be held tonight. Under the supervision of Susanne Kèmper, who teaches fashion design and creativity at the department "Apparel Design, Management and Technology" at the Faculty of Applied Arts, the students will present experimental creations inspired by the topic "Cover and Uncover" as well as fashion designs by various inspirations. You simply can't miss it! � Cooperation is in the air as the joyous months of summer come upon us. Last Thursday, The Egyptian European Council (EEC) and the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA) celebrated the implementation of the Association Agreement between Egypt and the European Union (EU). Minister for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Maher gave the keynote speech, Ambassador Richard d'Obrien of the EU, and Ambassador Ian Boag, head of the delegation of European Commission in Egypt, commented on the importance of this historical event. The event was attended by most of the EU ambassadors, along with Minister of Tourism Mamdouh El- Beltagui, Minister of Industry Ali El-Saedi, Vice-Chairman of the EEC Ihab Sorour, Board Member and Secretary-General of the EEC Mona Zaki among others. A promising start to the holiday months. Good cheer, my dears, is in the warmer airs! � On the occasion of the Media Day, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Arab Boy Scouts Organisation, the Arab Boy Scouts Committee, presided over by Mustafa Gomaa Salem, honoured media figures and journalists, who themselves graciously cooperated in promoting the principles of the boy scouts and reinforcing its march. Among those honoured were Minister of Information Safwat El-Sherif, Head of the TV and Radio Union Hassan Hamed, Editor-in-Chief and Chairman of the Board of Al-Ahram Organisation Ibrahim Nafie as well as our colleague Al-Ahram Weekly 's very own environmental editor Mahmoud Bakr. Congratulations on behalf of the Weekly family to all those admirable figures in our field. � On 5 June, director of the Cairo Opera House Samir Farag inaugurated the fifth round of the Modern Dance Theatre Festival (Egypt-France), ongoing until 3 July at the locations of: Al- Gumhouriya Theatre, the Opera House's Small Hall and Creativity Centre. The event began with a welcome speech delivered by director of the festival and choreographer Walid Aouni, who explained the idea behind the festival and introduced the dance companies participating in this year's round. I was thrilled to hear that a group of Al-Ahram colleagues including the Weekly 's very own gifted photographer Sherif Sonbol and music critic Amal Choucri Catta, Al-Ahram veteran journalist Amal Bakir and folk dancer Mahmoud Reda were honoured by Farag, who granted them shields of recognition for the crucial role they play in raising the awareness of Egyptians to this very special kind of art. At Al-Gumhouriya Theatre, the festival was opened by a French show titled May B and choreographed by Maguy Marin. it was wonderful, my delights, to see journalists delve into lesser explored spheres of society. Congratulations, once again, is called for! Let me tell you, my dears, about a dinner I attended a few days ago. One hundred guests were invited to the Diplomatic Club for a sit-down dinner hosted by Vice President of the Dahesh Museum Amira Zahed. The occasion was to introduce the sole Arab Museum in New York. Amira gave a video presentation of the museum -- a masterpiece, it must be said -- marking the richest collection of 19th and early 20th century academic art. Among the guests were foreign and Egyptian ambassadors, cultural attachés, media figures, artists and friends. I must admit I spotted a number of leading ladies including Egypt's pioneer in social work, the delightful Aziza Hussein, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Maher, artist Shahira Mehrez, and, to my surprise the Weekly 's very own columnist Mursi Saad El-Din and his wife Enayat, better known to her many ex-students as Mrs Saad El- Din. Having seen the wonderful display of the museum, I decided that it will be the first place to visit on my next trip to New York. Darlings do make sure it is one of your stops too! � This year, the American University in Cairo (AUC) Press held its annual Book and Music Festival at the famous Bab Zuweila Gate of Islamic Cairo, which dates back to 1092. On the terrace of the historical landmark, which is reached after a climb of 70 stone steps, the AUC press celebrated its most recent publications in the company of the oriental music group Bent Al-Balad, and the famous Tannoura dancers. Those who attended were enchanted by the breathtaking view of Islamic Cairo during the sunset from the terrace as well as the music and dance that blended so well with the atmosphere of the historical place. Guests included Director of the AUC press Mark Linz, Secretary- General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Zahi Hawass and Head of Al-Ahram Publishing Section Hani Tolba as well as actors, journalists, professors and many other AUC press friends.
