photo: Magdi Suliman The mark of distinction This week Al-Ahram Weekly received the prestigious award of excellence from Al-Ahram Establishment for its annual issue that came out on New Year's Eve. Editor-in-Chief Assem El-Kersh received the award from Al-Ahram Chairman of the Board Abdel-Moneim Said in an elegant reception that took place Sunday at the meeting hall of the main building. The exceptional issue focussed on pertinent questions concerning the future of Egypt, the Arabs and the world with a whole list of topics exploring possible scenarios and how the world may look in 2020. The Weekly staff wishes to share this award with its esteemed readers. The Open-Air Theatre witnessed a thrilling concert for the Hani Shenouda musical band under the title "The Return of the Egyptians" on the occasion of highlighting the remorseful incidents of Nagaa Hammadi. Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni, Director of the Cairo Opera House Abdel-Moneim Kamel and a large audience attended the concert. photos: Ayman Barayez Marking the inauguration of the 42nd Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF), a lavish reception was held at the Al-Ahram Centre for Translation and Publishing (ACTP) affiliated to Al-Ahram Establishment. Al-Ahram Chairman of the Board Abdel-Moneim Said and Director of ACTP Wahid Abdel-Meguid welcomed a plethora of Egyptian, Arab and foreign publishers who couldn't miss out on the important event. Said declared that Al-Ahram is participating in the CIBF with a large pavilion including 20,000 foreign titles while also discussing the importance of the electronic section and founding Al-Ahram's electronic portal. Said guaranteed the renovation of Al-Ahram libraries. On the occasion of celebrating India's National Day, Indian Ambassador to Egypt R Swaminathan hosted a bountiful reception at his residence in Zamalek. The reception was attended by a plethora of high-profile personalities who enjoyed a delightful evening, among which were Minister of State for Administrative Development Ahmed Darwish, Minister of State for Environmental Affairs Maged George, Minister of Agriculture Amin Abaza, former foreign minister Ahmed Maher and former minister of youth and sports Alieddin Hilal. The Zamalek Inner Wheel Club (ZIWC) presided over by Samia Abul-Fotouh held a significant cultural seminar at Le Pacha Nile Boat, discussing new projects in Luxor governorate. Luxor Governor Samir Farag was among the keynote speakers at the seminar on future strategies that aim at better locating Luxor governorate on the touristic map. ZIWC members bestowed a medical device to Luxor General Hospital that currently hosts the latest technology that diagnoses hepatitis A for newborns. ZIWC also donated blankets to flood victims. In a pleasant evening, attendees enjoyed the beautiful view of the Nile. Among them were luminary ladies active in charity and voluntary work as well as ZIWC members, such as Nagwa El-Far, Ola Ragab, Nashwa El-Hagrasi, Mona El-Taweel, Laila Mokhtar, Laila El-Aswad, Randa El-Zoghbi, Wafaa El-Ansari, Hoda Melshei, Nadia Abul-Ela, Nelly Helmi and author Naem El-Baz. A remarkable press conference was held for the partnership contract signing between Youssef Chahine's Misr International Film (MIF) Company presided over by Gabi Khouri and the British BBC Channel. The unprecedented partnership is centred on future TV productions that promise the Arab world quality and scale of dramatic presentation. The press conference was held at Sofitel Gezira Hotel in commemoration of late world-renowned filmmaker Youssef Chahine 's birthday, with the attendance of MIF CEO Marianne Khouri. The press conference was replete with celebrity presence, including veteran actress Lebleba, actor Khaled El-Nabawi and producer Mohamed El-Adl. A lavish inaugural ceremony took place at Gallery Grant for the exhibition "An Egyptian Tale" showcasing numerous portraits of celebrities by cartoonist Amr Fahmi. The ceremony was attended by a coterie of high-profile personalities such as Minister of Social Solidarity Ali Meselhi, National Democratic Party Secretary for Media Affairs Alieddin Hilal, former foreign minister Ahmed Maher, writer Nawal Mustafa and director of the gallery Fadya Grant. (see Listings p.8) The Egyptian-Lebanese Publishing House (ELPH) presided over by Mohamed Rashad hosted a prestigious celebration at Farhati Hall at the Grand Hyatt Hotel marking the 25th anniversary of ELPH. An impressive array of high-profile figures, intellectuals and cinema stars attended the ceremony, among them Editor-in- Chief of Nisf Al-Donia magazine Afkar El-Kharadli, head of the People's Assembly Foreign Relations Committee Mustafa El-Feki, National Democratic Party Secretary for Media Affairs Alieddin Hilal, Chairman of Al-Shorouq Publishing House Ibrahim El-Muallim, head of Egypt News Centre Abdel-Latif Menawi, head of the Egyptian Writers' Union Mohamed Salmawi, veteran comedian Adel Imam, Lebanese Ambassador to Egypt Khaled Ziyada, publisher Dalia Ibrahim and novelist Gamal El-Ghitani. The Al-Sawy Cultural Wheel was granted the honorary shield of the 42nd Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) for its significant cultural role achieved in the last seven years. Head of the General Egyptian Book Organisation Mohamed Saber handed the shield to Al-Sawy Cultural Wheel Director Mohamed El-Sawy. El-Sawy expressed content for receiving the honorary shield, affirming his intention to open new branches of Al-Sawy all over Egypt. Beyond magazine has recently released its fifth documentary issue under the title "From Kuwait to Cairo" focussing on the economic summit in Kuwait. Beyond 's Chairman of the Board Mervat El-Talawi and Editor-in-Chief Hedayet Abdel-Nabi expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to discuss crucial Arab challenges in the magazine. Congratulations! Al-Ahram Deputy Editor-in-Chief Abdu Mubasher 's new book has been released. The book, entitled Al-Sheikh El-Shaarawi and Contemporary Concerns, is published by the General Egyptian Book Organisation. Spiros C Moros Charity Foundation presided over by Tony Moros hosted a successful workshop in Stella Di Mare resort in Ain Sokhna. The workshop was held on the occasion of launching the foundation's website with the attendance of international environmental expert and vice-president of the foundation Mohamed El-Zarka. The workshop aimed at promoting the concept of returning to nature, such as in breastfeeding, bio-agriculture, healthy nutrition and spreading the culture of a healthy life and fighting diseases such as cancer. photos: Abdel-Hamid Eid Last week, the Cairo Opera House Main Hall featured a performance of the play Praxa starring Boshra, Ahmed Thabet and Roushdi El-Shami, and directed by Nader Salaheddin. The stunning theatrical performance depicts women in revolution. Praxa received the best theatrical performance award along with Qahwa Sada (Unsweetened Coffee), directed by Khaled Galal. The performance was crowned by the presence of Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni, Director of the Cairo Opera House Abdel-Moneim Kamel, Nobel Laureate Ahmed Zuweil, journalist and TV presenter Ahmed El-Meslemani, actresses Ragaa El-Geddawi, Mervat Amin and Dalal Abdel-Aziz with an extensive media presence.
