Light in the heart of darkness The lightening project of Aswan's ravishingly beautiful Gizirat Al-Nabatat (Botanical Island) or Kitchner Island, accomplished by the Sound and Light Company, was opened lately in the presence of Aswan Governor Mustafa El-Sayed, head of the Sound and Light Company Major General Essam Abdel-Hadi and Mövenpick Hotel General Manager Dino Bustani. Kitchner Island is filled with exotic plants imported from all over the world. It is located on the other side of Elephantine Island from Aswan with Mövenpick Hotel overlooking it. It was given to Lord Kitchner for his campaigns in Sudan and he moved there and created his garden. Since then, it was named after him. Sherif Sonbol was there ready with his camera. At the Cairo Opera House Main Hall, Culture Minister Emad Abu Ghazi, along with Director of the Cairo Opera House Abdel-Moneim Kamel witnessed the closing ceremony of the big cultural week that accompanied the photography exhibition entitled "Egypt Revolution... Photos for the History" designed to commemorate the 25 January Revolution. It started with a silent vigil held to mourn those who were murdered in Egypt's 'white revolution', then Abu Ghazi distributed certificates of recognition among the photographers who participated in the exhibition. This was followed by a poetic evening featuring gifted poet Abdel-Rahman Youssef who recited a number of his 25 January Revolution-inspired poems. Part of the artistic items was a musical performance by the Arab Takht ensemble, conducted by Yasser Moawad who played a number of highly sought-after national songs. ( see Listings p.22 ) The Egyptian-Lebanese Friendship Association (ELFA), presided over by Maged El-Menshawi, hosted a seminar at the Semiramis InterContinental Hotel Cleopatra Hall. Political thinker and former head of People's Assembly Foreign Relations Committee Mustafa El-Feki was the keynote speaker at the seminar where he discussed his insights of the political transitions in Egypt. Present were Lebanese Ambassador to Egypt Khaled Ziayada, Vice-President of the ELFA Ghazi Nasser, former Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon Hassan Shash, Lebanese Tourism Consultant in Cairo Faisal Fetfat as well as members of the Lebanese Embassy such as Omar Fayed, Fouad Dahroug, Walaa El-Beheiri and Hisham Bashir. Another significant seminar was hosted by the Canadian- Egyptian Business Council (CEBC), presided over by Moataz Raslan at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza Hotel. Keynote speakers at the seminar were businessman Naguib Sawiris, former People's Assembly Foreign Relations Committee head Mustafa El-Feki and political activist George Ishak who all held a long discussion about the Egyptian revolution and constitutional reforms. The seminar was attended by a range of ambassadors and intellects such as Moroccan Ambassador to Egypt Mohamed Farag Al-Dokali, Minister of Health Ashraf Hatem, assistant foreign minister for economic affairs, Ambassadors Mohamed El-Orabi and Nihad Abdel-Latif, former minister of education Ahmed Zaki Badr, former minister of transportation Alaa Fahmi, Editor-in- Chief of Nisf Al-Donia magazine Afkar El-Kharadli and society ladies Mian Raslan, Samia Abul- Fotouh and Hoda Zurqana. photos: Ayman Barayez For the third consecutive year, the Catholic Centre presided over by Father Boutros Daniel organised a breathtaking celebration under the title "The Day of Giving" on the occasion of celebrating Mother's Day. At the beginning of the celebration, Daniel and renowned actor Yehia El-Fakharani delivered a brief speech to embark with the rest of the ceremony paying tribute and honouring a number of mothers whose sons were killed in the 25 January Revolution. Present were actresses Laila Taher, Poussy, Athar El-Hakim, Soheir El-Morsheidi, Khairiya Ahmed, Nihal Anbar, Ghada Ibrahim and media figures like Doria Sharafeddin, Nagwa Ibrahim, Magda Maurice, Sister Mary Georgette and former minister of state for environmental affairs Nadia Makram Ebeid. The Catholic Centre also hosted an evening under the title "In the Love of Egypt" welcoming a bevy of celebrities including veteran actresses Ragaa El-Geddawi, Nelly, journalist and media figure Moufid Fawzi, script writer Medhat El-Adl, filmmakers Ahmed Maher and Khaled Youssef, veiled actresses Soheir Ramzi and Shahira, and singer-cum-actor Edward. Khaled Fahmy, professor and chair of the Department of History at the American University in Cairo (AUC) has been selected to head the Committee of Documenting the Revolution launched by the Egyptian National Library and Archives. According to Fahmy, the goal of the committee is to gather and preserve all documentary evidence of the revolution for future generations. "In previous episodes in history, such as in the 1952 revolution, we, as historians, had little documentary evidence," noted Fahmy. "Thus, it is natural that the Egyptian National Library and Archives, the main institution in the country responsible for keeping and preserving documents, would be concerned about what is happening now for the sake of future historical research," he added. The committee consists of six volunteer members including Fahmy, and history and political science professors from Helwan and Cairo universities, as well as the director of the National Archives. The group is charged with several tasks, the first of which Fahmy describes as huge, is to collect oral testimonies from people who participated in the revolution. An oral history centre will be launched for this particular mission. This centre will be directed by Hania Sholkamy, an anthropologist at AUC's Social Research Centre. Other tasks include collecting digital material produced during the revolution, including photos, videos, and audio recordings. Radio Ta7rir, the Voice of the Revolution and Egypt's first platform for free speech finally exists. The first free speech radio in the Middle East, born directly from the Egyptian revolution, Radio Ta7rir, is an online radio station and interactive platform, offering Egypt and web internauts a newfound sound of freedom. Upon Mubarak's resignation, Radio Ta7rir, a non-profit organisation, and a work in progress, was organically created by a group of volunteers ranging from young entrepreneurs, business minds, artists, activists, healers and free thinkers who sensed the need to continue to hear voices from the revolution, spread and build on the spirit experienced in Tahrir Square and contribute to the country's growing political awareness. The station features programmes ranging from controversial issues of citizenship to concerns regarding gender, unemployment, social welfare and social inequality to name just a few. Those who tune in are also able to listen to music ranging from popular local artists from all spectrums of the Egyptian society to unheard of, yet up and coming, artists who have had little choice but to remain underground for too long. ( In order to listen to Radio Ta7rir: The Voice of the Revolution go to www.radiota7rir.com,www.radiota7rir.com,e-mail: [email protected], Facebook: radiota7rir.com, Tweet: @Radiota7rir ). photo: Sherif Sonbol The Cairo Opera House Open-Air Theatre hosted a brilliant week of concerts and seminars like the thrilling evening featuring poet Sayed Hegab and singer Azza Balbaa who dazzled their audience. Another concert featured musicians Hassan Sharara and Emad Hamdi, while renowned novelist Alaa El-Aswani held a significant seminar featuring law professor Hossam Eissa.
