"Neel Ganga: Glimpses of Two Great Rivers" is the title of an exhibition by the Austrian photographer Cornelia Kaufmann currently on show at the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC). Kaufmann began making pictures at the age of 15, and these 41 photographs of the Nile and the Ganges are the culmination of extensive travels in India from 1997 to 2004 and in Egypt from 2006 onwards. Through her photography, Kaufmann has captured the beauty of water in its various forms, as snow, ice, and flowing across plains, creating valleys and giving rise to two splendid civilisations in its wake. According to the artist, "in 1997, inspired by a dream to perform a pilgrimage to the source of the river Ganga and other holy rivers and places, I set out to visit India. It took seven visits, in seven years, to complete my documentation in 2004. Since ancient times, the Great Himalayas have been attracting pilgrims. The panoramic view of the valley, the river Ganga roaring through the mountains, creates an amazing impression on one's mind. Since 2006, my destiny has guided me to Egypt. When I saw the great River Nile, I was similarly inspired to travel along the river's banks, where the ancient culture of Egypt has left traces with the ancient atmosphere and temples. This is a divine act created by Mother Nature... I hope we can respect the waters of life and save them and keep them clean for the coming generation." ( see Listings p.20 ) Marking Saudi Arabia's National Day, the Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Ahmed Abdel-Aziz Al-Qattan gave a lavish reception at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza. Present were Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, Minister of Justice Abdel-Aziz El-Guindi, Minster of Education Ahmed Gamaleddin, Minister of Health Amr Helmi, Minister of Information Osama Heikal, Minister of Local Development Mohamed Attia, Minister of International Cooperation Fayza Abul-Naga, education expert Nawal El-Degwi, head of Garden City Lions Club Awatef Serageddin, actors Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz, Yossra, Laila Elwi and filmmaker Inas El-Degheidi. Hundreds of guests flocked to the headquarters of the Armenian Embassy in Cairo to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Independence Day of Armenia. The reception started with a speech given by the Armenian Ambassador to Egypt Armen Melkonian, in which he discussed the challenges facing Armenian-Egyptian cooperation. Present were the Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Khaled Nader, the Prelate Diocese of the Armenian Catholic Church in Egypt Bishop Monsignor Krikor Augostinos Coussan, the Prelate Diocese of the Armenian Orthodox Church in Egypt Bishop Ashot Mnatsakanian as well as various officials, diplomats, businessmen, politicians, public figures, artists and journalists. On the occasion and in recognition of their contribution to developing and spreading Armenian culture, three Egyptian-Armenian figures were awarded with a special diploma of the Armenian Ministry of Culture; architect Nairy Hampikian, sculptor Sarkiss Tossounian and Egyptologist Houring Sourouzian. Last week, the Nile City cinema saw the premiere of the recently released film Al-Musafir (The Traveller), starring Omar Sharif, Serene Abdel-Nour, Khaled El-Nabawi, Amr Waked, Sherif Ramzi and Basma. Written and directed by Ahmed Maher, the film was chosen in the official competition of the Venice International Film Festival in 2009. Minister of Culture Emad Abu Ghazi, producer Isaad Younis, media figure Salma El-Shamaa, actresses Dalia El-Beheiri, Abeer Sabri and Arwa were among the viewers. In support of tourism to Egypt, Al Mawred Al Thaqafy (Culture Resource), in collaboration with the Aga Khan Music Initiative, launched the Sixth Remix Music workshop and tour on 18 September, under the leadership of Fathi Salama and guest musician Charbel Rouhana from Egypt and Lebanon, respectively. Remix 2011 will take place in Aswan with 17 participants from Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Tunisia, and Central Asia. The workshop will culminate in two concerts in Aswan and Cairo, Egypt. On 30 September, the first concert featuring the Remix 2011, musicians will perform at the Open Air Theatre on Corniche Al-Nil in Aswan, followed by the final concert on 1 October at El Genaina Theatre in Al-Azhar Park. ( see Listings P.20 ) This programme aims to encourage and support a new generation of Arab artists and writers by funding their early projects in various fields. The Culture Resource (Al Mawred Al Thaqafy) also provides young creators with advice on managing and promoting their productions. The Jordanian film The Last Friday, written and directed by Yehia Al-Abdallah, received a total four awards in the Cinema in Motion competition at the 59th edition of the San Sebastian Film Festival. The film was also awarded a Euro 5000 prize from the CNC, Centre National du Cinéma et de l'Image Animée to help finalise post-production. It received Euro 15,000 for sound mixing work at Mac'Tari in Paris along with Euro 2,500 from Titra TVS for subtitling in French or English and finally a 35mm print without subtitles from the Festival International de Fribourg. The programme is organised in cooperation with the Amiens Film Festival from France and Fribourg Film Festival from Switzerland. It focuses on feature films at the end of their filming or in post-production, awarding them prizes that will facilitate the finishing of the film. The Last Friday was completed within the framework of the Educational Feature Film Programme run by the Royal Film Commission (RFC), Jordan, aiming to support filmmakers and their crews. The programme will empower Jordanian filmmakers working on their debut feature length film. Attending the festival are the film producer Rula Nasser, who has voiced her excitement about the awards and how the honours are a great step forward for Jordanian cinema, and the General Manager of the RFC George David. An international school in Cairo has honoured Islamic preachers and media figures Karima Abdel-Karim and Mabrouk Attia. Attia was honoured for his successful religious programme Al-Mawaazah Al-Hassana (Righteous Preaching) broadcast on Dream TV channel. He delivered a lecture at the end of which the school headmistress Sonata Mohamed granted him the school shield of recognition for his relentless efforts in promoting moderate Islam. An extravagant musical evening entitled Al-Haram lil Sham (The Pyramid is for Levantine) took place at El Sawy Culturewheel featuring Syrian singer Khater Dawa, whose songs brilliantly expressed the dream of the Arab Spring and revolution in the Arab world, while Dawa is due to perform in various places in Cairo such as the Cairo Opera House, the Talaat Harb Cultural Centre, the Poetry House and the Ahmed Shawqi Museum.
