Ati Metwaly ushers in Santa Claus This year Santa Claus comes to Egypt under very difficult social, religious and political circumstances. With all the changes taking place, it is hard not to remember people who lost their lives in the as yet still ongoing revolution. Many young people will not join their families for Christmas and to many the festivities will be far from sparkling. But Christmas is also a time for reflection. Maybe it is an opportunity to think about the challenges lying head of many people: concerns expressed by the Christian community in particular, as well as the worries of many strata of Egyptian society, artists not excluded. With the rising influence of Islamists, many wonder about the future of arts in general and music in particular. Though we still do not know how the new parliament and its apparent Islamic majority will approach culture, some statements made by Islamist representatives are troublesome to artists and intellectuals. Art can flourish only when freedom of thought and creativity are guaranteed, and there are signs that those values will be undermined by a new censorial apparatus in the making. What the future of music will be is a question that has yet to be answered... Still, Christmas invites reflection, which will hopefully generate an analytical and pragmatic approach to the fears we are verbalizing, social and artistic limitations we are anticipating. Some artists feel that many cultural sectors were not reaching out to the general audience, and as such have become disconnected from society. It is high time that artists and musicians should unite to find and implement a solid and effective formula for attracting their audiences. There is a lot that both musical managers and musicians can do to prove their artistic presence on the one hand, and reach out to previously neglected audiences on the other. No doubt there is much homework to be done by all artists. However there is also room for support by those audiences who are already interested in musical activities taking place in the country. Despite many discouraging political events in times of change, this is also a time to show that music finds valid interest today. Attending musical events should no longer be understood as a search for entertainment but as a statement which audiences need to make in order to protect and strengthen the presence of the arts that we fear will be subject to repression. This year, as usual, Christmas comes to Egypt with fir trees, garlands and plastic Santas. In some districts, such as Zamalek, there is a greater presence of Christmas decorations, and vendors do their best to respond to rising festive demand. The musical field provides its own share of Christmas spirit, with many musicians and ensembles having carols, Christmas songs and seasonal music for this time of the year in their repertoire: *** On 7 December at the Cairo Opera House Small Hall, soprano Dina Iskander and harpist Mona Wassef will perform Christmas songs and lieds in addition to pieces for solo harp. On 17 December, Cairo Opera Company members and the Cairo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui and joined by the Cairo Celebration Choir, will give their annual Christmas concert at the Cairo Opera House Main Hall. The El Sakia String Orchestra conducted by Mohamed Saad Basha will celebrate Christmas on 20 December at El Sawy Culturewheel, joined by Dina Iskander and tenor Ragaa El-Din Ahmed. On a lighter note, the Riff Band will perform on Thursday 22 December, also at El Sawy Culturewheel. The same day, mezzo soprano Gala El Hadidi will sing the most famous tunes from musicals and Christmas Carols from around the globe at the Cairo Opera House Small Hall. Neveen Allouba's Annual Christmas Concert featuring guest artists Raouf Zaidan and Ashraf Sewailam with Greig Martin on piano will take place on 25 December at the Cairo Opera House Small Hall. The Cairo Opera House schedule also announces a number of Christmas taking place at El Gomhoria Theatre: the Om El Nour Orchestra on 10 December, the Bells Ensemble on 12 December, the Jesus Heart Choir on 17 and 18 December, and the Saint Augistinos Choir on 30 December. But Christmas would not be Christmas without The Nutcracker, a ballet set to the music of P.I. Tchaikovsky, telling a lovely story set on Christmas Eve, about a nutcracker and the King of Mice. No doubt, The Nutcracker captivates children with its simple plot and visual richness. It is also an opportunity for the young audience to engage with meaningful music. This year, the Cairo Opera Ballet Company will perform The Nutcracker on 22-23 and 25-28 December at the Cairo Opera House Main Hall. Due to continuous changes in the programme, it is strongly advised to contact the Cairo Opera House prior to the events.
