By Lubna Abdel-Aziz Before or after renovation? After a long period of renovation in Islamic Cairo, Al-Muezz Street started receiving visitors to its historical area six months ago. After its renovation, Al-Muezz Street was declared a pedestrian-only zone -- a decision very much welcomed by photographer Sherif Sonbol and this area's guests. To their surprise, however, they found the street worn out again. Perhaps another renovation plan is in process? On the occasion of the 38th United Arab Emirates National Day, UAE Ambassador to Egypt Ahmed Al-Zoabi hosted a prestigious reception at the Four Seasons at Nile Plaza Hotel. The event was crowned by the presence of Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, Moroccan Ambassador to Egypt Mohamed Farag Al-Dokali, Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, Minister of State for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Moufid Shehab, Minister of Investment Mahmoud Mohieldin, and Chairman of the People's Assembly's Legislative and Constitutional Committee Amal Othman. Former foreign minister Ahmed Maher, veteran actor Hussein Fahmi and his wife actress-cum-singer Leqaa Swedan, as well as talented Moroccan singer Samira Said were all present. In a thrilling evening, superstar Amr Diab rocked the stage of the Future University located in Al-Tagammu Al-Khamis, New Cairo last week. Diab celebrated his twin son and daughter Abdallah and Kenzi 's birthday on stage during the concert and mesmerised fans with an exhilarating national song dedicated to Egypt, holding the Egyptian flag. Fans flocked to the concert that was attended by a plethora of celebrities, among them veteran actress Nelly, actors Sherif Mounir, Hani Salama, Sameh El-Sereiti, Ashraf Zaki and Wael Nour, singer Isaaf, media figure Tarek Allam and his wife, TV presenter Dina Ramez. Tahsin Al-Siha Association, presided over by Sawsan Attiya, honoured former minister of social insurance and Ain Shams University professor of law Aisha Rateb for her extended career and restless efforts in society work. At the head of attendees were Al-Ahram Chairman of the Board Abdel-Moneim Said, Minister of Social Solidarity Ali Meselhi, former Arab League Secretary- General Esmat Abdel-Meguid, former minister of housing Hasaballah El-Kafrawi, former interior minister Hassan El-Alfi, former minister of social affairs Amina El-Guindi, former minister of justice Mahmoud Abul-Leil, and president of the association branch in Cairo, Mona Zulfiqar. photos: Abdel-Hamid Eid Sultry Lebanese singers Pascal Meshaalani and Marwa as well as Egyptian singer Rami Sabri featured in a vast concert at Stella di Mare resort, Ain Sokhna. A large audience attended the concert enjoying the melodies of their favourite singers until the early hours. photos: Ayman Barayez An honorary ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of granting Judo champion Mohamed Rashwan the Judo World Championship in the Japanese Olympics was held at the Al-Sawy Cultural Wheel in Zamalek. The ceremony was crowned by the presence of Japanese Ambassador to Egypt Kaoru Ishikawa, Al-Sawy Cultural Wheel Director Mohamed El-Sawy as well as a galaxy of media and sports figures. Within the framework of activating the cooperation agreement between the National Council for Youth (NCY), presided over by Safieddin Kharboush, and Arab, African and foreign countries, the NCY welcomed an Eritrean negotiation delegation. The agreement aims at encouraging cooperation and the visits of youth between both countries. Zinc and Les Instants Video, two cultural organisations located in Marseilles, together with a number of French and Egyptian artists, including Mohamed Salah, Ahmed Essamra, Hadel Nazmi, Islam Kamel, Lamiaa Moghzi, Mohamed Taman, Renaud Vercey and Bruno Voillot, have conceived "Memory and Futurism", the first festival dedicated to international video art from 6-13 December at the French Cultural Centre in Alexandria and from 16-17 December at the centre's branch in Cairo. This event is based on the exploration of the roots of video art starting with the "Futurist manifesto", launched by founder of the Futurism movement, Filippo Marinetti, who spent his childhood and youth in Alexandria. The event includes video projections and encounters on "Cinema, Video Art and Futurism", and two workshops open to young artists and filmmakers. The workshop "Looking for Marinetti" will be led by Marc Mercier, artist and director of Instant Vidéo, and by Giovanna Lista, historian of futurism. Another workshop, focussing on interactive multimedia publishing, will be led by Renaud Vercey and Bruno Voillot, authors of Disposition, together with Mohamed Youssef, multimedia artist. Next Saturday, Culture Minister Farouk Hosni will attend an evening organised by the present head of the General Egyptian Book Organisation (GEBO) Mohamed Saber Arab honouring the memory of late head of GEBO Nasser El-Ansary. Arab disclosed that the evening would gather a number of El-Ansary 's friends, colleagues and companions. Among other activities, the evening will include screening a documentary on El-Ansary 's life journey and career, during which he served at the Cairo Opera House, Dar Al-Kotob, the Arab World Institute in Paris, and finally as the head of GEBO until his last days. Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Cairo Patrizia Raveggi and staff announced the death of Carla Burri, former director of the institute (1962-1981, 1993-1998) who was a passionate friend of Egypt. Burri passed away in Italy last month. A commemoration service took place yesterday at 7pm at Saint Joseph Church, 4 Ahmed Sabri Street, Zamalek. Condolences may be sent to the Italian Cultural Institute, Cairo, 3 El-Sheikh El-Marsafi Street, Zamalek. In his first visit to the Cairo Opera House, Michael Bock, who has just assumed his duties as Germany's ambassador to Egypt, was mesmerised by a spiritual music concert that blended Sufi singing and Coptic hymns in a brilliant melange that took place at the Main Hall. Bock 's wife was equally captivated by the performance. The concert, organised in cooperation with the German Embassy in Cairo, was attended by more than 1,200 Egyptian and foreign audience in the presence of Opera House Director Abdel-Moneim Kamel featuring Sufi singer Sheikh Mohamed El-Helbawi and his son Ali, singer Ali El-Haggar, and Maher Fayez who performed Coptic hymns accompanied by oud player Bassem Darwish and qanoun player Hossam Shaker.
