The illusionists The innovative American Dance Company MOMIX, created by Moses Pendleton, performed its last shows at Sayed Darwish Theatre in Alexandria on Sunday. At the Cairo Opera House, Sherif Sonbol was ready with his camera to capture a number of the pieces performed by the company such as Millennium and MOMIX Aqua Flora. Their performances are based on tricks and illusions created through bodily gestures and movements. The Chargé d'Affaires at the Omani Embassy Seif bin Nasser Al-Bedaei hosted a prestigious reception at the Four Seasons at Nile Plaza Hotel marking the 39th Omani National Day. The event was attended by high-profile figures, among them were Minister of State for Family and Population Mushira Khattab, Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Mohamed Sobeih, actresses Manal El-Fatatri and Mounia as well as members of the Omani Embassy. The Zamalek Inner Wheel Club presided over by Samia Abul-Fotouh hosted a thrilling seminar under the title "Facing the Challenge of Drop-out Girls" introducing Minister of State for Family and Population Mushira Khattab as the keynote speaker. The seminar was attended by a galaxy of high-profile figures such as Al-Ahram back page editor Mona Ragab, Director- General of the Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement Nagwa Shoeb, head of the Garden City Lions Club Awatef Serageddin, Amal Toukan, spouse of Al-Ahram Chairman of the Board Abdel-Moneim Said and a number of charity work volunteers such as Bahiya Youssef, Mona El-Degwi and Bahiya El-Meadawi, and veteran actress Ragaa El-Geddawi. Moroccan Ambassador to Egypt Mohamed Farag Al-Dokali held a gathering at his residence for the Moroccan community in Cairo. At the head of attendees were Moroccan Minister of Immigration Mohamed Amer, Moroccan diplomats, members of the Moroccan Embassy in Cairo, and a plethora of businessmen. photos: Ayman Barayez Bahraini Ambassador to Egypt Khalil Al-Zowadi and Director of Al-Hanager Arts Centre Hoda Wasfi jointly inaugurated an exhibition at the Hanager Arts Centre. Entitled "The Bahraini Environment", the exhibition is showcasing 40 oil paintings by Bahraini artist Rashid Sowar and his sons Raed, Fahd, Noah and daughters Zeinab, Zahra and Sarah that brilliantly depict the environment in Bahrain. The opening was attended by Kuwaiti Ambassador to Egypt Mohamed Al-Rashid and Councilor of the Bahraini King Saleh Hendi. The National Council for Youth (NCY) presided over by Safieddin Kharboush initiated the Youth Social Participation Project in 100 low income villages in Sharqiya, Beheira and Sohag governorates within the framework of the presidential election programme under the slogan "Egypt is Smarter with its Youth". It runs through 5 December. The project includes three sub-projects. The first is voluntary work covering polluted ponds, removing garbage and planting trees in five different governorates, aimed at making youth more involved in environmental development. The second is concerned with integrating medical caravans in cooperation with 15 Egyptian universities offering free medical examinations, medicine as well as surgeries. The third project entails the construction of 1,000 bathrooms in poor villages in Qena. Kharboush declared that the project, under the supervision of NCY affiliated organisations, is being carried out with the active participation of youth. At the Bibliotheca Alexandrina's Conference Building a thrilling exhibition entitled "Production, Spread, Use and Conservation" is on show until 5 December. The exhibition illustrates the origin and journey of paper from its birth in China to its arrival at the heart of Europe, travelling along the Silk Road through Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. It presents the history of papermaking through images, texts and products. The exhibition is promoted by the Lazio Regional Council's Department for Economic Development, Research, Innovation and Tourism, in collaboration with the Italian Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Antiquities Museum, under the auspices of the Italian Cultural Institute in Cairo. Vice-President of Lisan Al-Arab Organisation Baher El-Gohari received the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art. The first class cross was presented by Austrian Ambassador to Cairo Nader Thomas on behalf of Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer in recognition of El-Gohari 's achievements in fostering Egyptian-Austrian relations. In his speech, El-Gohari emphasised that the convenient location of Austria allows it to play a role as mediator between the East and West. Born in Egypt in 1941, El-Gohari received special merits in the field of Austrian literature. He strove to spread knowledge of Austrian literature through his visiting professorships at the universities of Salzburg and Vienna. In addition, he translated literature from Arabic into German and vice-versa, ranging from Franz Kafka to Franz Grillparzer, and from Naguib Mahfouz to Nasser Qabbani. The prize is the second highest award given by the Austrian government for scientific or artistic achievement. The fourth International Congress on "Science and Technology for the Safeguard of Cultural Heritage of the Mediterranean Basin" will be hosted by the Italian-Egyptian Centre for Restoration and Archaeology (CIERA) at the Sama Khana Complex, 31 Al-Sioufiya Street, Helmiya district, Cairo from 6-8 December 2009. The major objective of the congress is to explore "state of the art" conservation techniques, encouraging international exchange among scientists and others concerned with preserving cultural heritage. A major issue to be debated is progress in the cultural restoration and revitalisation of the historic centres of many cities in the Mediterranean Basin, which should be considered wellsprings of cultural heritage for present and future generations. A painting competition was organised by the Indian Cultural Centre of the Indian Embassy for children from the Indian community in Egypt on the occasion of National Integration Week. The ceremony was attended by Indian Ambassador to Egypt R Swaminathan and director of the Indian Cultural Centre Suchitra Durai.
