By Madame Sosostris Sight and sound The Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival (D-CAF) is an international, multi-disciplinary event that brings together over 100 local, regional and international artists at a range of sites in downtown Cairo. Running through 14 April, the festival has featured exhibitions, music, film screenings, street performances, theatre and dance. The Radio Theatre has been a particularly exciting venue: On 6 April, the Egyptian jazz musician Fathi Salama and his band, Sharkiyat and the Lebanese band Jade both performed there. Last week, an evening with Ant Hampton -- part of the UK GuruGuru programme -- and a Shaabi music and dance concert featuring DJ Sosta and Shaawaza were held. (see Listings p.18) �ô� The Sabeel Arts Company performed a stage show entitled Solitaire at the Egyptian Arts Festival that coincided with the Tutankhamun exhibition currently ongoing in Frankfurt; the show will also be presented at the Spring Lessons Festival to be held in Berlin this week. Written, directed and performed by Dalia Bassiouni, the show has toured a number of countries including the United States and Zimbabwe. Bassiouni founded Sabeel Company in 1997 with the aim of tackling delicate female issues through theatre shows using multiple, sophisticated media. �ôï The Greek Ambassador to Egypt Chris Lazaris gave a reception at his residence in Zamalek to celebrate Greek National Day. �ô The French Ambassador to Egypt Jean Félix Paganon bestowed the French state award of arts and literature on Egyptian Cultural Attaché Hanan Moneib for her efforts on the international cultural arena to enhance French-Arab exchange. Present at the ceremony were the former minister of health Mohamed Awad Tageddin, the former minister of development Abdel-Salam El-Mahgoub, the Turkish Ambassador to Egypt Hèseyin Avni Botsali, novelists Gamal El-Gheitani and Fouad Kandil, singer Mohamed Tharwat, actor Mahmoud Kabil and activist Ahmed Harara. �ô� At the Alexandria Opera House, a special ceremony was held to honour the former head of the National Orchestra Ensemble of the Cairo Opera House and music icon Ratiba El-Hefni for her efforts in establishing the Talents Development Centre for Children, launched in 2004. The ceremony opened with the screening of a documentary on the activities of the centre in Alexandria. The Cairo Opera House Director Ines Abdel-Dayem gave a speech and handed El-Hefni an honorary shield in the presence of, among many others, musician Gamal Salama, maestro Abdel-Hamid Abdel-Ghaffar and director Gihan Mursi. �ôï The premiere of the blockbuster Rad Fe'l (Reaction) was held last week at Stars Cinema in City Stars Mall. Featuring Mahmoud Abdel-Moghni, Amr Youssef, Hala Sedki and Donia El-Masri, the film is directed by Hossam El-Gohari. �ô Five out of 204 girls from the Banat Al Ghad (Banati) Foundation won the Photography Competition "A Meaningful Shot of Egypt", organised by Al Tak3eiba Centre for Cultural Development in collaboration with the Mesaha Arts & Culture Centre. The winners were announced at the exhibition showcasing the contestants' photos. Zeinab Essam won first prize. She received a certificate of appreciation in addition to 10 books, while the other four winners were awarded a certificate of recognition. "Encouraging our girls to participate in cultural activities is one of our top priorities as it helps to improve their self-esteem," said Rania Fahmi, executive director of Banati. Banati is an NGO aiming to serve children in street situations (CSS), primarily girls and their offspring (second generation street children). The foundation offers medical and psychological support as well as educational and rehabilitation programmes through its shelter, reception centre and outreach programmes which extend across Greater Cairo and Giza. The foundation is devoted to supporting young men through activities that will develop their skills and enhance their creativity. Banati's mission is to provide homeless and endangered children with equal opportunities, assisting in their integration into society and ensuring they become skillful women who can contribute to development. Teaching photography is part of the wider initiative Sawaseyya for Innovative Learning supported by the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development. �ô� The Kempinski Nile Hotel Chocolate Art Gallery, a contemporary monthly exhibition featuring paintings selected by the Zamalek Art Gallery, is showing the work of the Iraqi artist Anas Al-Alusi for the first time in Cairo. General Manager Fuat Koroglu and Public Relations Manager Eman El-Yasaki personally received a range of media figures and art lovers at the opening. Born in Baghdad in 1971, Al-Alusi received degrees in agriculture as well as sculpture from the University of Baghdad; he is a member in the Iraqi Artists Association. (see Listings)
