The pianist Pianist Omar Khairat immortalised by the lens of Sherif Sonbol as he clicks the ivory. He was accompanied by the Cairo Opera Orchestra conducted by Nayer Nagui at the Cairo Opera House Main Hall. photos: Ayman Barayez Newly appointed French Ambassador to Egypt Nicolas Galey presented Nobel Laureate Ahmed Zewail with a prestigious order of merit on behalf of the French President François Hollande. Galey expressed his pleasure in honouring Zewail after his recent appointment as ambassador at the ceremony attended by Minister of State for Scientific Research Nadia Zakhari, poet and Al-Ahram columnist Farouk Gewaida, President of the American University in Cairo Lisa Anderson, founding provost at the Zewail City of Science and Technology Sherif Sedky and President of the City Salah Azazi as well as an array of high-profile figures and diplomats. More news on Ahmed Zewail! The American University in Cairo (AUC) and the Zewail City of Science and Technology have jointly established the Centre for Nanoelectronics and Devices. Bringing together internationally renowned and published scientists from both institutions, the centre's work will focus on the design and analysis of consumer electronic devices and tiny sensors, built at the nanoscale of one billionth of a metre, opening the door for a wide range of applications including combating disease, improving food production, purifying water and producing clean, renewable energy. "Working on the creation of advanced electronic sensors and devices could help solve Egypt's most pressing problems, from traffic to Hepatitis C," said Yehia Ismail, professor of electronics engineering and director of the centre. In addition to the exchange of researchers, the partnership includes fellowships for students and will capitalise on state-of-the-art resources available at both AUC and Zewail City, particularly in the area of biotechnology and biomedical diagnostics. "Working with high-caliber scientists from AUC and abroad, and through the support of advanced research centres in both institutions, we will be able to conduct the type of applied research that Egypt and the region needs," said Sherif Sedky, founding provost at Zewail City. At Saint Joseph Catholic Church, located in downtown Cairo, a celebration was held to commemorate the eighth year of Pope Benedict XVI as the pope of Vatican. The prayer was attended by Bishop Michael Fitzgerald, representative of the Vatican in Egypt, the ambassadors of Belgium, Ecuador, Cote d'Ivoire, and Father Rafiq Greish as well as foreign diplomats, media figures and Egyptian families. In the framework of promoting cultural relations between South Korea and Egypt, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cairo organised a cultural evening on the embassy's premises in Dokky last Thursday. Korean Ambassador Young-Soo Kim expressed his pleasure with the evening, stressing the significant role of culture in promoting relations and mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries. During the event, Park Jae Yang, councillor for Culture and Information at the Korean Embassy, expressed his hope that the Korean Cultural Centre will soon be open in order to upgrade and enhance cultural ties between Egypt and South Korea. Students of Korean language courses organised by the embassy performed a number of modern Korean songs, while attendees enjoyed a dance performance by Al-Tanoura troupe and experienced Korea's delicious and healthy cuisine at the end. Randa Moran, spouse of the newly appointed European Union Ambassador to Egypt James Moran, welcomed guests to her own residence in Zamalek: the wives of the ambassadors of Germany, Greece, Russia, Japan, Iraq, Palestine, Thailand, Slovenia, Belgium, Senegal and Burkina Faso. photos: Abdel-Hamid Eid A premiere was held of the recently released blockbuster Al-Almani (The German) at Cinema Diana downtown. The film features Mohamed Ramadan, Aida Riad, Ahmed Bedier and a number of rising stars. Written and directed by Alaa El-Sherif, Al-Almani tells the life story of a thug who comes to be known by that name. The 18th Rabat International Festival for Authors' Cinema (22-30 June) was held under the auspices of King Mohamed VI of Morocco at the Mohamed V Theatre and inaugurated by president of the festival Abdel-Haq Montaresh. In its 18th round the festival paid tribute to Turkish cinema, honouring Moroccan director and producer Mohamed Al-Abazi, one of the pioneers of Moroccan cinema. The Youssef Chahine award went to the Egyptian film Baad Al-Toufan (After the Deluge), starring Hanan Motawei and directed by Hazem Metwali. Among the films awarded prizes were the Lebanese film Taxi Al-Balad (City Cab), starring Talal Al-Gardi, Michelle Abu Suleiman, Hayam Abu Shedid and directed by Daniel Joseph, and the Tunisian film Hekayat Tunisia (Tunisian Stories), directed by Nada Al-Mazni. Egyptian actress Poussi was among the jury members this year.
