The art of beauty In the world of the arts it is difficult to improve on certain traditional forms, such as the Tanoura, or whirling dervishes. However, Sherif Sonbol captured Tanoura dancer Mohamed Halim in Sharm El-Sheikh adding spots of light to his performance. UNICEF's Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa announced recently the appointment of Lebanese singer Nancy Agram as a regional goodwill ambassador. "We are delighted to welcome Nancy Agram to UNICEF," said Sigrid Kaag, UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa. "Goodwill ambassadors help focus the world's attention on the needs of children and can act as agents of change." Agram has been singing from an early age and her fame and appeal now span the Middle East and North Africa region and beyond. She has also been a dedicated supporter of children's issues in her native Lebanon. Agram will help raise the profile of children's issues -- particularly in relation to early childhood development, protection from harm and young people's civic participation. "I have always been passionate about UNICEF's work. I am honoured to be given this opportunity to contribute to this work for children," Agram said. "As a young mother with a small child myself, I relate even more to children and to mothers of the region." Agram is currently the second UNICEF regional ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa, and successor to Egyptian actor Mahmoud Qabil who has held this title since late 2003. Artist Farid Fadel once again awes us with his new exhibition, "Egyptophilia... Egyptomania", inaugurated by Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni at the Cairo Opera House Gallery in the presence of a plethora of ministers, such as Minister of State for Administrative Development Ahmed Darwish and his family, Minister of Social Solidarity Ali Meselhi and his wife Kamila whose portrait was also featured among the artist's new collection, Opera House Director Abdel-Moneim Kamel as well as Fadel 's wife, PR expert Mona Zaki. A number of foreign ambassadors in addition to art lovers, businessmen and actors, including Hani Salama and Ahmed Shaker, all flocked to the gallery to congratulate the artist. World renowned actor Omar Sharif was honoured at the Catholic Centre for his rich and remarkable cinematic career extending for more than 50 years in Egyptian and foreign cinema. Head of the Catholic Centre, Father Boutros Daniel granted Sharif the honorary shield of the centre along with a portrait of Sharif created by one his fans. The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) held the Arab Foundations Forum (AFF) at the Cairo Marriott Hotel. The forum was attended by an array of high-profile personalities, among them SFSD Executive Manager Ganat El-Samalouti, AFF Regional Director Marwan Ortani, Nisf Al-Donia magazine Editor-in-Chief Afkar El-Kharadli, Secretary-General of the Arab Media Forum for Environment and Development Randa Fouad, along with head of the Alliance for Arab Women Hoda Badran. In cooperation with the Italian Embassy in Egypt, Ramses Hilton General Manager Haitham Nassar hosted recently famous Italian designer Renato Balestra to present his latest creation of haute couture. The spectacular show took place around the hotel's swimming pool where more than 500 state officials, ministers, ambassadors as well as celebrities were in attendance. The event was organised by the Right to Live Charity Association, which dedicates its revenues to charity institutions in Egypt. photos: Ayman Barayez At the Al-Ahram Organisation Panorama Hall, a seminar was held under the title, "The Reformation of the Arab World: The Tunisian Model". The seminar was crowned by the presence of Al-Ahram Editor-in-Chief Osama Saraya, head of the Tunisian Media Centre Olfa Al-Salami, head of Tunisian Writers' Union Jamila Mejri, Media Counsellor Khalil Al-Tazraki and head of Al-Ahram Regional Institute for Journalism Howaida Mustafa. The spectacular inaugural ceremony of AlexFest 2009 took place at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. It is Alexandria's first annual cultural festival that embraces more than 100 different cultural activities spread at various places in the library. The highlight of the festival was a marathon starting from Ras Al-Teen Palace and ending at the Montazah Palace. The inauguration was attended by Alexandria Governor Adel Labib, Bibliotheca Alexandrina Director Ismail Serageddin, president of the International Friends Association of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina -- headquartered in Greece -- and director of the festival David Wardrop, versatile artist Samir Sabri as well as a galaxy of Egyptian and foreign representatives of cultural centres and associations participating in the festival. Wardrop honoured Labib for his relentless efforts in supporting the Bibliotheca. The ceremony featured a number of spectacular performances such as a Spanish musical performance, traditional Egyptian dancing by Egyptian and Russian troupes, and an astounding guitar recital by Spanish guitarist Fernando Perez. Yesterday, Al-Ahram Weekly Environment editor Mahmoud Bakr attended the inauguration of the Gharbiya Youth Centre and its IT club, inaugurated by Gharbiya Governor Abdel-Hamid El-Shennawi and Chairman of the National Council for Youth Safieddin Kharboush in the framework of celebrating the national days of Egyptian governorates. El-Shennawi and Kharboush enjoyed a number of performances presented by the governorate's youth that included singing and poetry recitals. On the sidelines of the celebration, a seminar was held at the Mubarak International Compound discussing crucial youth related-issues. The American University in Cairo (AUC) welcomed a delegation of 11 Latin American diplomats to the university to explore potential ways of cooperation with AUC in academic and cultural programmes, as well as the exchange of students and collaborative faculty research. The meeting included AUC President David D. Arnold, Provost Lisa Anderson, Vice Provost Ali Hadi, and the Dean of the School of Public Affairs, Nabil Fahmy. It also included the ambassadors of Chile, Columbia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay, as well as the Minister Counselor of Brazil. photos: Abdel-Hamid Eid In a charming wedding ceremony, actor and singer Shady Shamel tied the knot to Lamees Hassan Agha at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Their love story started during Shady 's years at the 6 October University. Although Shady 's desired career is in singing, he is mostly known for starring in Al-Andaleeb series about legendary singer Abdel-Halim Hafez. The wedding party was attended by a great number of actors and singers. Popular belly dancer Fifi Abdu entertained those invited as she danced with the newly-weds. Veteran actors Samir Ghanem, Nelly and popular singer Ahmed Adaweya graced the evening. Popular actors Hani Ramzi, Khaled Saleh, Dalia El-Beheiri and Shady 's best friend, Egypt and Zamalek football player Amr Zaki, took part in the night. Highly sought-after singers Hamada Hilal, Tamer Ashour, Eissaf and Mai Kassab sang enchanting songs, and then towards the end of the party Kassab was on the tabla, Hilal on the organ, and Shady on electric guitar to form an unplanned band that swept the audience onto their feet. Shaabi singer Saad El-Soghayar, actress Dina Abdallah, singer Shaza, budding actresses Sherine Adel, Zizi, Leqaa El-Khamisi and Reem El-Baroudi were present to congratulate the lovely couple. Shady 's aunt, Al-Ahram Weekly 's Home page editor Shaden Shehab, was left trying to believe, during the festive night, that her nephew was actually the groom, and not just the talented actor and singer he is today.
