Rediscovering beauty Technology is not always incompatible with beauty; as a matter of fact, it can help re-discover the splendour of artworks. An example of this can be seen in these pictures taken in Beit Al-Razaz, in Islamic Cairo. Although the camera of Sherif Sonbol captures the decorated ceiling as visitors will see it, tainted by the brown glaze of varnish, image enhancement software is able to recover the true colours the artist used by removing the coppery cast, allowing us to see the decorations underneath as the artist originally intended. Cairo Opera House Director Abdel-Moneim Kamel met Cuban Ambassador in Cairo Angel Dalmau Fernandez at the headquarters of the Cuban Embassy to bid him adieu as he finished his duty in Egypt. Kamel granted Fernandez the Opera's prestigious shield along with other souvenirs. Kamel expressed his appreciation for the relentless efforts exerted by Fernandez for five years to reinforce bilateral relations between the two countries, specifically on the cultural level. For his part, Fernandez praised the crucial cultural role played by the Cairo Opera House in raising public awareness of "international" opera. He also supported the recent extension of its activities in Egypt's remote governorates. Another prestigious farewell party for Fernandez was held at the Ramses Hilton's "Windows on the World" restaurant. The party was prepared and organised by Venezuelan Ambassador in Cairo Victor Carazo. All Latin American ambassadors in Cairo attended this event and enjoyed the panoramic view of the River Nile and Cairo from the 36th floor dining room. Professor of finance at the American University in Cairo (AUC) and Egypt's former minister of finance, Medhat Hassanein, has been selected to serve on the Joint Committee on Remuneration of Executive Directors and their Alternates (JCR) of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. "The scope of work of the JCR includes the review of background materials and information concerning the roles and qualifications of executive directors of the two institutions, and their salaries and benefits relative to their duties and responsibilities which is then compared to external and internal comparators to determine the remuneration of the president of the bank and managing director of the fund," explained Hassanein. Hassanein, who was nominated to the position, in which he will serve for a term of two years, commented: "It is an honour to be selected to serve on the JCR especially with this scope of work and with such meticulous selection process." Hassanein obtained his BA in economics from Cairo University with honours. He holds an MBA from New York University with distinction and a PhD from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is a senior policy analyst with experience in institutional building, macro-policy analysis, financial economics, corporate finance, and international financial management. Lebanese singers Ragheb Allama and Haifaa Wahbi presented thrilling concerts at City Heights Village in the North Coast. Some 10,000 fans of Allama and Wahbi, who dazzled the audience with her sexy glittering dress, enjoyed the night spent on the melodies of their beloved voices and the soft summer breeze of the Mediterranean Sea. The spectacular closing ceremony of the 25th Alexandria International Film Festival took place at the Sayed Darwish Theatre. The films Ehki Ya Shahrazade (Tell it, Shahrazade) and Wahed Sefr (One/Zero) had the lion's share of awards. Controversial film Ehki Ya Shahrazade was awarded best film while scriptwriter Wahid Hamed was also honoured. Gifted actress Mona Zaki received best actress award, while the award of best budding actress went to Rehab El-Gamal for her role in the same film. Wahed Sefr was granted the award of best script, presented to scriptwriter Mariam Naoum. Veteran actress Elham Shahine received an award for her role in the film while director Kamla Abu Zekri took the award of best director. Veteran actor Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz was granted the award of best actor for his role in the film Ibrahim Labyad while talented actress Donia Samir Ghanem deserved the special award for acting. Cinematographer Tarek El-Telmesani, comedians Ahmed Mekki, Intesar and actor Lotfi Labib received awards as well. The Italian film Caos Calmo (Quiet Chaos) was granted the award of best foreign film and best foreign actor went to Italian Nanni Moretti. A galaxy of Egyptian and Arab singers enlivened a number of concerts during their participation in the Alexandria Fourth Arab Music Festival. Veteran singer Nadia Mustafa, talented young voice Khaled Selim, Moroccan singers Asmaa Lemnawar and Hisham Tammam, Egyptian singers Ahmed Ibrahim and Agfan as well as Syrian singer Waad Al-Bahri all featured in the most successful concerts. The highlight of the Salaheddin Citadel's 19th Festival for Music and Singing opening evening was the performance of sensational composer Omar Khayrat who, on his piano, delighted the audience with some of his well- known compositions. The ceremony began with a speech by veteran opera singer Hassan Kami thanking the guests and welcoming the various international troupes participating in this round. Bosnian Ambassador to Egypt Radomir Kosic gave a speech explaining the history of the Bosnia Traditional and Folk Arts Troupe that has been performing for over 60 years around the world for more than seven million fans. ( see Listings p.6 ) photo: Ayman Barayez A farewell party was held for German Ambassador to Egypt Bernd Erbel on the occasion of ending his term in Cairo and his new appointment as German ambassador to Tehran. The farewell party was organised by the German Universities Graduates Union in Egypt, presided over by Ahmed Abdu. The celebration was attended by spouse of the German ambassador Maye Erbel, Cairo bureau chief of the German magazine Der Spiegel, Volkhard Windfuhr, MP Gamal Hassan and plastic artist Wihad Samir. Mesmerising Nubian pop singer Mohamed Mounir has just finalised recording 30 religious and Sufi songs and invocations written by Nabil Khalaf and composed by Walid Saad for the holy month of Ramadan. The songs are considered a brilliant melange between the East and West, calling for peace, justice and equality among people. The music is created in cooperation with Turkish and German musicians. photos: Abdel-Hamid Eid World Music Award winner Amr Diab rocked the stage of the North Coast's Golf Porto Marina when he held a stunning concert attended by more than 50,000 of his dedicated fans. Diab mesmerised his audience with his vigorous performance, singing a number of his new album's breathtaking songs as well as some of his old unforgettable hits.
