Breaking the waves The Montazah waters have always been known for their azure shades. On the Mediterranean Sea Montazah is an elitist compound in Alexandria. Famous as a summer retreat, Montazah is flocked to by those seeking serenity, beauty and an extra dose of romance. These two couples were spotted by photographer Bassam El-Zoghby surrendering themselves to splashes of salty jots in a moment of sheer pleasure. � In a beautiful evening French Ambassador to Egypt Jean Félix Paganon held a lavish reception at the headquarters of the French Embassy celebrating French Independence Day. The reception was crowned by the presence of an array of high-profile personalities among which were Minister of Higher Education and of State for Scientific Research Hani Hilal, Minister of Social Solidarity Ali Meselhi, Minister of Manpower Aisha Abdel-Hadi, Al-Ahram back page editor Mona Ragab, former MP and AUC professor Mona Makram Ebeid, veteran novelist Gamal El-Ghitani, director of Al-Hanager Art Centre Hoda Wasfi, permanent Saudi Representative to the Arab League Ahmed Al-Qattan as well as veteran actor Gamil Rateb, veteran actress Lubna Abdel-Aziz and actor Hisham Abdel-Hamid. � A prestigious celebration was held at the Mövenpick Hotel in Media Production City for the closing ceremony of the 10th round of the Oscar International Video Clip Festival presided over by Abdel-Moneim Saad. The festival honoured a galaxy of celebrities including veteran actors, Mahmoud Yassin, Madiha Youssri, Hussein Fahmi, Nabila Ebeid, Elham Shahin as well as singers Mohamed Sultan, Ahmed Adawya and Sherifa Fadel, and actress-cum-singer Leqaa Swedan. The celebration was attended by high-profile figures and celebrities, including Major-General Mounir Thabet, music composers Gamal Salama and Helmi Bakr, actor Khaled Zaki, retired belly dancer Nagwa Fouad, Tunisian singer Souma, Lebanese actress Nagwa Sultan, veteran singer Nadia Mustafa and her husband singer Moharam Fouad. A thrilling private screening took place last week at the Cairo Sheraton Hotel cinema for the new summer blockbuster Teir Enta (Split). The new comedy stars actor Ahmed Mekki, gifted actress Donia Samir Ghanem, and Maged El-Kedwani, and is directed by Ahmed El-Guindi. At Nile City Cinema another private screening was held, this time for the film Al-Alamy (The International), starring budding actor Youssef El-Sherif, budding actress Arwa and actor Mohamed El-Shaqanqiri. The film is scripted by Yassin Kamel and directed by Ahmed Medhat. � The closing ceremony of the Sixth Alexandria International Song and Music Festival was held at the Sayed Darwish Theatre honouring musician and keyboardist Magdi El-Husseini, music composer Gamal Salama and singer Tamer Hosni. Lebanese singer Wael Gassar, Jordanian singer Diana Karazon and Moroccan singer Aisha Al-Waad enlivened the celebration. The event was attended by Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni and Alexandria Governor Adel Labib among a galaxy of celebrities, including music composer Hani Mehanna, veteran actress Lebleba, and belly dancer-cum-actress Fifi Abdu. � While summer concerts continue, popular singer Hakim held a thrilling event at Al-Ittihad Sporting Club in Alexandria. Hakim 's fans flocked to attend the concert, enjoying a delightful summer night to the melodies of his most famous songs. � Discussing the changes that are taking place in the world of journalism, writer and Al-Akhbar newspaper chairman Mohamed Ahdi Fadli celebrated the release of his new book Electronic Journalism: Between Reality and Future. The book emphasises the importance of electronic journalism in light of the fast changing globe of today. � A press conference was held at Studio Misr on the occasion of celebrating the beginning of shooting the new film Kalemni Shokran (Call Me... Thank You). Stars of the new film are actor Amr Abdel-Gelil, actress Ghada Abdel-Razeq and actor Maged El-Masri, among other budding actresses including Dalia Ibrahim and Horiya. The film is scripted by Sayed Fouad and directed by controversial filmmaker Khaled Youssef. The surprise of the film is the return of veteran comedian actress Shwikar after a long absence, while the film is the first Youssef has shot in the comedy genre. � Tunisian President Zein Al-Abidin Bin Ali was granted the Special Olympics award last week, handed to him by Regional Director of Special Olympics for the Middle East and North Africa Ayman Abdel-Wahab in Carthage City. The award is granted to high-profile personalities who support youth with special needs that succeed in various kinds of sports. Among the personalities who have previously been granted the award are Mrs Suzanne Mubarak, King Mohamed VI of Morocco, Algerian President Abdel-Aziz Bouteflika, Jordanian Queen Rania and Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa. . � On the occasion of his appointment as chairman of the board of Al-Ahram Establishment, Abdel-Moneim Said met with Al-Ahram Weekly staff at the office of the Weekly 's Editor-in-Chief Assem El-Kersh. Managing Editor Galal Nassar and Editorial Consultant Samir Sobhi were present at the meeting during which Said talked about his strategy and future plans for the establishment and promised to continue the legacy of the Weekly 's founding editor-in-chief Hosny Guindy. Said, a regular contributor to the Weekly, is director of Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies.
