Part of the act Two visually spectacular, original contemporary ballets dazzled Cairo Opera House goers last week: Cantata (group operatic singing, not a dance opera) choreographed by Mauro Bigonzetti, and Noces (The Wedding) choreographed by Stijn Celis and performed by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal. Sherif Sonbol was there to capture very rare moments with his lens on and off the stage, taking pictures of the Canadian Ballet Company ballerinas during their daily 2.30pm workout class. One unforeseen problem was the incessant and apparent crying of a newborn baby during the 39-minute Cantata show, which was accompanied by the traditional music of southern Italy. Members of the audience were quick to criticise the Opera House administration for allowing babies in. As it turned out, though, the crying was part of the show. The British Council will award the International Young Performing Arts Entrepreneur (IYPAE) to creative entrepreneurs working in the performing arts. Egypt is one of nine countries that have won a place to compete in this annual award, so now all young performing arts entrepreneurs who have the qualities and vision to be leaders in Egypt's performing arts are invited to apply. Candidates can be drawn from any of the following areas of the performing arts: producers of theatre, dance, music and live art performances; promoters, festival directors and marketing specialists; managers of theatre, dance, music or live art companies; developers of performing arts publishing, communications or websites; and consultants providing specialist services in any of the areas outlined. If you think you have the creativity, skills and passion to become the International Young Performing Arts Entrepreneur of the year, visit the British Council website to know more about the IYPAE award and to download the application form. All candidates must be Egyptian between the ages of 25-35. The deadline for receiving applications is 23 June 2009. Ramses Hilton has been selected the winner of the global awards programme "Regional Winner for 2008" in recognition of its achievement in reducing risk in business, improving guest safety and applying high standards of safety and hygiene in the hotel. "Winning such prestigious awards strengthens the fact that the Ramses Hilton team is the best and we are delighted to receive this award as we regard it as acknowledgment of the high standards and best practices that we constantly seek to achieve at Ramses Hilton," said Haitham Nassar, Ramses Hilton general manager. photos: Abdel-Hamid Eid Summer arrives with more blockbusters. At Nile City cinema a thrilling private screening was held for the new film Al-Farah (The Wedding), starring Khaled El-Sawi, Syrian actress Joumana Mourad, Rogina, Donia Samir Ghanem, Yasser Galal and Bassem Samra. The film is scripted by Ahmed Abdallah and directed by Sameh Abdel-Aziz. Ramses Hilton cinema held its own private screening of the film Badal Faqed (Lost ID), starring handsome actors Ahmed Ezz,actresses Menna Shalabi and Rasha Mahdi. The film is written by Mohamed Diab and directed by Ahmed Alaa. A prestigious cultural evening organised by author Lotus Abdel-Kerim was held at Al-Shemou Salon in Maadi. The event was crowned by the presence of a galaxy of high- profile personalities, including Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Hisham Al-Nazer, Princess Ferial, daughter of the former King Farouk, veteran writer Anis Mansour, president of the International Union of Muslim-Christian-Jewish Dialogue and Peace Education Ali El-Samman, veteran actor Yehia El-Fakharani and his wife scriptwriter Lamis Gaber, former ambassador Mohamed Shaker, and Al-Ahram writers Maha Abdel-Fattah and Ahmed El-Meslemani. photos: Ayman Barayez President of the International Union of Muslim- Christian-Jewish Dialogue and Peace Education Ali El-Samman and his lovely wife Brigitte hosted a lavish celebration honouring head of the National Council for Human Rights Boutros Boutros-Ghali. A bevy of ambassadors and luminaries attended including US Ambassador to Egypt Margaret Scobey, German Ambassador to Egypt Bernd Erbel and his spouse Maye Erbel, Belgium Ambassador to Egypt Daniel Leroy, his Spanish counterpart Antonio López Martinez, Minister of Administrative Development Ahmed Darwish, former tourism minister Mamdouh El-Beltagui, former foreign minister Ahmed Maher, Nisf Al-Donia magazine Editor- in-Chief Afkar El-Kharadli, former president of Alexandria University Mohamed Abdallah, TV presenter Jasmine Taha Zaki as well as gorgeous actress Laila Elwi. Three major agreements were signed between Egypt and Italy reinforcing Egyptian-Italian cooperation. The signing ceremony was attended by Italian Ambassador to Egypt Claudio Pacifico, Minister of Higher Education and of State for Scientific Research Hani Hilal, as well as Minister of Energy and Electricity Hassan Younis. The first agreement, developing technology in solar energy, was signed by president of the National Agency for New Technology, Energy and Environment Luigi Paganetto on behalf of the Italian side and president of the Technology and Scientific Research Academy Tareq Hassan of Egypt. The second pact, signed by President of the International University of Computer Sciences Maria Amata Garito and President of the Egyptian University of Electronic Education Yasser El-Dakrouri, aims at reinforcing cooperation in training between both countries. The third agreement involves expanding bilateral relations at cultural and scientific levels. The accords were signed at Cairo University's meeting hall located in the Supreme Council for Universities.
