Turkish flames Right by the Giza Pyramids, the Turkish troupe Fire of Anatolia, which has already staged four shows at the Sound and Light Theatre, is due tonight to host their last show. Around 100 dancers perform 13 scenes that tell the legendary story of Achilles, the hero of Troy. Bassam El-Zoghby was ready at the performance with his camera. ( see Listings p.3) Last Thursday, the Egyptian Press Syndicate celebrated the life achievement of seven foreign-news editors, including Al-Ahram Weekly 's deeply loved founding editor, a truly generous guiding light if ever there was one, the late Hosny Guindy, who was the daily Al-Ahram 's foreign editor before founding the Weekly in 1991. Organised by the Association of Foreign Affairs Reporters, chaired by Sameh Abdallah, the event was presided over by the Chairman of the Press Syndicate Makram Mohamed Ahmed. Honoured were six other foreign editors: Injy Rushdi, Mohamed Abdel-Gawad, Mohamed El-Ezabi, Kamal Abdel-Raouf, Ragab Abdel-Aziz and Essam Saleh. Present were members of Guindy 's family, including his life's partner Moushira and daughter Yasmine, who were handed the prize in Guindy 's name by Ahmed, who gave a brief talk on the occasion: "For 20 long years we worked together in Al-Ahram 's newsroom, and I can testify to his selfless dedication to the profession, his integrity and moral strength. Undeterred by the most arduous jobs, the smile remained on his face throughout every manner of hardship. I miss him sorely, and I am certain the profession will always miss his rare qualities," Ahmed said. Many of the Weekly 's staff were also present, including the present editor, Assem El-Kersh and his wife Nagwa, the Weekly 's editorial consultant Samir Sobhi as well as Amany Abdel-Moneim and Nesmahar Sayed. Prominent Saudi Arabian businessman and American University in Cairo alumnus Youssef Abdul Latif Jameel joined AUC officials to officially inaugurate Abdul Latif Jameel Hall on the university's New Cairo campus. He first funded the Jameel Centre on the Tahrir Square campus and now he is funding the Abdul Latif Jameel Hall on the New Cairo campus. One of the most prominent buildings on campus, the Abdul Latif Jameel Hall houses the School of Business, Economics and Communication. "This is a very exciting time for AUC," Jameel said at the ceremony. "AUC's future has great potential, especially in the fields of science, engineering and business, which have great benefits to Egypt and the whole region." Jameel described the New Cairo campus with its vast facilities and operations as very impressive -- much more so than had been expected. Jameel graduated from AUC in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics. After graduation, he went to work for his father's Toyota auto agency in Jeddah, which grew to become the sole agent for Toyota in Saudi Arabia. Diversifying his expertise into other fields as well, he provides continuous support for research and development teams in various universities, and today his family owns an international group headquartered in Dubai, which focuses on high technology and innovation. "With no doubt, Jameel is a distinguished and devoted alumnus with a global vision," said AUC President David Arnold. " Jameel strongly believes in high quality education. He also supported the Science and Technology Research Centre, which was a jump-start for a whole new explosion to advance science and technology research," added Arnold. The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC), the Cultural Wing of the Indian Embassy in Cairo, is organising two new six-week yoga courses starting 3 May 2009. The courses have two levels: beginners and intermediate. All interested candidates should come in person to register for the course at the Indian Cultural Centre at 23 Talaat Harb Street, Downtown Cairo. Registration will be open from 19 April 2009 between 10:30am to 5:30pm on all working days. For more details call 2393 3396/ 2396 0071 or log on www.indembcairo.com.www.indembcairo.com./p More news on the MACIC! In cooperation with the Egypt- India Friendship Association, the centre is organising a lecture titled "Indo-Egyptian Sufism: a Comparison" by Ahmed El-Qadi, professor at the Urdu Department, Al-Azhar University on 27 April at the MACIC's premises. El-Qadi is a professor of Indian studies at Al-Azhar University. An alumnus of Delhi University, he obtained there his MA, MPhil and PhD degrees in literature. He has translated several Indian literary works of repute into Arabic and has frequently presented programmes on Indian society and culture on Egyptian mass media. Sufism flourished both in India and Egypt at the same time in the 12th century and played a major role in bringing about reform in various aspects of life there, notably the social and cultural spheres. The lecture will trace the development of some major Sufi orders in both India and Egypt to highlight the similarities and differences between Sufi practices and traditions of the two countries. The Egyptian Esma3oona (Hear Us Out) programme that was granted two silver awards -- the TV programmes award and the Ministry of Culture's award from the 19th Cairo International Film Festival for Children, held under the Slogan "What Do Children Want?" -- has been nominated to represent Egypt in the Animation and TV programmes competition that will be held in Switzerland. It is presented by a group of children and youth who are coming from different areas and districts and governorates in Egypt like Cairo, Alexandria, Sixth of October, Qalioubiya and Beheira. The staff of the programme celebrated the end of the shooting of the second part of the programme with the participation of more than 100 children and youth aged between 12 and 20 years. Esma3oona is an integrated initiative concerned with developing awareness on children's rights in Egypt. The initiative is directed by a group of partners, among them the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood and the AUC. The Egyptian Radio and Television Union, represented in Channel One and Two, broadcast the weekly episodes on Fridays. Talented singer Mohamed Hamaki featured a thrilling concert at Ain Shams University on the occasion of celebrating the Youth Giving Campaign, with the attendance of a number of celebrities and footballers and the extensive attendance of Ain Shams University students who enjoyed their day listening to Hamaki 's hit songs. photo: Ayman Barayez In a generous gesture, a charitable event for orphans was held at Dreamland, including a group wedding. Popular singer Mohamed El-Soghayar, along with singers Mahmoud El-Esseili, Zizi and Tamer Ashour, gave the party life with their famous pop songs. The party was crowned by the presence of a bevy of luminaries such as philanthropist media figure Tarek Allam, actors Amira Fathi, Dora, Khaled El-Nabawi, Tarek El-Dessouki, Ramez Galal and Sherif Ramzi. What good news for a hot summer! Diwan bookstore has opened its new branch at Cairo University. Diwan, the well known bookstores chain was the first Western-style bookstore in Cairo. The Zamalek branch was the first to be opened, in 2002, at one of the most eye-catching corners of 26th of July Street. That is still the most sought-after branch, though Diwan has two other branches in Mohandessin and Heliopolis. photos: Abdel-Hamid Eid Ghazi Cultural Salon organised a lavish celebration at the Four Seasons at Nile Plaza Hotel to honour head of the People's Assembly Fathi Sorour for his achievements in Egyptian parliament. Present were Minister of Social Solidarity Ali Meselhi, Minister of State for Environmental Affairs Maged George, former prime minister Ali Lotfi, MPs Zeinab Radwan and Abdel-Aziz Mustafa, head of the Arab Affairs Committee Saad El-Gammal, head of the Cultural Committee Ahmed Abu Taleb, Moroccan Ambassador to Egypt Mohamed Farag Al-Dokali and his Algerian counterpart Abdel-Kader Al-Hagar. Marioutiya Al-Orman Academy School held its annual celebration last Friday. The school headmistress Amany Sharmy said the celebration featured folk dancing under the title "Academic Folklore" with the participation of students from various stages. The school's Chairman of the Board Hossam El-Qabani pointed out that in this year's special celebration almost all parents were present. The party included several artistic items that reflected the Egyptian folk heritage such as stick dancing and whirling dervishes.
