Spanish dance Sherif Sonbol captured a scene from Samsara, the most recent and daring production presented by the internationally acclaimed Victor Ullate Ballet. For the first time in Egypt, the company performed three shows at the Cairo Opera House and one show at Alexandria Sayed Darwish Theatre. For this production, the great Spanish choreographer Ullate has merged influences from Egypt, Iran and the Far East with his own tradition of classical ballet and contemporary dance. The result is a unique blend of extraordinary beauty that touches the audience's heart with a message that reaches beyond cultural boundaries. As part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen the ties of friendship and understanding between the two peoples of Japan and Egypt, the Shinnyo-en Foundation of Japan held a major Japanese traditional Taiko drums performance at the Sound and Light Theatre of the Pyramids on Thursday. It was attended by Shinso Ito, the head of Shinnyo-en. Also present at the event, which was organised by the Japan Society for Arts and Culture of Egypt, were Minister of Higher Education and of State for Scientific Research Hani Hilal, Senior Advisor to the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood Aziza Helmi, First Under-Secretary for Foreign Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Culture Feisal Yunis among other prominent guests. Combining traditional Japanese rhythms with orchestra music, classical Buddhist chanting melodies and even jazz, pop, rock and Latin sounds, the Shinnyo Taiko group presented a powerful fusion of music, thus bringing traditional Japanese music into the present and achieving the performance's aim of giving people a sense of inner peace through the beats of the drum. The Japanese troupe also held a first-ever joint performance with the Egyptian Nile troupe for Folk Music producing a unique blend of sounds in a meeting of two rich and distinct musical cultures that was harmonious and enthralling to the large audience. In the presence of a galaxy of diplomats, artists and foreign ambassadors in Egypt, the Venezuelan Ambassador to Egypt Victor Carazo opened the thrilling exhibition of Venezuelan artist Carlos Rojas at Ahmed Shawqi Museum, Giza. Born in Mochima, a small fisherman's village on the shore of the Caribbean in Venezuela, Rojas 's paintings reflect vividly through rich colours, portraits of the region's characters, customs and traditions, and the painter's continuous switching between the different cultures of America, Europe and Africa. ( see Listings p.3 ) photos: Abdel-Hamid Eid Out of 3,000 festivals taking place each year around the world, the Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) has come to occupy a good slot for the second consecutive year. The MEIFF held its activities from 10 to 19 October at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. It drew a strong presence of Arab and foreign cinema figures and filmmakers. The festival's money prize has increased to more than $1 million, in addition to the prestigious Black Pearl Awards. Attending the lavish inaugural party were lovely American actress Meg Ryan, who played host along with Lebanese actress Razan. Among many other participants were actor Antonio Banderas and his wife actress Melanie Griffith. Egyptian cinema figures present included veteran actor Hussein Fahmi, talented actors Sherif Mounir, Khaled Saleh, Khaled El-Nabawi, actresses Yossra, Elham Shahine and Hala Sedqi, as well as Tunisian singer Latifa. In conjunction with the festival's showcase, an exhibition of around 100 rare photos on the filmography and life of late Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine was on display. As for the closing ceremony, veteran comedian Adel Imam was honoured for the great contributions he has made to Arab cinema as an actor, and as a goodwill ambassador. At the L'Ecole du Louvre in Paris, Egyptian design house Marie Louis organised a fashion show earlier this month. Staying true to her roots Marie Bishara 's line and entire collection are inspired by Ancient Egypt, keys of life, turquoise, Horus and evening gowns that Queen Cleopatra would have worn. Among the invitees were many prominent ParisianEgyptians, as well as members of the fashion industry. She was showing among greats such as Christian Dior, Balenciaga as well as Vivienne Westwood. Marie is the daughter of Louis Bishara, one of the biggest textile moguls in Egypt. Marking the 18th anniversary of German National Reunification Day, German Ambassador to Egypt Bernd Erbel and his wife Maye held a lavish reception at their residence. The reception was attended by Egyptian Social Solidarity Minister Ali Meselhi, Minister of International Cooperation Fayza Abul-Naga, Minister of Higher Education and of State for Scientific Research Hani Hilal, former minister of environment Nadia Makram Ebeid, French Ambassador to Egypt Jean Félix Paganon, Egyptian soprano Hanan El-Guindi, Gamal Anwar El-Sadat, Mona Abdel-Nasser, Al-Ahram columnist Salama Ahmed Salama and his German wife, along with a number of foreign and Arab diplomats as well as key media figures. Sultry Lebanese singer Haifaa Wahbi held a thrilling concert in Qartaj, Tunisia, to where thousands of her fans flocked. She entertained her audience till the early hours of the morning. Owing to the huge turn-out, the sculpture exhibition of Al-Ahram Weekly 's very own Gamil Shafiq currently on show at Extra Gallery in Zamalek, has been extended from 25 October to 8 November. ( see Listings p.3 ) photo: Ayman Barayez The American University in Cairo Press celebrated the launch of several new publications on Monday at the historical Villa Grey. The event featured two exceptional new titles: The Golden Years of Egyptian Film: Cinema Cairo, 1936-1967 by Sherif Boraie, and Bahgory: An Egyptian Artist's Words and Pictures by Al-Ahram Weekly 's very own caricaturist Georges Bahgory, translated by Humphry Davies. Other new, related titles focussing on the arts were also featured. Bahgory and Boraie were among the attendees, along with several VIPs and important figures from Egypt's intellectual and cultural communities, including actors, actresses, diplomats, writers and many others.
