India and Egypt hold hands "India-Egypt: A Photographic Retrospective" is a photo exhibition organised by the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture in Cairo to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Egypt. The exhibit, which coincides with celebrations of India's Independence Day, seeks to capture many of the glorious moments in the history of relations between the two ancient civilisations and pays tribute to the memory of towering personalities of modern India and Egypt who have shaped contemporary bilateral relations. The photographs on display will highlight the memorable journey of historical associations and eventful interactions between the two countries, starting from the period of the liberation struggle, and moving through different phases till present times. For instance, there is a photo of the Mahatma Gandhi's visit to Egypt in 1931, when he was greeted with jubilation within Egyptian nationalist circles, while he urged them to draw comparisons between the struggles of India and Egypt for independence from British colonial rule. So far attendees to the exhibition have included Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni, Minister of Administrative Development Ahmed Darwish and his wife, former minister of youth and sports Alieddin Hilal, head of the Press Syndicate Makram Mohamed Ahmed and Japanese Ambassador to Egypt Kaoru Ishikawa. (see Listings, Culture p.3) photo: Ayman Barayez Al-Sawy Cultural Wheel in Zamalek held a poetic evening for the release of the new collection of poems by Maher Kheir under the title Aasafir Kobry Qasr Al-Nil (Birds of the Qasr Al-Nile Bridge). Attending the evening were the Lebanese Ambassador to Egypt Khaled Ziyada, Charge d'Affaires of the Lebanese Embassy in Cairo Ali Al-Halabi, deputy head of the Egyptian-Lebanese Friendship Association Ghazi Nasser, Lebanese Tourism Consultant in Cairo Faisal Fetfet, as well as actors and actresses such as Nelly, Khaled Zaki and Azza Balbaa. On the occasion of celebrating the 61st anniversary of India's Independence Day, a flag-hoisting ceremony will be held at Indian Ambassador A Gopinathan 's residence at 19 Mohamed Mazhar St, Zamalek on Friday 15 August, 8:30pm. Gopinathan will hoist the Indian tricolour. A press conference was held on the occasion of the release of Tunisian singer Latifa 's new album Fil Kam Yom elly Fato (In the past few days). The conference was organised by production company Rotana at the Four Seasons Hotel in Cairo. On the other hand at Sofitel Gezirah Hotel, a press conference was held for the signing of singer Hani Shaker 's contract for his new album, to be produced by Mohsen Gaber, head of production company Alam Al-Fann. The contract partners agreed to shoot the new song Album Sowar (Photo Album) in Dubai. The song was written by Nabil Khalaf and composed by Walid Saad. The video is set to be directed by Walid Nassif. photos: Abdel-Hamid Eid At Sixth October Cinema the new summer blockbuster H Dabbour was privately screened. The film stars rising comic actor Ahmed Mekki and Hassan Hosni, and is directed by Ahmed El-Guindi. Among the attendees were actress Basma, singer-cum-actress Maye Kassab, actor Ahmed Rizq and a number of media figures who came along to congratulate Mekki for his first film. With lavish media participation, UNICEF organised a campaign under the title "Participate in saving our children's lives". A large number of actors, actresses and media figures attended the celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel. Among the attendees were UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and actor Mahmoud Qabil, veteran actress Karima Mokhtar and Ghada Adel who sang along on a track written and composed by Mahmoud El-Esseili. At Al-Ahram Studio a celebration was held on the occasion of the beginning of shooting the new TV series Asmahan, starring Syrian actress Sulaf Fowakhergui and directed by the Tunisian Shawqi Al-Mageri. The series tells the story of the Lebanese singer Asmahan and her sudden death. Hamza, Fowakhergui 's son, surprised the invitees by attending the celebration and dedicating flowers to his mother. Singers Mohamed Fouad and Jannat held a concert at Marina in the North Coast, with the attendance of a large audience of fans who enjoyed the concert. Among the attendees was Tamer Abdel-Moneim, who participated in singing with Fouad.
