Moments of silence In " Mat Al-Kalam" (There's Nothing More To Say), Adham Bakry captures moments in five Arab countries by linking the context of his photographs with the Arabic typography and calligraphy within them, whether posters or street graffiti. Mat Al-Kalam translates literally into "words are dead". Loosely, it is a contemporary Egyptian proverb meaning "there's nothing more to say". Bakry's first solo exhibition at the Townhouse Gallery of Contemporary Art, reveals differences and similarities of various Arab cities through the current struggle between international standardisation and personal customisation of Arabic type. He examines the blurred lines between traditional typographies and the new technologies of graphic design. His multi-layered images contain intriguing and often surprising, sometimes humorous messages from the street. He is a photographer and graphic designer who spent the past few years travelling the region for two major photo documentary projects involving architecture; one for the European Commission, the other for the University of Liverpool. ( see Listings p.3 ) photos: Abdel-Hamid Eid The premieres of the two Egyptian blockbusters of the season, Al-Rayes Omar Harb (The Boss Omar Harb) and Cabaret, witnessed a bevy of stars gathering to congratulate the Al-Rayes Omar Harb cast; actors Hani Salama, Khaled Saleh, actresses Somaya El-Khashab, Ghada Abdel-Razeq, and its director, controversial filmmaker Khaled Youssef, as well as the cast of Cabaret ; actors Khaled El-Sawy, Fathi Abdel-Wahab, Ahmed Bedeir, actresses Donia Samir Ghanem and Syrian Jumana Mourad. Star comedian Mohamed Saad was also at the premiere of Cabaret. At the closing ceremony of the Second Nile International Festival for Environmental Films, Minister of State for Environmental Affairs Maged George handed out prizes and certificates of recognition to the winners. The gold prize went to Egypt for short documentary films, such as Malh Al-Gabal (The Mountain's Salt), and drama films, including Kharag Wa Lam Yaaod (Gone Forever). Director Khaled Helal received a certificate of recognition for his film Geziret Al-Dahab (The Island of Gold); while a special order of merit was granted to the president of the festival renowned caricaturist Mustafa Hussein and received by his son. Al-Tahrir Innerwheel Club, under the auspices of Gihan Halawa, organised a charity fashion show by designer Iman Mahrous, who showcased her latest collection of evening and wedding gowns. During the fashion show, Al-Ahram back page editor Mona Ragab and President of the Women's Association for Development and Heritage Samia Abul-Fotouh were honoured in the presence of spouse of the Saudi ambassador Amira Al-Nazer, head of the Garden City Lions Club Awatef Serageddin and members of the club, among them Bahiya Youssef, as well as belly dancer-cum-actress Dina. The show featured the Moroccan rising star singer Jannat. Misr Language Schools, headed by Magda Moussa, organised its annual ceremony for the activities of intellectually disabled students, which featured art and folk dance shows performed by the students, including Al-Leila Al-Kebira (The Big Night) puppet operetta. The ceremony was attended by head of Special Olympics Egypt Ismail Osman, Moussa, supervisor of the activities Nagwa Gomaa, as well as veteran journalist Neam El-Baz. photos: Ayman Barayez At the Press Syndicate, a ceremony was held to honour Sudanese poet and artist Abdul-Karim Al-Kabli, attended by Sudanese Ambassador to Egypt Abdul-Moneim Mabrouk, as well as a number of diplomats from African embassies in Cairo. At the beautifully designed Verdi resort located on the Alexandria Desert Road, the opulent wedding party of the lovely couple, Mena Hussein Fahmi and actor Sherif Ramzi, took place. The bride is the daughter of movie star Hussein Fahmi and gorgeous actress Mervat Amin and the father of the groom is tycoon film producer Hassan Ramzi. The party was attended by a myriad of Egypt's top cinema and TV stars and filmmakers from the young and old generations and featured the singing of a number of pop singers including Amr Diab, Fadl Shaker and Ihab Tawfiq. James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute (AAI), will be the keynote speaker and honorary degree recipient at the 85th undergraduate commencement ceremony of the American University in Cairo (AUC). The commencement will take place at the Cairo International Conference Centre today at 7pm. AAI serves as a central resource on public policy issues concerning US-Arab relations for government officials, the media, political leaders and community groups. Zogby has played an active role in promoting Arab-American issues and US-Arab relations for more than 30 years. Around 370 AUC undergraduate students will receive their bachelor's degrees during the event. At Diwan Bookstore in Zamalek, veteran author Osama Anwar Okasha 's book signing event took place. The seminar was attended by a large audience who praised the author, voiced their opinions and brought up questions concerning screen writing, novels and drama criticism. Okasha 's novel is titled Sonata Li Tishreen (A Sonata for July). Present at the event was a bevy of intellectuals and artists from various fields of filmmaking, acting, TV and critical writing, such as actors Nabil El-Halafawi, Mahmoud El-Hedini, Nadia Rashad, writer Fatheya El-Assal, director Mohamed Fadel and renowned TV presenter Mahmoud Saad.
