The shape of light At the AUC's Sony Gallery for Photography, "The Shape of Light" is a photography exhibition by Reem Al-Faisal that has opened on 25 February. It explores light in nature and in the human heart in 35 black and white photographs. Al-Faisal, who was born in Saudi Arabia, studied Arabic literature at King Abdul-Aziz University and then pursued a photography career in Paris, where she studied at the Speos School. For the past several years, she has exhibited worldwide and her photographs are part of the collection of the Sakkakin Centre in Ramallah, The National Museum of Seoul, Korea, as well as numerous private venues. "For me, my photography is a way to praise God's glory in the universe," she said. photos: Ayman Barayez Editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram's Al-Beit (The House) magazine, Silvia El-Naqadi, invited a delegation of wives of senior state officials who are also members of the International Club to visit Al-Ahram Establishment. Among the group were spouses of the head of the People's Assembly Fathi Sorour, Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and Minister of Defence Hussein Tantawi. The guests, who were given a tour and an explanation of the most crucial departments at Al-Ahram, praised the state-of-the-art technology used by reporters. They were welcomed by Al-Ahram's Chairman of the Board and Editor-in-Chief of Al-Ahram Al-Masaai newspaper Mursi Atallah and Editor-in-Chief of Al-Ahram daily newspaper, Osama Saraya, as well as writers Salah Montasser, Mona Ragab and Bahiya Halawa from Al-Ahram's Information and Research Department. The Japan Society for Arts and Culture held a welcoming reception on 24 February in honour of the Mayor of Rikuzentakata Nagato Nakasato, his wife and the accompanying delegation, who are on a private tour of Egypt, at the society's headquarters in Maadi. Among the event's attendees were Ambassador of Japan in Egypt Kaoru Ishikawa, Chairman of the Japan-Egypt Business Council Abdel-Moneim Seoudi and head of Bahi Travel Bahig El-Gohary. The city of Rikuzentakata lies in Iwate Prefecture in the north of Japan and has had long-standing ties of friendship with Egypt through the Egypt Society in Rikuzentakata, of which the mayor is a member. The Japan Society for Arts and Culture is an Egyptian non-profit organisation established in 2007 with an aim to spread Japanese arts and culture in Egypt through organising various classes and events among its other activities. On their first visit to Australia to participate in the prestigious National Multicultural Festival, Al-Nour Wal Amal Chamber Orchestra performed at the Canberra Theatre, AustraliaT. Al-Nour Wal Amal Association was founded in Cairo in 1954 to provide education for girls gifted in music under the leadership of the late Istiklal Radi. It is the sole orchestra in the world whose members are all blind women. The musicians mesmerised 165,000 people during the two-week event. Alexandria Governor Adel Labib inaugurated Al-Ahram Book Fair in Alexandria at the Islamic Youth Committee headquarters. Labib lauded the crucial role played by Al-Ahram Book Agency in raising cultural awareness. The inauguration was attended by deputy governor, Mustafa Kamel, and president of the fair, Safwat Abaza. Al-Ahram colleague Magi El-Hakim has had her new book, People and Etiquette, published. The book is a result of the author's preoccupation that began years ago with the idea of etiquette and the general behaviour of people surrounding her, whether in family gatherings or social events. The military reporter of Akher Saa magazine Mohamed Ali El-Sayed is joyful these days with the release of his book titled, Tales from the War of Attrition. The book includes the writer's personal reflections on the War of Attrition through his individual experience in the war. Congratulations! The cousin of our dear colleague, Nader Habib, pharmacist Michael Gamal and Mariam Rashad tied the knot at the Salaheddin Ballroom in Cairo Sheraton during a ceremony attended by the couple's relatives and dear friends. The couple flew for their honeymoon to the US, where they will be resident for the years to come. Tourism Minister Zoheir Garana has honoured the deputy Saudi Ambassador to Egypt, Mohamed Nosseir, as well as Saudi Arabia's consuls in Alexandria, Cairo and Suez for their relentless efforts to make the pilgrimage season a success. The party was attended by head of the Cairo International Conference Centre Hassan Gamaleddin and tourism expert, Ali El-Sha'ir, among others. The Garden City Lions Club, under the auspices of Awatef Serageddin, organised a lecture at the Cairo Capital Club (CCC) that introduced renowned poet Farouk Guweida. He talked about modern poetry and its role in developing and enriching society. Attending the lecture were MP Hesham Mustafa, composer Mohamed Sultan, Plastic Artists Syndicate head Mustafa Hussein, caricaturist Amr Fahmi, and a number of Lions Club members: Bahiya Youssef, Nehad El-Sherif, Safi Zeineddin and Samiha Hammed. photo: Abdel-Hamid Eid Fi Shaqet Masr Al - Gedida (At the Heliopolis Flat) film has garnered the lion's share of awards at the 56th Cinema Festival of the Catholic Centre. Ghada Adel won the award for best actress, while Mohamed Khan was named best director. Aspiring comedian Ahmed Helmi won the prize of best actor for his role in Keda Reda (Fair Enough) and a certificate of recognition was given to gifted actor Khaled El-Sawi for his performance in the same work. Best cinema script award went to Hala Khalil for her film Qas Wa Lazq (Cut and Paste). As for soap operas, actress Yousra received a certificate of recognition for her exceptional role in Qadayet Raai Aam (Public Opinion Issue). The Press Syndicate this week screened a 50-minute documentary about Egyptian civil society. Produced jointly by the BBC and the Arab satellite channel, Al-Arabiya, the documentary focussed on the rise of the Shayfeen popular movement, which was initiated by three women and played an important role in monitoring the 2005 parliamentary elections and the referendum on the amendment of the constitution in 2007. A mixture of the personal experience of the founders and the workings of the movement, the documentary sheds light on political developments in Egypt in the past three years. At a discussion following the documentary screening, TV presenter Bothaina Kamel, one of the founders of the movement, explained the objectives of the movement and how it started from scratch. The National Museum of Catholic Art and History in New York City has decided to display the work of international Egyptian artist Amir Wahib 's "The Last Supper" among its collection. In his paintings, Wahib adapts Leonardo Da Vinci's original concept to his own unique interpretation, adding one empty chair to the scene. Wahib is an Egyptian Catholic living and working in New York City who enjoys blending his love for art with religion. His works can be seen at the museum from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday during Easter season at 443 East 115 St, NYC, NY 10029.
