By Mme Sosostris Viva Mexico The Hours, Anabiosis and Waters of Forgetfulness are three contemporary dance shows to be performed by Tania Pérez-Salas 's Contemporary Dance Company from Mexico, on 14 and 15 February at Al-Gomhuriya Theatre. Taking off at Sayed Darwish Theatre in Alexandria last week, the show is artistically directed by Alejandra Llorente and technically directed by Rafael Mendoza, and featuring, among other dancers, Allison Anich, Tzitzi Benavides, Arturo Garcia, Angela Luem and Marcus Willis. Founded in 1994, Salas's choreography possesses unique character. The audience witness from the very first moment a bright quality that blends the music, costumes and lights into a significant Her work is nourished by her interest in literature, movies, visual arts and philosophy. At the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, 326 fresh graduates from the American University in Cairo (AUC) walked up the stage with great pride to receive their Bachelor's Degrees at the Cairo International Conference Centre, last Thursday. The graduating class of Summer and Fall 2007 comprised students from 25 different majors. Honorary degrees were given to professor emeritus at the University of Provence, France, André Raymond, Youssef Abdul-Latif Jameel, who graduated from AUC in 1968 with a BA in economics and went to work for his father's Toyota auto agency in Jeddah, and Mo Ibrahim, an acknowledged global expert in mobile communications, the founder and chairman of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and member of AUC's Board of Trustees, who delivered the commencement address. Several student awards were presented at the ceremony, including the President's Cup, awarded to the student with the highest GPA, given to Dalia Nabil El-Tayebi ; the Parents Association Cup, given to Saudi student Hashim Adnan ; the Ahmed H Zeweil Prize for Excellence in the Sciences and the Humanities, given to Marian Abdel-Shahid ; the Ahmed El-Mahalawy Family Award, given to Sherif Medhat Sweillam ; the Mohamed M El-Beleidy Academic Award, presented to graduating seniors with the highest GPA also received by El-Tayebi ; the Dr Abdel-Rahman El-Sawy Award for the student with the highest GPA in the engineering department, received by Ahmed Mohamed El-Shall ; and the Moataz Al-Alfi Family Leadership Award for Philanthropy and Social Innovation, received by Yomna Amr Safwat. Hovannes Khatchig Kulhandjian, son of Al-Ahram Weekly 's late photographer Khatchig Wanis, was among the graduates from the Electronics Engineering Department. Attendees included Minister of State for Environmental Affairs Maged George, and his wife, who were present to witness their daughter Sara graduate with honours. Among those present were former minister of state for environmental affairs, Nadia Makram Ebeid, Moataz El-Alfi, who is a member of AUC's Board of Trustees, as well as AUC Counsellor Amr Ezzat Salama, former minister of higher education and scientific research. � On the occasion of celebrating the centennial anniversary of Cairo University (1908-2008), the university organised the first 2007/2008 model of the Davos World Economic Forum (WEF).The model was held under the auspices of the university president, Ali Abdel-Rahman, and Investment Minister Mahmoud Mohieldin. Al-Ahram Weekly was among the sponsors of the model WEF, which aims at raising students' awareness of current economic notions and international economic development, as well as the basics of conducting deals between countries. � Indian Textile Minister Shankersinh Vaghela paid a short visit to Egypt, accompanied by a high-profile delegation from the Indian textile industry, during which he conducted several meetings with Egyptian ministers, including Industry Minister Rachid Mohamed Rachid and Investment Minister Mahmoud Mohieldin. � French Ambassador Philippe Coste granted senior French reporter in Cairo, Denise Ammoun, the Order of Merit for Literature and Art, at a lavish party held at the French Embassy on the occasion of releasing her new book, Magic Hands. The event was attended by former minister of foreign affairs Ahmed Maher, Lebanese Ambassador Khaled Ziyada, Ambassador Ali Maher and the French Embassy Media Counsellor Ahmed Fadel. � On the occasion of the visit of the European Parliament (EP) members delegation to Cairo as part of their tour in the Middle East to further the peace process, French Ambassador Philippe Coste held a reception at his residence in Giza. Among the attendees were Italian Ambassador Claudio Paccifico, Moroccan Ambassador Mohamed Farag El-Dokali, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Nihad Abdel-Latif, head of the Committee of Arab Affairs in the People's Assembly Saad El-Gammal, as well as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Al-Ahram Mona Ragab. � The Third Children Biennial held at Fayoum Stadium was inaugurated by head of the General Organisation of Culture Palaces (GOCP) Ahmed Nawwar, General Undersecretary of Fayoum Governorate Saad Abul-Ela, head of the Cultural Region of Greater Cairo and North Upper Egypt Iglal Hashim, head of the Central Administration for Studies and Research Ahmed El-Abhar and General Commissar of Fayoum Bienniale Hamdi Abul-Maati. The festival's goal is to enhance positive relations between kids and their surroundings to encourage them to express their feelings. The event gathered 30 children aged between six and 16 from the Fayoum governorate and other neighbouring regions, who created works in the fields of painting, sculpture, photography and graphics. Most of their pieces reflected the landscape in Fayoum. Hanan Moussa, Mohsen Allam, Iman Mounir, Heba Abdel-Hafiz and Samer Labib were among the plastic artists who supervised the children's works. � Congratulations! Al-Ahram Weekly 's very own Amira El-Noshokaty and artist Ahmed Haddad have tied the knot. Family members of poets Fouad Haddad and Salah Jaheen, were there to celebrate the happy occasion, at the head of whom were poet Amin Haddad and Amina Jaheen (parents of the groom), family members of actor Salah Zulficar and music composer Zakaria Ahmed, and Tahany Zakaria and Lawyer Mona Zulficar (respectively mother and aunt of the bride). The wedding was attended by a bevy of artists including poet Bahaa Jaheen, actors Mahmoud Hemeida, Ahmed Kamal, Ahmed Mukhtar, singers Anoushka, Fairouz Karawia, Salma Sabahi, actress Mona Hala, filmmaker Ali Badrakhan and singer Ali El-Haggar. From Al-Ahram Weekly folk, Gamal Nkrumah, Amany Abdel-Moneim, Dena Rashed, Mohamed El-Sayed, Engy El-Naggar and Randa Shaath were present. The party featured Eskanderella band, conducted by Hazem Shaheen, followed by a singing recital by Ahmed Ali El-Haggar, both close friends of the bride and groom.
