When history sings Under the auspices of Culture Minister Farouk Hosni, Cairo Opera House Director Abdel-Moneim Kamel inaugurated the 17th round of the Salaheddin Citadel Music and Singing Festival at the Saryat Al-Gabal Theatre. The event opened with the screening of a documentary on previous rounds of the festival, followed by a ceremony in which six musical luminaries were honoured: Ratiba El-Hefni, maestro Sherif Mohieddin, the names of Ahmed El-Masri and Abdel-Halim Noweira, former Opera House director Saleh Abdoun and engineer Fayek Hanna. Then violinist Karim Saleh gave a mesmerising recital followed by Serbian and Austrian dance performances. Running until 25 August, the programme includes 64 concerts by Egyptian and foreign artists. Only a couple of days ago, photographer Sherif Sonbol captured the folkloric Boulevard dance band from Colombia, singer Samir Sabri and his band, among the more exciting participants. photo: Sherif Mahmoud The Egyptian Press Syndicate headed by Galal Aref has announced the results of its excellence competitions, the awards of which amount to LE150,000. Out of 283 candidates, 29 received awards, among them the veteran Al-Ahram journalist and Secretary-General of the Arab Journalists Union Salaheddin Hafez, who was granted the syndicate's most prestigious award of recognition. The Press Syndicate's cultural committee, headed by Refaat Rashad, is organising a three-day festival, "Journalism and Cinema in 1000 Years" (18-20 August) featuring an exhibition of photos and billboards, film screenings and a seminar on journalism and cinema in Egypt with Egypt's best known film critics: Samir Farid, Farida Marei, Ahmed El-Hadari, Ali Abu Shadi, Madkour Thabet and Mohamed El-Qaliuby. A number of critic-journalists will also be honoured: Samir Farid, Magda Mouris, Hosni Shah, Ahmed Saleh, Fathi El-Ashri, Eris Nazmy, Khaireya El-Beshlawi and Abdel-Khalil Nour. Last week, Italian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Ugo Intini and his wife, accompanied by the Egyptian Ambassador in Italy Ashraf Rashed, visited the Bibliotheca Alexandrina as a landmark of enlightenment and civilisation. Intini met head of the Foreign Relations Sector at the Bibliotheca Hagar El-Islambouli, head of the Peace Studies Centre Ali Maher and head of Alexandria Studies and the Mediterranean Civilisation Centre Mohamed Awad. Al-Sawy Culture Wheel organised its annual celebration of the World Day. Egypt, the United States, Belarus, Peru, Comoros Islands, Burundi and Belgium participated with publications, documentaries and shows, with Egypt offering stick dancing performances. In the audience Egypt's foreign communities were amply represented. The Damietta Cultural Palace was finally reopened after a year of renovations and 10 years of closure. It is now equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities including a sophisticated theatre, libraries and an art gallery. photo: Hashim Abul-Amayem On the occasion of celebrating its National Day and 47 years of independence, Ambassador of the Ivory Coast to Cairo Konan Marcil held a big reception party at his villa in Ganat Al-Azizya. Among the distinguished guests were Minister of State for Environmental Affairs Maged George, Ambassador Massoum Marzouk, assistant minister of foreign African affairs as well as members of the African community in Egypt. Twenty brides and grooms saw their dream come true as Welad Masr (Egypt's Sons) Society organised a huge wedding party to tie the knot of these young couples at the Wadi Degla Club, Maadi. Two months in preparation, the team behind the scene were Welad Masr's head Mohamed El-Oqda, the Giza Rotary Club in Garden City, headed by Mohamed Hassan El-Hefnawi, and the Royal Cairo Rotary Club, presided over by Sherif Wali. A galaxy of singers volunteered to ensure the day was unforgettable. Gannat, Essaf, Nehal as well as aspiring singer Sherif Abdel-Moneim and Dj Yasser El-Hariri entertained the invitees. And flying back from Italy, world-awarded Best Egyptian Designer of 2007 Hani El-Beheiri wowed the brides with his gift to them; their wedding gowns. El-Oqda said that the society is currently planning more charity events to be held in Ramadan, including a big tent to host 6,000 orphans and provide them with all their needs, just
