It s been 50 years since the Goethe Institute opened its first branch in Cairo in 1958. A year later, it opened a branch in Alexandria. Throughout the past half century, the German culture center has organized numerous events, establishing a continuous dialogue between both nations and sharing its culture through diverse annual activities. The Goethe Institute remains the headquarters for learning German in Cairo. For its 50th anniversary, the Institute created a yearlong events schedule that is nothing short of spectacular and German Ambassador to Egypt Bernd Erbel inaugurated the celebrations. "Fifty years of Goethe Institute in Egypt are 50 years of successful cultural cooperation between the two countries . as cultural activities have a lasting effect and Goethe was successful in giving a great image of German on the cultural and social levels here in Egypt, he said in the press conference held last Sunday at Goethe's main branch in downtown Cairo. Celebrations kicked off with the opening of the art exhibition "Man's Inhumanity by renowned German artist Gunther Uecker at Townhouse Gallery of Contemporary Art. The exhibition, which promotes tolerance, human rights and an end of violence, is an example of "what Goethe Institute stands for, according to Heiko Sievers, regional director of Goethe Institute North Africa and the Middle East. "I'm greatly touched that my work will be shown here in Egypt [because] there are all forms of lives and people here and there are those who understand and appreciate my work, said Uecker. The program which the institute has set for this year is not only limited to Cairo and Alexandria. A host of activities and events are scheduled for other governorates such as Assiut, Minya and Sohag. The events will include art exhibitions, music, theater and film, in addition to forums and conferences bringing together young people from Germany and Egypt. The Goethe Institute will also be sending a group of young Egypt filmmakers to the Berlin Film Festival next year for intensive filmmaking courses. Celebrations will end October 2009 with a performance by Pina Bausch, the famous modern dance choreographer and the artistic director of the Tanztheater Wuppertal - Pina Bausch company. The performance will be her first in Africa. "What is very important is their programs, they are not only implementing German ideas, it is from both sides and they are working with the youth [promoting] dialogue and understanding as people learn from each other, said Karina Hauslmeier, head of the cultural department at the German Embassy in Egypt. "Bringing artists and filmmakers together - which is more fruitful than dialogue - is putting dialogue into practice, she added. For more information on Goethe Institute's activities schedule, visit www.goethe.de/Ins/eg/kai/arindex.htm.
