CAIRO: Freedom to Create, a renowned international organization, has announced that it will host its 2010 award ceremony — in addition to various other noteworthy events related to the awards — in Cairo. The Freedom to Create organization was established in 2006 in an effort to harness the power of art and culture in order to build more creative and prosperous societies. “We hold our award celebrations in places where there is an established history of the transformational impact of arts and culture,” said Priti Devi, spokesperson for Freedom to Create. “The cities of Egypt, including Cairo, have been renowned for centuries as centers of art, learning, culture and commerce … therefore, [Cairo is] a fitting choice as the place to celebrate the 2010 Freedom to Create Awards.” In an opening ceremony, Devi gathered a few well-known names to assist the organization, including Egyptian superstar Hakim, hip hop artists the Arabian Knightz, folk artist Donia Massoud, and civil rights activist Dalia Ziada. As part of the ceremony, Ziada posed a question to the audience that she hears constantly: “Does freedom make people creative, or does creativity make people free?” “Art is a great [means of fighting injustice] without weapons, and uses creativity to make change happen throughout the world,” said Hakim. The organization focuses on locations where its efforts will have the largest, long-lasting impact on the kind of intolerance, conflict and lack of infrastructure that usually prevents creativity from thriving. By targeting such areas, Freedom to Create hopes it will encourage positive changes throughout the rest of the world as well. “The program is about courage, creativity, strength and unity, as well as the opportunity to share work across a global platform,” Devi said. “We are so excited to host these events in Cairo and to encourage creative freedom for everyone around the globe.” The Freedom to Create Award is open to artists from all creative fields within three award categories: youth, imprisoned artists, and general. Award recipients are given $125,000 by the organization. The competition this year attracted more than 1,700 entries spanning over 100 countries. Entries included performance theater groups in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, female rappers in Iran, hip hop artists from Northern Canada, young filmmakers in Bolivia, rock bands from Afghanistan, as well as six entrants from Egypt. “I'm really excited to be a part of this,” said Hakim. “I agreed because every artist loves to have creativity and the freedom to create; the name says it all. I'm an entertainer for the people.” The three members of the Arabian Knightz — Hesham, Ehab, and Karim — also stated that they were thrilled to be a part of such an amazing organization and event series. In an effort to celebrate the creative vitality of women, the organization will host its first event on Nov. 24 at 3:00 pm at the American University in Cairo's campus in New Cairo. The event will host a forum panel discussion on female empowerment, and both the challenges and opportunities that exist for women. Jehan Sadat, the former first lady of Egypt, will be opening the discussion and will be joined by five other distinguished international female role models, including Ziada. Also scheduled for Nov. 24 is the 2010 Freedom to Create Prize Exhibition, hosted by the Cairo Opera House. This will showcase the work submitted by this year's most highly applauded competition entrants. Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni will open the exhibition alongside Opera House Chairman Abdel Moneim Kamel, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Zahi Hawass, and Head of the General Authorities of Cultural Palaces Ahmed Megahid. The Freedom to Create Prize Exhibition will remain open at the Cairo Opera House until Dec. 11, after which it is scheduled to begin its global tour. Freedom to Create will host its actual award ceremony on Nov. 26 at the Salah El Din Citadel, which will be hosted by Amr Waked, an Egyptian actor who is also the UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa region, and Femi Oke, a former CNN broadcaster and journalist. Hakim, the Arabian Knightz, Nambian artist Eric Sell, and Massoud are all slated to perform.
