The venue was the Main Hall of the Cairo Opera House. The occasion was a very special one; it was the l30th anniversary of the first English-language daily newspaper in Egypt The Egyptian Gazette. For Gazetteers, the evening had meaningful implications not only because it was an off-work get-together, which is usually next to impossible for a staff of a daily newspaper, but also because The Gazette was under the spotlight. The gala brought together staff members, former chief editors, Board Chairman of el-Tahrir Publishing House that owns The Gazette, Government ministers, an esteemed host of guests representing foreign diplomats and other institutions that constitute a large part of The Egyptian Gazette readership. Following a brief reception, the celebration opened with a nine-minute documentary that shed light on the history of the newspaper and how it was first established by five Britons to cater for the British community in Egypt and promote the British policy. The documentary edited and script-written by two staff members Hany Salahuldin and Amr Hussein reviewed major stops in the country's history, which The Gazette has extensively covered. From British to Egyptian ownership, the policy of The Gazette had naturally made an apparent shift to suit its new orientation. The celebrated anniversary was the proper occasion to give due credit to past and present chief editors and the whole editorial staff. The mission of the first two chief editors following the managerial switch in the wake of the l952 Revolution must have been a thorny one as it put the base for a fresh Egyptianised outlook to events. The improvement of the newspaper in terms of language, layout, coverage and editorial matters was surely the task, which subsequent editors had an eye on. Today, The Gazette still retains its nature as the window from which residing foreigners, tourists and an English-speaking Egyptian community have a look on the Egyptian society in all walks of life. Yet on the other hand, the oldest English-language daily in the Middle East is keen to be young at heart in its handling of stories and news items. For the unique stamp characterising each era of The Gazette, tribute was therefore paid to the name of late Amin Abul Enein, a university professor and the first Egyptian editor of The Gazette from l954-l978; to Ramez el-Halawani who took over from l978 to l980; to Sami el-Shahed from l980 to l989; to Mohamed el-Ezzabi from l989 to l99l; to Mohamed Ali Ibrahim who was in charge until 2005 when he handed over the editorial task to Ramadan Abdel Kader. In recognition of long years of dedication, senior members of The Gazette staff were also summoned on the stage to receive honourary certificates. In fulfillment of the newspaper's role to give credit to distinguished public figures a galaxy of scientists, show business people and businessmen were honoured as well. In his address to the gala, Sawfat el-Sherif, the Chairman of the Shura Council, lauded The Gazette's development and its editorial team. Meanwhile, Ali Hashem, the Board Chairman of Al-Tahrir Press House said that the history of The Gazette was full of ironies. "The newspaper that was launched to advocate the policy of the British newspaper in Egypt is the same that advocated Egypt's national causes after the Revolution", Mr Hashem said. The highlight of the gala was, concert by the world-renowned composer Omar Khairat, who indeed, took away the audience from the preceding formal procedure of speech-giving and honour tribute to a smooth, soul-fulfiling atmosphere. His magical touch on the Steinway piano drew applause from the guests every time he finished playing a piece of music, accompanied by the Opera House's vibrant and renowned Cairo Symphony Orchestra. Most members of the audience being familiar with Khairat's music, their interaction was quite evident. Khairat's one-act performance was actually a well-managed finale to the evening but not to The Gazette celebration programme. As part of The Gazette's long-year celebrations, charity marathon will take place in the vicinity of the Mycerinus Pyramid on Saturday May lst at 9:00 am. Part of the proceeds will be directed to the Children's Cancer Hospital, known as (hospital) 57357 as a contribution from The Gazette in fulfillment of its societal responsibilities.
