The American University in Cairo Press Director Mark Linz will host a book and author reception to celebrate The Arabian Horse of Egypt, with photographs by Nasr Marei and foreword by Princess Alia Bint Al-Hussein. The event will take place on 8 May at the Albadeia Stud Farm in 3 Al-Mohandess Sayed Marei Street, Mansouriya Road, Haram, at 4pm. The head of delegation of the European Union to Egypt, Ambassador Marc Franco, is hosting an exhibition entitled "Peripheries" on the works of Hisham El-Zeini at his residence at 36 Mohamed Mazhar Street, Zamalek. The exhibition will be open to the public until 31 May. The European Union is committed to contributing to the promotion of arts and culture in Egypt, and Franco will host cultural events at his residence throughout the year, making it a "House of Europe" where all forms of culture from the Mediterranean region will be shown and promoted. US Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs Maria Otero paid a visit to Gammaliya with US Ambassador Margaret Scobey to visit the Friends of Environment and Development Association (FEDA), an Egyptian NGO that works towards alleviating poverty, improving living conditions and protecting cultural heritage. FEDA Chairman Adli Bishai accompanied Otero and Scobey, visiting FEDA's computer centre and health clinic as well as classes where women are taught weaving skills, children learn about science and the environment, and the youth find out about community involvement. The US Embassy in Cairo funds FEDA's elementary and secondary school programmes. Otero commended FEDA, saying: "I am proud that the United States is supporting civil society in Egypt and around the world. Organisations like this one play a vital role in social development by improving people's lives, and we are glad to partner with them." The International Development Research Centre (IDRC- Canada) last week celebrated its 40th anniversary at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The event was attended by a plethora of Egyptian, Arab and international figures, including Ambassador of Canada to Egypt Ferry de Kerkhove, former Egyptian minister of irrigation and Water Resources Mahmoud Abu Zeid, IDRC regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Eglal Rached, and former Jordanian minister of water and irrigation Munther Haddadin. Over the past four decades, IDRC has supported partners in the south to conduct policy relevant innovative research resulting in local solutions with lasting impacts. It has helped researchers, innovators, policymakers and communities in developing countries find new ways to overcome poverty, improve health, promote democracy and protect the environment. The grand opening of the German University in Cairo Model United Nations (GUCMUN) took place with the aim of enhancing the personal, intellectual and social skills of Egyptian youth. The event is unique this year since it focuses on the UN General Assembly. The sessions began with a speech by students responsible for initiating GUCMUN, followed by a speech given by GUCMUN supervisor Mohamed Taha. The event was honoured with the presence of the first Egyptian climber to reach the peak of Mount Everest, Omar Samra. GUCMUN's high board includes students Essam Maged, Omar Nounou, Mohamed Hisham and Omar Yousri. The Egypt Lovers Society presided over by Tahani El-Bourteqali hosted a charitable night enlivened by popular singer Shaaban Abdel-Reheim, Lebanese singer Magd Al-Qassim and singer Sameh Youssri. The event featured a rich fashion show presented by various Arabian fashion designers such as Barbie Swedan from Egypt, Nawal Al-Babaagian, Rasha Al-Wazan and Yacoub bin Youssef from Kuwait, Mona Al-Mansouri from the United Arab Emirates, presenting assorted fashions from Egypt and the Gulf. In a lavish ceremony, gorgeous actress Iman El-Assi and businessman Nabil Zanousi tied the knot in a celebration attended by their families, friends and a galaxy of celebrities. Singers Hamada Hilal, Tamer Hosni and Mohamed Fouad enlivened the beautiful wedding. Actors Ahmed Ezz, Salah Abdallah and Ahmed Rizq, actress Hanan Mutawei and singer Mohamed Nour were all present with the couple on their special night. photo: Abdel-Hamid Eid The 16th National Festival for Egyptian Cinema concluded its activities last week and announced the winners of awards in the attendance of Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni and president of the festival Ali Abu Shady. The film Wahed Sefr (One/Zero) was granted first prize, worth LE150,000. Talented actor Khaled El-Sawi and rising star Donia Samir Ghanem won best actor and actress for their roles in the film Al-Farah (The Wedding). Veteran actress Sawsan Badr snatched best actress in a supporting role, while actor Amr Waked won best actor in a supporting role for his role in the film Ibrahim Labyad. Actress Nelly Karim was granted a certificate of excellence for her role in Wahed Sefr. Women took a large share of awards as scriptwriter Mariam Naoum won best script, director Kamla Abu Zekri was awarded best director, and Dalia El-Nasser was awarded best editor. Ramses Marzouq won best cinematographer for the film Asafir Al-Nil (Birds of the Nile), while the award of best music went to veteran pianist Omar Khayrat. Al-Shorouq Rotary Club (SRC), presided over by Hisham Younis, in cooperation with Al-Shorouq Inner Wheel Club (SIWC), presided over by Sanaa El-Shennawi, hosted a charitable celebration. Guests enjoyed a pleasant evening enlivened by sultry Lebanese actress-cum-singer Nicole Saba in an elegant blue dress and honoured by the SRC and SIWC. Saba donated money to Menoufiya Hospital. South African Embassy Charge d'Affaires Selaelo Ramokopa held an extravagant celebration at the Marriott Hotel marking Freedom Day that coincides with the 16th anniversary of the end of apartheid. The celebration coincided with the start of the countdown to the football World Cup that will commence in South Africa on 11 June. The celebration was attended by a galaxy of Arab, African and Latin ambassadors, including Zimbabwean Ambassador Aaron Maboy. The spouse of former Libyan prime minister Kawthar Abu Nekhila hosted a prestigious banquet at her residence in Heliopolis. A coterie of high-profile figures and diplomats were among the attendees, including former first lady Gihan El-Sadat, chairman of the People's Assembly Foreign Relations Committee Mustafa El-Feki, Qatari Ambassador Mohamed Ali, spouse of Bahraini Ambassador Khalil Al-Zowadi, Turkish A mbassador Hèseyin Avni Botsali and his wife, chairwoman of the MSA Board of Trustees Nawal El-Degwi as well as society ladies Nazli Shahbandar, Zeinab Touqaeddin and Olfat Moussa. photo: Ayman Barayez Marking the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Faculty of Mass Communication at Cairo University, a celebration was held at the domed hall of Cairo University, attended by Minister of State for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Moufid Shehab, Dean of the Faculty of Mass Communication Laila Abdel-Meguid, Al-Ahram Chairman of the Board Abdel-Moneim Said, Akhbar Al-Yom Chairman of the Board Ahdi Fadl, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Yom Al-Sabei Khaled Salah and Editor-in-Chief of Al-Osbou newspaper Mustafa Bakri. The 13th Theatre Festival for Amateur Troupes at Cultural Associations (TFATCA) is being held at Borg Al-Arab Culture Palace, 3-8 May, under the auspices of the head of the General Organisation of Culture Palaces (GOCP) Ahmed Megahed. The TFATCA inauguration -- presided over by veteran writer Mohamed Abul-Ela El-Salamouni -- included various theatrical performances, such as Al-Prova (The Rehearsal), scripted by Mahmoud Gamal and directed by Mohamed Gabr, and Alwan Al-Teif (Rainbow Colours), directed by Mahmoud Kahila. Our very own People editor Reham El-Adawi, along with Reem Azmi and Martina Hamour, opened a most impressive exhibition of their artwork. Editor-in-Chief of Al-Dostour newspaper Ibrahim Eissa inaugurated the exhibition which took place at Adel Helmi Gallery, Heliopolis. One of the most interesting paintings was a balmy beach composition by El-Adawi in pastel blues and eye-catching canary yellows. It also features stranded boats and swinging palm trees that complete the idyllic picture. Living editor Amany Abdel-Moneim graced the occasion as well as portraitist Ibrahim Heneiter, Al-Ahram Hebdo art reporter Maye Selim and Al-Ahram photographer Bassam El-Zoghbi.
