The joy of Eid Sherif Sonbol took his camera to grassroots neighbourhoods of Cairo where outdoor celebrations of the Eid took on the widest variety of hues The Cairo Opera House celebrated Eid Al-Fitr by presenting the ballet Al-Leila Al-Kebira (The Big Night) for the past three days in the Main Hall. Directed by Abdel-Moneim Kamel, the ballet is an adaptation of the popular Egyptian puppet operetta Al-Leila Al-Kebira, written by late vernacular poet Salah Gahin and scored by late gifted composer Sayed Mekkawi. Former member of parliament and professor of political science at the American University in Cairo Mona Makram Ebeid is running for election to join the board of Al-Gezirah Sporting Club. Voting will take place on 24 September. Ebeid is one of the most prominent candidates due to her social and political background and achievements accomplished when she was board member in 1997. More news on the Cairo Opera House! Egypt's first International Oud Forum is scheduled to be inaugurated tonight by Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni and forum president Naseer Shamma at the Main Hall. The first session of the forum, running through 19 September, will honour a galaxy of late and current music icons, including composers Riyad El-Sonbati, Ammar El-Shere'i (Egypt), Albert Mansour (Lebanon) and Fawzi Mounshid (Iraq). This will be followed by a performance by the Arab House of Oud Orchestra, conducted by Shamma, playing excerpts of his own compositions as well as improvisations, along with a group of the forum's most distinguished oud players. The Japanese Maritime Defence Force (JMDF) holds an overseas training cruise every year, dropping by the ports of friendly countries, including Egypt this year. Three ships with 190 members left Japan on 26 May, arriving at Alexandria on 27 August until 30 August, leaving for Turkey to finally return to Japan on 28 October as scheduled. The last visit of the cruise to Egypt was to Port Said in 2008. The next visit is to be confirmed, but perhaps will come in 2012. JMDF members enjoyed social occasions in Alexandria while Japanese Ambassador to Egypt Norihiro Okuda also participated. A documentary entitled From Pyramids to Taj Mahal, throwing light on Indian-Egyptian ties -- based on the experience of 38 blind female musicians who recently travelled to India -- has been released. Directed by Indian filmmaker R Singh, the film narrates political life in both Egypt and India starting from Egyptian and Indian leaders Saad Zaghloul and Mahatma Gandhi respectively and running through until President Hosni Mubarak and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Egypt's Ambassador to India Mahmoud Hegazi said the film is inspired by the Egyptian Al-Nour Wal Amal (Light and Hope) Orchestra, comprising 38 blind female musicians that toured India lately. "It reflects deeply rooted relations binding Egypt and India in all domains," Hegazi added. On the first day of Eid Al-Fitr, the new blockbuster Samir wi Shahir wi Bahir was privately screened at Ramses Hilton Cinema. The film casts a group of rising actors such as Ahmed Fahmi, Hisham Maged, Shiko as well as actor Sherif Ramzi and actress Ingy Wegdan, and is directed by Moataz El-Touni. Actress-cum-singer Boushra and actor Ahmed El-Saadani were there to congratulate the cast. The cast of Ramadan TV series Malika fel Manfa (Queen in Exile) celebrated the success of the TV series in a joyful ambiance at Sofitel Al-Gezira Hotel. The programme starred talented actress Nadia El-Guindi, who personified the character of Queen Nazli, actor Mahmoud Qabil, actresses Manal Salama and Ferial Youssef, and was scripted by Rawya Rashed and directed by Mohamed Zoheir. The celebration featured a remarkable entrance for El-Guindi. The cast cut a cake afterwards in the presence of versatile artist Samir Sabri, fashion designer Hani El-Beheiri and TV presenter Poussy Shalabi. Al-Hayat Satellite Channels and Al-Yom Al-Sabei newspaper hosted a lavish celebration at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on the occasion of celebrating Eid Al-Fitr. Guests enjoyed the celebration overlooking the Nile, including head of Al-Hayat Satellite Channels El-Sayed El-Badawi and Editor-in-Chief of Al-Yom Al-Sabei Khaled Salah. A plethora of journalists, media figures and celebrities were in attendance, including Editor-in-Chief of Al-Masry Al-Yom Magdi El-Gallad, journalists and media figures Lamis El-Hadidi, Wael El-Ibrashi, Rola Kharsa, Youssri Fouda and Ahmed El-Meslemani, actress Nabila Ebeid, controversial filmmaker Khaled Youssef, media figure Hala Hashish, singer Ihab Tawfiq, actor Khaled El-Nabawi, filmmaker Sandra Nashaat and singer-cum-actress Maye Kassab. Kafr Al-Sheikh Governor Ahmed Zaki held an honorary ceremony for the cast of the TV series October Al-Akhar (The Other October) at Maadi Club. The TV series stars talented actresses Poussy, Nihal Anbar and Dalia Mustafa, actors Mohamed Farid, Mohamed Abdel-Hafiz and Mahmoud Masoud, and is directed by Ismail Abdel-Hafez. Zaki delivered a speech at the beginning of the ceremony. Zaki is one of the heroes of the 6 October War.
