Class acts

ACTOR ABDALLAH Mahmoud died last month after a long struggle with cancer, and with his last film, Wahed Cappuccino (One Cappuccino). Mahmoud was banking on selling the movie, which he had produced, to pay for his increasingly high medical bills. The movie was completed before Mahmoud last fell ill but has not been shown because movie theaters were not interested in it. One of the most talented actors of his generation, Mahmoud’s debut role was in Youssef Chahine’s Iskenderiyya Leih (Alexandria, Why?) He also starred in Salah Abu Seif’s Al Mowaten Masry (Citizen Masry), which was arguably the late actor’s greatest role. Mahmoud’s funeral was led by a number of equally talented actors who, like their deceased colleague, haven’t yet utilized their full potential; including Ahmed Salama and Sherif Mounir.

NASSEIR SHAMMA, famous Iraqi oud player, has agreed to consider accepting his first starring role in a TV series. Shamma will aptly be cast as Abul Hassan Ali Ibn Nafei, the most famous oud player in the history of Arabic music. The Andalusian musician, known as Ziryab, was born in 800 A.D. and was one of the most important entertainers of his age. His chief patron was the Abbassid Caliph Haroun El-Rashid, who later became his chief nemesis, driving the musician, who could play 10,000 pieces on his oud, into hiding.

THE APPOINTMENT of Abdullatif el-Manawy as the new director of the news sector on Egyptian television came as a surprise to everybody. It was good news to most of the people who knew el-Manawy as a talented and serious journalist, but members of the television news sector were not overjoyed to see an outsider take over Tharwat Mikki’s much-coveted job. El-Manawy is the bureau chief of the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper, and is currently working hard to breathe some life into the floundering news department. Many of the anchors are taking crash courses taught by BBC experts. Evidence of the changes el-Manawy has been working on is expected to be noticed as of this month. El-Manawy is married to popular news show host Rola El-Kharsa.

Egypt Today Archives (2) The late Abdallah Mahmoud on screen, where he will always remain

FOR THE FIRST time ever, the University of Yale has published the most comprehensive Anthology of Arab Literature and Culture. The book comprises 550 pages, and includes 70 excerpts from the most important cultural and literary works in Arab history and modern day writings. The pieces go back to pre-Islam, with parts of the Mu’allaqat (Suspended Odes) including a special homage to the poet Imru’ al-Qays, then to Islamic times with the whole farewell oration of the Prophet (PBUH). Other excerpts include chapters from Naguib Mahfouz and Ghassan Kanafani novels, and critiques written by NawSaadawi and Ghada el-Samman.

A NUMBER OF poets have joined the website www.kotobarabia.com. The latest addition is the famous ammiyya (colloquial) Arabic poet, Ahmed Fouad Negm (also known as Fagoumy), who has recently signed a contract with the electronic publishing company.

WORK IS UNDERWAY to build the first Egyptian museum of pre-historic eras. Located on Qena’s Nile Corniche, close to the railway bridge, the museum will cover an important and overlooked era in history; the 10,000 years preceding and leading to the formation of the first and second dynasties. The pieces set apart to go to the museum number over 3,000. Dr. Mahmoud Mabrouk, the sculptor and brains behind the idea, believes the museum will draw a lot of tourism to the city of Qena, because it is imperative for serious fans of Egyptian culture to understand the stages that have pre-empted the formation of Egyptian civilization.

EL-MINYA GOVERNOR has agreed to host the first women’s cinema festival next March in his governorate. Iqbal Baraka, the writer and editor-in-chief of Hawwaa magazine has accepted the job of the festival’s first director.

THE STATE AWARDS were announced last month, and as usual a number of incentive awards were blocked. But this year wins the race, with 18 of the 32 awards held back. As for the more prestigious Mubarak awards, those attending the Minister of Culture’s press conference declaring the winners listened quietly as one name after another were announced, but only cheered enthusiastically for Kamel el-Zohairy, the seasoned journalist and writer.

THE BOARD OF the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is currently thinking of launching the Bibliotheca Award, which will be given to the best publications every year. The award will target literary, scientific, technological and cultural works.  et