in
Waterloo Region
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the idea of the pilot project … EGYPT WEEK … is to offer a glimpse of the true heritage, civilization, culture and talents from ancient to present, by holding activities at multiple venues … throughout the week in Waterloo Region
Waterloo Region – the Golden Triangle – boasts two very prominent universities and a significant College, as well as being economically vibrant with headquarters of many industries and businesses
Since 1991 Cross Cultures magazine has successfully forged partnerships and collaborations throughout the region:
- holding panel discussions covering a wide range of issues -often very frank yet conducted in mutual respect
- partnering with the City of Kitchener for over 20 years (pre COVID) . . . the commemoration of the U N International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, each year highlighting a different issue -mornings involving all three school systems – afternoons open to the public with speakers, debates,… etc topping off the evening with a Peace Concert
- partnering with Kitchener Public Library in the past, for five years, with a monthly interactive “Perspectives Dialogue”
- most community organizations especially indigenous First Nations
- collaborations with school boards – public, separate and private
and as we continue to promote MUTUAL RESPECT and work towards transcending barriers through knowledge of each other, we are humbled that many of our partners are now opening their doors and venues for us to hold events and showcase facets of Egyptian intellectual, cultural and artistic talents
EGYPT WEEK is shaping up as follows:
October 20th (Sunday) 10 am – 4 pm generously sponsored by THE MUSEUM downtown Kitchener
we are honoured that indigenous elder Myeengun Henry will give blessing prayer – smudging outdoors
land acknowledgement
Canadian and Egyptian anthems
followed by two hours of free browsing of the displays
. . . book collection by Teama Publishing founder of the first in Canada Arabic Book Fair
. . . visual art
. . . demos by artisans – Dr Waleed Qanoush patronage :
- “aragoz” – declared UNESCO heritage status plus demo how to make the doll
- artifacts, traditional craft products from oasis of Egypt
with demo workshops which may include copper, silver, weaving, tent making, calligraphy, papyrus, earthenware
noon onwards
- fashion show of the different regions and oases of Egypt 20 plus ORIGINAL pieces (to music and comments)
- Egyptians visual identity in cinema – Shady el Hakeem aka Shady Adel Mohamed el Kilani
movies to showcase from :
1- “The Mummy” .. Shady abd alSalam
2- “Shi Min alKhawf”.. a glimpse of fear Hussein Kamal
3- “al Sukariya” .. Nageeb Mahfouz Hassan il Immam
4- “Kharag wa Lam Ya’ud” .. left and did not return Mohamed Khan
5- “al Mohagir” . . the immigrant Youssef Shaheen
6- Umarit Yaaqoubian . . yakoubian building Marawan Hamid
- music and a sing along by various Egyptian artists (details to follow)
- Dignitary and VIP greetings
parking is free on Sunday
October 21st (Monday) 6 pm generously sponsored by Centre in the Square’s studio
an evening of the monodrama
“wi darit il ayam”
by
Wafaa el Hakim
talented film and theatre star
Fadi Fouqueh – theatre director:
Shady Sorour – artist, producer and manager of Hanagir Theatre Centre
plus
Amal Fawzy – scenario writer, who is also presenting a workshop on storytelling – oral history in Egypt as well as women oral tradition
October 22nd (Tuesday) full day diverse programme at the Registry Theatre
generously sponsored by producer, director, writer Lawrence McNaught’s Rigglevake Productions
- 10 am – 1:00 pm
Wafaa el Hakim
Egyptian film and theatre star and pioneer founder of her own trail blazing, most unique, very novel ground breaking internationally acclaimed theatre company “taquit hobb” after her successful experiment using art under the guidance of psychiatrists in enhancing and nurturing talents and skills of people with special needs in the cast, she gives a workshops on how they took special needs from making them comfortable to being professional wage earning participants in the community
PS Wafaa is featured in this September 2024 issue of VOGUE magazine - 1:15 – 2:45 pm
screening of full feature film . . . BACK TO ALEXANDRIA . . . followed by interactive zoom with director Tamer Ruggli - 3:00 – 5:00 pm panel and presentations :
- Dr Khaled el Anany
former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities, organizer of the ceremonial procession of the mummies from the old to the new Egyptian museum - Dr George Sawa
retired university of Toronto professor,amazing oud & Qanoon player and author - Samy Harak
re current “Egyptian” spoken language and its roots in ancient Egypt - Adel Darwish
journalist reporting from the British House of Lords and author whose most recent book is Alexandria Adieu - Ronald Cicurel
mathematician, currently residing in Switzerland, and author of “memoires” of his early life in Egypt (he is grandson of Salvatore Cicurel who founded the famous department stores in Egypt - Cristiano de Florentiis
ICFF co-founder/Artistic Director – Italian Film Festival Director
Cristiano who has recently visited Egypt is a professional journalist, he divides his work between Rome and Toronto. In 2005, Italy’s President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi conferred upon him the title of “Knight of the Italian Republic” the honour was given in recognition of Cristiano’s commitment to the Italian community in Canada
October 23rd (Wednesday)
- 4: 00 pm
authentic Egyptian Cuisine demo
by registration - 6 – 9 pm
Classic Concert :
a Flute and Piano accompaniment - Dr Einass abdel Dayem former Minister of Culture and international award winning Flute player
- Wilfrid Laurier Professor Lee Willingham piano accompaniment
at the sanctuary of First United Church uptown Waterloo
generously sponsored and hosted by Rev Hoeun Lee as his contribution to EGYPT WEEK
October 24th (Thursday) 11:30 am – 2 pm in the Council Chambers at the City of Kitchener
in way of being the farewell event for the Egyptian delegation
- Egyptian Armenian Kegham Papazian
who will speak about the significant contributions of Armenian Egyptians in Egypt - film screening of FREE TRIP TO EGYPT by director Tarek Munib
October 25th (Friday) delegation departure but we continue with our week
October 26th (Saturday) early afternoon location t b a
October 27th (Sunday) noon hour at the uptown Waterloo United Church
wrap up day for the week generously sponsored by Rev Hoeun Lee
inter-cultural lunch of uniquely Egyptian cuisine dishes prepared by licensed Egyptian ladies and sing along of our favourite tunes
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more events to be added .. please check the website as the date approaches - + +
repeats of any of the displays throughout the week include
books, the fashion show, demos of the uniquely authentic Egyptian food preparation in licensed kitchens, drama presentations, workshops, etc
looking forward to hearing from you
Gehan D Sabry
founder editor publisher
Cross Cultures magazine since 1991