Culture & Arts

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Libraries, Culture centers, Opera ...

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Alexandria Opera House

Was constructed in 1918 during the reign of Sultan Fuad I and named "Mohamed Ali Theatre". The original owner was Badr El Din Kerdany who had appointed French architect Georges Baroque to do the design. Following its inauguration in 1921, the theatre was host to celebrated Arab and foreign singers. In 1962 the theatre was renamed "Sayed Darwish Theatre" in honour of this pioneer of Arab music. Unfortunately, the ravages of time destroyed the exquisite beauty of the building and earlier attempts at restoration did in fact more harm than good....

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Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The idea of reviving the old library dates back to 1974, when a committee set up by Alexandria University selected a plot of land for its new library, between the campus and the seafront, close to where the ancient library once stood. The notion of recreating the ancient library was soon enthusiastically adopted by other individuals and agencies...

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The Alexandria Center for Creation

The Alexandria Center for creation a plant which was built in the reign of Mohamed Ali Pasha in Alexandria. and it was called "Club Mohamed Ali", was designed by the Italian-style furniture For French style. In 1962 it was converted to the Palace of Freedom’s Culture was a follower of the General Authority for Cultural Palaces. In the framework of a plan to develop and update carried out by the Ministry of Culture the palace has been converted into a center for creativity continued to fund cultural development so that the performance of the integrated cultural message in accordance with the modern vision of where it was opened in 2001. The Alexandria Center for creation is first integrated cultural center in Alexandria, a forum for the people of the province of writers, artists and owners of multiple hobbies, intellectuals and scholars in all fields. As it contains all the cultural activities and artistic and scientific creativity...

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Alexandria Film Festival

is the most popular festival in Alexandria that has attracted international audience since 1979. This is an annual festival that happens in the month of September through the efforts of the Egyptian Association of Film Writers and Critics. The objectives of this festival are to widen the knowledge and understanding of the filmmakers in film culture and to make their relationship stronger. All the famous people from the local and international film industry come together to do their part this event. There is an international film screening during this festival where they interact and learn from each other. The focus is on Mediterranean productions. However, international productions are also welcome in this wonderful festival...

President Gamal Abdel Nasser

He was born on 15th, January, 1918 in Bakos, Alexandria. Due to his father's changins work conditions, Abdel Nasser attended a number of different schools in Alexandria and Cairo. He ran several official posts later on as of September 1952, until he became the president of the Egyptian republic in June, 23, 1956. He became the president of the United Arab Republic, which consisted of Egypt and Syria, in February 21, 1958. Then, Yemen joined the United Arab Republic in 1959. Abdel Nasser was elected once again in March 1965 and became the president till his death on 28th, September, 1970.
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Tawfik Al Hakim

The great writer, Tawfik Al Hakim, was born in 1898 in Moharram Bey district, Alexandria. He grew up in Alexandria, where he spent his early years. Al Hakim was described as the founder of contemporary Egyptian theatre. It was believed that Al Hakim made theatre in the Arab World a prominent and sophisticated literary genre. Language used in his theatrical works featured both simplicity and smoothness. He sought to highlight the spirit of the Egyptian colloquial dialect. His works encompassed 100 plays and 62 books, many of which were translated to other languages. The most important translated works are: People of the Cave, Scheherazade, Pygmalion and Oedipus.
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Sayed Darwish

He was born on 17th, March, 1892 to poor parents. He was a musician by nature with a glowing passion for memorizing and listening to music of great musicians such as: Ibrahim Al Kabbani and Dawood Hosni. But Sayed Darwish, aka Sheikh Sayed, made the music career of a more significant role and made use of this great art for national strife and social reform in addition to elongation in music and Arabic singing. Sayed Darwish also contributed to the Egyptian national movement in 1919 with his patriotic songs and revolutionary tunes. Sheikh Sayed died on 15th September, 1923, in his hometown, Alexandria, where he was buried as well.
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Yusuf Shahin

One of the most phenomenal directors in Egypt and the Arab World. Shahin was such a remarkable director ever recognized by the movie making industry in the Arab region and worldwide. He was Alexandrian and had an intrinsic taste inspired by the sea and the blue skies of Alexandria (born on 25th, January1926). He is considered one of the most daring Arab directors in the filmmaking industry in the way he tackles and presents an issue from a certain perspective. It is that approach that makes his works of a special appeal and characteristic appreciation. It is his tactful movies and dramatic composition that made Shahin a filmmaking school in his own right.
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Iman Al Bahr Darwish

He is one of the popular Egyptian singers. His grandfather was the Egyptian artist Sayed Darwish, aka People's Artist". Iman Al BAhr was born on 18th, March, 1955. He sought to revive his granfather's works. Therefore, he excelled in the performance of his granfather's works and was received with great admiration across the Arab world. Parallel to singing, he also performed acting parts displaying a high level of acting maturity. His most significant works included: "Forgery in Official Documents", A Bird in the Sky, Visit me Every Once in a While", "Hold me", "Oh, I Wish", "Call for Prayer, Bilal", and "Painful Wound".
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Karam Gaber

Karam Gaber was born in Alexandria, Egypt. He is an Egyptian Greco-Roman wrestler. He won the gold medal in the Men's Greco-Roman 96 kg at the 2004 Summer Olympics and was regarded as the best wrestler in that championship. Hence, he brought Egypt back to the winning teams, after being away since 1948, when Ibrahim Shams, an Egyptian weightlifter, won the bronze medal in the featherweight class The Egyptian wrestler made it to the finals at the 2003 World Championships, and won the silver medal.
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Omar Sharif

Omar Al Sharif is an actor, who performed on the British theatre and the Egyptian movies as well. He was born on 15th, February, 1932 to a wealthy family in Alexandria. He attended at the Victoria College School. His colleague, Yusuf Shahin, was the one who brought Omar's talent into light. Yusuf Shahin directed many movies of Omar's. He graduated from the University of Cairo. He got married to Faten Hamama. The international director, David Lean, was the one who unveiled his skills. He introduced Omar in many movies. Later on, Omar Sharif was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his part in "Lawrence of Arabia". Omar performed in Italian, French, and American movies. While he was away from Egypt, he continued to play parts in Egyptian radio series such as: "Nose and Three Eyes", and "Lost Love". In the nineties, he returned to Egypt and devoted himself for public service
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Shokri Sarhan

He was born on 12th, March, 1925 in ALexandria. He graduated from the Higher Institute Of Dramatic Arts in 1947. He appeared on the silver screen for the first time in 1949, when he starred in "Lahalibo". As of 1951, Shokri Sarhan became a common factor in the majority of movies till he managed to be indisputably the Jeune premier. He received many awards for his parts in movies, such as: "Shabab Imra'ah", "Roda Kalbi" and "Al Liss Wal Kilab". In recognition of his acting achievements, he was selected in a poll in 1996 as best actor in the history of Egyptian filmmaking. On 29th, March, 1997, the great actor died after a long journey of achievements with 152 movies that made his journey unforgettable.
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Adel Adham

Adel Adham was born on 8th, March, 1928 in Alexandria. His father was a senior government official and his mother was of Turkish origin. He excelled in a variety of sports. However, he quit sports and started his acting career. He was into dancing as well. Over time, he became popular in Alexandria and was called "The Prince". His first appearance on a movie screen was in a movie called "Laila Bent Al Fukara'a" in 1945. He, later on, acted in several movies, as he took part in 84 films. He received awards from the General Film Organization, the Egyptian Society for Film Writers and Critics, and the Egyptian Society for Cinema. In 1985, he received an award in the Arab Movie Festival in Los Angeles. He was also honored at the Alexandria International Film Festival in 1994, and in the 2nd National Festival for Egyptian Movies in 1996.
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Mahmoud Morsi

He was born on 7th, July, 1923 in Alexandria. He had a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, University of Alexandria, in 1946. Then, he studied directing at the Graduate Cinema Studies Institute in Paris, France. He was the director of the modern theatre, then a professor at the Cinema Institute from 1968 to 1983. He directed many television series back then. He was also the lead actor in many successful movies and television series. He was received the premier award for his part in "Al Layla Al Akheera" (1964), and the best lead actor award for his part in "She'a Min Al Khawf", and the premier acting award for his role in "Sa'ad Al Yateem". Mahmoud Morsi died on Saturday, 24th, April, 2004, leaving behind a rich legacy of creative works that immortalized his works.
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Mohamed Al Fayed

The Alexandrian businessman, Mohamed Al Fayed, was born in 1933 in Al Anfoushi District, Alexandria. He started his business from scratch until he became one of the wealthiest businessmen worldwide. Then he stepped up the ladder to wealth thanks to his partnership with the Saudi businessman, Adnan Khashoggi, and married his daughter in 1954. In 1966, Al Fayed got into commercial activities with the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who is one of the richest people. Al Fayed had collected a fortune in Dubai before moving his business to the United Kingdom, where he has lived since 1974. Al Fayed purchased the Dorchester Hotel in London and made a fortune after buying the well-known luxurious Ritz Hotel in 1979. Then, he bought the palace of the Duke of Windsor in Paris and sent an inventory of its antiques to Queen Elizabeth. In 1983, Mohamed Al Fayed bought the renowned Harrods Stores in a unique deal, which tripled his profits.
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Bayram Al Tunsi

He was born on 3rd, March, 1893, at Bourini Street, Al Sayala, Al Anfoushi District, Alexandria. He is regarded a notable Zajal poet in Egypt and the Arab World. He connected with people and expressed their problems, therefore, he earned the title "Poet of the People". He was a an important landmark in the history of Zajal in Egypt. Bayram Al Tunsi was not just a poet or a Zajal Poet, but he was also a patriot struggler, a social reformer and a revolutionary writer who called for فاث the attainment of renaissance of the country in all fields. His upbringing in middlebrow neighborhoods of Alexandria. People at these neighborhoods were known for their sense of humor, jokes, sarcasm, and their continuous criticism of the conditions of the society. His bitter criticism exposed him to continuous persecution by colonists and other governing authorities in power. .
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Madiha Kamel

Madiha Kamel: She was born in 1948 in Alexandria. Her full name is Madiha Kamel Saleh. She moved to Cairo in 1963 and joined the Saneya School for Girls at the Sayeda Zainab District. Then, she joined the Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University. At that time, she acted in movies and also worked as a fashion model. Later on, she went to Lebanon to shoot some movies. She got married to Mahmoud Al Rayes, a businessman, and had her only daughter, Merihan. Her second marriage was to the movie director, Sherif Hammouda, and her third was to a lawyer. She quit acting before finishing her last movie "Bawabet Iblis" and passed away in 1997.
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Mahmoud Abdel Aziz

He was born in 1946 in Alexandria. He received his bachelor degree from the Insects Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, in 1968. He was a Research Assistant at the Institute of Plant Protection Research and then devoted himself to the acting career. He starred in many movies, including "Hatta Akher Al Omr", "Ta'er Al Lail Al Hazeen", "Al Shayateen", Al A'ar", "Al Keif", "Gary Al Wohoosh", Al Shakka Men Hak Al Zouga", Tazweer Fi Awrak Rasmeya", Al Sada Al Rijal", "and "AL Donia Ala Janah Yamama". His television works included "Al Hajan", "Mahmoud Al Masri", and "Jebel Al Halal". He attended a myriad of art festivals inside and outside Egypt. He received several awards from the Film Society and the Movie Writers and Critics Society. He is a distinguished artist who has had his fingerprint in both comedy and drama.
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Samir Sabri

He is an Alexandrian artist whose acts of giving has extended to Egypt, the Arab world and many European countries as well. Samir Sabry is Alexandrian from head to toe. He is a graduate of the Department of English, Faculty of Arts, Alexandria University. He started his career as a radio announcer for English shows and proved his competence. He presented television shows to which viewers were attached such as "Al Nadi Al Dawli" and "Hatha Al Masa'a". His efficient performance made him a star when acting in a movie, on stage, on television, or singing. He took part in dozens of movies and television series, where he played parts ranging from comedy to drama. ‎
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Hend Rostom

She was born on 12th, December, 1931 at Moharram Bey District, Alexandria. Her first appearance on the big screen, as a comparsa, or a figurant, in "Ghazal Al Banat". Afterwards, she performed a small part in "Azhar Wa Ashwak" in 1947. Then, she continued to perform small parts until her journey to stardom started, as she performed some dances in movies in addition to acting. Hind Rostom became the most famous and the most seductive actress to star in the history of Egyptian cinema. Her acting talent became evident in the movie "Al Khorooj Men Al Jannah" with Farid Al Atrash, where her part involved sheer acting without any performance of dances. Her last movie was "Hayati Athab" in 1979. She decided to retire after her last movie. She passed away on 8th,August, 2011 due to a severe heart attack.
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Abdul Latif Abu Heif

Abdul Latif Khamis Abu Heif was born on 30th, January, 1929 at Bahary District, Alexandria. He won the World Championship five times in a row. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in London, in 1956. He was awarded the Sports Honor by the Egyptian Presidency. He was named the Twentieth Century Swimmer in May 2001 in recognition of his achievements. He was called "the greatest swimmer in history" by the World Professional Marathon Swimming Federation. He crossed the English Channel three times and was chosen among the top 3 swimmers in the world. Abu Heif was chosen to be the world's best athlete for the year in 1963 in the annual poll in Italy to choose the best international stars. Hence, he was added to the Golden List .
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Mohamed Zaki Al Ashmawy

He had a bachelor with honors from the Department of Arabic Literature, Alexandria, in 1945, a Master's degree in 1950, and a PhD in literary criticism from London, in 1954. He moved up the academia ladder until he received his Professorship degree in 1968. His last office he held was as vice president of the University of Alexandria. His works included "Al Nabigha Al Thibiani" along with a a study of the poem in the pre-islamic era, studies in theater criticism, comparative literature, and literature and values of modern life. Dr. Ashmawy received an award for scientific excellence from the University of Alexandria in 1979, an award from the Scientific Advance Foundation in Kuwait on modern Arabic literature in 1983, and King Abdulaziz Saud Award, Balababtin, for best book on literary criticism in April 1990. He also received the State Merit Award in Literature in 1933.
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Dr. Mohammed Abdul Kader Hatem

Dr. Hatem is an international figure. He received the Necklace of the Egyptian Republic, which is the highest Egyptian honor, in addition to some of the highest accolades from Japan, Italy and Spain, and twenty other medals from different countries around the world. He was selected among 500 international thinkers in the World Encyclopedia. His record is full of great achievements, which play a role in the development of Egypt culturally, financially and scientifically. He founded the Ministry of Mass Communication and the Ministry of Tourism. He also founded the State Information Service Authority, the Middle East News Agency, the City of Cinema, the Balloon Theater, the National Publishing House, Luxor Museum, and the Sound and Light Show Project at the Karnak Temple. In addition, he founded the specialized national councils and was their first chairman. He also founded the Holy Quran and Al Shark Al Awsat radio stations, a TV factory and SONO Cairo. On the tourism front, he played a leading role as he established 40 hotels, and started the construction of the city of Hurghada.
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Hussein Picard

Hussein Amin Picard was born on 2nd, January, 1913 in Alexandria. He joined the Faculty of Fine Arts in 1928. He is an outstanding visual artist, who belongs to the second generation of Egyptian artists. He wrote Rubaiyat and Khumasaiyat of Zajal that displaying wisdom and eloquence. He is the founder of a school of journalistic art and journalism for children in particular. Rather, he is the first pioneerof such a school in Egypt. He had a simple, yet clear, style and has elevated the level of the journalistic drawing to be closer to artwork. His oil paintings are characterized by their high level of configuration, coloring and powerful expression. He is conducted several studies on Egyptian and foreign artists. Picard got dozens of awards locally, regionally, and internationally. He passed away in November 2002.
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Jamal Salama

He was born in 1945, in Alexandria. He got his bachelor degree from the Higher Institute of Music " Conservatoire " in 1972. He moved up the academia ladder until he was appointed associate professor in 1986 and a member of the Supreme Council for Culture (World Music Commission). He was the maestro of the National Folk Band. He had many contributions to a myriad of musical and singing productions for the theater, the cinema, Radio and Television. He also participated in many international festivals. He received the Innovation Award from the Academy of Arts in 1977, along with a number of awards for soundtrack composition. He received certificates of appreciation from the TV administration his musical works. He also was awarded the State Prize in 1981 and the Order of Arts and Sciences for the composition of orchestral music. .
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Mahmoud Said

He was born in Alexandria on 8th, April, 1897 at Bahary District. His father enrolled him at an international school, where he studied painting at this stage. He received a Bachelor of French rights in 1919. His father approved his travel to Paris, where he joined the Free Studies at the Grand Chombere Academy for a year. In 1921, he toured most museums of Europe and studied in some of the famous free ateliers such as the Julian Atelier in Paris. In 1929, for the first time, the state acquired a painting of Said's, which was a portrait of him. The painting was enlisted within the collectibles of the Modern Art Gallery. He was the first Egyptian artist to be awarded the State Merit Award for Arts by President/Gamal Abdel Nasser, on 8th, April, 1964. He passed away on the very same day of his birth. He died at the age of 67 in Janaklis.
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Mohamed Al Fahham

Mohamed Mohamed Al Fahham was born in Alexandria (18th, Rabe'a Awal, 1312 Hj, dated 18th, September, 1894). He completed the memorization of the Qur'an at a young age. Then, he joined the Institute of Religion in Alexandria in 1903. He received the "World Systemic Certificate" after an exam he took at Al Azhar Mosque in 1922. A Presidential Decree was issued to Al Azhar Mosque on 17th, September, 1969, appointing Sheikh Fahham as Al Azhar Sheikh. He remained in office until 1973, at which point he asked to be relieved of his post for health conditions. Sheikh stoker died in August 31, 1980.
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Ahmed Ragab

Ahmed Ragab was born on 20th, November, 1928. He had a Bachelor of Law, Alexandria University. During his studies in college, he co- issued a magazine called «University News», through which he got to know Mustafa Amin and Ali Amin. He worked at the office of «Akhbar Al Youm» in Alexandria. Then, he moved to Cairo, where he took over the "desk" and his talent was discovered by Ali Amin and Mustafa Amin. He wrote a daily article in the form of a brief sarcastic message for the Al Akhbar Newspaper entitled "Nisf Kelmah". He had his own political views, and cooperated with cartoonist, Mustafa Hussein, to create daily caricature for Al Akhbar and Akhbar Al Youm Newspapers inspired by his ideas Ragab's ideas. He made up cartoon characters including Falah Kafr Al Hanadwah, Motreb Al Akhbar, Abdo Mushtak, Kamboorah, and many others. He wrote a weekly article for Al Shoruk Newspaper. He passed away on 12th,September, 2014.
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