Latest news with #Egyptian-RussianFriendshipAssociation
Al-Ahram Weekly
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Russian-Egyptian cultural night honours late Arab theatre lady Samiha Ayoub - City Lights - Life & Style
The Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association, in cooperation with the Russian Cultural Centre and the National Centre for Cinema, held a special event to commemorate 40 days since the passing of legendary Egyptian actress Samiha Ayoub, celebrating her enduring legacy as a pioneering figure in Arab theatre and her significant role in fostering cultural ties between Egypt and Russia. Prominent figures, including Ibrahim Kamel, president of the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association; Ambassador Ezzat Saad, the association's vice president; Denis Brunikov, the acting director of the Russian House; and Ahmed Salah, head of the National Centre for Cinema, attended the event. Amal Abdel-Meguid, director of the Centre for Cinematic Culture; Khaled Shabana, deputy head of Nile Specialised Channels; veteran actress Samira Abdel-Aziz; actor Mohsen Sabry; and Mokhtar Younis, professor of directing at the Higher Institute of Cinema, were also present. ## The evening was moderated by Sherif Gad, the association's secretary-general. It began with the screening of a short documentary, The Lady of Arab Theatre, directed by Ashraf Fayek. The documentary reflected on Fayek's experience working with Ayoub and her final acting roles. Fayek highlighted Ayoub's simplicity in performance and her desire to use the film as a medium to deliver a message of awareness to younger generations. Moreover, actress Abdel-Aziz delivered a touching speech about their lifelong friendship, describing Ayoub as the one who supported her the most during the early days of her career — an emotional sentiment echoed by actor Sabry. The evening also featured the presentation of a book, The Legend of Arab Theatre, by Ayman El-Hakim, which includes Ayoub's memoirs. El-Hakim chronicled her artistic and personal journey, highlighting her deep admiration for Russian culture, particularly the Stanislavski method of actor training. Her connection to Russia was also reflected in her performances of works by Russian playwrights and her emotional bond with the country, sparked in part by the romantic letters her husband, late writer Saad El-Din Wahba, used to send daily during his long work trip to Moscow. Each letter was accompanied by photographs of Russia's iconic landmarks, fueling her desire to explore the country. Actress Samira Abdel-Aziz, author Ayman El-Hakim, with Sherif Gad, Secretary-General of the Friendship Association El-Hakim also shared stories about Ayoub's dedication to her grandson Youssef, showing how she even developed an interest in football for his sake. This went so far that she arranged a meeting with football star Mohamed Salah so Youssef could take a photo with him. Meanwhile, Kamel praised Ayoub for etching her name in the hearts of audiences across Egypt and the Arab world. He also expressed gratitude to the members of the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association for their efforts throughout the cultural season. Ambassador Saad also emphasized that it was great to conclude the association's cultural season with a tribute to a figure who holds a deep place in the hearts of Egyptians. Furthermore, Salah thanked the Russian Cultural Centre for hosting the event, affirming that Ayoub remains a symbol of pure artistry, enlightened culture, and national conscience. "Ayoub is a voice for the nation's causes and a living embodiment of the strong, intellectual, and resilient Arab woman," he concluded. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Strong Turnout Marks Conclusion of Russian Theater Workshops in Cairo
Passant El-Zaitony – Ahmed Emam The Russian Theater Workshops, held for the first time at Egypt's Academy of Arts, concluded this week with a remarkable turnout and an atmosphere of cultural exchange and artistic innovation. The closing ceremony featured appearances by prominent figures from Egypt and Russia, reflecting the growing cooperation between the two nations in the field of arts. Among those present were Dr. Ghada Jabara, President of the Academy of Arts; Asya Torcheva, Cultural Counselor at the Russian Embassy in Cairo; Arseny Matyushenko, Acting Director of the Russian Cultural Centers in Egypt; Daria Drozhatchenko, Vice Dean of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS) in Moscow; and Sherif Gad, Secretary-General of the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association, along with professors from the Academy. The event was hosted by Daria Butcharova, Senior Specialist at the Russian House in Cairo. In her opening remarks, Dr. Jabara expressed gratitude to the Federal Agency for International Cooperation, GITIS, and the Russian House for bringing the Russian Theater School project to Egypt. She emphasized the importance of exposing Egyptian students to the renowned traditions of Russian theater and voiced hope for expanded cooperation across various artistic disciplines. Asya Torcheva conveyed greetings from Russian Ambassador Georgy Borisenko and hailed the workshops as a significant step in strengthening cultural ties between Egypt and Russia. In turn, Arseny Matyushenko highlighted the enthusiasm of the Academy's students, who benefited from intensive training in acting, directing, and the celebrated Stanislavski method. Students also gained hands-on experience in theatrical makeup under the guidance of GITIS experts. Moreover, Daria Drozhatchenko delivered greetings from GITIS Dean Grigory Zaslavsky, who underlined the importance of the Russian Theater School project's expansion into Africa, particularly Egypt, which he described as a "friendly nation" and a key partner in fostering cultural bridges. Also, Sherif Gad praised the long-awaited initiative and called for further collaboration, especially in the fields of music and ballet. He stressed the need for increased student exchange programs between the two countries to deepen cultural ties. During the ceremony, professors Yekaterina Petrova-Verbits, Elizaveta Shakhova, and Evgenia Malenkovskaya presented certificates of completion to the students. An emotional atmosphere prevailed, highlighting the strong bonds forged between students and instructors over four days of intensive workshops. Many students expressed their wish for the workshops to be held regularly. Egyptian actress Reham Mohy El-Din, who participated in the workshops, shared her enthusiasm: "I was thrilled to be invited by the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Association to attend the acting workshop. The integration of Egyptian and Russian cultures was brilliant, especially given the practical and experimental nature of the sessions. It was a unique experience focused on energy, concentration, and professionalism. I hope the experience is repeated, as it greatly enriched my skills. My connection to Russian culture goes back to my childhood when I studied ballet under Russian instructors at the Academy of Arts." The evening concluded with a musical performance by students from the Cairo Conservatory, under the supervision of Dr. Mostafa Garanah, leaving the audience with a memorable end to the cultural celebration. read more 2 Most Inspirational Green Projects in Egypt AEW Dynamite, WWE NXT to Strive over Viewership Tonight Egypt Marks 70th Anniv. of 2011 Revolution, National Police Day In Depth: WWE NXT Halloween Havoc In Depth: AEW Dynamite, WWE NXT Tuesday Viewership Strive Videos & Features WATCH: Egyptians Break Ramadan Fasts in Matariya Videos & Features GrEEk Campus Hosts Jobzella Fifth Career Fair Videos & Features 3 Iconic Ramadan Songs of All Times Videos & Features Top 4 Destinations to Visit in Upper Egypt News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
