Latest news with #Mahfouz
Sharjah 24
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah panel explores directing styles in Emirati theatre
Opening remarks: celebrating a dedicated critic Magdy Mahfouz introduced Said Ahmed as one of the most dedicated observers of Emirati theatre, known for his consistent presence at festivals and performances. He noted that Said Ahmed's longstanding involvement in theatrical critique has given him deep insight into the evolution of theatre in the UAE, particularly in the field of directing, which Mahfouz described as the foundation of any successful performance. Early stages of Emirati theatre directing Mahfouz outlined that theatrical direction in the UAE began in the 1970s with the founding of clubs and theatre troupes. In its early days, Arab directors and trainers played a key role in developing the local scene by training young Emiratis and guiding them from amateur productions to professional theatre. Defining a directing style Mohamed Said Ahmed began his talk by defining a director's style as a personal, recognisable approach that emerges through experience. He explained that such a style is shaped by a fusion of influences from various directing schools and methodologies. The challenge, he added, lies in synthesising these influences into a cohesive artistic language that balances inspiration with originality. Pioneers and early contributors Said Ahmed paid tribute to Arab theatre pioneers who laid the foundation for directing in the UAE, including Saqr Al-Rashoud, Ibrahim Jallal, Yahya Al-Hajj, Youssef Eidabi, Abdelilah Fouad Al-Shatti, Youssef Khalil, Al-Moncef Al-Souissi, and Zaki Tulaimat. Abdullah Al Mannaei and the 'theatre of image' He highlighted Abdullah Al Mannaei as a founding figure in Emirati theatre directing, known for his 'theatre of image' style. Al Mannaei prioritised non-verbal storytelling through gesture, movement, and visual composition. His legacy paved the way for his students and younger directors to explore new artistic directions. Three leading Emirati directors Mohammed Al Ameri: visual imagination and collaborative writing Said Ahmed described Mohammed Al Ameri's directing style as visually driven, where the director imagines scenes as individual images and then weaves them together through the story. Al Ameri places strong emphasis on scenography, group dynamics, and actor performance. He often develops scripts through a workshop approach, working closely with playwrights to shape both the text and the visual concept before staging. Naji Al Hai: human-centred and minimalist direction Naji Al Hai, a distinguished playwright and director, is known for his emotionally resonant, socially rooted works such as A Grain of Sand, Zacharia My Love, and Bab Al Baraha. His minimalist aesthetic focuses on the actor as the central element, supported by simple sets and costumes. Despite the local themes, his work carries a broader humanist message. He was the first Emirati director to present plays in Europe, including in France and Spain. Hassan Rajab: academic discipline and visual appeal The third director profiled was Hassan Rajab, whose academic training at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Kuwait influenced his structured and visually rich directing style. His productions, such as Red Dust, Father for Sale or Rent, and Ashoofak, show a blend of directorial schools, a controlled rhythm, and a strong sense of visual design. Rajab often employs innovative staging devices and integrates humour drawn from the Emirati dialect. Experimentation and innovation in stagecraft Said Ahmed praised Rajab's inventive techniques, such as using spotlights to signal scenes before they begin, or seating an actor on a fixed chair to represent theatre within theatre. In Hamiha Haramiha, he placed actors in symbolic wooden boxes representing social hierarchy, illustrating his creative approach to stage composition. Closing reflections and tributes Mohammed Al Ameri concluded the session with a heartfelt message of thanks to His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his unwavering support of theatre and the arts. He also confirmed many of the observations made by Said Ahmed about his own directing approach—particularly his focus on image, scenography, and integration of digital and natural elements. Al Ameri paid tribute to the Arab directors who helped lay the foundations for theatre in the UAE, including Al-Moncef Al-Souissi, Saqr Al-Rashoud, Fouad Al-Shatti, Yahya Al-Hajj, Ahmed Abdel Halim, and Qasim Mohammed, acknowledging their lasting influence on the local scene.
Al-Ahram Weekly
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Naguib Mahfouz Museum adds 2 evening shifts starting July - Stage & Street - Arts & Culture
The Museum of Naguib Mahfouz, Egypt's Nobel laureate for literature, has added two evening shifts on Saturdays and Sundays starting this July. The move aims to revitalize cultural activity in Historic Cairo, allowing tourists and local visitors to explore the rare collections, works, and possessions of the famed Egyptian novelist. On Saturdays and Sundays, the museum will be open to visitors in two shifts: from 9am to 2pm and from 6pm to 10pm. Throughout the remaining days, the opening hours remain unchanged, from 9am to 4pm. Naguib Mahfouz Museum The museum, which opened in July 2019 in the Muhammad Bek Abu Al-Dahab Complex, is an edifice built in 1774 under Ottoman rule. It lies beside the main entrance of Al-Azhar Mosque. The museum comprises two floors spanning an area of 1,600 square metres. The first floor hosts several libraries, including a general library with 165 books, a literary library with 119 books, Mahfouz's library with 1,091 books on art and literature, and a collection of approximately 266 books penned by Mahfouz in Arabic, along with their translated copies. The second floor is divided into several halls, including the Nobel Hall, which is dedicated to displaying Mahfouz's Nobel medallion and certificate, along with other certificates, medallions, and awards he received throughout his life. The floor also features the Biography Hall, which showcases his personal belongings, including clothing, glasses, pens, papers, and letters, along with manuscripts written in his handwriting and his desk. The Literature Hall displays the old and new editions of Mahfouz's works along with his translated works. The Alley Hall features an exhibition on Mahfouz's life and a film about the neighbourhood where he lived and its influence on his writings. Additionally, there is a Filmography Hall containing footage from movies made from his books. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
BBC News
01-05-2025
- BBC News
Significant increase in Tube graffiti
Reports of increased graffiti on Tube trains, in particular on the Central and Bakerloo lines, have prompted Londoners to complain to the transport passenger told Transport for London (TfL) that the Bakerloo line's carriages had become "very dirty" and "covered" in graffiti. In a Freedom of Information request, passengers asked what was being done to clean this month, TfL said in response that its automatic train washer breaking down was partly to blame, but added that it had also seen an uptick in vandalism incidents. The washer issue "limited our cleaning capacity as we were only able to clean trains by hand which takes a significantly longer amount of time", TfL added: "The track defect was rectified approximately two weeks ago and since then we have been using the train wash as normal. All our fleet has been washed externally and the overall condition of the fleet is beginning to improve."Seats across the Underground fleet are brushed and checked daily prior and post going into service."Despite this, TfL said it was were seeing an increase in graffiti incidents, and City Hall has urged the authority to adopt "a zero-tolerance strategy" to vandalism. Central line 'clearly being targeted' Bassam Mahfouz, a Labour member of the London Assembly, said he heard about the issue through his Ealing and Hillingdon constituents, who regularly use the Central line."The recent surge in graffiti on Central line trains is concerning and costly," said Mr Mahfouz. "Londoners have become used to, and deserve, a clean, safe, and reliable transport network, yet these vandalised carriages are an affront to the eye and leave passengers feeling less safe."The Central line is clearly being targeted. It's costing Londoners in clean-up costs and pride in our city. The only way to really address such a scourge is to adopt a zero-tolerance strategy to stamp out graffiti for good. "Only then can we restore the Central line to the standard passengers expect and ensure London's transport system remains a source of pride, not frustration."
CairoScene
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Naguib Mahfouz Museum to Offer Free Entry on April 16th
The Ministry of Culture launches the 'Mahfouz in Our Hearts' initiative to celebrate the Nobel laureate's lasting influence on Egyptian identity and Arabic literature. Apr 11, 2025 In celebration of Egypt's only Nobel Laureate in Literature, the Ministry of Culture has announced free public entry to the Naguib Mahfouz Museum on April 16th. The initiative, titled 'Mahfouz in Our Hearts: Pride for Egyptian Identity', aims to honour the iconic writer's cultural legacy and reaffirm his impact on Egyptian identity, literature, and intellectual life. The initiative is part of a broader cultural programme by the ministry spotlighting the work of prominent Egyptian artists and intellectuals. Previous iterations have paid tribute to figures such as filmmaker Shadi Abdel Salam and poet Salah Jahin through dedicated events and exhibitions exploring their contributions to Egyptian culture. Located in Cairo's historic Al-Gamaleya district near Al-Azhar Mosque, the Naguib Mahfouz Museum is housed in an 18th-century Ottoman-era building restored and opened to the public in 2019. The museum contains a rich collection of personal belongings, handwritten manuscripts, and awards Mahfouz received over the course of his life—including the State Prize for Literature, the Grand Necklace of the Nile, and his Nobel Prize in Literature awarded in 1988. Exhibition spaces also recreate scenes from Cairo's working-class neighbourhoods, which featured prominently in Mahfouz's literary universe. Visitors can explore recorded interviews and a research library that includes critical studies and archival material related to his work. The museum's layout includes a discussion room and multiple reading spaces, making it a hub for reflection and scholarship.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Dubai chocolate strawberry cup at Yogurt Co. in Wyandotte is part of bigger trend
A decadent combination of fruit, chocolate and pistachios has taken a Downriver yogurt shop by storm. The dessert is inspired by the Dubai chocolate bar with a crunchy pistachio center that had everyone raving in 2024. Called the Dubai chocolate strawberry cup, the new confection is showing up around metro Detroit and has proved to be a big winner at Yogurt Co. on Biddle Avenue in Wyandotte. The business is owned by Jay Mahfouz and his wife, Amy, The dessert is made in a 16-ounce cup filled with slices of strawberries or bananas (or a combination of both). Layered between them are crunchy and seasoned kanafe pistachio cream, Yogurt Co.'s secret cream, and drizzles of Dubai chocolate fudge and Nutella. If you like, you can top the whole thing off with a scoop of ice cream for $1 extra. (I highly recommend the ice cream. Vanilla is best.) 'When we did our research … it's supposed to be the fruit, with the sauces and pistachio cream,' Mahfouz said. 'We did our own twist, taking the pistachio cream to another level by mixing in other ingredients to give it crunch.' More: Which metro Detroit restaurant has the best chicken wings? Submit your nominations now! Adding the Dubai chocolate strawberry cup to Yogurt Co.'s menu was the idea of Jamal Jawad, owner of the Custard Co. in Dearborn and Mahfouz's cousin. It has proved to be a business booster, even in winter. 'We went viral, and it's been insane,' Mahfouz said. 'We needed it. … Downriver needed it.' The Yogurt Co., Instagram page features posts of the dessert being at the shop as well as a collaboration with downriver Instagram tot Ace Morris @itsaces_world, who has nearly 400,000 followers, sampling the dessert. Since adding the dessert to the menu, which costs $13 or $14 with a scoop of ice cream, Mahfouz said he has been ordering 600-700 packs of strawberries weekly. Each day, he goes through one to two tubs of the pistachio mix that Amy makes. Each dessert is made to order, including slicing the fresh fruit, and takes a few minutes to assemble, Mahfouz said. Yogurt Co., known for its large variety of frozen yogurt flavors and toppings ranging from candies to nuts to pretzels, has been a mainstay in downtown Wyandotte for 10 years. 'Our main thing is frozen yogurt that is gluten-free has probiotics, is low in sugar, low carb, and has no corn syrups,' Mahfouz said. Yogurt Co. also has ice cream and is known for its Bubble Tea, Mahfouz said. On Wednesday's, the Yogurt Co., offers 'No Weigh Wednesday' where you buy the frozen yogurt by the cup size for one price and fill it up, adding as many toppings as you like. The new dessert is a must-try. If you can't eat it all by yourself, it's easily shared. Winter hours at Yogurt Co. are 1:30-9:30 p.m. daily. Hours will change once warm weather arrives. Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@ Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Support local journalism and become a digital subscriber to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dessert based by Dubai chocolate bar trends at Wyandotte yogurt shop
