'Forever is Now' Kicks off 3rd Edition at Giza Pyramids

The "Transparent Pyramid" by Rashid Al Shashai (The "Forever is Now" exhibition).
The "Transparent Pyramid" by Rashid Al Shashai (The "Forever is Now" exhibition).
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'Forever is Now' Kicks off 3rd Edition at Giza Pyramids

The "Transparent Pyramid" by Rashid Al Shashai (The "Forever is Now" exhibition).
The "Transparent Pyramid" by Rashid Al Shashai (The "Forever is Now" exhibition).

The 3rd edition of the exhibition “Forever is Now” has kicked off at the Giza Pyramids this week with a remarkable participation from Egypt and the Gulf. The event brings together artists from around the world to explore the mysteries of a great ancient civilization.

The partaking works focus on the theme of pyramids and temples from a modern perspective, using materials inspired by the contemporary environment like wood, glass, steel and paper, in addition to recycled wastes.

The exhibition highlights elements from the earth, history, environment and humanity, and displays the contemporary artworks at the prestigious site of the Giza Pyramids.

“The new edition has so many new features that weren’t seen in the past two editions, like the increased number of participants (14) from Egypt, Brazil, Argentina, the US, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Greece and the UK, as well as a special presence from the Gulf with three artists: Saudi Rashid al-Shashai, Bahraini Rashid Al Khalifa, and Emirati Azza Al Qubaisi,” Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, CEO of Art D'Égypte, the company behind the event, told “Asharq Al-Awsat”.

“Held in collaboration with the Egyptian ministries of foreign affairs and tourism and antiquities, and the UNESCO, the 3rd edition of ‘'Forever is Now'’ has gained more trust from international partners.

The success of the two past editions has reflected on the current one, and we managed to lure a wider audience to explore a new genre of art,” she added.



Egypt, Greece Agree to Protect Status of Mount Sinai Monastery

A general view of St. Catherine's Monastery in South Sinai, Egypt, March 7, 2019. Picture taken March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
A general view of St. Catherine's Monastery in South Sinai, Egypt, March 7, 2019. Picture taken March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
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Egypt, Greece Agree to Protect Status of Mount Sinai Monastery

A general view of St. Catherine's Monastery in South Sinai, Egypt, March 7, 2019. Picture taken March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
A general view of St. Catherine's Monastery in South Sinai, Egypt, March 7, 2019. Picture taken March 7, 2019. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo

Greece and Egypt have agreed to safeguard the status of one of the world's oldest sites of Christian worship, foreign ministers of both countries said late on Wednesday, after an Egyptian court ruling last week cast uncertainty over its future.

The St Catherine's Monastery, at the foot of Egypt's Mount Sinai, was founded in the 6th century and is the oldest Christian monastery still in use for its original function, says UNESCO, which has listed the area as a World Heritage site, Reuters reported.

Revered by Christians, Muslims and Jews, the monastery is at the site where by Biblical tradition Moses received the Ten Commandments.

But last week, an Egyptian court ruling seen by Reuters ordered Orthodox monks to vacate several plots of land that the monks have used for years, including vineyards and gardens adjacent to the monastery compound, on the grounds that they were illegally sequestered, prompting a diplomatic flurry between Cairo and Athens over the site's status.

"We agreed in the immediate future to work towards safeguarding the rights of the monastery, as well as its legal status," Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said after meeting his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty in Cairo.

"Both Egypt and Greece intend to move forward based on the long-standing tradition and the already established status of an emblematic monastery for its Greek Orthodox character of worship".

Abdelatty said that the ruling preserves the monastery’s profound spiritual value and religious standing, and confirmed that the monks would continue to have access to and use of the monastery and its religious and historical sites, according to a foreign ministry statement. With a long history of diplomatic ties, Greece and Egypt have deepened cooperation in recent years.

St Catherine's is a sprawling complex, and according to tradition it was built around a burning bush where God was said to have spoken to Moses as described in the Book of Exodus. Its library is one of the most extensive worldwide, containing some of the world's earliest Christian manuscripts.