Cairo

Mar 06 2012

This year Egypt is the Official Partner Country to the ITB 2012. One of the world's premier travel destinations is teaming up with the world's premier travel trade convention to give delegates the opportunity to get to know the world of tourism better.

Sample a little of the Egypt experience across Berlin and throughout the ITB. Then after this "taster", come visit for yourself. Egypt is where it all begins!

Egypt welcomes dignitaries to the ITB, with an opening ceremony on 6th March at the ICC Convention Centre that reflects the fusion at the heart of the country - History, Culture, Spirituality, Colour, the Senses and the People are all joined together.

As guests enter the Convention Centre they will be able to enjoy a panorama representing "Egypt – The Place and the Time" created by well-known interior designer Dr Hussein Shaboury. This work represents the distinctive topography of Egypt – its Red Sea, White Med, lush Nile Valley and varying desert. It also captures key moments in Egypt's long history, covering the Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Coptic and Islamic periods. The panorama as a whole sets the scene for the entertainment to follow.

Settling back into their chairs, guests can enjoy a performance combining typical Egyptian folk customs into a single dance presentation – "The Colours of Egypt". Representing Upper Egypt comes Siadi; encompassing the White Med is Askandrany and expressing mysticism is Zara. Together the whirl of colours, styles and music create a vivid impression of the soul of the country.

Following keynote speeches, the evening continues now in a more contemplative mood with a ballet from the Cairo Opera House entitled "In Spite of Every Thing" ("Malgré Tout"). This moving work reflects the feeling of new beginning in Egypt after the Revolution and the hopes of the people for the future of their country.

Then the mood changes again, as an impromptu "Moulid" or "local festival" breaks out. All the dancers who have performed so far now invite members of the audience to join them and dance together in joy and celebration. After dancing, guests make their way through the auditorium to where dinner is held.

And to keep the evening on this high note, AlToboul ElNobia ("The Nubian Drums") will move through the hall in small groups, spreading good cheer.

(For Invited Guests Only)