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	Baltimore • Luxor • Alexandria Sister City Committee 2007 Year Report
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January 2007

Abdelwahab Elabd’s Egypt Visit: With the help from the Egyptian Embassy in US Elabd managed to obtain a sponsor from Egypt for the Egyptian Corner, Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA). The ITIDA made a contribution of $8000 and also promise to support the second phase of the Egyptian Corner at a later date. Also, Elabd met with the Governor of Luxor in Luxor to discuss the Luxor/Baltimore sister city relationship and the 25th Anniversary celebration. The meeting took place in the Governor Office in Luxor with the presence of Mr. Ehab Gaddis, Chairman of Luxor/Baltimore sister city committee, and Dr. Elham Edesy, Coordinator of Luxor/Baltimore sister city committee. A plan for the 25th Anniversary celebration was agreed upon tentatively.

Ehab Gaddis, Abdelwahab Elabd & Luxor Governor Dr. Samir Farag

Internship Program: It was a pleasure once again to help host an Egyptian intern in Baltimore. Amal Saad worked with R. D. Jones - a well known commercial interior design business in the Inner Harbor from Mid March to the end of May. Amal’s efforts mostly concentrated on a large ski resort in Pennsylvania called Bear Creek. This resort is now open and thanks to Amal’s efforts the building is due to receive design national awards. Amal was a very bright and confident woman, she was as charming and engaging as one might imagine. Amal is missed by all who know her. Baltimore is vitalized by these vital and remarkable internships; this town was created by such minds and hearts. Stryker Sessions & the BLASCC members are looking forward to our next Egyptian gift!

Amal Saad

Study Visit of The Library of Alexandria Staff in USA: Baltimore Friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina-BLASCC hosted a two and one half week “Study Visit” for two BA librarians who were selected based on their potential for future leadership roles in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The librarians were: Ms. Amira Hegazy, “Senior Specialist”, Instructional Services Unit, and Ms. Rania Hosny, “Head of Research Services Unit”. The “Study Visit” consisted of two customized 5 day tours, at the Library of Congress and the Johns Hopkins University Sheridan Libraries, as well as sponsored visits to the Walters Art Museum and selected sites in the Baltimore-Washington DC Metro area. During their visit, the librarians were hosted by several BLASCC members, who opened their homes and invited them to share a number of family and community events and celebrations. Based upon the success of the 2007 Visit, the BLASCC are again sponsoring a Study Visit, scheduled for April 2008.

Amira, Abdelwahab, , May-Jane Deed, Rania & Chris Murphy at the Library of Congress

	Trip to Philadelphia Franklin Institute: In May 12, 2007 the Sister Cities Committee organized together with the Friends of the Ancient Collection of the Walters Art Museum a trip to the Philadelphia Franklin Institute Science Museum to visit the exhibition: Tutankhamun and the golden Age of the Pharaohs. The trip included an introduction lecture by Dr. Matthias Seidel, a well-known Tutankhamun specialist, and short lectures by Dr. Sabine Albersmeier and Dr. Regine Schulz on the historical background of Tutankhamun and the excavation of the tomb of this famous king. The trip had an attendance of 58 people that was the maximum capacity of the rented bus. Egyptian Delight: Per Baltimore Hostel request, the BLASCC organized an Egyptian event “Egyptian Delight” on May 20th. The event included: Egyptian information and images, music, dancing and cuisine at the Baltimore Hostel. Renowned Egyptologist Dr. Regine Schulz,
Amy Riolo demonstrating how to make Cheese and Spinach Turnovers
Director of International Curatorial Relations, at The Walters Art Museumgave a fascinating lecture about festivals in ancient Egypt. Next, Cookbook author and culinary instructor Amy Riolo gave a presentation about Egyptian festival foods. Immediately following the presentations, guests were treated to a folkloric dance performance by the Baltimore based Sharm el Sheikh dance troupe. Next, participants were led into the kitchen where they learned to prepare Hommus bil Tahina and Cheese and Spinach Turnovers with Amy Riolo. The evening ended with dinner of a traditional Egyptian menu. After the event, participants commented that they felt as if “they had been transported to the banks of the Nile” for an afternoon. The event was very successful that the Baltimore Hostel asked us to repeat it this May.

University of Maryland Training Program: Starting in 2004, the University of Medicine School of Medicine (UMSOM) was successfully awarded a training grant from the National Institutes of Health to train Egyptian and other Middle Eastern scientists in the ethics of health research. Since then, a group of 10-12 candidates spends two months (June and July) annually at the UMSOM where they attend classes and workshops on the topic. Also, in 2006, the UMSOM was awarded another training grant from the National Institutes of Health to train Egyptian scientists in Injury Prevention research and starting in 2007, five Egyptian trainees came to Baltimore for training during the same two months. Throughout their stay in 2007, the Baltimore Luxor Sister City Committee, through the Mayor’s Office of International and Immigration Affairs, provided transportation for the two groups of trainees to and from the airport, and to social events conducted by BLASCC. The trainees were also provided with passes to the Baltimore Aquarium. On June 26th, Dr. Louis and Samia Elias graciously invited the trainees at their home for dinner which they all enjoyed tremendously, and on June 30th, BLASSC members organized a pot-luck picnic at Fort McHenry Park in their honor that was attended by many members and was very much appreciated by them. The trainees expressed their sincere appreciation for these social events and services provided by BLASCC and the Mayor’s Office of International and Immigration Affairs and considered them the highlight of their trip. They were touched by the sincere welcome of the American and Egyptian-American community in Baltimore.
	Egyptian doctors & BLASCC members at Drs. Elias’s house
	Egyptian doctors & BLASCC members at the BLASCC Annual Picnic in Fort McHenry Park

Festivals: The committee made arrangement to have the Sharm El-Sheikh Troupe to perform an Egyptian Folk dance at the ArtScape and the Baltimore’s International Festival.

International Friends of the Library of Alexandria Meeting: Abdelwahab Elabd, Samia Elias, Louis Elias and Randi Rubovits-Seitz attended the 10th Annual Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Friends Meeting. Luxor Celebration: Luxor celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Baltimore-Luxor sister city relationship in a reception at Gaddis Hotel in Luxor on October 27th. Attended the celebration tour’s members of Sister Cities International-Partnership & Peace: Tour Egypt, members of local committees and the two committee’s chairpersons, Mr. Abdelwahab Elabd of Baltimore and Mr. Ehab Gaddis of Luxor and Ms. Renee Samuels, Director of Baltimore Mayor’s Office of International & Immigration Affairs joined the celebration.

Group photo of the International Friends with Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Library of Alexandria

During the first week of November Baltimore celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Baltimore, Maryland and Luxor, Egypt Sister City relationship. The Baltimore-Luxor Sister City Committee (BLASCC) has partnered with the Mayor’s Office, the Walters Art Museum, the World Trade Center Institute, the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Maryland State Department of Business & Economic Development, to host a variety of celebratory events. The Governor of Luxor, Egypt, Dr. Samir Farag send a delegation of 9 people which includes Egyptian businesses to join the City of Baltimore in these celebrations. These events were: Baltimore- Luxor Business Seminar: In celebration of 25 years’ friendship, the Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs, and the Baltimore-Luxor Sister City Committee hosted a dynamic business seminar and networking luncheon. Participants included Luxor Governor Samir Farag delegation, Egyptian Deputy Chief mission to the US Amr Ramadan, Ms. Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, Office Director for Egypt and the Levant at US Department of State and business leaders from Egypt and Maryland. This unique seminar a comprehensive overview on doing business with Egypt was presented – gateway to Africa and the Middle East; economic development and investment opportunities for both American and Egyptian businesses; and seminars in Information Technology, Construction & Engineering, and Tourism, Medical Services. Program partners include: the Egyptian Embassy, Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development and the World Trade Center Institute.

Luxor delegation with the Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and Exchange Gifts between them

People-to-People Event: This was a family-style event provided an opportunity for Baltimoreans and the Luxor delegation to celebrate those experiences over the last twenty-five years that promoted friendship, goodwill and international relations. Program activities include greetings from Baltimore and Luxor, student musical and dance performances, 25 Year Pictorial Remembrance, Memorial for Flight 990 Exchange Students, and an international sing-along followed by a reception
School students danced and sang at the event	Luxor delegation shown at the first row

Gala Event: The BLASCC and the Walters Art Museum co-hosted a Gala event that included Egyptian lite-fare reception, folklore music and dancing performed by the well-known group “National Egyptian Folkloric Troupe of Egypt” and a Bazaar by HANDS organization. The Gala event held on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 5:00 pm at the Walters Art Museum. From 5:00–7:00 pm Art Kids Exhibit & Reception in the Walters Cafeteria; there was also tours in the Egyptian galleries, as well as information kiosks presenting the excavation of John Hopkins University at Karnak (Luxor), and the prototype of the Sister Cities project “Egyptian Corner.” The Egyptian Folkloric dance performance started at 7:00 pm in the Walters Auditorium.
Egyptian National Folk Dance Troupe performing at the Walters Art Museum
Photos from the Gala Event showing some BLASCC member, Luxor delegation with the troupe

Art Competition: An art contest was organized by the Walters Art Museum for age (pre-K-8th grade) and the artwork was displayed and three winners were selected by a committee at the Gala Event. Students Lecture Series: Five Egyptian guests provided lectures in five Baltimore schools at elementary, middle and senior high school levels. Students received first-hand information and experiences of Egyptian life and culture. In addition, students had the opportunity to ask questions and share their comments. The lectures took place on Monday November 5, 2007 from 9:00-12:00 noon. The five schools are; Dunbar High School, Federal Hill Preparatory, Bentalou Elementary School, Dr. Bernard Harris Elementary School, and Digital Harbor High School.
Mr. Mahmoud Fathy, Luxor guest, with some Digital Harbor HS students.

Luxor delegation visiting Annapolis city Hall Luxor	Delegation visiting Baltimore City Hall