Russian-Egyptian cultural night honours late Arab theatre lady Samiha Ayoub - City Lights - Life & Style

Al-Ahram Weekly

5 days ago

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.
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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.
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