 Inauguration of the exhibition entitled Thebes –the City of Gods & Pharaohs at Czech Capital Inauguration of the exhibition entitled Thebes –the City of Gods & Pharaohs at Náprstek Museum for Asian and American cultures , affiliated to the Czech National Museum. The exhibition, which is expected to last until 24 February 2008, will shed light on Thebes as one of the most important civilization and religious Centres existing today. Within this context, an overview of the city's history will be presented since ancient ages through its development under Christianity at the first ages A.C . The exhibition included lots of Czech and Slovak pharaonic artefacts as well as artefacts displayed in a number of German Museums. On the other hand, the Museum's inauguration was an occasion to commemorate the death of the Egyptian Czech Egyptologist" Yaroslav Cherny " (1898-1970) , who made significant contributions , particularly through his researches about ancient Egyptian religions , in which he made use of papyrus and fossils from the city's monastry.  Second: An Egyptian Indian Cultural Week organised in India The Egyptian embassy in New Delhi organised the activities of the Egyptian Indian Cultural week during the period 19-24 October, which included several cultural activities in Sringar and Mumbai such as holding an exhibition for Plastic arts, and photography. The exhibition was organised in coordination with the Egyptian Ministry of culture, and the Indian council for cultural relations. Reda folklore troupe also made four fine dancing performances during the cultural week in NewDelhi and Sringar in Kashmir.  Oum Kolthom Musical troupe tours several cities in the United States Oum Kolthom Musical troupe toured several cities in the United States namely Washington, NewYork , Chicago, Detroit, and Raleigh. The troupe gave several successful performances which attracted large audiences from the Arab communities living in the US as well as from the Americans themselves. The troupe started their performances in NewYork on 24 October in coordination with an artistic Egyptian American association. The performance was attended by more than 600 people, and the tickets were all sold out . The troupe, gave its second performance, afterwards, on 27 October at the Opera House in Detriot , which is one of the biggest opera houses in the United States. The performance was attended by more than 220 audiences. ACCESS organisation, the largest Arab American Organisation … The Egyptian American club at Raleigh, Capital of North Carolina also hosted the troupe on 29th October, thereby stressing the keenness by the Egyptian Community there in maintaining continuous contacts with their native country. The performance was greatly welcomed by the Americans as well the Arab American Community. The troupe afterwards organised a performance in Chicago in cooperation with the National Folklore troupe on 4th November at one of the biggest theatres of Maryland University. The performance was attended by Arab Ambassadors accredited in Washington and more than 800 audiences.  A new US initiative for Cultural exchange between Egypt and the US The US launched a new initiative for Cultural exchange with Egypt entitled "Big Read" US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs presented a detailed account of the initiative to the Egyptian Embassy in Washington. The initiative consists in coordinating with the American Art establishment to translate an Egyptian novel to English , and circulate it to schools institutes and libraries in the US to read and comment on it and give an account about it within the framework of the novel's comprehension to all categories of education. The novel can also be screened if turned into a film or a musical, to acquaint US youth with Egyptian culture and literature. On the other hand, a US novel will be translated to Arabic to be circulated later in education circles and Egyptian libraries. The American Art establishment had initiated a similar experiment with Russia, and chose Egypt later as a second country for a similar enterprise owing to its renowned history and distinguished literary works worldwide.  The Egyptian Cultural festival in Canada The Egyptian cultural festival was held in Canada from 13-19 November, headed by Mr AbdulMoniem Kamel , Director of the Egyptian Opera house. The festival's activities started with the inauguration ceremony which took place on 15 November in Montreal. The festival included various performances for the opera troupe as well as a solo for the Egyptian artist Nesma AbdulAziz. An exhibition for photography was also organised on the sidelines of the festival for the Egyptian artist Dr.Samir Saad. The troupe performed for two nights in Montreal and one night in Ottawa. The performances were attended by representatives from the Federal Government and the Provinces, parliamentarians and several Canadian officials and prominent Egyptians living in Canada. The performances also attracted huge audiences.  An exhibition for Egyptian antiquities in Istanbul The Egyptian Consulate in Istanbul held an exhibition for Egyptian antiquities in the main hall of the International school in Istanbul, which was established in 1911 and in which 90 students from various nationalities are currently studying. The exhibition which is expected to last till the next Christmas celebrations , was inaugurated by Egypt's Consul General who also met with the students and held discussions with them and answered their inquires concerning the displayed items as well as the Egyptian history, civilization and culture and the role of the Consulate in propagating them. The Egyptian included samples from Egyptian , pharaonic , Islamic and Coptic arts , a collection of Islamic paintings and several maquettes of pharaonic statues , wooden maquettes of solar oats , samples of handicrafts and ornaments in addition to a lot posters and tourists brochures distributed to students . Tourist and publicity documentaries about Egypt and its various tourist attractions were screened as well.