24 September 10, 2017 Travel www.thearabweekly.com

Agenda

Khouribga: Through September 16

Up to 14 feature films from 14 countries are to compete for the prestigious Grand Prix Sembene Ousmane of the African Cin- ema Festival. Begun in 1977, the Khouribga African Film Festival is one of the oldest film festivals in Morocco. The festival pro- motes film-making in Africa, highlights the art’s potential and strengthens exchange and cooperation between African producers. Dubai: Through December 31

“La Perle” features 65 artists performing amazing stunts and aerial antics above an on-stage The Bent Pyramid at Dahshur, about 40km south of Cairo, Egypt. (AP) pool filled with 2.7 million litres of water in a state-of-the-art, custom-built theatre. The show takes place at Al Habtoor City. Dahshur pyramids set the standards Tangier: September 14-17

The 18th Tangier’s Jazz Festival for Egypt’s ancient architecture features international and local jazz artists at one of Morocco’s premier cultural events. Over four days, visitors can attend free Ahmed Megahid prove to be very useful later when It lies close to the tomb of King street performances, free dance Sneferu ordered the construction of Hor of the 13th Dynasty and the courses and jazz concerts. another pyramid, one that sought to burial site of his daughter Nub- Manama: Cairo avoid the mistakes of the turned- hetepti-khered. September 14-23 bent one,” Okasha said. Around the Dahshur pyramids, he Pyramids Plateau in Thus, the Red Pyramid, the there are the cemeteries of the of- Alayam Cultural Fair is a book Giza might be many times largest of the pyramids in Dah- ficials of the Old Kingdom and the sale event with the participation more famous, more vis- shur and Egypt’s first smooth- Middle Kingdom. of celebrated publishing houses ited and more read about sided one came into existence. What makes Dahshur a site from the Arab region and other than Dahshur, the royal The pyramid, which derives worthy of visiting, Madbouli countries. The fair is accompa- Tnecropolis 40km south of Cairo, its name from the colour of said, is that it can be part of nied by many cultural activities. but the Giza pyramids were con- its limestone, is the third larg- a package tour including the structed using lessons from the ne- est in Egypt, after Cheops and Pyramids Plateau in Giza and Cairo: cropolis. Chephren in Giza. Saqqara, another wonderful September 22-24 “A reading of the history of the The experience the pharaohs necropolis, 15km south of pyramids of the necropolis shows acquired in Dahshur formed Dahshur. CairoComix Festival, produced this to be totally true,” said Adel construction knowledge that Meanwhile, the first phase at the American University in Okasha, an official of the Ministry helped them master their of the New Egyptian Muse- Cairo’s Tahrir Square Campus, of Antiquities. “The Dahshur pyra- work for many years to come. um, only metres from the Pyr- brings together artists, publish- mids set the standards of pyramid It caused a change in the pyra- amids Plateau, is expected to ers, speakers and fans of comics building in Egypt for many years mid construction techniques, be inaugurated in early 2018. from Egypt and around the world after their construction.” opening the door for the exist- The museum, which has been for an extensive programme of ence of smooth-sided pyramids under construction for more exhibitions, talks and workshops long after steep-sided pyramids than a decade, will replace the about the comics industry. Around the were the only structures possible. museum in downtown Cairo. Dubai: Dahshur pyramids, Sneferu’s son, Cheops, outdid “When opened, the New Mu- September 27-30 there are the his father in pyramid construction seum will be a strong source of at- by building his own on the Giza Pla- traction to the area,” Madbouli said. cemeteries of the The Dubai International Dance teau. The Cheops Pyramid in Giza “This will give the chance to a large Festival is a multi-arts event that officials of the Old is by far Egypt’s largest and most number of people visiting the Pyra- has a reputation for attracting Kingdom and the famous. It is 146 metres tall. His mids Plateau to visit wonderful well-known dance companies, Middle Kingdom. father’s Red Pyramid is 105 metres sites like Dahshur as well.” classical dance academies, youth tall. It takes visitors almost half an orchestras, bands and music Located in the desert on the west “Despite this, the pyramids in hour from the Pyramids Plateau to ensembles from across the world. bank of the Nile, Dahshur boasts a Dahshur are a study in architec- arrive in Dahshur. The festival is a catalyst for the number of pyramids, the most im- ture,” said Abdel Monem Madbouli, Transportation of all types is creation of new work and crea- portant of which is the Bent Pyra- a tour guide. “This is why they are available and the ride is not expen- tive activity, with an educational mid. The pyramid provided a good popular among those who want to sive. It cost history student Khalid programme and artistic col- learning experience for pyramid get information about the evolution Mahmoud and a group of friends laborations with organisations builders in Egypt, one that shaped of ancient Egyptian architecture.” $44 to travel from southern Cairo to throughout the United Arab the ancient Egyptians’ knowledge Cheops could never have built A broken wooden statuette Dahshur and $5 each for entry fee. Emirates, the rest of the Middle about construction of the gigantic his pyramid the way he did without found by a Japanese mission “The whole journey cost us this East and elsewhere. structures. lessons learned from his father’s inside an unidentified burial amount of money, which is negli- Sneferu, the founding monarch mistake. shaft in Egypt’s Dahshur gible compared to the value of the Abu Dhabi: of the Fourth Dynasty who or- The Black Pyramid is the third Necropolis, south of the Giza place,” Mahmoud said. “We made October 6 dered the building of what became biggest pyramid in Dahshur. It Plateau. (AFP) a tour of the pyramids as well as the Bent Pyramid, envisioned a dates to the rule of Amenemhat III, the burial sites but the impression The third Caribbean Beach Festi- smooth-sided structure but the a pharaoh of the 12th Dynasty who we got was that the pharaohs were val celebrates Caribbean, African, result was a pyramid bending to- ruled from 1860-1814BC. Though so perseverant that they could not American and Latino cultures wards its centre because of a mis- it is not in a very good shape, the rest before they mastered pyramid through music, food and dance. take in the base design. Black Pyramid continues to attract building as an art of which they be- The event takes place at Yas “Nevertheless, the mistake would visitors to the necropolis. came the world’s masters.” Beach and features food trucks, games, international acts and acrobats. London: October 19-November 5

The Nour Festival of Arts high- lights contemporary Middle East- ern and North African arts and culture in venues across Kens- ington and Chelsea in London. The festival programme features exhibitions, music, cinema, food, talks and dance performances. The remains of an ancient Egyptian pyramid that We welcome submissions of were discovered near calendar items related to the well-known Bent cultural events of interest to Pyramid of King Sneferu travellers in the Middle East in Dahshur. (AFP) and North Africa. Please send tips to: [email protected]