Speech By the Egyptian Ambassador during the launch of

the Nepal African Film festival on the 23rd of May 2011:

Honourable Minister for Information and Communications,

Distinguished members of the diplomatic community,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am deeply honored by your presence in the First ever Film festival

organized for Africa, my continent. I would like to start by commending
Dr. Manju Mishra , principal Director, College of journalism and Mass
Communication, and the two African participants Catherine Apalat from
Uganda and Yvonne Otieno from Kenya for coming up with this very
timely, forward-looking initiative that is a great platform for cultural
exchange between the different African countries and Nepal. I am
humbled by how hospitable and welcoming the Nepali people, a business
community and other non-governmental organizations have been in
supporting this initiative. It is a very gratifying feeling for me as an
African diplomat today to see how much interest there is in Africa.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This festival gives the people of Nepal the chance to know more about
the African continent, which stretches from the deserts of the Sahara to
the fertile tracts of the Nile; from the Atlas mountains in the north to the
Cape of Good Hope in the south. Africa also has a rich tradition of
leaders, environmentalists, sportsmen, states, natural beauty and it is the
home to the Pyramids of Giza, The last surviving member of the Seven
Wonders of the World .Built more than 5000 years and represent one of
the greatest architectural feats by man.

The African Movies which are going to be shown in the film festival
reflect the culture, rich civilization, and aspects of contemporary life of
six African countries, which are Egypt, South Africa, Zambia, Kenya,
Congo, and Uganda.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Egypt participates in the festival by the movie Hasan and Morqos, and
they are two names of two Egyptian citizens, one is Muslim and the other
is Christian, who have been connected together with friendship and close
relations, and it relflects the Egyptian National unity throughout
thousands of years and confirm the values of tolerance, love, acceptance,
and repect for others, who have different faiths, that have been called by
all religions.

Film is one of the most influencing media to tell the story of humankind.
Film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication
between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the
same time, serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues
of our times. And how appropriate that this event falls within the week in
which we mark the celebrations of United Nations African Day scheduled
to be marked on the 25th of May.

Finally, I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to Dr. Manju

Mishra and her team of Nepalese and Africans, who have made sincere
and serious efforts over the last months to organize the first festival for
the African film in Nepal, and I wish all the success to it.

Thank you. Shukran. Dhanyavad.

Dr. Moustafa Gendy,

Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Nepal