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A
lot brings Egypt and Japan together. One country
is the Middle East peace-maker and the other is
the Far East peace propagator since the end of
World War Two.
Each of the two countries has a pivotal role to
play in its region's affairs and future prospects.
When an earthquake hit Egypt late 1994,
Japan sent assistance, and early 1995 the former
rushed to help when the latter had a similar
dilemma.
Both countries also are after a permanent seat at
the UN Security Council, amongst others like
Germany, Italy, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, India
and Nigeria.
During the official visit of President Mubarak
to Japan in April 1983, and as an
expression of its strong desire to bolster the
already cordial bilateral relations, the
government of Japan gave Egypt a gift of 50
million dollars (6.5 billion yen) to set up
a new Cultural Center in Egypt. In the middle of
the numerous cultural center buildings at Al-Gezirah
by the Nile side in Cairo rose the elegant and
modern Cairo Opera House. The place was originally
used as an international exhibition ground.
Clustering round the Opera House, the premises
combine other cultural installations such as the
Nile Hall for the Arts, the Modern Art Museum and
the Planetarium. |
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The New
Opera House and Surroundings |
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What a fantastically suitable place for the new
Opera House to be set up; erected against the
everflowing abundant Nile waters and charming
green area. This site sits between Kasr El-Nil
Bridge and Al-Tahrir Square in the
centre of Cairo where there is the Egyptian
Antiquities Museum. So the area has a great
cultural significance. A Japanese company designed
and supervised the implementation of the Japanese
Aid Organization-financed project after the
initial studies were made and the cornerstone laid
on March 31,1983.
Thanks to cooperation between the Egyptian &
Japanese architect teams, the Islamic
architectural style premises harmonized
fascinatingly with the surrounding environment.
Total area including all installations is some
772.22sq. m, the building is some 13.855sq .m. The
Opera House building stands 42m high, besides a
basement and seven upper storeys. A large part of
the building is made of a bow-like marble,
ceilings rest on iron pillars with marble-covered
floors, many places are furnished with carpets and
the outer layer of the building is covered with
magnificent Egyptian marble.
Parking is at capacity of 100 cars. There are
green areas and sculptured tableaux, in addition
to newly-set up fountain and an iron fence.
Observing the general atmosphere of the opera,
four-storey galleries were set up, as well as
three theatres.
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