"Be Our Friend_Competition"

Students at the Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin Culture Centre were given one week convey in drawing or  writing what the culture centre means to them as part of the "Be Our Friend" competition held there in July 2012.

The followings are samples of the drawings received in response to the competition. This is how our family and friends in Eldeweir feel about the centre and its activities.

We would like to thank all the participants for their immediate response and effort, as well as their teachers for their valuable assistance.

"Be Our Friend_Competition_ Drawings"

"Be Our Friend_ Competition_Sketches"

July's Volunteers at the Culture Centre

FABDS would like to extend its gratitude to all interns who are currently volunteering at the Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin Culture Centre in Assiut; taking the time out to contribute to this noble cause, and toughing out the -sometimes- unflattering living conditions in this part of the country.

Helena Shen
Jarmila Oskerova
Kyriaki Arampidou
Lemon Zhuo
Mennat-allah Mourad
Rebecca Sunderland
Sophie Dai
Sonila Metushi
Vaibhav Pathak
Yaqeen Fouad
Zyad Abd-Elhameed

We appreciate all your efforts and hope that you'll find this experience fulfilling

Short video documenting some of FABDS' social and cultural activities in Upper Egypt

Formation of the Society

The Friends of Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin Society (F.A.B.S.) is a social and cultural charity registered in the Arab Republic of Egypt (no. 4285 of 1996) in commemoration of the late writer Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin. It was founded in order to help realize the goals and principles, which he defended through his work over the course of 40 years, up until the onset of his illness in 1990 and his passing away in 1996.

Through its various activities, and the "Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin Cultural Centre" in Assiut, the Society aims to become a cultural beacon serving the people and societies of Upper Egypt so that these individuals, through creativity, innovation, freedom of opinion and pursuit of knowledge, may have the tools that will enable them to implement change and progress in their society. 

This is done through the following objectives:

1. Cultural development - through encouraging youth to partake in art in its various forms; drama, literature, cinema, music, pottery and photography. Encouraging the participation in literary competitions, research, study, and the dissemination and publishing of literary works.
2. Development of skills and abilities - in particular, computer, language and translation skills. 
3. Human development - through various social activities and trips, the elimination of illiteracy, extra-curricular classes, and seminars to raise awareness. This is intended to supplement the education received in schools.
4. Supporting Arab cultural works through cooperation with Arab cultural institutions - encouraging cultural exchange amongst youth. 

Board Members of the Society

         Chairman:   Dr. Hazem  Albiblawi

 Vice Chairman:   Mr. Muhammad Selmawy

         Secretary:    Dr. Karima Khalil

         Treasurer:    Dr. Ziad Bahaa-Eldin

Board Member:    Mrs. Ghada Wali

Board Member:    Mrs Leila Bahaa-Eldin 

Board Member:    Mr. Alaa Soueif

The Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin Culture Centre, Assiut

In 2004 the Governorate of Assiut donated a 320m²   plot of land in Eldewir, Assiut (the village where Ahmed Bahaa-Eldin's family were from) to the Society in order to build a culture centre.

The Engineering firm, "Dar el Hendesa", volunteered to design the building, which incorporates modern features into a traditional architectural form, while respecting the preservation of natural resources. 

The building process includes:

• Children's general and specialized libraries.
• A free reading room.
• Various classrooms.
• Language and Computer classrooms.
• A lecture theater.
• A film screening room and theatre.
• An open air theatre.
• Guest and management accommodation.
• A cafeteria and meeting room.

From 2005 to 2009, generous donations made to the Society have funded the construction of the centre. The centre was inaugurated on the 16th December 2010. 

The opening party was a great event, attended by key Egyptian and Arab thinkers and intellectuals as well as residents of the village who took part in cultural activities from all over Upper - Egypt.