Khaberni - Great anticipation dominates the art scene before the grand opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, where a group of art stars will participate, led by the esteemed artist Sherihan.
Egyptian local media have revealed that top art stars will participate in the grand opening ceremony of the anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum, led by the distinguished artist Sherihan, who returns to the stage to present a spectacle that blends Egyptian heritage and modern visual fantasy, alongside artist Hanin al-Shater and Nubian singer Ahmed Ismail, who will present musical segments reflecting Egypt's cultural and civilizational diversity.
The event takes place this evening at the museum square in the Shooting Range area, and preparations have been made over several weeks, including closing the museum to visitors for a full 19 days, starting from October 15 until November 1, to complete the final preparations for the anticipated event.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is one of the largest cultural projects in the world, being built on an area of 127 acres. It includes six main sections, among them the Grand Hall that hosts statues of Ramses II and Merneptah and several Ptolemaic kings and queens, in addition to the exhibit halls of King Tutankhamun and the museum of King Khufu's boats, which will be officially opened during today's presidential ceremony.
Who is Sherihan?
Sherihan, an Egyptian theatrical actress born in 1965 in Cairo to a middle-class family, is the daughter of lawyer Ahmed Abdel Fattah Al-Shalqany, one of Egypt’s foremost law professors, and her mother, Awaatif Mahmoud Hashem, a successful businesswoman and former model. Among her siblings are the late musician Omar Khorshid, and Wegihan, wife of sports commentator Faiz Al-Zumar, and Hayda, who married director Karim Diaa Eddin.
Sherihan initially studied law to help her father in his work, but her passion for art drove her to become a show dancer and actress. She received training in expressive dance and ballet in Paris, and was discovered by artist Abdel Halim Hafez through her brother Omar Khorshid. She began her cinematic career with films "Quarter Dozen Villains" and "A Cat on Fire".
The beginning of her artistic journey
Sherihan began her artistic journey at the age of four, moving between theater, cinema, and television. She stopped working in 2002 due to illness but made a strong comeback in 2021 with a television advertisement during the month of Ramadan.
Sherihan experienced a transformation after participating in the film "Bitter Bread" in 1982, and in 1985 she entered the world of riddles to become one of the leading stars of spectacle in Egypt. She starred in theatrical shows such as "Watch Your Daughters" with star Fouad Al-Mohandes, "For the Sake of Your Eyes," and "Mohamed Ali Street" in 1994, achieving wide popular success in the Arab world.
A pivotal moment in Sherihan's life
She was involved in a serious car accident in 1990, which resulted in a spinal fracture. She also faced another challenge with a diagnosis of cancer in the salivary glands and underwent surgeries to remove the tumor.
Sherihan presented a number of films that achieved notable success, among the most prominent: "Bitter Bread" (1982), "The Virgin and the White Hair" (1983), "Raya and Sakina" (1983), "Be Careful of Your Mind" (1985), "The Collar and the Bracelet" (1986), "Crystal" (1993), "Dead Cheap" (1996), "Consoling the Hearts" (1998), "Sweat of Dates" (1999), "Love and Blood" (2002).
In addition to her films and plays, Sherihan has presented a number of successful TV series, including: "The Miracle," "Mercy," "A Thousand and One Nights," "My Blood, My Tears, My Smile," "The Exam," "Fire and Smoke," "Hearts Together," "Report to the Public Prosecutor," and "Hassan and Na'ima."
Sherihan.. The Icon of "Ramadan Riddles"
Sherihan excelled in presenting riddles, thus becoming a prominent figure in this field, and among her famous ones are:
"Color Riddles" in 1985, where she portrayed various characters and performances.
"A Thousand and One Nights Riddles" in 1986, through the character of Princess Wardshan.
"Riddles Around the World" in 1987, taking viewers on a tour with multiple characters.
"Needs and Necessities Riddles" in 1993, where she portrayed the character of Bdour Zeerda adding a comedic touch to the riddles.
Egyptian star Sherihan
The latest works of Sherihan
Sherihan returned strongly after a thirty-year absence through the play Coco Chanel in 2021, directed by Hadi El Bagoury, where she portrayed the legendary designer Coco Chanel, presenting nine musical performances.
The play was filmed in 2019, starring Hani Adel, Engy Wegdan, Hanan Youssef, Ayman Al Qaisouni, Samar Morsi, and Tamer Habib, and was released on the "Shahid" platform on July 20, 2021.
Sherihan has married twice; firstly to businessman Allal Al Fassi, which ended in separation. Later, she married businessman Alaa El Khawaja, and they had two daughters, "Lulu" and "Talia Al Quran". This marriage caused widespread controversy, especially since Alaa El Khawaja was previously married to actress and media personality Essaad Younis.
Sherihan announced that her marriage to Alaa El Khawaja was her being the second wife, and confirmed that she had a daughter named “Lulu” from this marriage. The announcement caused widespread controversy and mutual accusations between her and Essaad Younis, although the latter retracted her accusations and declared her humanitarian stance, saying: “I approached Sherihan to build a loving family, and I found her to be a kind and honest person. I began to pray for her recovery and healing from the disease.”
She added: “It's rare to find a man with the chivalry and tender feelings of Alaa El Khawaja, he is one of the noblest men”. She continued, saying: “Despite my opposition to polygamy, there are exceptional cases that require acceptance and understanding, and I chose that we live together as a loving family for the sake of our children”.
