A young Egyptian pianist has won first prize at the 'Roma' International Piano Competition. Born in Egypt, Mirette Hanna, 23, studied music at the Cairo Conservatory followed by the Haute Ecole de Musique de Genève in Switzerland, and the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Montpellier in France. She continues to be actively involved in Egypt's music scene, giving concerts and participating in educational programmes organised by international artists. Hanna won Absolute First Prize - the competition's top award - ex-aequo with Nadav Verbin. Other awards included the Prize of Four Hands, which this year saw only second and third prizes awarded. The 'Roma' International Piano Competition, which concluded on 11 November,  is an annual event organised by the Cultural Association "Fryderyk Chopin" (AFC) operating in Rome. According to the association's website: "Founded in 1987 by Marcella Crudeli, world-renowned pianist and concert artist," the AFC's mission is to "organise cultural activities in general, both in Italy and abroad, particularly in the fields of music, theatre and film." Source: Ahram Online