The Alexandria Centre for Hellenistic Studies, a joint collaboration between the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), the Onassis Foundation, the Vardinoyannis Foundation and the University of Alexandria, is now open. The opening ceremony was held last week under the auspices of Greek president Karolos Papoulias and Mrs Suzanne Mubarak who is also head of the board of trustees of the BA.
Serageldin said the newly opened centre will focus on the 700 years since Alexander the Great founded Alexandria—a period which was dominated by Egyptian Greek thought and culture. Scholars from the world over may study for Masters and Doctorate diplomas in Hellenistic studies, in History; Literature, Art, Archeology and Architecture, Philosophy and Science. Professors from the Alexandria University, Cairo University and European Universities will teach in the center. The lectures will be given in English to university graduates from all majors, where non-specialist students will study for two years to get a diploma that qualifies them to obtain master’s and doctorate degrees. Courses begin next January.
To honour the opening of the centre, an exhibition “Approaching Heaven”, featuring Byzantine icons of the Velimezis Collection from the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation and the Benaki Museum was held. It runs till 20 December.
Highest honour
In a recent ceremony held at the French embassy in Cairo, the French ambassador Jean-Felix Pagnon decorated the director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Ismail Serageldin with the insignia of Knight of the French Legion of Honour, on behalf of the French president. Mr Pagnon said that Serageldin was honoured in recognition of his outstanding role as visionary and humanist, as promoter of Franco-Egyptian cooperation, and an ardent advocate of the dialogue of civilisations. He spoke of the brilliant success of the Bibliotheca as a place for the promotion of human rights, tolerance, pluralism, science, and dialogue between cultures. Serageldin expressed his gratitude for the great distinction conferred upon him by this award which was established by Napoleon in 1802 as an order of merit, and which was the only insignia he wore since then for the rest of his life. The French Legion of Honour is the highest decoration of France and is awarded to recognise excellence in civil or military conduct.