The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) is launching a new programme on Coptic studies. The three-month course will be held in Cairo, organised jointly by the BA Coptic Studies
Programme and the Egyptian Association for the Conservation of Egyptian Heritage (EACEH), Director of the BA Special Projects Department Khaled Azab, said. It will be held under the auspices of Pope Tawadros II and Minister of Culture Mohamed Saber Arab.
A number of lecturers specialised in Coptic studies and the arts, and working at various Egyptian universities and institutes are contributing their expertise and knowledge to the new programme, Lu’ai Mahmoud, Coordinator of the BA’s Coptic Studies Programme explained. The lectures will focus on Coptic heritage, language, arts, architecture and monasticism.
In light of the motto adopted by the BA, “Coptic Heritage is the heritage of all Egyptians”, the programme will focus on the relationship between Coptic and the Islamic heritage, as well as the common historic grounds that unite them.
Maged al-Raheb, head of EACEH said that, remarkably, Muslims and Christians of all walks of life have shown eagerness to participate in the upcoming programme. He said the EACEH will organise awareness and artistic activities on the sidelines of the programme, in order to increase awareness of the importance of heritage and highlight its impact on the future of Egypt.
Watani International
2 January 2013