The French Institute in Alexandria yesterday launched its 5th round of “Narrating and Writing the Mediterranean Basin” which runs till 23 October. The 10-day festival will be honouring Mediterranean writers and intellectuals, among them the French Dominique Fernandez, the Egyptian Khaled al-Khamisy, the Moroccan Kawtar Harcha, and the Algerian Mustafa Ibn-Fadil.
This round will celebrate not only literary only but also various other ‘writings’ such as works inspired by musical arts as in the joint works of Abdallah al-Minyawi and Marc Nammour, and those inspired by ‘theatre arts’. Comedienne Garance Clavel is presenting readings, to music by violinist Ayman Asfour.
The festival is introducing several round table discussions and seminars. Among the topics open for discussion is the position of the Arab World in the heart of the Mediterranean region.
There is also a major exhibition: “The Mediterranean: Pastor and Father” by the famous photographer Ferrante Ferrant; in addition to films and music performances that highlight the richness of the various cultures of the Mediterranean yesterday, today and tomorrow.
In addition to the magnificent 19th-century building of the French Institute, the festival will be hosted in several venues in the city. These include the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Greek Consulate, public schools and universities, and Downtown cafes. A tour will be arranged to ‘rediscover Downtown’s majestic houses’ considered cosmopolitan jewels of architecture.
This festival round will tackle threatened Alexandrian heritage and efforts by civil groups to give it a cultural rebirth.
Watani International
14 October 2014