Under the auspices of Pope Shenouda III, the ninth International Congress for Coptic Studies was held at the St Mark’s cathedral grounds in Abassiya, Cairo, from 14 to 20 September, organised by St Mark Foundation for Coptic History Studies.
The event is held every four years. Cairo was chosen for this year’s congress since 2008 marks one century since the Coptic Museum was established.
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III was not in Cairo—he was in Cleveland for medical treatment—but he gave a word of welcome to the participants in the congress, which was televised through a projector screen.
The chairman of the congress, Theofried Baumeister, delivered a speech in which he expounded about the history of foundation of the International Association for Coptic Studies (IACS). He said that the IACS was founded on the occasion of the First International Congress of Coptology in Cairo, the Colloquium on the Future of Coptic Studies, held in December 1976.
The writer and intellectual Gamal al-Ghitani talked of his being Coptic—Egyptian—by identity but Muslim by religion.
A magnificent performance of Coptic hymns was presented by the David Choir, conducted by George Kyrillos.
IACS is a non-profit organisation designed to encourage and contribute to the progress of all aspects of Coptic Studies by promoting international cooperation in the field and advancing the dissemination of information about relevant work. In particular, it brings to the attention of younger scholars the whole range of Coptic Studies.
