A Message from the Director

It is a unique privilege to write these words as the first Director of the new Library of Alexandria. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a vast cultural complex rising from the shores of the Mediterranean and only a stone's throw from the location of the ancient library of Alexandria, is a new Egyptian enterprise of international scope and ambition.

It is our hope that the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina will be a worthy successor to the great ancient library of Alexandria. That great library was a unique ecumenical effort, a testament to the human intellect and imagination, and it remains etched in the memories of all scientists and intellectuals to this day. The era of the ancient library is undeniably the greatest chapter in the history of Alexandria, but our great city, founded by Alexander and home to Cleopatra, is a city of living history and renewed imagination. For 2300 years, it has inspired the creative talents of scholars and artists from Callimachus to Lawrence Durrell. Even today, the past is come to life as underwater archaeology brings to light the sunken treasures of Alexandria, and captures the imagination of the world with glimpses of bygone glory.

It is in this setting that we celebrate the new Library of Alexandria. A library for up to eight million books, three museums, seven research institutes, several exhibition galleries, a planetarium and a conference center that can accommodate up to 3000 guests. The beautiful and symbolic new complex is today a distinctive landmark of the new Alexandria.

Before we turn to the future, however, it is fitting that we should salute all those whose vision and dreams launched this great enterprise more than a quarter century ago. From the role of UNESCO to the architects, engineers and contractors; from the management of the project to the workers who labored in the quarries. From the associations of friends of the Library all over the world to the eminent people who served on the international commissions; from the generous government donations to the many individual donations. All must be thanked for having brought us to this important stage. We especially salute the driving force behind this project, H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, who has tirelessly championed the cause of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and charted its continuing course. She has eloquently enumerated the Library's four primary objectives. The new Bibliotheca Alexandrina is to be:

• The world’s window on Egypt
• Egypt’s window on the world
• An instrument for rising to the challenges of the digital age
• A center for dialogue between peoples and civilizations

The way forward is difficult and exciting. The Library of Alexandria will seek to establish itself as an international center of excellence in a variety of chosen areas, around which the collections strategy and schedule of seminars, conferences, exhibitions and dialogues shall be organized. They include:

• Science (with a special emphasis on the ethics of science and technology)
• Humanities (with special emphasis on the new scholarship and historical studies)
• Arts and culture (with a special emphasis on intercultural dialogue and criticism)
• Development (with a special emphasis on water and gender)

The means to move forward entails partnering with many eminent institutions of learning around the world, whether in an ongoing manner or through specific events such as seminars, conferences and exhibitions. But equally important will be connections to the civil societies in Egypt and the world. It is here that the associations of friends of the Library of Alexandria are playing an invaluable role.

Supported by the Council of Patrons, guided by the Board of Trustees and in constant touch with the friends of the Library in Egypt and all over the world, the staff of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina are building an institution worthy of bearing that great name. In the words of Mrs. Mubarak, we hope it will indeed be “a source of pride for Egypt and the world”.

Ismail Serageldin Librarian of Alexandria