THE REBIRTH OF A ‘CULTURAL INSTITUTION OF KNOWLEDGE, IDEAS, AND EXCELLENCE’ IN EGYPT

Egypt is in a state of flux and its creative juices are flowing. The Egyptian people are speaking their minds and making change happen. I recently visited the renowned library of Alexandria – the Bibliotheca Alexandrina – and was blown away by this impressive institution.

Researching the history of the institution, I learned that the original library was located 200 metres west of its current location. That was the Ancient Library of Alexandria, the largest and most significant library known to the ancient world in its prime. Built during the reign of the Ptolemaic dynasty, this institution flourished as a centre for knowledge and education. Inaugurated in 2002, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina encapsulates the original, serving as a commemoration of the Ancient Library, which was lost in antiquity when it was burned down. The new site is inspiring, standing as an impressive nurturer of knowledge, serving the minds and imaginations of Egypt’s students.

It was great to see this library being used to its full potential, because it is so much more than a library; it is a highly interactive space that caters to a massive audience and really encourages people to visit, whether they are studying or not. Its contents include millions of books, a vast Internet archive, six specialist libraries, four museums, a planetarium, and much more. Students from neighbouring universities make up 80% of library users, and a small admission fee is charged for members of the general public, who are given full access to the library and its facilities. This is a fantastic way to welcome members of the general public to this space of learning, culture, and creativity. Egypt is undergoing massive change, and it is therefore important to foster enlightened thinking and creative expression to unleash the country’s potential and move forward. This is not just a library - it is an event, an outing - and Alexandria is extremely lucky to play host to such a remarkable place.

The word on everyone’s lips, however? Money. How did Egypt pay for all of this, and how does it receive funding? The decision to build the library was championed by UNESCO and the former Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak. Funding for the construction of the Bibliotheca was provided by a number of institutions. Totalling USD $220 million, some $120 million was provided by the Egyptian Government and approximately $65 million from Arab states, with the remainder raised by various charities. The library is a non-profit organisation, and depends on charitable donations and volunteer support. The Bibliotheca encourages donations, as this is an institution for the people of Egypt, and it is up to themto record their history by bringing to light the hidden gems of eras gone by.

After finding the perfect location on the corniche (coastal road) of the Mediterranean, the next step was to design and create something unique and inspired. UNESCO organised a design competition in 1988, the winner of which was SnØhetta, a Norwegian architectural firm. The library’s disc-shaped design represents the revolutions of time and the constant flow of knowledge, and its building blocks were transported to the site from Upper Egypt and Aswan. Such architecture is highly original; the ‘eyelids’ allow the entrance of sunlight into the library and filter the rays, such that there is no resulting glare, and the ‘eyelashes’ on the outside protect the building from the elements, keeping rain, sand, and dust at bay. Furthermore, the colours of the earth were chosen to embellish the library: blue to resemble the sky and the sea, and green to embody plants and trees. The shape of a lotus flower – a symbol present throughout the history of Egypt – adorns the ceiling. The lotus is often associated with rebirth, and has come to symbolise the sun and creation within the study of Egyptology. This symbolism ties in perfectly with the rebuilding of the Ancient Library, and its rebirth as a cultural institution of ideas, knowledge, and excellence.

This is an institution for the people of Egypt, and it is up to them to record their history by bringing to light the hidden gems of eras gone by

I found the library’s interior equally as impressive as the façade. It provides readers with an area of openness and light, reflecting the concepts of knowledge gathering and enlightenment. Beautiful wood panelling and granite and oxidised brass pores serve to minimise sound, whilst also creating a sense of grandeur and simple elegance.

This leads me to the Bibliotheca’s digitisation projects. The library is innovative, evolving with technology and the recent shifts in publishing, to ensure that its archives are preserved and stamped in time for all to see and access in a state of perpetuity online. The formidable digitisation project is entitled DAR (meaning ‘house’ or ‘home’ in Arabic), and is also an abbreviation of ‘Digital Assets Repository’. This repository will house over 200,000 books, digitising the history of Egypt from 1800 to the present day. There are currently 21 volumes in the online collection, bringing the digitised history up to 1980. Their current digitisation projects, among others, include the biographies of the Egyptian presidents Nasser and Sadat (supported by Nasser’s daughter, the Nasser Foundation, and Sadat’s wife), and The Memory of the Suez Canal. The curating of these projects is an open, all-encompassing process, supported by donations from the public.

There is a strong sense of community spirit surrounding the Bibliotheca. Perhaps this was most tangible during the 2011 uprisings, which saw the country in a state of great unrest and disdain towards the Mubarak regime. An inspiring sight was witnessed when the youth of Egypt gathered to protect the library from looters and protesters. Afterwards, Ismail Serageldin, the library’s Director gave thanks for the protection offered to Alexandria’s heritage and its cultural sites from ‘lawless bands of thugs’. It is such acts of strength that will keep Egypt on the right track. Though she may waver along the way, change will come with time, along with a unified sense of spirit and a belief in the potential for something great. The Bibliotheca is a fine example of Egypt’s capabilities to inspire minds and foster research. I look forward to seeing many more of these initiatives in Egypt’s bright future.

About Sarah Zakzouk: Sarah Zakzouk is a writer working between Dubai, London, and Saudi Arabia. Sarah's writing focuses on the arts, culture, and gender politics of the Middle East. She currently runs  BOOKED Literary Events, a forum for cultural and literary exchange, and can be followed on Twitter @sarahzakzouk.