Alexandria, Egypt – 4 February 2025

A delegation from House of Wisdom (HoW) in Sharjah, led by Executive Director Marwa Al Aqroubi, visited Egypt’s Bibliotheca Alexandrina to strengthen cultural and intellectual ties between the two institutions. The delegation was welcomed by Dina Youssef, Head of the Library Sector, who praised the contributions of the UAE cultural institutions in advancing knowledge and heritage.

The visit took place alongside HoW’s participation in the 56th Cairo International Book Fair and highlighted its dedication to expanding partnerships with key cultural and knowledge-driven organisations in Egypt and beyond. Through dialogue with leading library officials and knowledge exchange with regional and international institutions, HoW continues to reinforce Sharjah and the UAE’s commitment to pioneering innovative, socially interactive library spaces.

During their tour of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the HoW delegation explored its various sections and museums, including the Antiquities Museum, which houses artefacts spanning four historical eras—from Ancient Egypt to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods—alongside the Coptic and Islamic art halls. They also visited the ‘In the Afterlife’ hall, which showcases mummies, sarcophagi, and artefacts from ancient Pharaonic times.

The visit also featured the ‘Culturama Shows, an immersive digital experience with a nine-screen interactive display that chronicles Egypt’s history across different eras. Additionally, the delegation toured the Children’s and Young People’s Libraries, part of the library sector dedicated to fostering a love of reading and learning among younger generations.

Marwa Al Aqroubi stated: “We were delighted to visit Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a distinguished cultural and intellectual landmark with a rich heritage deeply rooted in history. Exploring its diverse sections and museums offered invaluable insights into the breadth of human civilisation and its evolving knowledge journey. We look forward to strengthening collaboration with the library and exchanging expertise with its team, contributing to the enrichment of the Arab cultural landscape. This aligns with Sharjah’s vision as the Arab Capital of Culture, where knowledge serves as a bridge for dialogue, connection, and global engagement.”

A key highlight of the tour was a visit to the Rare Books Library, which houses a remarkable collection of early Arabic printed works dating back to the early 19th century. The delegation also explored Ahmed Pasha Kamal’s Dictionary, an extensive 22-volume hieroglyphic-Arabic-French lexicon encompassing multiple languages, including Coptic, Hebrew, Greek, Amharic, and Assyrian. Of particular interest was the opportunity to examine this distinguished work, which was recently honoured with the ICCROM-Sharjah Award for Good Practices in Award for Good Practices in the Preservation and Protection of Cultural Heritage in the Arab Region.

During the visit, both parties explored avenues to deepen collaboration and promote cultural and intellectual exchange between HoW and Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Key discussions centred on potential joint initiatives, including collaborative exhibitions showcasing rich cultural and intellectual heritage, as well as knowledge-sharing efforts focused on preserving and protecting this heritage for future generations.

The HoW delegation also visited the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is set to open its doors later this year as a showcase for Egypt’s most prized treasures and a cultural hub for significant events. During their tour, the delegation met with the museum officials to discuss future collaboration, particularly around hosting joint exhibitions and utilising the museum’s extensive library, soon to be accessible to the public.

Additionally, the delegation visited the headquarters of Egypt’s iconic Al-Ahram newspaper, where they explored its vast archival collections. Discussions focused on potential cooperation with the esteemed media institution, including the provision of digital copies of select archival materials for HoW members and visitors. This initiative aims to support researchers and knowledge enthusiasts in the UAE while enriching the futuristic library’s expanding digital collection.

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