The BA and the Russian House Celebrate the 65th Anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s Historic Space Flight
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The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, in collaboration with the Russian House in Alexandria, hosted a major celebration marking the 65th anniversary of the flight of Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human to travel into outer space.
The events began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the bust of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin at the Planetarium, an annual tradition that both institutions have been keen to organize for over a decade. It was followed by the opening of a photo exhibition documenting highlights of Gagarin’s flight alongside a number of Russian astronauts, as well as several paintings created by children depicting their artistic vision of space science.
Ms. Heba El-Rafey, Acting Head of the BA External Relations and Media Sector, said that this celebration reflects the Library’s appreciation for achievements that serve humanity and endorse the advancement of science.
She also highlighted the historical ties that connected Gagarin to Egypt during his 1962 visit and his meeting with the late President Gamal Abdel Nasser, who granted him the Order of the Nile in recognition of his achievement.
For his part, Mr. Arseny Matyushenko, Director of the Russian House in Alexandria, highlighted the scientific significance of the 1961 flight, explaining that the 108 minutes Gagarin spent in Earth’s orbit laid the foundation for massive technological advancements in the fields of communication and scientific research.
He also noted that Gagarin has become a human symbol of cooperation and friendship among peoples, praising the partnership with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina under the leadership of Dr. Ahmed Zayed to preserve this shared scientific legacy.
The event’s program included a screening of a special documentary inside the Planetarium, a gift from the Russian space agency “Roscosmos” to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which explores the history of astronomy as well as the evolution of space travel and its future prospects.
The celebration concluded with a tour of a children’s drawing exhibition titled “Space Through Children’s Eyes” and the distribution of certificates of appreciation to participants in the drawing competition, as part of both parties’ efforts to foster scientific awareness among young people and encourage them to read and explore space science.