Celebration of Alexandria’s Founding Day under the Theme “Alexandria: The Birth of a Cosmopolis”
Posted on
Under the patronage of the Governorate of Alexandria, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the Greek Embassy in Cairo, a celebration of Alexandria’s Founding Day will be launched under the theme “Alexandria: The Birth of a Cosmopolis," on Friday, 24 April 2026, to celebrate Alexandria as a symbol of intercultural coexistence, embodying the spirit of the city and reflecting the ideals upon which it was founded.
The program includes a festive parade featuring Egyptian and Greek children and youth dressed in traditional costumes and carrying the flag of Alexandria, in a symbolic expression of the nature of its earliest inhabitants and how it brought them together in harmony despite their cultural differences. The parade begins in front of the Greco-Roman Museum on Fouad Street, passes by the statue of Alexander the Great in Saet Al-Zuhour Square, and ends at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, where Egyptian and Greek folkloric performances will take place on the Plaza of Civilizations.
The opening session will be held in the Great Hall of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Conference Center at 2:00 pm and will feature official and cultural speeches on the city’s significance and historical role, along with a lecture on Alexander and Alexandria, and a screening of the documentary Alexandria: Empire of Ideas. An art competition inspired by the history of Alexandria will also be held, together with an exhibition of archaeological artifacts from the Hellenic Research Institute of the Alexandrian Civilization, showcasing the results of excavations at Shallalat Gardens over the past twenty years.
Dr. Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, stated that this major event celebrates the founding of the city of Alexandria, highlighting its rich history and its abundant cultural, scientific, and artistic heritage. He underlined the Library’s pride in collaborating with its partners to organize this celebration, stemming from a shared commitment to reviving human heritage and promoting the values of dialogue and tolerance upon which the city of Alexandria and its international library were founded.
For his part, Eng. Ayman Attia, Governor of Alexandria, said that the celebration of the city’s founding anniversary embodies the unique historical status the city has enjoyed throughout the ages and reflects its ongoing role as a bridge connecting different civilizations and cultures. He stressed the governorate’s commitment to supporting events that highlight Alexandria’s cultural identity and strengthen its position at the regional and international levels.
The celebration is organized by Alexandria Governorate, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Greek Embassy, the Archaeological Society of Alexandria, the Consulate General of Greece in Alexandria, the Hellenic Research Institute of the Alexandrian Civilization, and the Greek Community of Alexandria.