Dr. Ahmed Zayed Opens the “Art of Living” Seminar at the BA
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Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, stressed the Egyptian state’s commitment to culture and art, which was clearly reflected in the recent remarks by H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who stated that “Egypt is a country of arts and creativity” and not merely “a country of recitation,” noting that the artistic spirit has accompanied the Egyptians since ancient times across various fields and is an integral part of their identity, as seen in the inscriptions on temple walls and the use of colors.
These were the opening remarks of a seminar titled “The Art of Living: Different Perspectives on Humankind,” organized by the Center of Francophone Activities (CAF) in collaboration with Senghor University, as part of the Francophonie Month celebration. The event witnessed the participation of Thierry Verdel, President of Senghor University; Suhaila Salama, President of the Francophone University Agency in Alexandria; Engy Sherif El-Samanoudy, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Francophone Affairs; Som Visal, Ambassador of Cambodia to Egypt; and Olivia Toderean, Ambassador of Romania to Egypt. It was introduced by Dr. Marwa El-Sahn, Director of the Center of Francophone Activities (CAF) and was attended by Dr. Mohamed Soliman, Acting Deputy Director of the Library, and Heba El-Rafey, Acting Head of the Library’s External Relations and Media Sector.
Dr. Zayed said that art is a fundamental element in building culture, as it contributes to elevating moral and civic values in people and fosters a spirit of diversity and cultural dialogue, free from intolerance, narrow-mindedness, and extremism. He also mentioned that art offers multiple perspectives due to its connection to various aspects of life.
It is worth mentioning that this year’s conference aims to shed light on humankind as the focal point of contemporary transformations, particularly in light of rapid technological transformations and growing societal challenges. Through this event, the organizers seek to chart the course toward a more balanced and harmonious life, while respecting cultural and linguistic diversity.