International Symposium: Rethinking Rebuilding
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The Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center (Alex Med) – in collaboration with the architectural firm Snøhetta, the Norwegian Embassy in Cairo, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), and Humane Urbanism Foundation – is organizing the international symposium "Rethinking Rebuilding." The event is part of the celebrations marking the 90th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Egypt and Norway, taking place from 11 to 13 October 2026, at the Library’s Conference Center.
The symposium explores the concept of "rebuilding" from a multidisciplinary perspective, considering it a process that extends beyond the construction of buildings to the reconstruction of memory, identity, trust, human relationships, and public life.
The program opens with a keynote lecture by the founding architects of Snøhetta, the leading global architecture firm that designed the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Kjetil Thorsen and Craig Dykers, on the role of architecture and design in reconstruction beyond the physical aspect to encompass the enhancement of social structures, culture, trust, and a sense of belonging.
The program features an art exhibition specifically designed for the event, combining art and architecture titled "Rebuilding Humanity," in addition to a screening of the documentary film Still Human. The event also includes the opening of an outdoor exhibition titled "Bibliotheca Alexandrina: From Vision to Landmark," showcasing the journey of building the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and presenting, for the first time, a number of original sketches and drawings of the building and its different construction stages.
The program comprises a variety of events, including keynote lectures, public discussions, masterclasses, as well as artistic and cinematic shows. Snøhetta firm is also set to offer masterclasses that combine critical thinking, hands-on practice, and architectural design methodologies.
The event is open to the public.
For more information about the event program, please visit the website:
https://www.rethinkingseries.foundation/