At the Gothenburg Book Fair, which this year focused on Africa, Serageldin gave a lecture presenting the role of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in reviving the essence of its ancient counterpart by acting as a modern day centre for scholarship, culture and free speech, and as a platform for dialogue between cultures and peoples. Together with Ambassador Carl Tham, who was moderator and conversation partner at the seminar, Serageldin also discussed the future role of libraries, especially in an African perspective.
The Book Fair, which is visited by 100 000 visitors every year, took place over four days from 23 to 26 September, with over 70 guests from 25 countries from the continent of Africa, and 800 participants from 36 other countries. The Fair presented to the public the richness and diversity of African literature and culture, in a comprehensive program of seminars and events, and in its exhibition halls and ongoing activities at the stands.
Among the African writers and personalities visiting the Fair and taking part in the seminars and activities were Mpho Tutu, preacher from South Africa who has written Made for Goodness, together with her father Desmond Tutu; the Zimbabwean author Petina Gappah, winner of Guardian First Book Award 2009; feminist Nuruddin Farah from Somalia; and Nobel prize winner Nadine Gordimer from South Africa.