Invited to participate in the two-day Global Round Table Conference organized by Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Serageldin arrived in Budapest one day earlier in order to visit The National Széchényi Library (NSZL). During his visit he gave a lecture entitled “Bibliotheca Alexandrina: past, present and future”, which was very well received.
A Memorandum of Understanding between the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) and the NSZL , was signed by Ismail Serageldin as Director of the BA and László Tüske, as Director-General of the NSZL wherein both libraries agreed to promote and facilitate close co-operation and further cultural relations of both countries.
Founded in 1802, the NSZL owes its establishment and name to Count Ferenc Széchényi, who sought out Hungarian books in Hungary and abroad, brought them together into one single collection and donated his collection to the nation.
