Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, inaugurated a new wing (Exploratorium and exhibition spaces) and presided at a Gala reception celebrates the passing of a year since the formal inauguration of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) on 16 October 2003. The event coincided with the visit of the international Associations of friends of the BA, and a particularly large contingent of Greek friends who joined in organizing a part of the evening. A special show was organized with their collaboration. In parallel to the meeting of friends, a seminar on the culture of peace was held. Ismail Serageldin addressed that seminar with a thoughtful intervention on the changing international scene including the evolving role of the concept of national sovereignty in an increasingly interdependent international system.