As part of the Lecture Series of the Egyptian Cultural Bureau in London, Serageldin gives a talk at 6:30 pm today, at the British Academy’s central London venue just off Pall Mall (10 Carlton House Terrace). The lecture is entitled "Rebirth and Revolution: The Story of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina". He tells the story of the Ancient Library of Alexandria, of its destruction by a series of fires, and how it was revived 1600 years later on the same spot. He speaks of the challenge of recapturing the spirit of the ancient library in the context of the 21st century, and now amidst the revolutionary turmoil of Egypt. Professor Carole Hillenbrand OBE, Chair of the Academy's Middle East Panel, will chair the event.
The British Academy was established by Royal Charter in 1902. It is an independent fellowship of leading academics which supports and champions excellence in the humanities and social sciences.
On the following day, 29 May 2013, Serageldin gives another lecture entitled "Memory, Culture and Hope: Reinventing Relations between the West and the Muslims". The event will be held at 5:00 pm at the Egyptian Educational & Cultural Bureau, at the Institute of Education, Drama Studio.