Egyptian and French Culture Ministers Farouq Hosni and Christine Albanel, respectively, inaugurated Monday13/10/2008 Bonaparte and Egypt, Fire and Light exhibition at the Arab World Institute in Paris.

The exhibition showcases 350 antiques collected from several places, including the British Museum and Library, the Napoleon Museum in Arenenberg, Switzerland, the Art and History Museum in Geneva, Egypt's Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Islamic and Coptic Museums in Egypt.

The two Ministers inspected artifacts displayed at the exhibition which showed how Egypt and France were influenced by each other since the French Campaign in Egypt (1798-1801).

The word "fire" in the exhibition's title symbolizes the fire of the French invasion to Egypt, while the light represents the cultural and scientific impact of the campaign on Egypt.

The campaign has brought the French people to be fascinated by Egypt's civilization and its Arab, Islamic and oriental culture.

The exhibition that reflects on Napoleon's Egyptian campaign from 1798 to 1801, provides a new angle on French-Egyptian relations in the 19th century, in particular after Napoleon's expedition to Egypt in 1798.

Visitors will follow a chronological display alternating between French and Egyptian creative work, a shifting point of view on a key moment in history between two fast-evolving nations.

Fifteen countries are taking part in the exhibition displaying ancient pieces from 50 international museums.

The displayed relics represent the French Campaign, Bonaparte's invasion of Egypt, land and maritime battles, samples of French and Egyptian weapons used as well as clothes and furniture of the era.

The exhibition also displays several books on the campaign and screens documentary films on the historic event.

The exhibition will close in Paris on March 29, 2009, then move to the French city of Arras on May 16 until October 19, 2009.