New Egyptian library rises on ashes of old
Egypt yesterday formally opened the new $250m (£161m) Alexandria library in a ceremony attended by the heads of state of France, Italy, Romania and Greece. The library - the Bibliotheca Alexandrina - has been built on the site thought to have been occupied by its precursor, at one point the world's foremost centre of learning, which was burnt down 1,600 years ago, writes James Drummond in Cairo.
The intention today, according to the patrons of the modern-day library, is to recreate the atmosphere where Euclid, Archimedes and Eratosthenes worked. The Egyptian authorities have also tried to promote the library as a symbol of tolerance in a world divided after September 11.
James Drummond
October 17, 2002
The Financial Times
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