On 24 February 2009, Alex Med launched the fourth book in its monograph series: From Camp Caesar to Cleopatra’s Pool : A Swiss Childhood in Alexandria 1934–1950 by Esther Zimmerli Hardman. This monograph is an English translation of Esther Zimmerli Hardman’s memoirs, in which the author recounts her childhood in Alexandria and the lifestyle of her family and of the Swiss community in the city, with its traditions and customs living alongside the other foreign communities as well as the Egyptians.

On the occasion of the book launch, Esther Zimmerli Hardman came especially from Switzerland to read extracts from her memoirs to the audience. A talk was also given by the monograph’s translator, Dr Carole Escoffey, on the history of the Swiss in Egypt and of the Swiss Community of Alexandria.