Held as part of the BA Center for Coptic Studies Cultural Program, the lecture will revolve around the voyages made by the Dominican theologian Vansleb to Egypt. During his first visit in 1664, he wrote down the history of the Coptic Church and published it in 1677 in French. During his second visit (1672 – 1673), he wrote a book in which he discussed significant events related to the Coptic Church.
In this context, the lecture will discuss the importance of travel literature in Egyptian history and the history of the Coptic church; a short biography of Vansleb; details about the religious life of the majority of the Egyptian people; the state of the Coptic church; the city of Alexandria during the first visit; in addition to a brief mention of the second visit to Egypt and its outcomes.
The lecture will be delivered by Father Wadi Awad Al Fransiskäni, Franciscan Center of Christian Oriental Studies in Cairo.