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The Bibliotheca Alexandrina celebrates the Aga Khan Award

Alexandria, 23 December–

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) held a celebration, on Thursday, 23 December 2004, to honor those who participated in making this great project a reality, on the occasion of receiving the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA), among seven other architectural designs. Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, delivered a welcoming speech and a comprehensive presentation introducing the AKAA and demonstrating the winning projects since the establishment of the Award in 1977. Dr. Serageldin also gave special emphasis to the Ninth Award Cycle, 2002-2004 which includes the Bibliotheca Alexandrina project.

Some of the prominent figures that were honored in this celebration were Governor Abd El-Salam El-Mahgoub, Governor of Alexandria, Dr. Mohsen Moharam Zahran, Director of the Construction Project of the Library of Alexandria, and Professor of Architecture at the Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, and Mr. Mohamed El-Dakroury, Deputy Head of State Council, and the Legislative member in charge of following up the project of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, among others.

The Aga Khan Award for Architecture, established in 1977 by His Highness the Aga Khan, recognizes examples of architectural excellence that encompass contemporary design, social housing, community improvement and development, restoration, re-use, and area conservation, as well as landscaping and environmental issues. Through its process, the Aga Khan Award seeks to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of societies in which Muslims have a significant presence.

The Aga Khan Architectural Award is organized on the basis of a calendar spanning a three-year cycle, and is governed by a Steering Committee chaired by the Aga Khan himself. Prizes totaling US$500,000, the largest architectural award in the world, are presented every three years to projects selected by an independent Master Jury. The award has completed eight cycles of activity since 1977, and documentation has been compiled on over 7000 building projects located throughout the world. To-date, the Master Juries have identified 84 projects which deserve to receive awards.

The rebuilding of the Library of Alexandria has helped the city regain its former status as a center for learning and exchange and has provided the city with a landmark building that is technically outstanding. The spirit of international cooperation in which the BA was devised, funded, designed and implemented has been maintained in its management to create an institution that is truly global in its outlook.

The Award		The Certificate