First Lady of the United States of America visits the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
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Alexandria, 24 May 2005—H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, First Lady of Egypt and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, accompanied Mrs. Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States of America, during her first visit to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The visit was also attended by Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
During the tour, Mrs. Bush was introduced to the Main Reading Area, the Young People’s Library and Children’s Library, where she expressed her admiration of the structure and facilities. The visit also included a presentation of the projects: “My Book: Digital and Printed”, the “Book Mobile”, and “Hole in the Wall”, as well as a tour of the Manuscript Museum and Rare Book Collection; the “Impressions of Alexandria” exhibition; the Antiquities Museum; and last but not least the Culturama show. In addition, Dr. Serageldin presented the Alexandria Declaration to Mrs. Bush referring to the many scientists and specialists who contributed to the preparation of this declaration.
Signing in the BA Guestbook at the end of the visit, Mrs. Bush wrote, “From a librarian, what a wonderful building, a cathedral to the book, and an example to the rest of the world”.
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| Mrs. Mubarak welcomes Mrs. Bush at the BA |
Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Mubarak at the Young People’s Library |
Mrs. Bush visits Callimachus Triangle with Dr. Serageldin |
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| Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Mubarak visit the Awad Collection |
Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Mubarak pose with members of the BA staff |
Presenting the commemorative limited edition of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Montegrappa Pen, co-sponsored by UNESCO & Montegrappa, to Mrs. Bush |
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| Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Mubarak visit “My Book: Digital and Printed” |
Visit to the Manuscripts Museum |