Conference of the International Committee for Egyptology opens
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Alexandria, 22 September 2005—The conference of the International Committee for Egyptology (CIPEG) in the International Council of Museums (ICOM) was inaugurated at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), 22 September 2005. The conference, 21-24 September, aims to promote cooperation and exchange among museums and participating countries.
Its opening session began with a brief address by Mr. Sabry Abdel Aziz, Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCM), who spoke about museums in Egypt and their role in promoting awareness of Egyptian culture.
Dr. Regine Schulz, Chairperson of CIPEG in ICOM, then shed light on CIPEG, its background and founding. She also affirmed the need for museum professionals to cooperate and share their experiences in order to better understand heritage and better serve their visitors.
Following Dr. Schulz, Dr. Joanna Aksamit, Secretary of CIPEG in ICOM, reported on the previous annual ICOM meeting that took place in Paris (June 2005).
Concluding the opening session, Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, highlighted how museums are essential players in contemporary culture. He spoke about the Ancient Library of Alexandria, its scholars and many roles, one of them being a museum. He introduced the new Library of Alexandria and its mission, pointing out the extensive cultural heritage documentation taking place at the Library. Dr. Serageldin also indicated how false dichotomies are sometimes associated with different cultures, and the importance of museums in bringing cultures closer together.
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| The Opening Session Speakers |