The Omar Toussoun commemoration at BA
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Alexandria, 18 February 2005—Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA), inaugurated the celebration held in commemoration of Prince Omar Toussoun, Prince of Alexandria, on 17 February 2005, welcoming the attendants.
Following Dr. Serageldin’s words, was a speech by Dr. Mohamed Awad, Director of the Alex-Med Center at BA that is organizing the celebration. Dr. Sahar Hamouda, Associate Professor, Department of English Language and Literature, Alexandria University, then presented the monograph launched during the occasion, of which she is the author. The monograph, prepared by the Alex-Med Center, is entitled Toussoun: Prince of Alexandria, and comprises five chapters that portray the Prince’s life through some of the most momentous events of Egyptian history. The monograph also sheds light on the different facets of Omar Toussoun’s personality; how he was a member of the Egyptian royal family, and yet was simultaneously greatly attached to Egyptian civilians. A list of all his publications in Arabic and French are found at the end of the monograph.
Dr. Mahmoud Abaza, then gave a brief about the Prince’s role in Egyptian politics and how he had a strong opinion in favour of Egyptians. Dr. Abaza was followed by Dr. Mostafa El Abbadi, Professor of Greco-Roman History, Alexandria University, who spoke of the Prince’s contribution to the Archeological Society of Alexandria, and how he was patron to their activities.
During the occasion, documentaries were displayed featuring Prince Omar Toussoun and his life in Egypt.
Mr. Ahmed Abdel Fattah, former President of the Greco-Roman Museum, then spoke of the antiquities and the archeological findings in Toussoun’s land, later donated to the museum.
Mr. Mohamed Abdel Meneim and Dr. Azza Karara also spoke of the prince and their dealings with him and how he was a great man who was engaged in researching and in helping to solve his country’s problems. He commanded the love and respect of the Egyptian nation and contributed much to the progress of Egypt.
The close of the celebration was marked by Prince Hussein Toussoun, giving a speech thanking BA and presenting it with a donation that comprises a collection of rare books, journals, periodicals, maps as well as rare books about the Monasteries of Wadi Al–Natroun and their monks in Arabic and French, in addition to books on antiquities, especially the sunken antiquities in Abu Qir in Alexandria.
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Speakers during
the celebration |
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The donation |