Alexandria:The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is set to host an international symposium that delves into the concept of 'rebuilding' beyond mere physical construction. This event will bring together experts in architecture, art, culture, and social thought as part of the celebrations marking 90 years of diplomatic ties between Egypt and Norway.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the symposium, titled 'Rethinking Rebuilding,' is organized by the Alexandria Studies and Mediterranean Civilization Center (Alex-Med) at the Academic Research Sector. It is being held in collaboration with Sn¸hetta, the Embassy of Norway in Cairo, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), and Human Urbanism. Scheduled from October 11 to 13, the event will explore rebuilding from an interdisciplinary perspective, considering aspects such as memory, identity, trust, human relationships, and public life.

The program will commence with a keynote lecture by Kjetil Thorsen and Craig Dykers, founding architects of Sn¸hetta, the firm responsible for designing the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Their talk will address the role of architecture and design in reconstruction, emphasizing contributions to social structures, culture, trust, and belonging.

In addition to lectures, the symposium will include an array of activities such as an artistic performance entitled 'Rebuilding Humanity,' a documentary film screening of 'Still Human,' and various public discussions and advanced workshops. Sn¸hetta will also conduct masterclasses that integrate critical thinking, practical application, and architectural design methodologies, further enriching the three-day program.