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Bibliotheca Alexandrina
a wonder of the modern world

The Library of Alexandria that has been dominating the city of Alexander the Great and Konstantinos Kavafis since October 2002, constitutes one of the greatest lighthouses of culture and knowledge in the world as well as one of the greatest centres of dialogue among populations, honouring its founders and above all the spirit of the Ancient Greek Culture.

 

The modern Library of Alexandria is not simply a state of the art, rich in books and electronic files library, but also an integral and hyperactive cultural organisation! It already includes three museums, four exhibition centres, seven research institutes, a planetarium and a laboratory for the children’s acquaintance with art and science. Conferences, lectures and cultural events are scheduled almost daily and the interior as well as the exterior of the Library are full of young people and visitors from all over the world.

All the Egyptians, especially the President of Egypt, Mr Hosni Mubarak and his wife, Suzanne, Chair of The Board of Trustees of the Library, are particularly proud of Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the entire intellectual world actually bows before it.

 

The vision for the reconstruction of the Ancient Library of Alexandria is now a fact, thanks to the persistence and the determination of the Egyptian government, the touching activation and the multidimensional contribution by many populations – included the Greek one-, international organisations- mainly UNESCO-, and personalities from all over the world.

The Minister of Culture of Greece of that period, the unforgettable Melina Merkouri participated in the first committee established for the foundation of the Library of Alexandria; the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Ms Marianna V. Vardinoyannis who is an active member of the Advisory Board of the Library also participated in the first Board of Trustees of the new Library.  Furthermore, the Greek "Friends of Bibliotheca Alexandrina" actively helped its reconstruction, and they continue their action on the spread of its work.

From the initial idea till its implementation, the reconstruction of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, its organisation and Statutes are exclusively inspired and based on the universal role the legendary ancient Library of Alexandria had 2300 years ago and for 7 consecutive centuries. The implementation of this inspired project, under the auspices of UNESCO along with the contribution of countries and personalities from all around the globe, testify its indisputable universality. This is symbolically indicated by the impressive granite exterior surface of the Library, on which the letters of all the alphabets of the world have been engraved; this has already become a landmark of the city of Alexandria.

 

The vision of its founders was that the Library of Alexandria be the new Lighthouse of knowledge and science, the world's window on Egypt, Egypt’s window on the world, an instrument for rising to the challenges of the digital age and the centre for dialogue between people and civilisations; all studies for the construction and organisation of the Library were based on this vision of universal character. Finally, the fact that the Board of Trustees of the Library, the body which decides on the policy and planning of the programme, is constituted by personalities of international prestige, Egyptians or not, ensures its universality.

The current Greek presence is evident in any dimension. First of all, the name of Bibliotheca Alexandrina is composed by a glorious Greek name and a Greek word. Secondly, it is located on the place of the ancient one, so that its history and its universal role remain indelible in the memory of scientists, academics as well as simple people from around the world. It is not possible to speak of the modern Library of Alexandria without referring to the ancient one, the legendary Library which was born and functioned for seven entire centuries, thanks to the spirit, vision, imagination, insight, will and creativity of Greek people. It is not possible to refer to the Library of Alexandria without seeking, remembering, commenting and admiring the inspired work of Greek culture; the first and unique centre of concentrated global knowledge in the history of humanity, where the bases of mechanics, astronomy, mathematics and geography were placed. Moreover, modern Greece and modern Greeks also contributed and keep on contributing to the Library of Alexandria.

In particular, apart from her action as a member of the Board of Trustees till 2008, and then onwards as a member of the “Advisory Board” of the Library, the President of the “Foundation for the Child and Family”, Ms Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, has also taken on many initiatives concerning the promotion of the work of the Library, offered many sponsorships, organised three lectures by the Director of Library, Dr Ismail Serageldin, in Greece, aiming at informing the Greek public about the work carried out in the New Library of Alexandria. She has also supported the foundation of the International Institute for Peace Studies which has operated in the Library since 2006; along with the Chairman of the Alexander S. Onassis Foundation, Mr Antonis Papadimitriou, they have financed the foundation of the Centre for Hellenistic Studies in the Library, etc.

2011
UNESCO Heads of States Forum
There is HOPE!
Cultural Heritage - Climate Change - The teacher's role - Presentation of the book "The country of two suns"
International Women's Day - The Educational Institute AKMI IVT honours Marianna V. Vardinoyannis.
The "Pancretan Association of Athens" honours Marianna V. Vardinoyannis.
Marianna V. Vardinoyannis "Woman of the year 2011".
Excellence Awards, Greeks who are Role Models for the New Generation.
Presentation of the Greek publication of Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis' book "Labouring with the Challenges of Female Identity: Insights into Minoan Society".
2010
Presentation of the book "Labouring with the challenges of female identity: Insights into the Minoan society" at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
The Global Forum against human trafficking.
Marianna V. Vardinoyannis - ELPIDA Children's Oncology Unit.
Makistos smiles again!
83000 signatures for the "1GOAL: Education for All" campaign.
10th Annual Meeting of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors
An event for the "1GOAL: Education for All" campaign.
International campaign supporting Greece.
The international "1GOAL: Education for All" campaign.
First meeting of the Friends of the Aswan Heart Centre.
2009
Global Campaign for the Climate Justice.
Inauguration of the new Acropolis Museum.
Declaration of the International Conference "Climate Change and Challenges for the Future Generations".
International Conference "Climate Change and Challenges for the Future Generations".
International Conference «Crossing Borders to Protect the Children of the World» and the Cairo Declaration.
International Conference in Bahrain "Human Trafficking at the Crossroads of East- West" and the Manama Declaration.
Summer Deaflympics - Athens 2013.
2008
The Vienna Forum against human trafficking.
Mothers - Olympic Champions of Love.
Universal call for the Climate Change.
The 4th Global Youth Employment Summit on the fight against poverty and unemployment, in Azerbaijan and the Baku Declaration.
The appeal of Ancient Olympia.
The “Alexandria Center for Hellenistic Studies” in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Marianna V. Vardinoyannis "Great Lady of the Patriarchal Throne of Alexandria".
2007
2nd Workshop on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts.
The Chart of Paris against cancer.
The first Oncological Hospital for children in Greece.
Lecture of the H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak in Athens, Greece.
Fairuz Concert in Athens, Greece.
International Youth Forum for Peace in Sharm El Sheikh.
Global Humanitarian Forum.
Makistos smiles again.
2006
Round Table " The Business Community against Human Trafficking".
Fundraising Dinner to support the “End Human Trafficking Now” global campaign.
The "Athens Principles" in Davos.
International Center for Peace Studies.
Protecting youth from drugs.
The Multicultural Children Centre “Athina” in Belgrade.
1st Workshop on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts.
Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur.
2005
Helping the children of Palestine- Fundraising dinner in Cairo.
The UN Millennium Development Goals and Civil Society.
The Declaration of 22 Greek organisations on the UN Millennium Development Goals.
2004
Exhibition of Traditional and Contemporary Handicrafts from Jordan.
International Conference “Women in the Service of Peace” in Paris.
International Conference “Women defending Peace” in Geneva.
2003
2nd European Conference of Legal Practitioners on juvenile matters.
Exhibition "Breaking the Veils", Exhibition of women artists from the Islamic World, at UNESCO.
Exhibition “The Unity of an Unique Monument: the Parthenon”, at UNESCO.
The Mentor Awards.
Awards to mothers.
2002
Bibliotheca Alexandrina. A wonder of the modern world.
Mother: A Symbol of life, hope and peace.
Speak Truth to Power: Human Rights Defenders who change our world.
Contemporary Societies - Multicultural Co-existence- The position of the child.
The protection of the World Cultural nad Natural Heritage.
2001
The child: victim of war and messenger of peace.
2000
A Model Area for creative activities in the Municipality of Ano Liosia.
Mother: A Symbol of life, hope and peace.
Children: Symbol of hope, will, courage.
The Meeting of Athens and Delphi on Children and Peace.
The Declaration of Delphi on Children and Peace.
1st International Conference for the Culture of Peace.
Early Childhood Resource and Training Center in Bethlehem.
1999
By the side of mothers and children behind bars.
Juvenile disappearance and abduction.
The Hague Appeal for Peace.
International Conference “Family and Children in the European society of the 21st Century” in Paris.
Support for the children - victims of war in the Balkans.
By the side of the earthquake victims.
International Conference “Sexual abuse of children and paedophilia in the Internet”.
1998
A three-point shot for a life.
European Forum "FAMILY - EUROPE - 21ST CENTURY: Vision and Institutions".
Family and the mass media.
Presentation of the Minutes of the European Forum "FAMILY - EUROPE - 21ST CENTURY: Vision and Institutions"
1997
International Conference “Priority to the Dignity and Safety of the children in Europe”.
By the side of the children of Xanthi.
Embracing children suffering from AIDS.
The International Convention on Children's Rights and the role of the European Union.