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Alexandrian Library Opening DelayedEgyptian President Hosni Mubarak postponed indefinitely the planned April 23 inauguration ceremony for the showcase Biblioteca Alexandrina, saying that such celebrations are inappropriate in the wake of Israeli-Palestinian violence, the Associated Press reported April 14. First Lady Suzanne Mubarak was to have opened the $230-million library in Alexandria, located not far from the site of the famous Alexandrian Library, which served as a center for scholars throughout the ancient world. The library opened for a trial six-week run in October 2001, shortly before construction was completed. Ismail Serageldin, a former vice president of the World Bank, was selected as the library’s first director in May 2001. Mubarak sent letters of apology to the heads of state and other VIPs who were scheduled to attend the festivities. Norwegian celebrities who had been invited, including Queen Sonja and jazz saxophonist Jan Garbarek, were particularly disappointed, since the new facility had been designed by the Norwegian firm Snøhetta, according to the April 15 Oslo Aftenposten. Hundreds of Egyptian schoolchildren had also been scheduled to sing at the opening ceremony. Posted April 22, 2002. |
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