Generations of writers have been inspired by the multi-cultural, outward-looking city of Alexandria. In recent history the most famous literary work by a non-Egyptian author is Lawrence Durrell’s Justine, the first volume of his Alexandria Quartet. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of his book.  The British Council and the Alexandria & Mediterranean Research Centre are co-hosting a programme of events about Durrell, the man, and Alexandria’s continuing influence on writers today.

A walking tour of the city has been specially created for participants in this celebration featuring the key places from the literary works of Durrell and others. These places will also be recorded in a printed map of ‘literary Alexandria’.

Dr Mohamed Awad, leading architect and Alexandrian, will launch a new campaign to save the Villa Ambron - not just as the place Durrell wrote some of his major works, but also the home of influential Egyptian artists Effat Nagui and Saad El Khadim - with a roundtable discussion on the issues surrounding the preservation of heritage sites in times of urban development. Dr Awad will be joined by journalist and editor Mohamed Salmawy and the writers Osama Anwar Okasha and Ibrahim Abdel Meguid. During the event books by Lawrence Durrell and all the speakers will be available for purchase from the AUC Bookstore. Date: 29 and 30 November Place: Bibliotheca Alexandrina Admission is free, anyone is welcome to attend For more information about the programme please look at the Bibliotheca’s events pages or contact us

Programme

Thursday 29 November

			9.30 a.m.		Welcome speeches Dr Ismail Serageldin, Director Bibliotheca Alexandrina Mr Paul Smith, Director British Council Egypt
			10.00 a.m.		Durrell’s Alexandria Michael Haag Lawrence Durrell’s journey to Alexandria Peter Porter The Mediterranean poetry of Lawrence Durrell
			12.00 a.m.		Coffee break
			12.30 a.m.		Readings from works of contemporary writers Ibrahim Abdel Meguid Harry Tzalas Edwar el Kharrat
			2.00 p.m.		Lunch (Greco-Roman Restaurant)
			3.00 p.m.		Durrell the man Penelope Durrell My father Lawrence Durrell Michael Haag The Alexandria of Lawrence Durrell’s time
			8.00 p.m.		Dinner at Cecil Hotel (*invitation only)

Friday 30 November

			9.30 a.m.		Traces of Durrell in the contemporary city Gordon Smith
			9.45 a.m.		Walking tour of Alexandria
			2.30 p.m.		Durrell’s House Dr Mohamed Awad
			3.00 p.m.		Roundtable Discussion Gamal Ghatani Osama Anwar Okasha Mohamed Awad Ibrahim Abdel Meguid
			5.30 p.m.		Spirit of Place: Lawrence Durrell’s Egypt (BBC film)