Message to BA from UK Friends

The UK Friends send all best wishes to the Director and staff of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina as they redirect programmes to offer cultural and scientific services remotely. We have been supporters of the new library for nearly thirty years, initially advising on its collection policy, and later contributing importantly to its collection. In this era of new and unexpected challenges, we are confident it will now prove, more widely than ever, its immense value to the great city of Alexandria, to all Egypt and all Africa and, as a acknowledged peer in its field, to the global community.

15 April 2020IFBA

Maryland-Virginia-Washington, DC Friends

We appreciate the diligence and dedication of the staff at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, especially during this coronavirus crisis. With all its efforts to bring services online, the BA is truly proving itself a highly valuable cultural institution and not simply a repository for books. Thank you!

Latvian Friends

Jebkura krīze paver jaunas iespējas. Bibliotēkai ir ārkārtīgi svarīgi ne tikai saglabāt savu lomu sabiedrībā, bet arī ieviest jauninājumus. Tas ir vajadzīgs arī tāpēc, jo kad viss būs beidzies, mūsu sabiedrība būs cita, mūsu lasītāji mainījušies un mēs paši domāsim un darīsim lietas savādāk. Mūsu kolēģis Dāvids Lenks (David Lankes) ir teicis, ka tas, kas nogalinās mūsu profesiju, nebūs e-grāmatas, Amazon vai Google, bet izdomas trūkums.Aleksandrijas bibliotēkas latviešu draugu biedrība novēl Aleksandrijas bibliotēkas kopienai veselību, drosmi, vienotību un izturību šajos pārmaiņu laikos!)

When this crisis is over, the library will not only have proven its value to society, but also its ability to innovate and be creative. It will be highlyappreciated by the readers, who will also have changed their habits, acquired new skills and explored opportunities. Our colleague R. DavidLankes said, «What will kill our profession is not e-books, Amazon, orGoogle, but a lack of imagination.» Latvian Friends Association of theLibrary of Alexandria wishes the Bibliotheca Alexandrina community goodhealth, courage, unity and strength to continue nurturing an ever-creativeapproach in these changing times!15 April 2020

IFBA

California Friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Rosalie Amer, Chair

In checking your website message “The BA is closed to the public” we’re reminded of similar signs on many of our beloved institutions including libraries, museums, educational facilities, theaters, and science centers in our nation. Your message hit us like a brick! The places, buildings we’ve entered, the resources that we’ve accessed and valued, we now navigate electronically, remotely, sheltering at home or lockdown due to our national, state and or local policies. We are confronted and challenged by an unseen contagion, a global pandemic called Covid-19, a coronavirus swirling around us in the air. Our current mode of group communication is through Zoom, Webex, or the like. The virus knows no bounds and kills the young, middle aged, and seniors indiscriminately, jumping oceans through human travel. Until a vaccine is tested and determined successful, we seem to be living in fear. When we do go out of our homes we distance ourselves physically from others, wearing abbreviated face masks and gloves. Within the past month our lives have changed dramatically and our movement curtailed– at work, in traveling, doing our normal daily activities.

The IFBA and in particular the California Friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which celebrates its 30th year in late 2020, express to your staff continuing friendship and support. Our thoughts are focused on your well-being, your safety and protection. We look forward at some time in the future to be able to travel easily within our state and nation, then across oceans, seas, and eventually to visit Egypt, and our Alexandria with its world class library again. Inshallah!

During April this year the Abrahamic faiths celebrate Passover, Western and Orthodox Easter, and Egypt observes Sham Al Nessim on 20 April. Wishing you all deeply significant holidays, most likely not on the Nile or in a park, but at home away from crowds. And, on the 24th begins the Muslim month of fasting. Ramadan karim! 15 April 2020

IFBA

15 April 2020IFBA

Chers amis de la BA,Au nom de l'Association Française des amis de la Bibliotheca Alexandrina, je veux espérer que vousêtes tous en bonne santé et que chacun se protège au mieux pendant cette terrible crise.Je veux aussi vous assurer de tout notre soutien à toutes les initiatives que vous prenez pour proposer des services en ligne de la Bibliotheca à la population d'Alexandrie et d'Egypte pendant la fermeture de la bibliothèque.Prenez soin de vous et de notre belle bibliothèque. Vous avez toute notre admiration et notrerespect.

Avec amitié,

Dear friends of the BA,On behalf of the French Association of Friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, I hope that you are all healthy and that everyone is protecting themselves in the best possible way during this terrible crisis.I also want to assure you of all our support for all the initiatives you are taking to offer bibliotheca's online services to the people of Alexandria and Egypt during the library's closure.Take care of yourself and our beautiful library. You have all our admiration and respect.

With friendship,

GERALD GRUNBERGPresident of the Association of Friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina

This is my goodwill message to the BA and to the IFBA CHAIRS :

While the BA friends and ourselves are locked in our homes, this is an appropriate moment to pause and reflect on what we are learning from the coronavirus experience. Here are some thoughts shared with a friend :* We are learning how precious life & our health are.*We are learning how to connect while we are apart with Zoom and otherinternet tools.

*We are learning the importance of community.*We are asking ourselves if busy-ness leads to a better life.*We realize how superficial our materialistic desires are.*We are recommitting to make a difference in a world using our gifts to help each other.* We are exploring our spiritual lives & trusting in our belief in a higher power.

To all our friends at the BA & elsewhere - hang in there & there will be light at the end of the tunnel .

Aida Khalafalla Ph.DChair- Minnesota Friends Of The Bibliotheca Alexandrina

15 April 2020IFBA

Cyprus Chapter April 2020

Σε ένα δοκιμαζόμενο κόσμο, εμείς το Κυπριακό Μέλος των Φίλων της Βιβλιοθήκης της Αλεξάνδρειας, θέλουμε να στείλουμε την αλληλεγγύη μας και την συμπόνια στους ανθρώπους για τις δυσκολίες που αντιμετωπίζουν στην εποχή μας. Πιστεύουμε ακράδαντα ότι η Βιβλιοθήκη της Αλεξάνδρειας θα σταθεί σε περίοπτη θέση ούτως ώστε να οδηγήσει την ανθρωπότητα σε ένα λαμπρό κοινό μέλλον. ‘

In a beleaguered world, as the Cyprus Chapter of the Friends of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, we would like to send our solidarity and the compassion to the people and the difficulties that they face nowadays. We strongly believe that Bibliotheca Alexandrina shall stand prominently in order to guide humanity to brighter common future.

15 April 2020IFBA

15 April 2020IFBA

Italy Friends

Mexico Friends

A TODOS LOS INTEGRANTES DE LA NUEVA BIBLIOTECA DE ALEJANDRÍA La Asociación de Amigos de la Biblioteca de Alejandría México, A.C., reconoce el preponderante papel que desempeña en la actualidad la Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Es un gran recinto que alberga conocimiento, cultura y arte así como el lugar de encuentro, año con año, de quienes nos sentimos orgullosos de difundir su uso y conocimiento alrededor del mundo. En estos momentos de necesaria calma y reflexión, la Bibliotheca Alexandrina nos recuerda que entre su acervo hay historiasde episodios parecidos al que enfrentamos en estos momentos y que, a pesar de todo, muchas civilizaciones con menos recursos de los que tenemos actualmente, lo superaron y reforzaron su actitud ante la vida. A todos los directivos y colaboradoresque forman parte de la Bibliotheca Alexandrina les deseamos que tanto ellos comosus familiares salgan victoriosos de esta prueba. Cordialmente.

TO ALL THE DIRECTORS AND STAFF OF THE BIBLIOTHECA ALEXANDRINAThe Asociación de Amigos de la Biblioteca de Alejandría México, A.C., recognizes the preponderant role that the Bibliotheca Alexandrina currently plays. It is a great venue that keeps knowledge, culture and art as well as a meeting place that, year after year, hosts those of us who are proud to spread its use and knowledge around the world. In these moments where calm and reflection are needed, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina reminds us that among its heritage there are stories of similar episodes like the one we are facing now and that, despite everything, many civilizations with fewer resources than we currently have, surpassed and reinforced their attitude towards life. We are sure that all the members, directors and staff, who are part of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, as well as their families, will succeed in this experience.

Gloria S. Pérez del Valle AABA México15 April 2020

IFBA

Egypt Friends

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The BA ,for us as Alexandrians, isn't just a place. It's a great symbol of culture and civilization in our beloved Alexandria.

We express all our sincere wishes to our BA in these very special circumstances as the Coronavirus spreads. Hopefully, hardships will never last and BA will remain a symbol of unity for all our friends across the world. This hardship, although peculiar and maybe unbearable, brings all the humans together. It teaches us a lesson…a big one…no place for hatred, racism or conflicts. We are all humans...We share the same woes, fears and weaknesses. Peace , tolerance and acceptance should prevail. It's time to get the lesson. Hand in hand, humans, we stand.

15 April 2020IFBA

15 April 2020IFBA

Chile Friends

"El mundo esta cambiando. Nuestro planeta ha creado una forma de calmar a los humanos que caminan sobre su corteza.Hemos golpeado duro con máquinas de hierro y hemos excavado sus entrañas. Querida Tierra, ahora puedes respirar y descansar de nuestros pasos apresurados."

The world is changing. Our planet has created a way to calm humanswalking on its crust. We have hit hard with iron machines andwe have dug through its entrails Dear Earth, now you can breatheand rest of our hasty steps.

Maryem Darwiche

Friends of Alexandria in Sweden

Svenska föreningen ”Alexandrias vänner” sänder sina hälsningar och stödtill Biblioteket i Alexandria med anledningen av de besvärliga tider somväntar. I Sverige så har många bibliotek stängt sina publika verksamheterberoende på den förskräckliga Pandemin men hittar på nya sätt att varasamhällsnyttiga med hjälp av internet. De nödvändiga verktygen finns däroch en kris är uppfinningarnas moder. Vi är säkra på att de duktiga och välutbildade personalen på Biblioteket i Alexandria kommer att hitta nya sättatt nå ut till världen.

We in the Swedish chapter of “Friends of Alexandria” would like to send our greetings and support to Bibliotheca Alexandrina in these troublesome times . In Sweden many libraries are shut down because of the terrible pandemic but they are inventing new ways of how to still be useful with the help of the Internet. The basic tools are there, and crisis is the mother of inventions. We are confident that the skilled and resourceful people of Bibliotheca Alexandrina will find new ways to reach out to the world.

Prof. Annica Dahlström and PhD Hans Nyman15 April 2020IFBA

Friends of Alexandria in Australia

Hope and endurance are the primary qualities of human survival.

We are privileged to be living in this unique period of history where those qualities will see us through.

In the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Friends there is a large reserve of personal integrity, courage, imagination and industry which has been at the service of this unique institution for decades.

The Australian Friends are hopeful that the Bibliotheca, it’s vessel Alexandria and Egypt in fact all of us will pull through these times to happier moments.A reminder to us all that we don’t appreciate calm, laughter and friends till it’s absence, but that does not mean that happiness is ephemeral, simply that it is transitory.

Hoping soon for a great Bibliotheca Alexandrina future.Good luck to us all and let us enjoy the journey wherever it takes us .

Lorenzo G. Montesini-ChairSydney 202015 April 2020

IFBA

15 April 2020IFBA

Message to the BA from German friends --- Botschaft an die BA von den Deutschen Freunden

Im Namen der Deutschen Freunde der Bibliotheca Alexandrina senden wir unsere besten Grüße an die Leitung und die Mitarbeiter der Bibliotheca und wünschen vor allem gute Gesundheit und Geduld um diese Tage des Kampfes gegen die Krise zu Überstehen. Wie der deutsche Bundespräsident Walter Steinmeier sagte bringt diese Krise „das Beste und das Schlechteste in uns hervor und wir können sie nur zusammen Überstehen“. Unser Leben wird sich wie niemals zuvor Ändern und hoffentlich zum Besten unserer Gesellschaft. Wir in Deutschland freuen uns immer über Initiativen und Hilfe die aus Alexandria kommen und wir versichern Sie unserer Unterstützung in jeder Weise wie immer. Wir freuen uns darauf Sie alle wieder zu Treffen wenn die Bibliothek wieder Eröffnet wird. Bis dahin bleiben Sie Gesund und frohen Mutes und wir bleiben mit Ihnen in Verbindung wie auch immer möglich.

On behalf of the German friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina we send our best wishes to the management and the staff of the bibliotheca and wish you all good health and patience to survive these days of fighting the terrible crisis. As the German President Walter Steinmeier said “this crisis brings the best and the worst out of us and we only will survive it together “. All our lives will change as never before and hopefully to the best of our societies.We in Germany as always appreciate the initiatives and the help coming out of Alexandria and we assure

you of our continued support in all respects. We are looking forward to meet with you all again after the bibliotheca is reopened. Until then stay healthy and keep up good spirit and we will keep communicating with you in every possible way.

15 April 2020IFBA

Message to the BA from South Africa Chapter

The AES South African Friends of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina operates under the auspices of the Ancient Egyptian Society. Although probably the smallest group amongst the International Friends, the AES South African Friends has been privileged to be associated with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina since the inauguration meeting when it was welcomed by the by the late Laila Dowider. Times have changed so much over the years and especially at this very difficult time when our world is no longer the same as it was a few months ago. There will be many lessons to be learned whilst we strive for peace and security for mankind. We of the South African Friends Group would like to express our support for the BA in the role it plays in the International arena.Our warmest wishes go also to all of you at the BA and your families for your safety and good health,your courage and your strength.

In friendship from theAES South African Friends

Die Antiek Egiptiese Vereniging se Vriende van die Bibliotheca Alexandrina funksioneer onder die dekmantel van die AntiekEgiptiese Vereniging. Alhoewel ons moontlik die kleinste groep onder die Internasionale Vriende is, is die Suid Afrikaansegroep tog bevoorreg om met die Bibliotheca Alexandrina te kon assosieer sedert die inhuldigings vergadering, toe onsaanvaar en verwelkom is deur die voormalige Laila Dowider.Veranderinge het so dikwels plaasgevind deur die afgelope jare, en spesifiek gedurende die huidige moeilike tye, waarin onswereld nie meer dieselfde is as gedurende die afgelope maande nie. Terwyl ons strewe na vrede en sekuriteit vir die mensdom, is daar nog baie lesse om te leer. Vanuit Suid Afrika wil die SA Vriende graag ons ondersteuning aanbied aan die BA in die rol wat hulle in die internasionale arena vertolk.Ons stuur dus ons beste wense aan almal betrokke by BA en hulle families vir hulle veiligheid en goeie gesondheid, moed enkrag.

In vriendskap vanaf die AEV van die Republiek .Suid Afrika