Organizers announce ‘Fahar El Bahr’ event to become an annual festival for the people of Alexandria and the Mediterranean region.

Between 16th and 17th October, thousands of Alexandrians and members of the international community gathered in the historic setting of Fort Qaitbey for ‘Fahar El Bahr’, an intercultural festival which brought together people of all backgrounds and ages for the promotion of mutual understanding and a shared Mediterranean identity.

Speaking at the Festival, Andreu Claret, Executive Director of Anna Lindh Foundation, said:“The level of participation has been beyond our expectations and underlines the importance of Alexandria as a city of hospitality and a meeting point for diverse cultures”, adding that: “We are delighted to announce that the festival will become an annual event here in Alexandria, bringing together more and more people from across the shores of the Mediterranean”.

The Festival builds on previous cultural initiatives of the Anna Lindh Foundation, including the ‘Farah El Bahr’ at the inauguration in April 2005 and the Euro-Med Dialogue Night of 2008, with this year seeing an expanded programme of handicrafts, art, theatre, dance, live music, as well as presentations on social initiatives carried out by the Anna Lindh network of civil society in Egypt.

Ambassador Aly Maher of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, who is Head of Network of the Anna Lindh Network in Egypt, commented: “The Festival has given the Egyptian network an opportunity to interact with the public at large and demonstrate the diverse activities and fields in which they operate, ranging from climate change to children’s literature. Such an event by the Anna Lindh Foundation is important for the role of the civil society in promoting dialogue between cultures. ”

Javier Bonilla, representing the European Commission Delegation in Cairo who has been a key partner in the Festival, said: “Alexandria is privileged to have such an institution as the Anna Lindh Foundation, an organization which is bringing people together across the 43 Union for the Mediterranean countries to celebrate the common aspects they share. The European Commission is proud to be part of what will be an exciting programme and permanent fixture on the Egyptian and Mediterranean cultural calendar.”