World Heritage Day

23 April 2026

09:00 AM - 01:00 PM

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina Antiquities Museum, affiliated with the Cultural Outreach Sector, is organizing a World Heritage Day celebration titled "Reading the City: Heritage and Identity in the Streets of Alexandria." The event is held in collaboration with the founders of the "Footnotes" project, Ms. Wafaa Abdel Aziz (tour guide) and Mr. Juan Carlos Lucero. It will take place on Thursday, 23 April 2026, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, at the Antiquities Museum, "Life in the Afterworld" Gallery.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) designated 18 April of each year as World Heritage Day to protect human heritage and safeguard archaeological sites from destruction and neglect, in accordance with international legislation and regulations.

The celebration begins with a walking tour led by the founders of Footnotes, Wafaa Abdel Aziz and Juan Carlos Lucero. The tour explores the long history of Fouad Street, one of Alexandria’s most significant thoroughfares, through its prominent heritage buildings. It shares the stories of the people who helped shape the city’s character and its unique heritage.

The tour will be held twice, with English as the primary language and brief Arabic interpretation provided. The attendees (20–25 people) will be divided into two groups (maximum 15 people per group) to ensure a smooth and effective experience. Key landmarks on the tour include the Alexandria National Museum, the Spanish Cultural Center, the Graeco-Roman Museum, and other architecturally distinct and historically significant buildings.

Following the tour, the celebration moves to the Antiquities Museum in the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Main Building ("Life in the Afterworld" Gallery). There, Wafaa Abdel Aziz and Juan Carlos Lucero will moderate a discussion session. Participants will share their impressions of the tour and discuss their perceptions of "Cultural Heritage." The session will explore how tangible heritage serves as an entry point to understanding intangible heritage, the influence of personal heritage on local identity, and the role of urban planning and streets in shaping culture and individual heritage.