When Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Egypt in 1798, he brought with him an entourage of more than 160 scholars and scientists. Known as the French Commission on the Sciences and Arts of Egypt, these experts undertook an extensive survey of the country’s archeology, topography, and natural history. Among the contributors to the survey was Jean François Champollion, who used the famous Rosetta Stone to unlock many of the mysteries that long had surrounded the language of ancient Egypt. In 1802 Napoleon authorized the publication of the commission’s findings in a monumental, multi-volume work that included plates, maps, scholarly essays, and a detailed index. Publication of the original Imperial edition began in 1809. It proved so popular that a second edition was published under the post-Napoleonic Bourbon Restoration. The “Royal edition” (1821-29) from the collections of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is presented here.

In its celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina organized an exhibition and published a new and updated edition of the Award′s catalogue, which encompasses the winning projects of the last 25 years. Through photographs, designs and detailed descriptions, the catalogue portrays 95 projects from 28 countries throughout the world, and recounts the work of teams of artists, architects, engineers and builders. The projects differ in style, spirit, composition and purpose; they vary from traditional approaches to landscaping and urban design, from contextual architecture to restoration and new housing.

Brief historical background
Description de l'Egypte was the outcome of the collaboration of more than 150 prominent scholars and scientists who accompanied Napoleon in 1798, and some 2000 talented artists and technicians. For over 20 years, they systematically examined almost every aspect of contemporary and ancient Egyptian civilization, producing 20 volumes of text and plates of unmatched accuracy and detail. Historically, these engravings became the most comprehensive record and inventory of Egypt’s land and monuments.

This catalogue celebrates the centennial of the birth of the seventh art – the cinema – in Egypt. It boasts an impressive list of firsts in Egypt which all took place in Alexandria, as well as a comprehensive survey of all the aspects of the cinema industry in Alexandria: cinematographers, actors and actresses, studios, films, and moviemakers.

The ancient world is yours to explore. What was life like for soldiers? Servants? Kings? Discover, through rich images, sound, animation, and video, the mysteries and marvels of life in ancient times. Discover the wonders of the ancient world, from the dawn of Egypt to the glory of Greece to the fall of Rome. Find out how people lived, and how their ways of life influence us today. Experience ancient life with nearly 1,000 interactive articles, illustrated with full-color images and featuring hours of sound and narration. Watch as the past comes to life in video clips that both entertain and inform. Explore on your own, listening to legends and stories of everyday life told by people of the times, or choose from fascinating narrated guided tours. Learn the most amazing facts - like why so many Egyptian paintings look alike - in narrated animations. Or turn discovery into doing with hands-on activities such as puzzles and matching games.