The First International Forum of

Calligraphy, Writing and Inscriptionsin the World

throughout the Ages

23-27 April 2003

On the occasion of the launching of the actual activities of the Calligraphy Center at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and in collaboration with the Calligraphy Institute in Paris, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina organized an International Forum entitled “Calligraphy, Inscriptions and Writings in the World throughout the Ages” in April 2003 under the auspices of H.E. Mrs. Suzanne Mubark, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

This Forum aimed at studying the evolution of Calligraphy, Writing and Inscriptions since the pre-historic era, bringing together specialists and scribes from all over the world to discuss and elaborate on new research work and innovations in this field. This has reflected the importance of compiling human knowledge throughout the ages.

Topics of the Forum:

The Forum aims at studying calligraphy in the world. Within this framework, it will cover the study of calligraphy according to a certain axis, which follows the historical and geographical classification in the following sequence:

To The TopThe study of calligraphy in each civilization or geographical area is based on the inclusion of studying their calligraphy within the framework of the following sub-topics:

  1. Evolution and development
  2. Patterns of calligraphy
  3. Mutual effects
  4. Aesthetics of calligraphy
  5. Content of inscriptions
  6. Important issues
  7. Modern research fields
  8. The scientific term in calligraphy and writing
  9. Writing tools
  10. The relation between form and content
  11. Symbols of writing
  12. The modern techniques and research related to the formations of calligraphy

Graffiti was selected to be the main theme of the Forum main sessions.

Idea of the Forum:

The granite wall mural surrounding the Bibliotheca Alexandrina reflects the inscriptions and writings of the ancient world, hence reflecting the role of the Library in collecting the human knowledge through the ages in its attempt to become a center of human civilizations.

This Forum aims at studying the evolution of human knowledge of inscriptions since the pre-historic eras. This knowledge started as an imitation to animals and the surrounding environment, which soon developed into a certain written language relevant to each civilization. This language was not only man’s means of identifying his life and his achievements, but also an archive of the history of man. Some calligraphy was distinguished by its marvelous artistic style. The organizers of the Forum aim at collecting integrated and various studies on the history of inscriptions and writings in the ancient world and throughout the middle and modern ages.

To The TopThe Scientific committee

Prof. Dr. Abdelhalim Nureldin
Prof. Dr. Abdel Rahman Elansary

The Executive Committee:

Dr. Ismail Serageldin President
 Dr. Khaled Azab Secretary
Ingy Medhat Administrative Secretary
Noha Omar Coordinator