Aladdin Conference
Centre français de culture et de coopération
Cairo - January 27, 2010
The Aladdin Project held a series of events in Cairo, from January 26 to February 3, at the Centre français de culture et de cooperation, in cooperation with the French Foreign Ministry. The weeklong evening events were based on the discussion of literature inspired by the Holocaust,
In honor of January 27, which since 2005 has been the United Nations’ “International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust”, distinguished French and Egyptian representatives of the Aladdin Project spoke to the public. Following the speeches were readings from Primo Levi’s book, “If This Is a Man”, his account of the year he spent as a prisoner in the Auschwitz concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Poland.
The evening was presided by Ms. Anne-Marie Revcolevschi, Director of Aladdin. Also present was Serge Klarsfeld, president of the Association of Sons and Daughters of Jews Deported from France. Mr. Klarsfeld is well known for his Holocaust documentation and anti-Nazi activism. Notably, he and his wife located several high-profile Nazi war criminals who were subsequently arrested and prosecuted.
The French representatives discussed the targets of the Project, including a call for every follower of a monotheistic religion to take responsibility for giving the correct impression of the values of the other’s religion.
An Egyptian member of the Aladdin Project, the distinguished writer and political analyst Tarek Heggy, reminded the audience how the holocaust should be of universal concern. He made reference to the millions of non-Jewish victims of the Nazi-led genocide, including three million Polish Christians.
Dr. Aly Elsamman, president of ADIC and member of board of the Aladdin Project concluded the speeches with a reminder that one of the keys to intercultural understanding is for all parties to become familiar with the histories of the others.
In honor of January 27, which since 2005 has been the United Nations’ “International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust”, distinguished French and Egyptian representatives of the Aladdin Project spoke to the public. Following the speeches were readings from Primo Levi’s book, “If This Is a Man”, his account of the year he spent as a prisoner in the Auschwitz concentration camp in Nazi-occupied Poland.
The evening was presided by Ms. Anne-Marie Revcolevschi, Director of Aladdin. Also present was Serge Klarsfeld, president of the Association of Sons and Daughters of Jews Deported from France. Mr. Klarsfeld is well known for his Holocaust documentation and anti-Nazi activism. Notably, he and his wife located several high-profile Nazi war criminals who were subsequently arrested and prosecuted.
The French representatives discussed the targets of the Project, including a call for every follower of a monotheistic religion to take responsibility for giving the correct impression of the values of the other’s religion.
An Egyptian member of the Aladdin Project, the distinguished writer and political analyst Tarek Heggy, reminded the audience how the holocaust should be of universal concern. He made reference to the millions of non-Jewish victims of the Nazi-led genocide, including three million Polish Christians.
Dr. Aly Elsamman, president of ADIC and member of board of the Aladdin Project concluded the speeches with a reminder that one of the keys to intercultural understanding is for all parties to become familiar with the histories of the others.