People and The Library of Alexandria
Exhibition in Abu Dhabi
Time Open every day until the middle of August 2025
Location
Slash Design Studio, Erth
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
After opening in Oslo in August 2024, the People and The Library of Alexandria exhibition has moved on to Erth in Abu Dhabi, where it will be shown in collaboration with Slash design studio until mid August 2025.
The exhibition explores the living legacy of Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt–Snøhetta's first defining project–focusing on how the design, usage, and social impact of the library are fundamentally rooted in human interaction and experience. The Abu Dhabi exhibition has been expanded to explore the library's unique connection to the United Arab Emirates.
The ancient Library of Alexandria, one of the most revered centers of knowledge in human history, served as a beacon of learning and intellectual pursuit. Its legacy lives on in the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, established in 2002, which continues to inspire a new generation of scholars and citizens, both in Egypt and globally.
People and the Library of Alexandria delves into this enduring influence through personal narratives, photographs, and interviews. It showcases the history of the modern library, including Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan’s early intervention and the subsequent impact on individuals who now frequent the library, emphasizing its lasting social impact and the continued relevance of libraries in our society today.
The exhibition opens on the 16th May at 19.00 and during the opening weekend, there will be guided tours on both Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May.
Photo: OiOiOi / Snøhetta
Background
In 1989, Snøhetta–a young and unknown practice–won the international competition for the revival of the ancient Library of Alexandria in Egypt, reimagining the library for the modern era. The establishment of the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina in 2002 marked a renaissance of this ancient tradition, symbolizing a commitment to knowledge, education, and cultural exchange.
The project became fundamental for Snøhetta’s philosophy of social impact and for further development of the practice. It is also a symbol of global collaboration, with contributions from countless individuals and organizations shaping its legacy.
Today, Bibliotheca Alexandrina functions as both a public research library and a dynamic cultural complex, housing museums, exhibition spaces, educational centers, and more. It serves as a hub for learning, dialogue, and cultural exchange and hosts an average of 1500 programs, lectures and events, attracting around a million visitors a year, many from younger generations.
Personal stories and rare archive material
Through personal narratives and video interviews with people using or working at the library and those who have designed it, the exhibition reveals how the library has impacted the lives of individuals and communities alike, celebrating it as both a vibrant communal space and a beacon of knowledge.
These stories reaffirm the library’s role as a sanctuary for learning and as a bridge between civilizations. The exhibition also includes a large handmade model, as well as a collection of photographs, artefacts, and historical documents from Snøhetta’s archives.
All photos by Oioioi
Contact
Name
Title
Location
Phone