Cosmopolitan Alexandria [1860-1961]

Cosmopolitan Alexandria is a term that is usually applied for a period in the history of the egyptian city of alexandria lasting from [1860 -1961]. Large numbers of Greeks, Italians, French, English,Maltese, Armenians, Lebanese,Turks,Bulgarians,Jews ,etc,lived in harmony within each other and with the local people . Sadly enough,the cosmopolitan nature of the city was abruptly put to an end when Nasser issued the socialist laws of 1961,followed by the planned Arabinization of the names of streets and districts.Most European communities left Alexandria except for a still existing very small Greek community. However,European influence on the city can be still seen in Alexandria after 50 years from the end of the cosmopolitan era of the city .I was a witness to this era and hope that I can do something to preserve these memories for history and newer generations

The sequence of the photos are as follows:
1.An old palace in Alexandria
2. Hypatia of Alexandria (355-415 CE)
3. An early twentieth century photo of downtown Alexandria
4. Coins dating from the Hellenistic era [Greco --Roman museum ]
5. A painting at the ceiling of an old building
6-Statue of Nubar Pasha in Alexandria,Nubar Pasha was a Christian Armenian who became the first PM of Egypt during the reign of Kedeve Ismael in the late 19th century.
7. Ramla station 1950
8.A photo of my small laurel shrub that I originally obtained it as a cutting from an old tree at Chatby district.
9. Moresque buildings near Midan Sa'ad Zaghloul

10. Chamber of Commerce

11.,12., Latin Cemetery: Entrance and chapel

13. Italian monument to Khedive Ismael (now monument to the Unknown Soldier)

14. Alexandria Old Stock Exchange
15. The palace and Gardens of Antoniades

16.A restaurant ,originally owned by a Greek till 1961

17. The remaining photos show some buildings, schools,churches,monuments of the remaining extant Greek community of Alexandria

As for the accompanying music,it is that of the famous 1953 song [el negro zumbon] from the Italian movie [Anna].The tune was a great hit among Alexandrians at that time.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Cosmopolitan
• Alexandria
• [1860-1961]

[kyriacos40]

Very nice video it is sad that cultures cant live togther

[eliopoulosgiannis]

Beautiful video but I agree with peymaania change this music.

[ameroffsky]

Cosmopoliatn Alexandria was a beautiful city by all accounts.

Pity what has befallen it and Egypt in general.

[xlrv1]

A million thanks! In 1900 there were many cosmopolitan cities that have since been ruined by nationalistic "liberation". Alexandria was the greatest and oldest but there were others, Trieste, the Baltic cities... Now it may be that the Americas - despite Usanian "exceptionalism" - may be the last refuge of the cosmopolitan city. Let us hope it won't receive a final blow from nativist movements in Latin America.