ENDANGERED PLANET FOUNDATION SETS GREAT BIBLIOTECHA ALEXANDRINA IN EGPYT ABLAZE

The Endangered Planet Foundation sets the great Alexandria Library afire with radiant with colors created by children and youth of Alexandria as a sample of more than 5,000 magnificent murals that will be exhibited in 2010 in a unique and one-of-kind MURAMID Exhibition. Hundreds of youth and families swarmed around two very special unpublicized guests, famed architect, Tarek Naga and younger brother, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Khaled Abol Naga.

International Directors, Dr. Fouad and Mrs. Joanne Tawfilis described the evening as a wonderful experience with “Two brothers-One Heart!” Many schools from the Alexandria area participated in creating murals that were on display. The eastern Exhibit Hall of the Bibliotheca, one of Egypt’s most famous landmarks, came alive with colors and energy as vibrant as the youth themselves.

At the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the large model MURAMID greeted children and families upon arrival with over 700 miniature murals printed on a pyramid shaped installation. This represents what is to be created on a much larger scale in Cairo in 2010, and will commemorate the closing year of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non Violence Among Children of the World. More than 4,000 murals have already been created around the world with a little over 1,000 more to go to reach the project objective of 5,280, representing 12 miles of murals.

The big surprise for children that evening was the guest appearances of the Tarek Naga and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Khaled Abol Naga, and Dr. and Mrs. Tawfilis describe their guest speakers as young men who serve as mentors for youth, with integrity, honor, accomplishment and a fervent desire to support a culture of peace. Their presence and visible support are great examples of how busy young leaders can touch children’s lives with simple acts of kindness and advocacy. The Arts Center of Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the American Center Alexandria were co-hosts of this inaugural Egyptian kick off of the Art Miles Mural Project, MURAMID. Dr. Farouk Wahba El Gebaly, one of Egypt’s most famous artists and a long time supporter of Art Miles attended the event to cheer everyone on their way.

According to the Tawfilis’ “We may be on a pioneering path to peace through our youth who utilize the arts and technology to participate in a real Dialogue Among Civilizations that is not trademarked by a UN program, but embedded instead in their own hearts to teach and live a Culture of Peace with one another.” Endangered Planet Foundation is a solid partner with the Art Miles Mural Project Environmental Mile in Laguna Beach with plans to produce a major Environmental Mural event in early 2010, ensuring Laguna Beach’s visible presence in the 2010 Installation Exhibition in Egypt.

The Art Miles Mural Project exhibition will be designed to travel to other countries following its debut in Egypt in 2010 for all to grasp, participate in and help continue the relevance behind this project.