Hala Ghoname

PRESERVATION OR INVESTMENT? A PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO EGYPTIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE IN
CYBERSPACE

Egyptian cultural heritage is not only a vital component of the Mediterranean Basin history but also occupies a prominent place in humanity's collective memory. Memory institutes, such as museums, libraries, and archives—particularly those established through international collaboration rather than colonial exertions in the nineteenth century—are highly endangered cultural assets, as many of which are left to decay in our present day. Drawing on research conducted in the USA and Germany, as well as previous and current projects in Egypt, this talk aims to offer pragmatic insights into leveraging modern technology and cyberspace to preserve and promote Egyptian cultural heritage while also reviving and rehabilitating these endangered memory institutes. The talk focuses on my current project at the Société de Géographie d’Egypte, which was established in 1875 as the first geographical society in Africa and the East and the ninth on the international level.