ABSTRACT
Alexandria University and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which are connected via a bridge, were thus drawn into the alternative inaugural events. Alexandria's governor was pitched into a new role within these new political dramas when 'a delegation representing the protestors' met with him. Much later in the year, the Alexandria's rescheduled opening took place on 16 October 2002 with the authorities on a high state of security. Moreover, journalists using the event as an opportunity to also take stock of the wider force of revivalism led to fears being expressed that Alexandria's cosmetic makeovers had finally overtaken the official support of the more 'authentic' force of archaeological revivalism and associated preservation campaigns. The various actors on the scene of revivalism obviously regarded the Alexandrina's unveiling with a mixture of aspiration and anxiety and saw this as the starting point for more substantial change and transformation to take place within their contemporary city.
