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Within the framework of the cooperation protocol with the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic, the Faculty of Arts at Ain Shams University organized a cultural seminar titled “Portraits of Fayoum”, under the auspices of Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, University President, and under the supervision of Prof. Hanan Kamel, Dean of the Faculty. The event was attended by the Greek Ambassador Nikolas Papageorgiou, the Cultural Attaché of the Greek Embassy in Cairo, the Director of the Greek Cultural Center, Prof. Hatem Rabie, Vice Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, Prof. Hanan Salem, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development, and under the supervision of Prof. Naglaa Ezzat, Head of the Department of Ancient European Civilization and Languages.

In her speech, Prof. Hanan Kamel welcomed the ambassador and his accompanying delegation, emphasizing the deep historical roots of Egyptian Greek relations and praising the contributions of Greek philosophers to human civilization and their profound influence on Egyptian culture. She stressed that “culture is the true bridge for connecting peoples.”

For his part, Ambassador Nikolas Papageorgiou expressed his delight at the warm reception and the students’ enthusiasm, confirming his full agreement with the Dean on the necessity of continuing cultural and scientific cooperation between the two countries.

Prof. Naglaa Ezzat highlighted in her speech the importance of the seminar’s topic and the deep cultural and historical interconnections between the two civilizations. She then presented the biography of the seminar speaker, Prof. Dr. Efrosini Doxiadis, daughter of the world-renowned architect Constantinos Doxiadis. Efrosini studied painting at the Oscar Kokoschka School of Art in Salzburg (1963), then at Slade School of Fine Arts in London (1964–1966), as well as painting and engraving at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Detroit, USA, and studied theatrical set design in Paris. She has held numerous art exhibitions. In addition to painting and writing, Doxiadis is active in scholarly research and received the Athens Academy Award for her book “Portraits of Fayoum.”

During the seminar, Prof. Efrosini Doxiadis presented a rich visual presentation on “Portraits of Fayoum,” the unique art form that emerged in Egypt during the Roman and Ptolemaic eras, reflecting the cultural interaction between the two civilizations. She provided an artistic analysis of these realistic portraits, painted on wooden panels and placed over the deceased’s face inside the mummy, noting the remarkable accuracy in facial depiction and attention to detail, reflecting an unprecedented psychological insight in ancient art.

She emphasized that the Fayoum portraits represent a visual bridge between Hellenistic realism and the Egyptian spiritual belief in immortality, serving as a precursor to Christian iconographic art.

At the conclusion of the seminar, thanks were extended to the speaker, the ambassador, and the accompanying delegation, followed by commemorative photographs. Prof. Hanan Kamel guided the guests on a tour of the faculty, followed by the ambassador’s participation in a lecture by Dr. Heba Salah with students of the Department of European Civilization. The event also featured a welcome speech in Greek by Prof. Farid Hassan.

Prof. Naglaa Ezzat presented the Department of Ancient European Civilization and Languages shield to the Greek Ambassador, the Cultural Attaché, and Prof. Dr. Efrosini Doxiadis, highlighting that this visit underscores the role of culture as a cornerstone in strengthening Egypt-Greece relations and as a gateway for further academic cooperation and civilizational dialogue.