Ashraf AboArafe
a large ceremony was organized in the presence of high-ranking guests of honor from politics, the church and diplomacy in Alexandria.
Today, the German School of the Sisters of Saint Charles Borome of Alexandria (DSB-A) celebrates the 140th anniversary of its founding in the presence of high-level guests of honour. The ceremony was graced by His Excellency the Minister of Education, Dr. Reda Hegazy, the Patriarch of the Coptic Catholic Church in Egypt, Isaac Ibrahim, and the Apostolic Nuncio, Bishop Nicholas. Tiffinen and the German Ambassador in Cairo, Frank Hartmann.
The German School of the Sisters of Saint Charles of Borome of Alexandria is a school where Germany meets Egypt, and it is among the German schools recognized outside the borders of Germany. The school’s ancient history dates back 140 years, making it one of the oldest German schools outside Germany in the world. The German School of the Sisters of Saint-Charles Borome is known for its high educational standards and students who aim to achieve the highest performance. It is worth noting that for many female students, the connection to Germany remains an integral part of their later lives.
In this context, Ambassador Frank Hartmann said: “The German School of the Sisters of St. Charles Borromy of Alexandria was founded in 1884, and the nuns continue to shape the spirit of this school to this day and give it support and guidance in the modern world.” Although the school does not carry out any missionary missions and the majority of the students are Muslims, everyone at the school shares Christian values related to tolerance of other religions. Many figures have succeeded from the German School of the Sisters of Saint Charles of Borome of Alexandria and from other German schools abroad who had a great influence on modern life in Egypt.
The list of graduates of the German School of the Sisters of Saint-Charles Borromy of Alexandria appears to be a compendium of German-Egyptian relations in various fields, including medicine, law, trade, industry, art, music, academia, and politics. Many of them are professionally active on both sides of the Mediterranean, and they are true bridge builders in our relations. They remain loyal to the school and to close ties with Germany. The school’s founding anniversary ceremony at the Alexandria Library on Thursday was performed by one of the school’s famous graduates, in particular the opera singer Farah Al-Debani.
Cultural, educational and scientific cooperation forms the basis of close relations between Germany and Egypt. In no other area of bilateral relations do we have such long-term and close personal contacts. Schools play a special role here: in addition to the seven German schools in Egypt – which is more, for example, than the number of German schools in China or the United States of America – there are also 29 other partner schools. Today, more than 4,500 students, both male and female, study in German schools in Egypt, most of whom are Egyptians, where they grew up and have ties to our two countries. They thus become important bridge builders who contribute to understanding and exchange between Germany and Egypt.
Ambassador Hartmann: “The German School of the Sisters of Saint Charles Borome of Alexandria is now well established in the Egyptian education system and is a recognized part of Egyptian society. The school consistently enjoys the highest levels of esteem and attention. I wish the school and the German-Egyptian friendship every success for the next 140 years!”
