The central theme of a recent ALF-supported event at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Cairo, Preserving Heritage in Egypt, Czechia and Beyond, was the care for our shared cultural heritage, highlighted by a masterclass delivered by the Czech brothers Miroslav and Ivan Houska.

In the late 1960s, they studied traditional crafts at the renowned Khan el-Khalili market in Cairo. Today, they have completed hundreds of restoration projects across Czechia and the Arab world, including many UNESCO-listed sites. The event was organized by Czech ALF members: the Czech Arab Society and the Czech Centres.

Beyond the exchange of expertise, the gathering was also an opportunity for meaningful dialogue. The audience included representatives of civil society and organisations from the Egyptian Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation, who used the occasion to connect and share ideas – Supportive Homeland Association for Development, Partners for Transparency and Charisma Arts for Development. Miroslav Houska, President of the Czech-Arab Society added a further dimension to the discussions and underlined the potential for future cooperation.

The event served not only as a reminder of long-standing historical ties, but also as a testament to the enduring role of cultural heritage in fostering mutual understanding today.

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