Alexander Saroukhan Exhibition Opens in Cairo

A cultural and artistic exhibition celebrating the legacy of Alexander Saroukhan, one of the most prominent caricaturists in Egypt and the Arab world, was inaugurated at the Baron Empain Palace on Saturday.

Titled "Saroukhan at the Baron's," the event marks the sixth anniversary of the palace's public opening.

The exhibition is organized through a joint collaboration between the Center for Armenian Studies at Cairo University and the Cairo Armenian General Benevolent Union.

The exhibition offers visitors a comprehensive journey through the history of caricature, spotlighting Saroukhan’s immense contributions to the medium and his role as the creator of the iconic "Masry Effendi" character.

On display is a distinguished collection of his political and social caricatures, alongside personal belongings being exhibited to the public for the first time.

The historical narrative of the showcase was curated and presented by Ms. Iman Magdy and Dr. Shaimaa El-Mahdy, inspectors of antiquities at the Baron Palace.

The opening ceremony was attended by a high-profile delegation of diplomatic, cultural, and archaeological figures.

Among the attendees are Basma Selim, director of the Baron Palace, Rasha Kamal Director General of the Archaeological Awareness Administration, Monica Hanna, founding dean of the Faculty of Cultural Heritage at the Maritime Academy, Monica Hanna, Associate Professor and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Aswan, Magerdich Garabedian Consul of Armenia in Cairo, and George Simonya, President of the Cairo Armenian Benevolent Association.

In tandem with the exhibition, two academic seminars were hosted to analyze Saroukhan's journey through Egyptian journalism and the broader history of satirical art.

The first session was led by Dr. Ahmed Galal, Professor at the Faculty of Arts (Department of Archaeology and History), followed by a second session presented by Dr. Shahdi Attia.

The exhibition runs until Thursday, June 18.