"Alexandria, like many other areas of the Middle East, has a great cultural heritage, the value of which, however, is not entirely perceived by the population as a result of the difficult economic and political situation, which of course puts into the background every other issue. Yet the promotion of city’s monuments and history could bring great benefits”. This is how Yasser Aref, a researcher at the Library of Alexandria in Egypt, introduced the background of the project IAM - Internationational Augmented Med to the public of ICS Europe. He is the scientific consultant of the project.

Funded under European programmes (ENPI-CBC) for three years, the project involves seven countries - Egypt, Italy, Spain, Jordan, Lebano, Palestine, Tunisia - and aims to promote innovative use of Mediterranean cultural heritage. In Alexandria, in particular, the application of techniques of video-mapping and augmented reality made ​​it possible to "see the ancient city with new eyes" and to revive its glorious past, engaging in new ways not only tourists, but also the inhabitants of the city.

"In fact Augmented Reality - said Aref - is able to gain the visitor's gaze, also allowing to vary the theme and the story that is being told from time to time. Next year, for example, we plan to dedicate the event to reviving the "Islamic Alexandria", of which very little is known, although it is an important part of the history of the city". “With this project”, he added, "the new Library of Alexandria aims to create the" Bilbao effect", a relaunch of the local economy that includes the stages of tourism development and of stimulating other, mainly cultural, activities".

Aref has thus enriched the debate on heritage with an exquisitely Mediterranean and specific look at the Middle East, rooted in the idea of the importance of intercultural dialogue, especially in the light of the difficult socio-political situation in this area now. "It is precisely the lack of a genuine dialogue between people - said Aref – that is the main reason for the intensification of conflicts. And this makes it something that we need not only to Alexandria, but all over the world".