As an Italian who has lived in Alexandria of Egypt for one year, every time I go back to this Mediterranean city, I feel extremely welcomed. Many inhabitants of Alexandria are willing to share with me their experience of interaction with the numerous Italians that once lived in that city. Similarly, I easily come across people with multiple origins, including Italian, Greek, French, British and much more. Without doubt, Alexandria has distinguished itself for a continuous exchange among people over centuries. However, its cosmopolitan identity risks to be merely reduced to a nostalgic memory of the past. To face that worrying scenario where less foreigners come to Alexandria and the cosmopolitan heritage of the city is not appropriately preserved, the vibrant Alexandrian community is taking action in a variety of ways.

Corniche, Alexandria of Egypt, Photo by Veronica Merlo, 28-08-2019