Lecture by Alexei Vasilyev, Honorary President of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, at the Russian House in Cairo

On 4 September 2025, the Russian House in Cairo hosted a lecture by Alexei Mikhailovich Vasilyev, Honorary President of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Historical Sciences, and Professor. The event brought together representatives of Egypt's scientific and cultural circles, journalists, and friends of Russia.

The evening was opened by Vadim Zaychikov, Director of Russian Cultural Centres in Egypt, who emphasised Vasilyev's high authority in academic circles and the significance of his works as fundamental sources on the history of Russian-Arab relations. The discussion was moderated by Sherif Gad, Head of Cultural Programmes at the Russian House in Cairo.

In his speech, Alexei Mikhailovich shared his personal memories of Egypt: studying at Cairo University in the 1960s, working as a correspondent for Pravda in the country, his mission as Special Representative of the President of Russia for Relations with African Heads of State, and his historical research, which resulted in one of his most significant books, Egypt and the Egyptians. The scholar noted that Egypt had become his ‘second home’ forever.

He paid particular attention to modern Russian-Egyptian relations, describing them as stable and fruitful. Among the key examples of cooperation, Alexey Vasilyev highlighted the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant with the participation of Rosatom and the supply of Russian wheat, which, according to him, have become ‘the basis of Egypt's political stability,’ ensuring the country's food security.

A.M. Vasilyev fondly recalled his meetings with prominent representatives of Egyptian culture, including Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, Gamal al-Ghitani, Ahmed Fouad Negm, Sheikh Imam, and others. He emphasised that his decision to devote himself to Oriental studies was a conscious one: ‘Much has been written about the West, but I wanted to study the East. I paid particular attention to Egyptian civilisation.’

At the end of the meeting, the academician noted that his interest in Egypt remains unchanged: he is currently planning to write a new book on the phenomenon of sustainability and the country's capacity for renewal.

The lecture became a significant event in Cairo's cultural life, confirming the strength of Russian-Egyptian friendship and the role of the Institute of African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences as a bridge between the two countries.