Discover the soul of a library... Unitarian talk

Join the Somerset West Unitarian Fellowship for a captivating talk by Joseph Koetsier, on Saturday June 7, at 10am, on the topic: Discover the Soul of a Library: The Epic Story of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Joseph will trace the remarkable journey of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina—from its founding in 300BC as a beacon of wisdom, through its tragic destruction, to its inspiring resurrection in 2002.

More than a storehouse of books, this library was a spiritual repository of neo-Platonic thought, a crossroads of cultures, and  to humanity’s capacity for both destruction and renewal.

He will share insights from the library’s first director, Ismael Serageldin, as well as his own experiences visiting the modern Bibliotheca in 2020. A short slideshow will bring this epic history to life.

A committee member of The Egyptian Society of South Africa (TESSA), Joseph has spent decades exploring Divine Wisdom across cultures.

His career spanned universities in South Africa (UWC) and the Netherlands (University of Groningen), focusing on Lifelong Learning and Cross-Cultural Studies.

He has worked with refugee communities in South Asia and Europe, and supported educational projects in India, Sri Lanka, and Mozambique.

Joseph’s poetic journey began in 1989 after a profound personal loss, leading him to express spiritual connections—from the delicate beauty of insects and birds to the depths of human experience—through verse.

All are welcome to this free event, whether you’re a history enthusiast, a seeker of wisdom, or simply curious about the enduring power of knowledge. For those interested, Zen meditation will be offered beforehand, starting at 9am.

The venue is at Vonke Meeting Room, Vonke House, 121 Lourensford Road, Somerset West. For more information, contact Rev. Roux Malan at 084 679 5466 or visit www.swunitarians.carrd.co