Written by Athina Pfeiffer and Mathias Ghyoot (2024)

INtroduction

The Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo (NVIC) is an academic center providing services for scholars and students, most notably by way of providing easy access to their library collection on the history of modern Egypt. The collection contains around 15,000 book titles and periodicals in Arabic, English, French, German, and Dutch. NVIC is open Sunday through Thursday from 9am to 3pm. For more information on opening hours and official holidays look here.

Location: Google Maps

GOING THERE

NVIC is located on the island of Zamalek, north of the Gezira Sporting Club, on Mahmud ʿAzami Street. Grab a taxi or an Uber to go there. It is best to make an appointment with the librarian of NVIC (Tine Lavent) prior to going, mentioning your name and the date and time of your visit. Once your appointment has been confirmed you are welcome to visit the NVIC.

GETTING IN

Pass the main gate where you’ll be greeted by the guard in a small barrack. Explain that you wish to visit NVIC and that you have an appointment, write your name in the registrar, and leave your bag in one of the locked lockers. You can bring all your items with you. Then go up the staircase to enter the NVIC. After entering, turn right towards the Main Reading Room where you’ll be greeted by librarians.

Finding your material

NVIC has an online catalog that you can access remotely, but which only covers book titles at the NVIC. A significant amount of periodicals and some private archives are stored in the NVIC’s basement and are not visible on the online catalog. For more information, request an offline catalog by contacting Tine Lavent.

You are also welcome to peruse the stacks yourself, located in the Main Reading Room.

Ordering your material

To order your material note down the shelfmark number (books) or title (periodical) and inform the librarian in the Main Reading Room. Your material will then be fetched for you and you’re free to study it at one of the three large tables in the Main Reading Room.

Ordering scans

There is no scanner at NVIC. However, you’re welcome to photograph your material as much as you need.

Food and well-being

NVIC is located in a quiet neighborhood of Zamalek. There are several cafes and kiosks where you can grab lunch or enjoy a coffee break. We recommend that you grab a coffee at Holm Cafe – enjoy the terrasse! - or walk ten minutes towards Zööba for a sandwich. Bathrooms are decent at NVIC.