On 19-21 November 2013 a short advanced workshop & training course on the conservation of antique photographs was held in collaboration with Cairo University Faculty of Archaeology, Conservation Department and Catania University, Department of Science Chemistry in capital city of Egypt, Cairo. Members of MIRAS Social Organization, Zaka Babazada and representative of MIRAS Organization in Georgia, Elnur Aliyev were invited to the training. The opening ceremony was held on 19th November 2013 in academic hall of Egypt Children museum. Mona Fuad, Professor of Conservation Department opened the trainings. Later the floor was given to the director of the museum, Mr. Osama; scientific advisor of embassy of Italy to Egypt, Prof. Franco Porcelli, Professor of Conservation Department of Cairo University, Dr. Gomaa Abdul Maqsoud, Professor of Catania University, Dr. Enrico Ciliberto and other members of scientific committee. During the speeches the role and significance of such trainings in study of conservation science and exchange of experience were dealt and organizers and participants were expressed gratitude for their interest.
The training was launched by Prof. Mohamed Weshahy on the topic “history of photography”. The participants were given brief historical and chronological information on the photo camera, negatives and photo sheets. He also familiarized them with working mechanism of glass negative photo cameras. Saying the first photo appeared in Egypt in 1850, the Professor stated its being of glass negative. Later on he shared information on operation of companies and photographers like "Middle East the stereovlew and magic Lantern" in 1903, "Caddis & Seif in Luxor", late 19th and early 20th century and in 1850-1980 Antonio Pihato and demonstrated personal collection of antique photos to the participants.
Afterwards, Professor of Department of Science Chemistry of Catania University, Enrico Ciliberto spoke widely about chemical bases of photographic process, photos taken in different negatives and chemical processes occurred in photo negatives. Then he clarified chemical bases of damages fixed in the negatives, their consisting of the define substances and chemical reactions during the restoration and their impact on photos or negatives. He created opportunity for the participants during the seminars to observe the chemical processes live.
Professor of Catania University, Professor Ezio Viscuso gave information about optical fundaments of photography in his speech and spoke about the optical bases of the photo cameras and the role of glass and optics during the developing of the photo. He also informed them about optics used in various photo cameras in different times.
The last report was made by Dr. Maha Ali. Her speech was about chemical degradation of positives and negatives. After the introduction she gave the participants grounded information on the chemical ways of prevention of damage and spots on positives and negatives. Dr. Maha Ali stressed that Prof. Enrico Ciliberto touched upon silver-based conditions in his speech and directed the participants to the methods to eliminate the spot and damages. Dr. Maha Ali advising to use particularly gelatin chemical substances during conservation and restoration of antique photos explained the happening of chemical processes during their usage and showed them difference comparing their situation before the trial and after the trial.
There was held a meeting with scientific advisor of embassy of Italy to Egypt, Prof. Franco Porcelli on the first day of trainings.
The speakers were given books of MIRAS Organization, wide information was shared on the organization’s activity and proposals made on collaboration.
Social dinner and tour to historical places of Egypt were organized to Egypt within the training.