The evening took place as part of Darna Museum’s activities running parallel to the 2025 Cairo International Book Fair

Cairo

At the invitation of artist Abdel Razek Okasha, a tribute evening was organized at Darna Museum in honor of poet, novelist, and translator Ashraf Aboul-Yazid. The event was moderated by Dr. Hussein Abdel-Basir, a researcher, novelist, and director of the Antiquities Museum at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

The evening took place as part of Darna Museum’s activities running parallel to the 2025 Cairo International Book Fair. The museum, founded by Abdel Razek Okasha, launched its new season by highlighting the literary journey of Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, whom Okasha described as having “woven a brilliant global reputation through his exceptional efforts and creativity.” He added, “Ashraf is a cultural ambassador for Egypt, leaving a profound mark on both Arabic and global literature. His contributions span multiple genres, including poetry, novels, children’s literature, and travel writing.”

– Dr. Hussein Abdel-Basir with guests and attendees of the event

A Literary Journey Across Borders

Aboul-Yazid’s literary career includes 44 books, both authored and translated, published in various languages, including English, German, Korean, Russian, Persian, Sindhi, Serbian, and Turkish.

As part of Darna Museum’s commitment to cultural exchange, the evening also welcomed two Tunisian writers: Nesrine Maoueddeb and Dr. Hanan Jenan. This marked Maoueddeb’s second participation at the museum, where she shared her narrative experiences alongside Dr. Hanan Jenan, a writer and professor of law. The event featured poetry and novel readings, while interior designer and calligraphy artist Mostafa Gharib gifted personalized calligraphy artworks to both panelists and audience members.

– Ashraf Aboul-Yazid Speaks about his book Naguib Mahfouz, the Narrator and the Artist

A Library in His Name

As a contribution to the museum, Ashraf Aboul-Yazid donated 100 copies of his works to establish a library in his name, including his novel “Shamawes.”

Originally published in 2007 by Al-Ain Publishing in Egypt, “Shamawes” was first launched at a signing event in Cairo, followed by another at the Kuwait International Book Fair. The novel later gained international recognition when the Korea-Middle East Society nominated it for translation into Korean as a representation of contemporary Egyptian literature. Upon its Korean publication, the novel was also serialized in AsiaN in both Korean and English, under the title “The Road to Shamawes.”

Over the years, “Shamawes” has been the subject of numerous critical reviews by Arab and international scholars. It was notably included in the Ph.D. dissertation of Indian researcher Sabina K., titled “The Poetics of Narration in Ashraf Aboul-Yazid’s Novels,” at Calicut University, Kerala, India.

International Recognition & Awards

The Korean translation of “Shamawes” played a key role in Ashraf Aboul-Yazid’s nomination to win the prestigious Manhae Literary Prize (2014). In 2024, the novel’s first English edition was published by Al-Nasher Publishing in Cairo, followed by a second English edition in Düsseldorf, Germany. This edition was selected by the African branch of the UN SDG Book Club and was printed by Canon during the DRUPA 2024 integrated printing exhibition. The African literary initiative was supported by APNET (African Publishers Network), Borders Literature for All Nations, PAWA (Pan African Writers’ Association), ADEA (Association for the Development of Education in Africa), AfLIA (African Library and Information Associations & Institutions), PABA (Pan African Booksellers Association), and the UN Information Center in Namibia.

Tribute to Dr. Hussein Abdel-Basir

The evening’s moderator, Dr. Hussein Abdel-Basir, is a renowned Egyptologist and novelist, specializing in ancient Egyptian history. His novels, including “The Search for Khnum” and “The Old Red One,” bring the mysteries of ancient Egypt to life. He earned his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University (USA), and his works are regularly translated into English and other languages.

– Ashraf Aboul-Yazid at Darna Museum, before a painting by its founder Okasha

A Journey Through Literature and Translation

During the event, Ashraf Aboul-Yazid shared insights into his literary journey, from poetry to novels, and finally to travel literature, which he described as a fusion of all Arabic literary arts.

He also introduced his latest novel, “My Father, the Mapmaker,” published this year by Bayt Al-Hikma at the Cairo International Book Fair. The novel explores the significance of maps and geography, as its protagonist embarks on an adventure to understand his father’s profession as a mapmaker.

Additionally, Aboul-Yazid discussed his book “Nun Al-Niswa… Nahr Al-Fann” (The Feminine ‘N’… A River of Art), published by Kitab Al-Hilal, in which he examines remarkable women in the arts. The book sheds light on Umm Kulthum as a short story writer, Marilyn Monroe as a poet, Jalila Khanum (mother of Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet) as a painter, and the poetry of Sappho, among others.

Jalila Khanum: A Mother’s Struggle

The book also tells the inspiring story of Jalila Khanum, who dedicated her life to supporting her son, the renowned Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet. She stood by him during his imprisonment in Bursa, even renting a house nearby. One of her most notable acts of defiance was hanging a protest banner on Istanbul’s Galata Bridge, demanding signatures to support her son’s release when he went on a hunger strike. When questioned by authorities, she simply stated: “The signature says it all—Jalila the Painter.”

Exploring World Poetry Through Translation

Aboul-Yazid concluded the evening by discussing his translation works, particularly in world poetry. His notable translations include: “Me and Surrealism: The Secret Confessions of Salvador Dalí” (Dubai, 2010), “A Thousand Lives and More” by Korean poet Ko Un (Dubai, 2012), “A Saint Who Soars Far Away” by Korean poet Cho Oh-hyun (Oman, 2013), “A Dull Space that Induces Melancholy” by Indian poet Hemant Divate (Egypt, 2016), “The Gifts of Stem Cells” by Jeong Chan-ra (Cairo, 2018), “Riding a Cloud to Find You” (Korean Manhae poems, 2019). His work also includes two collections on Taiwanese poetry: “Four Hakka Poets from Taiwan” and “They Are the Daughters of Siraya”. Additionally, he translated the poetry cycle “Horizons” by Russian poet Alexandra Ochirova.

The Silk Road Encyclopedia

Lastly, Aboul-Yazid discussed his encyclopedic work “The Silk Road,” published by Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which is the first Arabic book solely dedicated to the Silk Road. The book is structured around cities, landmarks, arts, literature, kingdoms, and historical figures that shaped the legendary trade route. The tribute evening at Darna Museum highlighted Ashraf Aboul-Yazid’s impact on Arabic and global literature, celebrating his role as a cultural bridge between nations.

Published under the International Cooperation Protocol with Middle East Business | Life Magazine, Abu Dhabi 

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Published under International Cooperation with "Sindh Courier"