The Egyptian Ministry of Culture has launched a series of cultural activities across Cairo and various governorates to honour the late legendary authorNaguib Mahfouz. The nation-wide celebration recognises Mahfouz’s literary legacy and significant role in shaping and promoting Egyptian identity.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Ahmed Hanno, Minister of Culture, said: “The celebration, titled “Mahfouz Remains in the Heart”, is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to promote Egyptian identity and honour the nation’s great cultural icons. It aims to highlight their artistic and intellectual contributions in enriching Egypt’s cultural heritage.
He added: “The selection of the renowned writer and thinker Naguib Mahfouz at the forefront of this initiative is not only a tribute to his unparalleled creative legacy, recognised worldwide, but also to his profound role in depicting Egyptian society during pivotal moments in its history. Through his literary and artistic works, Mahfouz provided deep insights into Egyptian identity amid social and political transformations, shaping national consciousness and serving as a lasting source of inspiration for generations to come.”
Dr. Osama Talaat, Head of the Egyptian Library and Archives, highlighted Naguib Mahfouz’s role as a guardian of Egyptian identity, capturing its essence, dreams and challenges through his novels—from the bustling streets of popular neighbourhoods to the prestigious halls of the Nobel Prize in Literature. He emphasised that reading Mahfouz’s works is not merely a literary experience but a journey into the true spirit of Egypt.
He added: “The Egyptian Library and Archives will host numerous events as part of the celebration. The Bibliographic Services Centre will contribute by publishing Naguib Mahfouz’s bibliography through the Kitab app, a comprehensive digital library launched by the Ministry of Culture as part of its online services programme. Additionally, the Documentation and Research Centre for Children’s Literature will feature Mahfouz’s biography as part of its Every Friday series, shared across the centre’s social media platforms.”
The celebration coincides with the launch of the 2025 edition of the Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature by Egypt’s Supreme Council of Culture. The competition is open to Egyptian writers both at home and abroad, as well as Arab writers, further reinforcing Mahfouz’s enduring literary legacy.
The Council announced that submissions for the competition will be accepted from April 16, 2025, to July 15, 2025. The award recognises the best novels published in the past two years, further celebrating literary excellence in the Arab world.
