Egyptian novelist Mohamed Salmawy: Sharjah is one of the most important capitals of Arab culture
SHARJAH, 6th November, 2018 (WAM) – Egyptian writer and novelist Mohamed Salmawi, Cultural Personality of the Year for the 44th session of the Sharjah International Book Fair, confirmed that his selection for this honor represents appreciation for a lifelong journey that has spanned many decades in the service of literature and culture. He expressed his happiness that this recognition comes from Sharjah, which he described as “one of the most important capitals of culture in the Arab world” thanks to the constructive development efforts of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.
This came during a dialogue session entitled “Mohamed Salmawi… Biography and Journey” within the activities of the Sharjah International Book Fair, which is organized by the Sharjah Book Authority at the Sharjah Expo Center under the slogan “Between You and the Book,” and continues until November 16.
He explained that the culture that His Highness chose as the approach to life in Sharjah today represents what the Arab world needs to preserve its unifying identity, which has become threatened on more than one level.
Salmawi discussed his career between literature and journalism, explaining that his study of English literature was not an orientation towards a specific culture as much as it was a means of understanding the literary structure and different critical schools. However, he wondered at the time: “Will I spend my life teaching English literature at the university while society suffers from more pressing issues?” Pointing out that these questions changed the course of his life when he met the late writer Muhammad Hassanein Heikal, who offered him a job opportunity. He found in it the opportunity that combined thought and the reality that he was seeking to contribute to creating.
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