Gamal Al-Ghitani
Encyclopedia
Gamal el-Ghitani, (born May 9, 1945) is an Egyptian
author of historical and political novels and cultural and political commentaries and was the editor-in-chief of the literary periodical Akhbar Al-Adab
("Cultural News")till 2011.
as a child. He began writing at a young age and had his first short story published when he was only 14. He was originally trained to be a carpet designer and received his diploma in 1962. He continued to write on the side and was imprisoned from October 1966 through March 1967 for his critical commentary on the regime of Gamal Abd el-Nasser. In 1969 he switched careers and became a journalist for the Egyptian newspaper Akhbar El Yom
("The Day's News").
In 1980, he was awarded with the Egyptian National Prize for Literature, and in 1987, the French
Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
. In 1985, he became editor-in-chief at al-Akhbar ("The News") and continued to be a contributing editor to Akhbar al-Yom's literary section. Since 1993, he has been the editor-in-chief of Akhbar Al-Adab
, one of Egypt's primary literary magazines. In 2005, he won a French Award for translated literature "Laure Bataillon", one of the highest French awards to be bestowed upon non-French writers. He was entitled for this award due to his giant work "Kitâb al-Tagalliyyât" or "Book of Illuminations".
Egyptians
Egyptians are nation an ethnic group made up of Mediterranean North Africans, the indigenous people of Egypt.Egyptian identity is closely tied to geography. The population of Egypt is concentrated in the lower Nile Valley, the small strip of cultivable land stretching from the First Cataract to...
author of historical and political novels and cultural and political commentaries and was the editor-in-chief of the literary periodical Akhbar Al-Adab
Akhbar Al-Adab
Akhbar Al-Adab is a literary Arabic weekly newspaper founded by Egyptian novelist and editor-in-chief Gamal Al-Ghitani.*Current editor-in-chief: Gamal El-Ghitani*Current senior editor: Ezzat el Kamhawi...
("Cultural News")till 2011.
Biography
Gamal El-Ghitani was born to a poor family in the town of Guhayna, Sohag Governorate in Upper Egypt and moved with his family to CairoCairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
as a child. He began writing at a young age and had his first short story published when he was only 14. He was originally trained to be a carpet designer and received his diploma in 1962. He continued to write on the side and was imprisoned from October 1966 through March 1967 for his critical commentary on the regime of Gamal Abd el-Nasser. In 1969 he switched careers and became a journalist for the Egyptian newspaper Akhbar El Yom
Akhbar El Yom
Akhbar El Yom is an Egyptian newspaper which was founded in 1944. It is released weekly on Saturdays. It has a daily edition called Al-Akhbar. The newspaper is owned by the Egyptian Shura Council and considered a semi-official newspaper. Its current editor in chief is Momtaz Al Ket.- External...
("The Day's News").
Family
Gamal el Ghitani is married to the Egyptian journalist "Magda El Guindy", editor-in-chief of Al-Ahram's children's magazine "Alaaeddin". He has a son "Mohammad" and a daughter "Magda".Work
Since becoming a journalist, el-Ghitani has continued to write historical fiction, and many of his stories are set in Cairo. He has also maintained an active pen about many cultural and political topics, notably the level of censorship in modern-day Egypt. In an effort to help promote the Arab literary culture, he helped found the literary magazine "Gallery 68".In 1980, he was awarded with the Egyptian National Prize for Literature, and in 1987, the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an Order of France, established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture, and confirmed as part of the Ordre national du Mérite by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963...
. In 1985, he became editor-in-chief at al-Akhbar ("The News") and continued to be a contributing editor to Akhbar al-Yom's literary section. Since 1993, he has been the editor-in-chief of Akhbar Al-Adab
Akhbar Al-Adab
Akhbar Al-Adab is a literary Arabic weekly newspaper founded by Egyptian novelist and editor-in-chief Gamal Al-Ghitani.*Current editor-in-chief: Gamal El-Ghitani*Current senior editor: Ezzat el Kamhawi...
, one of Egypt's primary literary magazines. In 2005, he won a French Award for translated literature "Laure Bataillon", one of the highest French awards to be bestowed upon non-French writers. He was entitled for this award due to his giant work "Kitâb al-Tagalliyyât" or "Book of Illuminations".
Works
- Awraq Shab ‘Asha mundhu Alf ‘Am, 1969
- Ard .. Ard, 1972.
- Zayni Barakat, 1974.
- Al-Hisar min Thalath Gihat, 1975.
- Hikayat el-Gharib, 1976.
- Waqi'i' Harat al-Za'farani, 1976.
- al-Rifai, 1977.
- Dhikr ma Jara, 1978.
- Khitat al-Ghitani, 1980.
- Ketab Al Tagaliyat(3 volumes), 1983-1986.
- Muntasaf Layl al-Ghurba, 1984.
- Ahrash al-Madina, 1985.
- Ithaf aI-Zaman bi-Hikayat Jalbi al-Sultan, 1985.
- Risala min al-Sababa wal Wagd, 1988.
- Shath al-Madina, 1990.
- Risilat al-Basi'ir fi al-Masi'ir, 1989.
- Thimar al Waqt,1990.
- Asfar al-Asfar, 1992.
- Asfar al-Mushtaq, 1992.
- Ha-tif al-Maghib, 1992.
- Min Daftar al-'Ishq wal-Ghurba, 1993.
- Naftha Masdur, 1993.
- Mutun Al- Ahram, 1994.
- Shatf al-Nar, 1996.
- Hikayat Al Mo'asasa, 1997.
- Al Zowail, 2006
- Rinn, 2008