Fatima Atfa (Abu Dhabi)
The Forum Salon continued presenting its literary activities for the fourth day at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, and in the session the day before yesterday, the novel “Al-Halwani – The Fatimiyen Trilogy,” winner of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award by novelist Dr., was discussed. Reem Bassiouni, in the presence of the writer, and a number of Arab and foreign literary figures, such as Floréal Sangstan, a member of the award’s scientific committee, and the dialogue was moderated by Asmaa Al-Mutawa, founder and president of the Literary Forum Salon.
Dr. indicated. Bassiouni refers to the period of Fatimid rule in Egypt, a mysterious period about which not much has been written. This period is very important in the history of Egypt, and it extends for more than 200 years, as the city of Cairo was built outside Fustat, the historical capital of Egypt, and Ramses Square and the Al-Azhar Mosque were also built. A very large famine occurred at that time in the Fatimid era, which was eliminated by Badr al-Jamali, and then the Crusaders entered. For the first time to the region, the first features of Egyptian culture were formed.
Historical novel
Dr. continued. Bassiouni explains that when the historical novel talks about a real character, it is not permissible to change it, such as the history of Badr al-Jamali, and the role of the novelist is to clarify. During the days of the Fatimids, Cairo used to close its gates so that only the Fatimids remained there. Al-Jamali came and expanded the gates of Cairo and began allowing investors to build there. After him, Saladin came, and his goal was to eliminate the Fatimids, but he did not destroy any traces. Al-Basiouni stressed that literature is not literature if it does not contain love stories.
Win and write
After the session ended, the novelist Dr. spoke. Reem Bassiouni told Al-Ittihad about her winning the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, and what the award adds to her literary career. She said: The Sheikh Zayed Book Award is a great honor for any novelist, because it bears the name of an inspiring figure for every writer, and the award placed on me a very great responsibility, as it opens broader horizons for reading. , and opens up a scope for universality. This award has great value in the Arab world and in the world, and this makes me feel that I must work more on myself in writing, and that I must continue at the same pace, and try to make my work better. And I ask Dr. Reem Bassiouni: How do you write, and do you record so that the events remain connected, despite the number of pages reaching 700 pages? She said: Sometimes I record some notes, and write down some ideas so that they do not escape me, but in the end the novel must be present in my mind, and the characters interact and change. The writer must have a great imagination.
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