Gamil Attia Ibrahim - a renowned Egyptian author - passed away in Switzerland on April 10, 2020.
Mr. Ibrahim- was a friend of arabworldbooks.com since its founding in Geneva in March 1998.
His novels were featured in our book of the month selection for February 2001 and March 2008.
You can find more information on the author and readers comments on the pages of both novels.
In 2008, Gamil Attia Ibrahim was one of the recipients of our Tenth Anniversary Award presented to writers and volunteers who played a pivotal role in the success of our club - particularly in its early years- and to writers who have enriched our pages with their creative writing and enlightened us with their progressive thinking.
The photo below is from our tenth anniversary celebration, which took place on 27 January 2009. Former minister of culture of Egypt, Dr. Gaber Asfour greets Gamil Attia Ibrahim before presenting him with his award.
Gamil Ateya Ibrahim (also spelt Gamil Atiyya or Gamil Attia ) was born in Giza, Egypt on 7 August 1937, he was an active member of the Egyptian Writers' Movement of the 1960's. He was one of the founders of "Gallery 68" , the literary magazine which soon became the mouthpiece of the writers of his generation.
He moved to Switzerland in 1979 and worked as a correspondent for several Arab newspapers and radio stations.
Among his works are:
In Arabic
*Sheherezade on the Banks of Lake Geneva Hilal 2007
A Question of Savagery Miret 2003
The novel is a mosaic of interweaving images and situations which leaves the reader facing the fundamental questions of our times. Ateyya's characters find themselves in an endless quest for illumination amidst meals in cafes and restaurants and bright colored balloons while humanity is tearing itself apart. With the Geneva conventions, the Bosnia world crime's tribunal, Sharon's atrocities and the plight of the Iraqi people in the background, the novel's intellectual protagonists are torn between their helplessness and the parallel reality of their dreams.
* Palm on the Brink "Nakhla 'ala al-Hafa" a novel
* Safe of Words Khizanat el-Kalam A novel - 2000
This book was our readers club selection for February 2001
* His novel "The Alexandrian Papers" - Hilal 1997 captures the struggles of at least three generations of ordinary Egyptians. It is a courageous attempt to encapsule Egypt's twentieth century history as well as to explore the next millenium. A work of great literary integrity, it is as insightful as it is enjoyable.
* Mourning Becomes Friends "al-Hidad Yaliku Bi-l-Asdika'a"
a collection of stories 1976
* Side Talk " Ahadith Janibiyya " stories
* Assilan a novel 1980
* The Sea is not Full " al-Bahru Laisa Bimala'an " a novel
* Down to the Sea " al-Nnuzul Ila al-Bahr " a novel Dar al-Mustakbal al-Arabi-Cairo 1986
This acclaimed novel is the story of the cemetery south of Cairo, known as the "City of the Dead" and of the aspirations of the individuals that live there. Sayyid has lived through the great political events of modern Egypt. A son of the cemetery he is an educated man who in his youth became involved in the revolutionary struggle but now he lives his life disillusioned, feeling that this dream of freedom might never be realized.
* Revolution " al-Thawra " a trilogy 1952, 1954, 1981
In English
* Down to the Sea " al-nuzul Ila al-Bahr " a novel
Translated by Francis Liardet ( London:Quartet 1991 )
* His short story The Child and the King was included in Egyptian Short Stories selected and translated by Denys Johnson Davies (Washington D.C.: Three Continents Press,1978)
* His short story The Old Man was included in Arabic Short Stories selected and translated by Denys Johnson Davies
( London, Melbourne and New York: Quartet. 1983 )
