Yehia Haqqi or Yahia Hakki is one of the pioneers of the Twentieth Century modern literary movement in Egypt . He has experimented with the various literary norms: the short story, the novel, literary criticism, essays, meditations, and literary translation. Haqqi was born in Cairo on January 7,1905 . He graduated from the Faculty of Law and practiced as a lawyer in Alexandria.
In 1929 he joined the diplomatic corps and served in Jeddah, Rome, Paris, and Ankara. In 1952 he was appointed Ambassador to Libya.
In 1953 he was appointed Director of the Arts Department and then a Literary Advisor to the Egyptian Generd Book Organization in 1958.
In 1959, he resigned his post and became editor of one of a Cairo-based magazine.
In 1970, he was appointed Member of the Supreme Council for Radio and Television.
His work at the Book Organization offered him an opportunity to read a lot. He is considered the father of short story and novel in Egypt.
His first short story appeared in 1925, and he established himself as one of the greatest pioneers of contemporary short story writing in the Arab world.
His short stories convey attempts to express a certain philosophy on life, a certain stand or viewpoint and advocate human will which he considered the fountain-spring of all virtues. He believes that language is not merely a tool of expression or of conveying ideas but rather an integral part of the writing process in all literary norms. His study of law has had its impact on his writings which are characterized by objectivity.
Haqqi also translated world famous literary works such as "The Chess Player" by Stephen Zweig "The Axe" by Mikhail Sadoviano, and "The Stray Father" by Edith Saunders.
Haqqi was awarded the Recognition Award in 1967.
In 1968, he won first prize for his novel "The Postman" in which he portrays means of inculcating Egyptian values and principles.
He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Al Minya University, Egypt.
A selection of his works are:
Non-fiction
"The Dawn of the Egyptian Novel"
"Antar and Juliet"
"Steps in Criticism"
"A Song of Simplicity"
a number of essays included in his "Complete Works".
Literary works
His novel "Qandeel Om Hashem" (Om Hashem's Lantern) 1943, had its positive impact on the course of the Arabic novel for it was a precious work in both language and technique. In it he reviews the customs prevailing in the Egyptian countryside and the means of rectifying them through education so as to attain progress.
"Om Al'awagiz" (The Mother of the Helpless)
"Dima' Wa Teen" (Blood and Mud)
"Antar and Juliet"
"Sah El Nome: (Wake-up)
"I htigag" (Protest)
"Aqrab Affandi" (Mr. Scorpion)
"Tanawa'at Al Asbab" (Means Vary)
"Qessa Fi Ard'hal "(A Story in a Petition)
"Iflass Khatibah" (The Bankruptcy of a Matchmaker)
"Al Firash Al Shaghir" (The Empty Bed)
"Al Bostagi" (The Postman).
Autobiography
His book "Khaleeha Ala Allah" (Depend on God) is the most truthful autobiography and the most expressive of the development in the different stages of the author's life.
He passed away in December 1992.
