Under the title 'Translation and the Dialogue of Civilizations: The Centenary Jubilee of the Ukrainian Magazine (Vsesvit) and its Role in Introducing Arabic and Egyptian Literature,' the Embassy of Ukraine organized a cultural seminar yesterday, Monday, in the international hall at Plaza 2 during the 56th Cairo International Book Fair, as part of the 'Cultural Experiences' theme.
The guest of honor was Olena Khomytska, the Ukrainian translator and researcher, a professor of Arabic language and the director of the Egyptian Center for Arabic Language and Culture at Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv.
She was discussed by Dr. Ahmed Afifi, a professor and head of a department at the Faculty of Dar Al-Ulum, Cairo University, in addition to the writer and literary critic Dr. Samir Mundi.
Also participating virtually was Yevhen Mykytenko, the former Ukrainian ambassador to Egypt (2006-2010, 2019-2021), whose father was the editor-in-chief of the magazine, as well as Dmytro Drozdovsky, the editor-in-chief of the Ukrainian magazine 'Vsesvit' for foreign literature.
During the seminar, Ukrainian researcher Olena Khomytska expressed her sincere gratitude to the organizers of the Cairo International Book Fair and the Embassy of Ukraine for holding this seminar and their interest in translation as a bridge for communication between nations and a dialogue of civilizations.
She noted that the Ukrainian magazine 'Vsesvit,' which was founded in January 1925 in Kharkiv as an illustrated literary and cultural magazine, has always been interested in Arabic literature, especially Egyptian literature, from its inception to the present, as well as in Arab culture.
She reviewed the role that the magazine 'Vsesvit' has played in introducing Arabic and Egyptian literature to the Ukrainian audience over the course of a century since its establishment, emphasizing its historical significance in the world of translation and literature.
The Ukrainian researcher recounted the history of the magazine, the articles, and the Arabic literary works published within it, marking its pioneering position in the field of literary translation, despite a period of suspension in 1934 due to political circumstances, and its revival in the 1950s when it published over 500 novels throughout its history, as well as thousands of poems from 105 countries and translations into more than 80 languages, including Arabic.
Dr. Khomytska continued that the magazine awards two prizes each year, one in the field of literary translation and the other in collaboration with the Ukrainian Writers' Union for one of the young translators."
In turn, Yevhen Mykytenko, the former Ukrainian ambassador to Egypt, stated during a virtual participation that today is a relatively quiet day in Kyiv, with no air raid sirens sounding due to a Russian aerial attack, and the electricity has not been disrupted. He noted that he has had two significant opportunities in his life, having served as Ukraine's extraordinary ambassador to Egypt from 2006 to 2010, and then again from 2016 to 2020, expressing his deep affection for the Egyptian people.
He continued by sharing that in Ukraine, despite the numerous challenges faced by the Ukrainian people, they are celebrating the anniversary of the oldest literary magazine.
He expressed his happiness at participating in this event, emphasizing his personal connection to the magazine, as his father worked in its editorial team for over 63 years, and he himself served as its editor-in-chief for 25 years. He pointed out that throughout its history, the magazine has published works in over 85 languages, including around 600 novels, thousands of poems, plays, and short stories from 105 countries around the world. He also announced that the magazine will soon release special issues focusing on the creative works in other languages.
In his remarks, Dr. Ahmed Afifi, Professor and Head of the Department at the Faculty of Dar Al-Ulum, Cairo University, clarified the importance of translation as a fundamental means of building cultural bridges between nations. He emphasized that translation plays a vital role in enhancing civilizational dialogue and broadening the horizons of understanding between different cultures. He pointed out that the movement of translation from Arabic to Ukrainian has produced notable literary examples, including Serhii Rybalkin translations of Arab literature, as well as those by Olena Khomytska and Lolita Mazner. Furthermore, the name Imad al-Din Ra'if emerged prominently in the translation from Ukrainian to Arabic.
Dr. Afifi underscored the necessity of supporting translators and providing them with professional training, alongside financial resources and literary appreciation, to ensure the continuity of the translation movement as an essential bridge between cultures. He stated that civilizational dialogue can occur either directly or indirectly, noting that the presence of researcher Khomytska in Cairo today represents a direct approach, while an equivalent would be for Egyptians to travel to Ukraine to learn the Ukrainian language to communicate with a Arab perspective. This method is crucial for direct interaction between us and the other, as it enables us to be acquainted with the other's culture while making them aware of ours.
He continued, explaining that the indirect approach relies on translation, which is considered one of the most important methods for fostering dialogue between civilizations. He praised the role of the magazine "Vsesvit" in bridging gaps and fostering an understanding of the other, noting that translations have occurred not only in Egypt but across several Arab countries, reflecting a commendable planning effort by the magazine. It has become evident that communication is not limited to a specific country, but extends to Arabic-speaking countries.
Dr. Afifi remarked that if we examine these literary works of the other and explore Ukrainian literature, we will find that there is no room for fanaticism or hatred in our hearts. Instead, we will seek peaceful coexistence and actively pursue genuine civilizational dialogue. We will cling to this dialogue as it is essential for humanization in our contemporary lives, based on respect for the privacy and culture of others. This dialogue is ongoing and effective between Ukraine and the Arab world, sustained over the past century thanks to this magazine, which affirms the depth of culture between the Arab and Ukrainian sides.
Dr. Samir Mundi noted that the translation movement between Ukrainian and Arabic has witnessed significant growth in recent years, highlighting the extensive cultural partnership between the two nations. He mentioned that this relationship began early on, as Tirmiski documented the transformations of Lebanese society in one of his works, while Mikhail Naimy's experiences studying in Ukraine were recorded in his book "My Seventy Years." He explained that the 1920s were a period of simultaneous cultural renaissance in both Ukraine and Egypt, where critics and writers in both countries engaged with fundamental questions about writing and its purposes. He emphasized that the magazine "Vsesvit" played a pivotal role in presenting Ukrainian literature to the Arab reader, as it also published works by prominent Egyptian and Arab writers, such as Naguib Mahfouz, Tawfiq al-Hakim, Abdul Rahman al-Khamisi, Youssef al-Sebaei, Youssef al-Qaid, Mikhail Naimy, Ghassan Kanafani, and Ibrahim al-Koni.
He also addressed the magazine's contribution to the dissemination of Arabic poetry, which included poems by several eminent poets, such as Hafiz Ibrahim (1958), Muhammad Sadqi, Al-Bayati, Nizar Qabbani, and Kahlil Gibran.
The participants concluded the seminar by affirming that translation is not merely a means of transferring texts, but rather a bridge for cultural exchange and the sharing of intellectual perspectives.
They underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation in the field of translation between the Arab world and Ukraine, to support cultural dialogue and mutual understanding among peoples.
The magazine was founded in January 1925 by Vasyl Blakytny, with contributions from Mykola Khvylovy, and ceased publication in 1934. It resumed its activities in 1958 to become a global platform for literary translation. It also established two prominent literary awards: the "Mykola Lukash Literary Prize" and the "Olena Mykytyn Literary Prize," which were dedicated to young translators.
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