The Armenian National Committee in Egypt, in cooperation with the Armenian Cultural Association “Housaper,” organized a cultural evening commemorating the 74th anniversary of Egypt’s July 23 Revolution, while also hosting the launch of two books by novelist Radwa El Aswad and journalist and writer Heidi Farouk.
The event brought together prominent cultural and public figures, including Bishop Ashod Manatsakanyan, head of the Armenian community in Egypt, Anna Jongua, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Georgia in Cairo, Silvia Saroukhan, granddaughter of pioneering Egyptian caricature artist Alexander Saroukhan, Vahe Baladian, Chairman of the Armenian Patriarchate Council, along with academics, writers, journalists and intellectuals.
Opening the evening, Armen Mazloumian, Chairman of the Armenian National Committee in Egypt, said that commemorating the July Revolution represents more than recalling a defining moment in modern Egyptian history. He emphasized that culture remains one of the strongest bridges connecting nations and that books serve as a lasting record of peoples’ experiences and collective memories.
Mazloumian highlighted the Egyptian-Armenian relationship as a unique example of coexistence and mutual respect, noting that Egypt has embraced generations of Armenians who contributed significantly to the country’s cultural, intellectual, economic and artistic development. He added that cultural gatherings such as this one create new opportunities for dialogue and highlight the shared heritage between Egypt and Armenia.
The discussion was moderated by historian Mohamed Refaat El Imam, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History, who presented historical accounts documenting the support expressed by many Armenians in Egypt for the July Revolution from its early days.
El Imam explained that most Armenians in Egypt did not belong to the large landowning class affected by the agricultural reforms introduced after the revolution, which contributed to their acceptance of the revolution’s principles.
He noted that Armenian newspapers published in Egypt on July 24, 1952, carried headlines expressing support for the revolution, including messages emphasizing national belonging and commitment to defending Egypt.
The historian also highlighted several examples of Armenian contributions to Egyptian state institutions after the revolution, including the Armenian photographer who captured the historic first image of the Revolutionary Command Council meeting. He also pointed to the role of an Armenian figure among the early personnel of Egypt’s intelligence service, where multilingual abilities were used to monitor and translate foreign press reports.
According to El Imam, these examples reflect the deep integration of Armenians into Egyptian society and their contributions to the country’s institutions, media and cultural life.
During the event, Heidi Farouk presented her book “Churchkhela and Other Stories: A Caucasian Mountain Table,” published by Gaia Publishing House. The work combines travel writing, culinary narratives and exploration of intangible cultural heritage in Armenia and Georgia.
The book examines daily life, social traditions, cuisine and popular celebrations, offering Arab readers a human and cultural perspective on Caucasian societies while showing how food can serve as a gateway to understanding history, identity and cultural memory.
Novelist Radwa El Aswad introduced her novel “Yesterday I Was Dead: A Story of Armenians and Kurds,” a work spanning more than a century that follows Armenian and Kurdish characters through political transformations from the late Ottoman era to modern times.
The novel addresses themes of displacement, identity, historical trauma and the search for belonging, presenting a human-centered reflection on how communities experience conflict while preserving collective memory.
Writer and journalist Azza Badr praised the cultural impact of the July Revolution, noting that Egypt during that period supported national liberation movements and strengthened cultural connections with countries around the world.
She highlighted the role of President Gamal Abdel Nasser in building cultural bridges internationally and said the revolution contributed to a significant revival in Egypt’s literary and intellectual movements.
Badr also discussed the two featured books, emphasizing the importance of cultural openness while maintaining national identity. She described Heidi Farouk’s work as a celebration of food heritage, traditions and cultural memory, while praising Radwa El Aswad’s novel for presenting a rich human portrayal of Armenian culture and identity.
The evening featured extensive discussions and contributions from writers, academics and cultural figures, including journalist Safaa El Naggar, political science professor Karim Hussein, Kurdish representative Mulla Yassin Raouf, writer Alaa Gerad, author Ghada Labib, critic Hatem Radwan and other participants.
The event concluded with a tasting of traditional Armenian dishes and a celebration marking historian Mohamed Refaat El Imam’s 60th birthday, bringing together writers, historians, journalists and cultural figures in an atmosphere centered on friendship and dialogue.
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