56 CIBF: Bridging Greek & Arabic Literature Through Translation

On Friday, the 56th Cairo International Book Fair hosted, Friday, two events about bridging between the Arabic, and Greek language and culture. Several Greek cultural institutions took part in Friday's events such as the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Hellenic Foundation for Books and Culture, the Alexandria Branch of the Foundation, and the Embassy of Greece in Egypt. 

The first session was headed by the Director of the Department of Literature at the Greek Ministry of Culture Sissy Papathanassiou. She introduced the latest translated literary works from Greek to Arabic, including an Anthology of Greek Poetry in the 20th and 21st centuries. 

Prominent and award-winning Greek poet Stavros Zafeiriou participated in the event.

Papathanassiou shared her pride in presenting the anthology, a collection featuring 55 modern Greek poets, including works spanning from Constantine P. Cavafy to contemporary voices. 

She emphasized the importance of this translation, the first comprehensive effort to bring modern Greek poetry into Arabic since a modest attempt over 150 years ago. 

She described that this anthology embodies a historical milestone, connecting two rich cultures, and expressing hope for its official release during the fair.

Zafeiriou, whose works are featured in the anthology, recited one of his poems to the audience, followed by an Arabic translation. In addition, they presented a musical adaptation of the poem.

Reflecting on the experience of listening to his work recited in Arabic, he expressed that the Arabic sounds looked like music, describing it as a profound and harmonious transformation of his poetry. 

He highlighted the role of music in amplifying Greek poetry's global reach, recounting how his compositions have reached broader audiences through song.

The session also explored the shared literary history between Egypt and Greece. While previous efforts to introduce Arabic poetry to Greek readers remain limited, Zafeiriou expressed hope that projects like this anthology could break barriers and foster a deeper appreciation between the two cultures.

The Greek poet told SEE News that this is his first visit to Cairo, sharing his amazement at the scale and energy of the Cairo International Book Fair, comparing it to the book fair of Thessaloniki, asserting that he is happy with his participation and Greece's participation in the event. 

Reflecting on the historical bonds between Greece and Egypt, he expressed to SEE News the Mediterranean’s role in intertwining their myths and shared heritage. 

He also praised the impact of Naguib Mahfouz and the enduring influence of Arab poets like Mahmoud Darwish.

Finally, the Greek poet praised the current standards of Greek poetry in the Modern and Post-Modern eras, calling it the best poetry in the world.

After this session, Nikos Bakounakis, President of the Hellenic Foundation for Books and Culture, joined Mohamed Abdelaziz, a teaching assistant and translator from Al-Azhar University, to discuss the art and significance of literary translation between Arabic and Greek and vice versa.

Bakounakis introduced the "GreekLit Program," established in 2022 to fund translations of Greek literature worldwide. 

"Through this program, we aim to make Greek culture accessible to global readers," he told SEE News. 

He highlighted two recent translations into Arabic: The Diver and Greek History and Philosophy, both by Abdelaziz, noting their popularity among Arab readers.

Abdelaziz described his journey as a translator, emphasizing the delicate balance of faithfully conveying the spirit of the original text while bridging cultural nuances.

"Translation is more than words; it’s a cultural dialogue," Abdel Aziz stated. He also detailed how the narrative of The Diver.

The session touched on the challenges of mutual literary awareness. While some Greek works by Nobel laureates have reached Arab readers, and notable authors like Naguib Mahfouz have been translated into Greek, both speakers agreed on the need to expand this exchange. 

During his interview with SEE News, Bakounakis expressed optimism about fostering more collaborative efforts, including potential partnerships with Egyptian cultural institutions.

He also discussed the growing interest in learning modern Greek in Egyptian universities and cultural centers, revealing that approximately 260 students are currently studying the language in Cairo and Alexandria.

Special thanks to Dr. Mohamed Abdel Aziz for translating the statement from Greek.