Egyptian Veteran Writer Bahaa Taher Passes away Aged 87

On Thursday, Egyptian veteran writer, novelist and translator Bahaa Taher passed away at the age of 87 after a long journey of illness.

Taher was born in Giza Governorate, but he has roots that extend to Upper Egypt. He is a novelist, writer, translator and theatrical director.

The veteran writer received his bachelor’s degree in History in 1956 and a postgraduate diploma in media from Cairo University.

Taher was a translator at the State Information Service between 1956 and 1957, and worked as a drama director and a broadcaster until the year 1975.

The veteran writer, translator and director was known by Egyptians after his novel "Khalti Safeya Wal Deir” (Aunt Safeya and the Monastery) became a popular television series.

He was one of the first winners of the Booker Award for Arabic Fiction in 2008 for his novel “Wahat el-Ghoroub” (Sunset Oasis).

Taher published numerous novels and story collections, such as “Al-Hob fel Manfa” (Love in exile), “Noqtat el-Nor” (The point of light), and “Qalat Doha” (As Doha said), among others.

In his youth, he was involved in left wing causes,and was a supporter of Gamal Abdel Nasser’s development program for Egypt.

He feels that Anwar el-Sadat ending this policy has been a disaster for Egypt.

He claims himself as a pan-Arabist, but he says that he does not see much good in the Arab regimes of today.

The writer’s novels were translated into numerous languages:

"Khalti Safeya Wal Deir” has been translated into ten languages, including the 1996 English translation by Barbara Romaine.

In Addition, "Love in Exile" was translated into English by Farouk Abdel Wahab, the pen name of Farouk Mustafa.

The translation was published by American University in Cairo Press in 2001 and later reissued by Arabia Books.

“Qalat Doha” (As Doha Said) was translated by Peter Daniel and published by the American University in Cairo Press in 2008.

“Sunset Oasis” was translated into English by Humphrey Davies and was published in the UK in 2009. "Sunset Oasis" was also translated into Norwegian.