Foreign Ambassadors in Cairo Mourn the Passing of Acclaimed Egyptian Novelist Sonallah Ibrahim

Foreign Ambassadors in Cairo Mourn the Passing of Acclaimed Egyptian Novelist Sonallah Ibrahim

Several foreign ambassadors accredited to Cairo have extended their heartfelt condolences on the passing of renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim, whose literary legacy has profoundly enriched both Arab and world literature.

Sonallah Ibrahim in his youth in the snows of Moscow

The Russian Ambassador to Egypt, Georgy Borisenko, sent a message of condolence to the writer’s family, stating: “We received the news of his passing with deep sorrow, as he left an exceptional mark on both Arab and world literature. Through his works, he expressed the dreams and aspirations of the Egyptian people and the Arab nation, becoming one of the icons of Arab literature. His works have been translated into many languages around the globe.”

Borisenko highlighted that the late eminent Russian Arabist Valeria Kirpichenko translated several of Ibrahim’s works into Russian, and that the writer maintained strong friendships with prominent Russian cultural figures and orientalists. “We are proud that Sonallah Ibrahim once studied in Russia, at the Moscow Film Institute,” he added.

Egyptian Novelist Sonallah Ibrahim

The French Ambassador to Egypt also expressed profound sadness over Ibrahim’s passing, describing him as “a free-spirited writer who offered both Arab and international readers authentic and profound narratives.” He noted that Ibrahim’s works resonated deeply within French literary circles following their translation.

For his part, the Spanish Ambassador to Cairo described Ibrahim as “a cultural bridge between East and West, whose works illuminated for Spanish readers significant aspects of Egyptian and Arab society.”

The ambassadors agreed that Sonallah Ibrahim’s literary legacy will remain an enduring part of cultural memory, and that he leaves behind a distinct literary school marked by artistic sincerity and intellectual courage.