Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Russian Cultural Center Holds Symposium for Union of Dagestan Writers


Mon 12 Jul 2021 | 11:18 PM
Pasant Elzaitony

The Russian Cultural Center in Cairo organized a symposium for the delegation of Union of Dagestan Writers on their first visit to Egypt.

The delegation was invited by the Egyptian-Russian Foundation for Culture and Science.

The symposium was run by Sherif Gad, director of the cultural activity at the center, who began the meeting with a moment of mourning for the late Dr. Hussein El-Shafei, who invited the delegation.

At first, Gad welcomed Mohammed Akhmedov, head of the Union of Dagestan Writers, who holds the title of Golden Poet in Dagestan. He is also a member of the Union of Russian Writers and holds the title of "People's Poet".

Gad also welcomed the respected poet and translator "Murad Akhmedov", editor-in-chief of the Dagestan literature journal dedicated to children's literature, as well as Mrs. Jamila Kurbanova, director of the Rasul Gamzatov Literary Museum.

It is worth noting the Rasul Gamzatov is a prominent poet who printed a number of anthologies.

[caption id="attachment_253416" align="aligncenter" width="1080"]Mr. Sheriff Gad Mr. Sheriff Gad[/caption]

Gad pointed out that the meaning of Dagestan is the land of mountains, which is of a beautiful and perse nature, through which mountain rivers flow through the mountainous territories to the Caspian Sea.

Dagestan is also characterized by nature reserves and the highest sandy mountain in the world. It is filled with healing mineral water springs.

On his part, "Ahmedov", head of the Writers Union, expressed his great happiness on his first visit to Egypt, which he longed for and to see its historical mosques, especially Al-Azhar Al-Sharif.

He added that he was pleased as he was able to pray in the Sultan Hassan Mosque and was fascinated by Old Cairo, where the history he was studying was fragrant.

Cairo for the population of Dagestan is a dream and inspiration as if it were a star in the sky that they hope to reach it.

He said that the people of Dagestan still remember the stories of our parents and grandparents about the great state of Egypt and its historical role in protecting Islam and human culture.

"From here the dream of visiting it is born among all Dagestans, and as much as I am happy but feel sadness by the departure of the inviter, Dr. Hussein Al-Shafi’i, the great friend of Russia and I am certain that his likes will not leave as his works will remain for generations to come."

The poet "Murad Akhmedov" also stressed his indescribable happiness for visiting Egypt for the first time, which amazed him not only in historical books but also on the ground of the amazing developments it is witnessing, and we were able to sign a cooperation agreement with the Egyptian Writers Union headed by Dr. Alaa Abdel Hadi on the exchange of visits and activate translation movement, to provide more knowledge about each other.

While Jamila Kurbanova stated that visiting the archaeological sites in Cairo is important, but the most important thing is the human being, and the Egyptian man caught her attention with his simplicity, kindness and gaiety, which made them feel that they did not leave Dagestan as if they were among their family.

Over a friendly poetic duel, "Muhammad Akhmedov" recited several poems he wrote in the Russian and Dagestan languages, and the poet "Murad Akhmedov" recited a long poem in Russian.

On the Egyptian side, poets "Reham Abdullah", "Jalal Al-Sayyad" and "Sayyid Yunus" recited poems in colloquial and classical language. Those poems won the admiration of the audience, and then "Reham" presented them with her latest work.

In conclusion, "Murad Akhmedov," the young Dagestan poet, stressed that this historic visit will open the door to deepening cooperation between the Egyptian and Dagestan peoples.

He expressed his great happiness with this Egyptian warmth and Egyptian achievements made him conclude in Arabic with the word "Long live Egypt."

Translated by Ahmed Moamar