The American University in Cairo and Hadhramout Foundation for Culture Celebrate Bakathir’s Literary Legacy
Cairo Gulf Tech News
The American University in Cairo (AUC) and the Hadhramout Foundation for Culture have announced a strategic cultural partnership to present the stage production “Bakathir Museum” at the Falaki Theater on AUC’s Tahrir Square campus on May 1 and 2, 2026. The collaboration marks 115 years since the birth of pioneering writer Ali Ahmad Bakathir (1910–1969) and aims to revive his creative legacy through a contemporary theatrical vision.
Directed and dramaturgically adapted by Ahmed Fouad, the production blends drama, music, and modern visual media in an artistic format that moves beyond conventional documentation. The performance is designed to speak to today’s audiences through a lively and thoughtful artistic language.
The play is part of an ongoing cultural program launched at the Cairo Opera House in December 2025 under the theme “115 Years of Influence.” The year-long initiative seeks to reintroduce Bakathir’s literary legacy through contemporary creative tools and connect his work with new audiences across the Arab world.
AUC President Ahmad Dallal said the partnership reflects the university’s core mission of making knowledge accessible across generations. He added that hosting “Bakathir Museum” creates a platform for dialogue that connects a rich literary heritage with the interests of students and intellectual communities, while opening space for engagement between the past and the present.
Alongside the theatrical performances, the Hadhramout Foundation for Culture has launched the “Bakathir Annual Award in Literature,” with this year’s edition dedicated to Arabic poetry for young people. The award aims to discover emerging poetic talent, strengthen younger generations’ connection to Bakathir’s literary school—known for balancing authenticity and renewal—and provide a competitive platform worthy of Arabic literature’s standing.
Abdullah Ahmed Bugshan, Chairman of the Founders Board of the Hadhramout Foundation for Culture, said the initiative is not merely about commemorating a figure from the past, but about investing in the future of Arab culture. He noted that focusing on younger generations through theater and the annual literary award is key to sustaining Bakathir’s evolving influence, especially in light of the strong public engagement seen since the celebrations began at the Cairo Opera House late last year.
Ali Ahmad Bakathir is widely regarded as one of the most prominent poets, novelists, and playwrights in 20th-century Arabic literature. He shared Egypt’s State Appreciation Award with Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz and produced several enduring works, including “Wa Islamah” and “The Epic of Omar ibn Al-Khattab.” He is also recognized as the first to present a poetic Arabic translation of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
The Hadhramout Foundation for Culture is a non-profit cultural institution dedicated to promoting cultural awareness and supporting sustainable creative projects that connect Arab heritage with global future horizons. Through grants, literary initiatives, and performing arts programs, the foundation works to support writers, theater artists, and musicians while strengthening their presence locally, nationally, and internationally.
