The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

When museums are commissioned in recognition of historical figures, what do you think are the criteria that are taken into consideration? Probably, he or she will have to have accomplished something extraordinary on a national, and sometimes international, level. And most likely, his or her achievements still live with us and impact our lives. So, who will be our featured figure this time? Well, last week, we talked about the Umm Kalthum Museum. Now, another iconic legend is on the verge of having a museum dedicated to him, and he couldn’t have been more deserving. It is with honour that we present to you the museum of Nobel Prize winner and the author of 34 novels, over 350 short stories, and other outstanding literary works over a 70-year career, Egyptian writer Naguib Mahfouz.

According to Egyptian Streets, the Naguib Mahfouz Museum, which is due to open on the 30th of June,  consists of two floors. The first comprises of halls for seminars, a visual/sound library, a public library, and a library for critical research, including the most important studies conducted on the work of Naguib Mahfouz. The second floor includes certificates earned by the late writer, and his personal belongings such as clothing, glasses, pens, papers and letters, with some articles written in his own hand. Among the many halls, there is the hall of literature, which holds Naguib Mahfouz’s body of work, along with all the writer’s translated works next to a nearby cinema hall.

The Egyptian Minister of Culture, Inas Abdel Dayem, recently inspected the Naguib Mahfouz Museum, situated at the Tkeit Abu el-Dahab building in the Al-Azhar district. Abdel Dayem said, “The Ministry of Culture defeated many challenges to complete all the works and equipment of the Naguib Mahfouz Museum.” She also invited organisations and individuals to donate their holdings and collectables to the museum, to shed light on the life of the internationally acclaimed legend.

As mentioned earlier, the event will take place on the 30th of June, coinciding with the revolution celebration, in the presence of writer, Yusuf Al-Qaid; Head of the Cultural Development Fund, Dr Fathi Abdel Wahab; as well as the Head of the Civil Coordination Authority, Mohammed Abu Saada. According to Nile FM, his daughter Um Kulthum revealed last year that 18 unpublished stories by the late author will released very soon. We can hardly wait!