Yalla Culture - Episode 27 - Arabji’s Memoirs
Welcome to episode 27 of Yalla Thaqafa. In this episode, I am doing something special for the month of June this year. It is great news that now you can write in Arabic on Kindle. This means that all those who have Kindle can now access around 1000 free books in Arabic. These books are in the public domain, so you will find classics like Ibn Khaldun's introduction and works by Abbas Al-Aqqad, among others. The happy news is that you don't need a Kindle device to read these books. All you need is an Amazon account and the Kindle app on your phone, computer, or tablet. Just search for "Kindle Arabic Edition" and you will find these books available for free, without any copyright issues. The main focus of this episode is on the memoirs of the Egyptian artist Suleiman Naguib. He was a prominent figure in Egyptian theater and cinema, known for his comedic roles in films starring Najib Al-Rihani and Laila Murad. He also worked as a diplomat and had a close personal friendship with Mustafa Kamel, a leading figure in Egyptian politics at the time. The memoirs of Suleiman Naguib offer insight into the social and cultural landscape of Egypt at that time, reflecting on the past and nostalgia for bygone days. The main character in the memoirs, Mr. Hanafi, narrates tales of Egyptian society across various social classes. Through these memoirs, we gain a deeper understanding of the moral and ethical values prevalent in Egyptian society at that time. The narrative explores themes of addiction, societal change, and personal struggles, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals in Egyptian society. Overall, these memoirs paint a vivid picture of Egyptian society in the past, highlighting both positive aspects and challenges faced by individuals. The nostalgia for the past depicted in the memoirs serves as a reminder that while times may have changed, certain societal issues remain constant.