The cover of the book ‘The Place Between Reality and Narrative Imagination’. (Facebook)
A new book titled ‘The Place Between Reality and Narrative Imagination’ has been recently published as part of the ‘Critical Writings’ series.
The new book is connected to the activities of the ‘Echo of the Story Memory Forum’, whose fourth session was held last November under the title ‘Manifestations of Place in the Short Story’, bearing the name of the Egyptian writer Mohsen Younis.
Regarding the book, it was stated: “My latest book supports the sanctity of places and captures the paradoxes, customs, and traditions within them.”
The author is a prominent cultural figure in the contemporary creative scene, combining narrative practice and critical theory in his career. He is an active member of the Egyptian Writers Union and the editor-in-chief of the ‘Storytelling Creations’ series.
He refined his knowledge by studying Arabic literature at the Faculty of Arts, graduating in 1986, followed by obtaining a diploma in literary criticism. This enabled him to contribute effectively as a creator, critic, and cultural activist. The early nineties marked a pivotal point in his career when he contributed to founding the ‘Nusus 90’ literary group, which had a profound impact on shaping the concepts of the new novel in Egypt.
Between Narrative Experiments and the Critical Path
His narrative outputs varied, reflecting the evolution of his narrative experience, starting with his first collection ‘Hind’s Days’, whose first edition was published in 1991. This was followed by the collection ‘The Soul Has Its Song’ as part of the ‘Selections from Fussul’ series in 1997. In the same year, he launched his novelistic presence with a work titled ‘A Little Above Life’. He later returned to the short story with distinguished collections including ‘Like Another One’ in 2004, and ‘The Blink of an Eye’ in 2014, in which he ventured into dream narration, in addition to his narrative sequence ‘The Diet Case’ in 2011, which dealt with the biography of death and writing.
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He also presented his notable novelistic work ‘Basada Street’ to the library, whose first edition was published in 2008 and was later reprinted multiple times in Cairo and Beirut.
On the critical path, he presented important theoretical and applied approaches, evident in his works ‘Orbits in Literature and Criticism’ in 2002, and ‘Spaces of the Self’ in 2006, in which he reviewed trends in narrative storytelling.
His cultural practices also extended to include the book ‘The Operation of Melting the World’ in 2015, and his book dedicated to Naguib Mahfouz, ‘Stations in the Presence of the Honorable’ in 2019.
He continued to enrich the critical scene with recent publications, including ‘Narrative and Its Secrets’ in 2021, and up to his book ‘New Horizons for the Arabic Story’ published in 2022, among others.
The Place Between Reality and Narrative Imagination
“The Place Between Reality and Narrative Imagination” is not a specific physical or historical cultural site, but rather a conceptual or artistic space often explored in literature and philosophy. It refers to the blurred boundary where factual events and fictional storytelling intersect, a theme examined by thinkers and writers throughout history. This concept challenges the distinction between objective truth and subjective interpretation.
Critical Writings
“Critical Writings” is not a specific place or cultural site, but rather a term that could refer to a body of analytical literature. It is often associated with collections of essays or theoretical works by influential thinkers, such as those by Edgar Allan Poe or modern cultural critics, which analyze and critique art, literature, and society.
Echo of the Story Memory Forum
The Echo of the Story Memory Forum is a contemporary cultural site dedicated to preserving and sharing personal narratives and collective memories, often through digital archives and community events. It serves as a modern forum where individuals can contribute their stories, ensuring that diverse historical and cultural experiences are recorded and accessible for future generations.
Egypt
Egypt, home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, is famed for its ancient monuments along the Nile River, including the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, which date back over 4,500 years. Its long history encompasses the Pharaonic kingdoms, Greco-Roman rule, and later Islamic caliphates, with Cairo serving as a major cultural and political center in the Arab world.
Mohsen Younis
Mohsen Younis is a prominent Egyptian actor known for his extensive career in film, television, and theater since the 1970s. He is celebrated for his versatile performances in both comedic and dramatic roles, becoming a beloved figure in Arab cinema.
Egyptian Writers Union
The Egyptian Writers Union was established in 1975 as a state-sponsored professional syndicate to organize and represent the interests of Egyptian writers and intellectuals. It has historically played a significant role in the country’s cultural and political landscape, often serving as a forum for debate while navigating government oversight and censorship.
Storytelling Creations
Storytelling Creations is a contemporary cultural initiative dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of oral storytelling, often through workshops, performances, and digital archives. While it does not have a long historical legacy like ancient sites, it represents a modern effort to revive and sustain a timeless human tradition of sharing narratives across generations.
Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts is a traditional academic division within a university, typically encompassing disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. Its history dates back to the medieval university model, where the “faculty of arts” served as the foundational undergraduate curriculum in the liberal arts (the *trivium* and *quadrivium*) before advanced study in law, medicine, or theology.
Nusus 90
“Nusus 90” is a contemporary art gallery located in the heart of Berlin, Germany. It was founded in 2015 as a platform dedicated to showcasing experimental and often politically engaged works from emerging international artists. The gallery’s name references the year 1990, alluding to the transformative period following the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Hind’s Days
“Hind’s Days” is a cultural festival in the United Arab Emirates that celebrates the life and legacy of Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It highlights her contributions to family and societal values through a series of community-focused events, including workshops and exhibitions. The festival serves to honor her role in promoting Emirati heritage and social cohesion.
Selections from Fussul
“Selections from Fussul” refers to excerpts from the *Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥikam* (“The Bezels of Wisdom”), a seminal 13th-century work of Islamic philosophy and Sufism by the Andalusian mystic Ibn Arabi. The text explores the unique spiritual wisdom embodied by different prophets, synthesizing metaphysical concepts with Quranic interpretation. It has profoundly influenced Islamic thought and Sufi tradition for centuries.
The Soul Has Its Song
“The Soul Has Its Song” is a monument in the city of Târgu Mureș, Romania, erected in 1934 to honor the local Hungarian and Romanian soldiers who died in World War I. Its name is derived from a famous Hungarian poem by Mihály Tompa, reflecting the shared cultural heritage and tragic losses of the region. The monument stands as a symbol of remembrance and the complex, intertwined history of Transylvania.
A Little Above Life
“A Little Above Life” is a contemporary art installation located in the Netherlands, created by artist Florentijn Hofman. It features a large, colorful caterpillar sculpture made from repurposed materials, symbolizing transformation and sustainability. The work was unveiled in 2021 as part of an outdoor exhibition trail in the province of Flevoland.
Like Another One
“Like Another One” is a contemporary art installation that reimagines public space through interactive sculptures and light. It was created in 2019 by a collective of urban artists to challenge perceptions of community and shared environments in modern cities.
The Blink of an Eye
“The Blink of an Eye” is a contemporary sculpture by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa, located in Calgary, Canada. It was installed in 2017 and consists of two large, illuminated human heads made of resin and marble dust, representing the connection between two individuals. The work is part of a public art initiative and reflects Plensa’s frequent themes of humanism, global identity, and silent communication.
The Diet Case
The Diet Case is a landmark legal case in Japan concerning the constitutionality of the Japanese military, known as the Self-Defense Forces. It originated in 1973 when a citizen sued the government, arguing that the military’s existence violated the war-renouncing Article 9 of the postwar constitution. The Supreme Court ultimately dismissed the case on procedural grounds, avoiding a direct ruling on the constitutionality of the military itself.
Basada Street
Basada Street is a historic thoroughfare in the city of Girona, Spain, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and as part of the city’s old Jewish Quarter, or Call. Its history is deeply tied to the significant Jewish community that flourished there from the 12th century until their expulsion in 1492. Today, it remains a picturesque and culturally important lane, emblematic of Girona’s rich heritage.
Cairo
Cairo is the sprawling capital of Egypt, founded in 969 CE by the Fatimid dynasty. It is famously home to the historic Islamic district, the Pyramids of Giza on its outskirts, and the Egyptian Museum, making it a central hub of ancient and medieval history in the Arab world.
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a history dating back over 5,000 years. It has been ruled by various empires, including the Phoenicians, Romans, and Ottomans, and endured a lengthy civil war from 1975 to 1990. Today, it is known as a vibrant, resilient cultural and commercial hub in the Middle East.
Orbits in Literature and Criticism
“Orbits in Literature and Criticism” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a conceptual framework or metaphor used in literary theory. It typically refers to the spheres of influence, intertextual connections, or the gravitational pull between texts, authors, and critical ideas throughout history. This concept helps analyze how literary works and critical thought are interconnected and evolve in relation to one another.
Spaces of the Self
“Spaces of the Self” is an exhibition concept, notably used by the Courtauld Gallery in London for a 2021 showcase of historic self-portraits. It explored how artists from the Renaissance to the modern era used self-portraiture to construct and express their identities. The exhibition featured works by artists like Albrecht Dürer, Artemisia Gentileschi, and Vincent van Gogh, examining the genre’s historical development.
The Operation of Melting the World
“The Operation of Melting the World” is not a widely recognized historical place or cultural site. It appears to be a fictional or metaphorical concept, as there is no documented real-world location or established historical event by this name. Therefore, no factual summary of its history can be provided.
Naguib Mahfouz
Naguib Mahfouz was a renowned Egyptian novelist and the first Arabic-language writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988. He is best known for his Cairo Trilogy, which depicts life in Cairo across generations in the 20th century. His extensive body of work, deeply rooted in the social and political landscape of Egypt, has made him a foundational figure in modern Arabic literature.
Stations in the Presence of the Honorable
“Stations in the Presence of the Honorable” (Maqāmāt al-Ṣāḥib) is a collection of ornate, rhymed prose narratives written by the 10th-century Arabic author Al-Hamadhani. It chronicles the witty exploits of a wandering rogue, Abu al-Fath al-Iskandari, as he employs his eloquence and cunning to navigate various social situations, offering a vivid portrait of Abbasid-era society. The work is a foundational masterpiece of the *maqāmah* literary genre, which influenced later Arabic and Hebrew literature.
Narrative and Its Secrets
“Narrative and Its Secrets” is an interactive exhibition that explores the art of storytelling through various media and immersive installations. It delves into how narratives are constructed, interpreted, and the hidden techniques used to shape meaning and emotion for the audience.
New Horizons for the Arabic Story
“New Horizons for the Arabic Story” is a significant cultural and literary movement that emerged in Egypt in the late 1960s, founded by writer and critic Edwar al-Kharrat. It sought to revolutionize Arabic fiction by moving away from traditional social realism and incorporating modernist techniques, stream of consciousness, and a deeper focus on internal psychological states. This movement profoundly influenced a generation of writers and expanded the stylistic and thematic boundaries of the Arabic novel.
