Celebrating Cavafy's Legacy at 2025 CIBF

See - Sada Elbalad

04-02-2025

Rana Atef
As part of the 2025 Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF), the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Hellenic Foundation for Books and Culture, the Alexandria Branch of the Foundation, and the Embassy of Greece in Egypt organized a special event honoring the timeless legacy of Constantine P. Cavafy, who is one of the most prominent and important Greek poets in the 20th century, and one of the voices of the Alexandrian literature.
This event highlighted Cavafy's life, Alexandrian influences, and his contributions to Greek and Egyptian cultural heritage.
Cavafy, described as 'The Alexandrian,' was deeply attached to Alexandria which was the center of much of his work.
Alexandria was a hub that attracted poets, artists, and thinkers, transforming it into a beacon of creativity. In his iconic poem The City, Cavafy famously captured Alexandria's essence.
The event also featured a tribute to Cavafy's lesser-known connections to Egyptian culture. Hisham Darwish, head of the Greek Department at Cairo University, reflected on how Cavafy chronicled Egypt's spirit and traditions in his poetry. One notable example is his poem Sham El-Nessim, which documents the annual Egyptian folk celebrations, capturing the lives and customs of native Alexandrians.
Award-winning poet and literary critic Dimitris Daskalopoulos delivered a detailed lecture about Cavavy's legacy, in addition to the contributions of the Greek authors in Egypt.
Daskalopoulos emphasized Cavafy's awareness of political and social events of his time. A poignant highlight was the presentation of a Cavafy poem inspired by the 1906 Denshawai Incident during the British occupation of Egypt.
He also cited Stratis Tsirkas who studied Cavafy's connections to modern Egyptian literature.
He discussed Cavafy's references to Egyptian figures and culture, such as his portrayal of Orabi Pasha as a Roman soldier in one of his writings.
Serkis also shed light on Cavafy's relationships with other Egyptian poets, including Ahmed Rassim, and his contributions to cultural magazines despite not knowing Arabic.
This reflected the broader cultural exchange between Greek and Egyptian writers, especially during the early 20th century.
The event also touched on the contributions of the Greek community in Egypt, particularly in Alexandria. For decades, Greek authors and intellectuals enriched Egypt's literary scene. Although this vibrant cultural exchange declined in the 1950s, it remains a testament to the enduring bond between the two nations.
Moderator Mohamed Abdo highlighted how Cavafy held onto the Egyptian spirit in his works, documenting life under occupation and celebrating Egypt's folk traditions. Dina Anwar Farrah, a translator, emphasized how events like this shine a light on the cultural bridges between Greece and Egypt, further enhancing the deep ties between the two nations.
This celebration of Cavafy's legacy served as a shining point of cultural exchange, highlighting the importance of art and literature in deepening the bilateral ties between the nations.