Gamal al-Ghitani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gamal al-Ghitani
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2014
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| Born | 9 May 1945 Juhaynah, Sohag Governorate, Egypt |
| Died | 18 October 2015 (aged 70) Cairo, Egypt |
| Occupation | Journalist, author, novelist |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
Gamal al-Ghitani (born May 9, 1945 – died October 18, 2015) was an important Egyptian writer. He wrote many historical and political novels. He also shared his thoughts on culture and politics. For many years, he was the main editor of a well-known literary magazine called Akhbar Al-Adab.
Contents
About Gamal al-Ghitani
His Early Life and Start in Writing
Gamal al-Ghitani was born in a place called Juhaynah in Upper Egypt. When he was a child, his family moved to Cairo, the capital city. He started writing very young. His first short story was published when he was only 14 years old.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Gamal al-Ghitani trained to be a carpet designer. He even got his diploma in 1962. But he loved writing and kept doing it in his free time. In 1966, he was put in prison for a few months. This happened because he wrote things that were critical of the government at that time.
Becoming a Journalist and Author
In 1969, Gamal al-Ghitani changed his career. He became a journalist for a big Egyptian newspaper called Akhbar El Yom. This job allowed him to write even more.
Even as a journalist, he continued to write historical novels. Many of his stories were set in the city of Cairo. He also wrote about important cultural and political topics. He often talked about how much censorship there was in Egypt. To help other Arab writers, he even helped start a literary magazine called "Gallery 68".
Awards and Achievements
Gamal al-Ghitani received many important awards for his writing. In 1980, he won the Egyptian National Prize for Literature. This is a very high honor in Egypt.
In 1987, France recognized his work with the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. This award celebrates people who have made a big impact on arts and literature.
He became the editor-in-chief of another newspaper, Al Akhbar, in 1985. From 1993 to 2011, he led Akhbar Al-Adab, which was one of Egypt's most important literary magazines.
In 2005, he won a French award called "Laure Bataillon" for his translated work. This was a special award for non-French writers. He won it for his major book, Khitāb al-tajalliyāt (The Book of Epiphanies). In 2009, he received the Sheikh Zayed Book Award for his book Ren. This award was worth a lot of money and is one of the richest literary awards in the world.
His Family and Passing
Gamal al-Ghitani was married to Magda El-Guindy, who was also an Egyptian journalist. She was the editor-in-chief of a children's magazine. They had a son named Mohammad and a daughter named Magda. Gamal al-Ghitani passed away on October 18, 2015, in Cairo.
