Yehia Haqqi (1905-1992
Yehia Haqqi was one of the pioneers of the twentieth centaury literary movement in Egypt. He was a prominent novelist, short story writer and an encyclopedic intellectual that provided a rich tributary of the modern Arabic culture.
BIRTH AND EDUCATION:
• Yehia Haqqi was born on January (7/1/1905) in the popular traditional district of Sayyada Zeinab, Cairo.
• He was graduated from Faculty of Law and he worked for a short period as a lawyer in Alexandria
• In 1929 he joined the diplomatic corps and served in Jeddah, Rome, Paris, and Ankara.
• In 1952 he was appointed Ambassador to Libya.
• In 1953 he was appointed director of arts departments and then a literary advisor to the Egyptian General Book Organization in 1958
• In 1959 he resigned from his post, and became editor-in-chief of the well-known cultural magazine "al Magalla" (1962----1970)
Haqqi effectively contributed to the broad bases of contemporary Egyptian cultural and Artistic revival, including the creation of arts institute, puppet theatre, Cairo symphony orchestra, operatic chores and other folkloric arts troupes.
Haqqi is considered the father of the short story and novel in Egypt. His first short story appeared in 1925 and he established himself as one of the greatest pioneers of contemporary short story writing in the Arab world. His short story conveys attempts to express a certain philosophy in life and advocated to the human will, which he considered the origin of all virtues. He believed that language is not merely a tool of expression or of conveying ideas but rather an integral part of the writing process in all literary norms. His study of law has its impact on his writings, which are characterized by objectivity.
In the field of novel he wrote a number of impressive works such as:
"Qandeel Umm Hashem"(Umm Hasheem Lantern) in 1943, which had its positive impact on the course of Arabic novel, for it was a precious, work in both language and technique. This novel he reviewed the customs prevailing in the Egyptian society and the means of rectifying them through education.
He also wrote "Om Al A'wagiz"(The Mother of the Helpless) "Dimaa we Teen" (Blood and Mud) "Anter and Juliet" " Sah el noom" (wake up) "Ihtigag" (Protest) "Aqrab Affandy" (Mr. Scorpion) "Tanawa'at Al Asbab" (Means vary) "Qessa fi Ard'hal" (A Story in petition) "Iflass Khatibah" (The bankruptcy of a Match Maker) "Al firash al Shaghir" (The Empty Bed) and " Al Postagy" (The Postman) in which he portrayed means of inculcating Egyptian values and principals.
He wrote a number of books on cinematographic art including "Madrast Al Masrah" (Theatre School) "Homom Thakqafia" (Cultural Concerns).
Some of his works were translated into foreign languages. He translated a number of Russian masterpieces and was well acquainted with many foreign literatures such as French, Russian, Italian, and Turkish.
He translated literary works such as:
* The Chess Player - by Stephen Zweig * The Axe - by Mikhail Sadoviano * Anthony Krugger - by Thomas Mann * Blue Brand - by Meter Linel* Cairo - by Desmond Stuart. On Arabic language he wrote "Asheq al Kalima" (world lover) where he discovered some linguistic issues. His book " Khaleeha ala Alah" (Leave it to God) which was the most truthful autobiography of Haqqi, in which he expressed the development of the author's life. In his autobiography Haqqi didn't follow the chronological order, but he opened it with the day he sat for an oral exam in his final year at the faculty of law' His childhood comes in the second part of the autobiography, entitled "shop Wastes" , while his graduation and appointments to governments post are in part one, "Trust in God".
His literary style:
Yehia Haqqi had a characteristically crisp and elegant style with brief and rhythmic phrases. He originated special narrative style of his own, expressing both originality and modernity. He adopted a realistic, and warmly passionate artistic approach in his novels and short stories; he viewed the short story in terms of dramatic structure as an integrated body of poetic images. He firmly believed that the Arabic language is so intensive and extensive that it can easily express all various requirements of our modern age.
In his short stories and novels he honestly embodies the real world with emphasis on the issue of rebellion, hope , sex , and death.
Foremost of the issue addressed by Haqqi he gave supremacy to human resolve, being in his viewpoint the core of all virtues. He also focused on the psychoanalysis and disparities of life such as "Man's Tyranny and weakness at the same time" He also expressed animal feelings in many short stories.
Haqqi in the eyes of the others
SCC Secretary General Gaber Asfour talked about Haqqi as one who always on the look -out for fresh writing talent. He also said that Haqqi was ever willing to lend a hand to young gifted writers by having their works published in the magazine entitled " El Magalla" which he was its editor-in-chief and encouraged them in many ways.
Yehia Haqqi was one of those writers who could strike a balance between Eastern and Western points of view, which is probably due to his experience as a diplomat. Nevertheless, he didn't sever the links with his home country.
Yehia's daughter Noha talked about the traces of Eastern and Western cultures in her father's character saying that despite his long absence overseas he maintained the characteristics of the gallant and pious Egyptian.
In his research on the life of Haqqi author Youssef Al Shourouni said that Haqqi's literary work wasn't isolated from his real life experiences Haqqi saved his critics the trouble of tracing the characteristics of his creation since they could be easily found in his autobiography "Al Sharouni" said adding that Haqqi imagery is unique.
Awards and Prizes
• In 1967 Haqqi was awarded the Recognition Award • In 1968 he won first price for his novel "The Postman" • He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Al Minya University, Egypt. • Order of Merit, Egypt • King Feisal International Prize Saudi ,Arabia • Knight's order in literature, France • Cairo International Cinema Festival Shield (16th session)
Yehia Haqqi was one of the pioneers of the twentieth centaury literary movement in Egypt. He was a prominent novelist, short story writer and an encyclopedic intellectual that provided a rich tributary of the modern Arabic culture.
BIRTH AND EDUCATION:
• Yehia Haqqi was born on January (7/1/1905) in the popular traditional district of Sayyada Zeinab, Cairo.
• He was graduated from Faculty of Law and he worked for a short period as a lawyer in Alexandria
• In 1929 he joined the diplomatic corps and served in Jeddah, Rome, Paris, and Ankara.
• In 1952 he was appointed Ambassador to Libya.
• In 1953 he was appointed director of arts departments and then a literary advisor to the Egyptian General Book Organization in 1958
• In 1959 he resigned from his post, and became editor-in-chief of the well-known cultural magazine "al Magalla" (1962----1970)
Haqqi effectively contributed to the broad bases of contemporary Egyptian cultural and Artistic revival, including the creation of arts institute, puppet theatre, Cairo symphony orchestra, operatic chores and other folkloric arts troupes.
Haqqi is considered the father of the short story and novel in Egypt. His first short story appeared in 1925 and he established himself as one of the greatest pioneers of contemporary short story writing in the Arab world. His short story conveys attempts to express a certain philosophy in life and advocated to the human will, which he considered the origin of all virtues. He believed that language is not merely a tool of expression or of conveying ideas but rather an integral part of the writing process in all literary norms. His study of law has its impact on his writings, which are characterized by objectivity.
In the field of novel he wrote a number of impressive works such as:
"Qandeel Umm Hashem"(Umm Hasheem Lantern) in 1943, which had its positive impact on the course of Arabic novel, for it was a precious, work in both language and technique. This novel he reviewed the customs prevailing in the Egyptian society and the means of rectifying them through education.
He also wrote "Om Al A'wagiz"(The Mother of the Helpless) "Dimaa we Teen" (Blood and Mud) "Anter and Juliet" " Sah el noom" (wake up) "Ihtigag" (Protest) "Aqrab Affandy" (Mr. Scorpion) "Tanawa'at Al Asbab" (Means vary) "Qessa fi Ard'hal" (A Story in petition) "Iflass Khatibah" (The bankruptcy of a Match Maker) "Al firash al Shaghir" (The Empty Bed) and " Al Postagy" (The Postman) in which he portrayed means of inculcating Egyptian values and principals.
He wrote a number of books on cinematographic art including "Madrast Al Masrah" (Theatre School) "Homom Thakqafia" (Cultural Concerns).
Some of his works were translated into foreign languages. He translated a number of Russian masterpieces and was well acquainted with many foreign literatures such as French, Russian, Italian, and Turkish.
He translated literary works such as:
* The Chess Player - by Stephen Zweig * The Axe - by Mikhail Sadoviano * Anthony Krugger - by Thomas Mann * Blue Brand - by Meter Linel* Cairo - by Desmond Stuart. On Arabic language he wrote "Asheq al Kalima" (world lover) where he discovered some linguistic issues. His book " Khaleeha ala Alah" (Leave it to God) which was the most truthful autobiography of Haqqi, in which he expressed the development of the author's life. In his autobiography Haqqi didn't follow the chronological order, but he opened it with the day he sat for an oral exam in his final year at the faculty of law' His childhood comes in the second part of the autobiography, entitled "shop Wastes" , while his graduation and appointments to governments post are in part one, "Trust in God".
His literary style:
Yehia Haqqi had a characteristically crisp and elegant style with brief and rhythmic phrases. He originated special narrative style of his own, expressing both originality and modernity. He adopted a realistic, and warmly passionate artistic approach in his novels and short stories; he viewed the short story in terms of dramatic structure as an integrated body of poetic images. He firmly believed that the Arabic language is so intensive and extensive that it can easily express all various requirements of our modern age.
In his short stories and novels he honestly embodies the real world with emphasis on the issue of rebellion, hope , sex , and death.
Foremost of the issue addressed by Haqqi he gave supremacy to human resolve, being in his viewpoint the core of all virtues. He also focused on the psychoanalysis and disparities of life such as "Man's Tyranny and weakness at the same time" He also expressed animal feelings in many short stories.
Haqqi in the eyes of the others
SCC Secretary General Gaber Asfour talked about Haqqi as one who always on the look -out for fresh writing talent. He also said that Haqqi was ever willing to lend a hand to young gifted writers by having their works published in the magazine entitled " El Magalla" which he was its editor-in-chief and encouraged them in many ways.
Yehia Haqqi was one of those writers who could strike a balance between Eastern and Western points of view, which is probably due to his experience as a diplomat. Nevertheless, he didn't sever the links with his home country.
Yehia's daughter Noha talked about the traces of Eastern and Western cultures in her father's character saying that despite his long absence overseas he maintained the characteristics of the gallant and pious Egyptian.
In his research on the life of Haqqi author Youssef Al Shourouni said that Haqqi's literary work wasn't isolated from his real life experiences Haqqi saved his critics the trouble of tracing the characteristics of his creation since they could be easily found in his autobiography "Al Sharouni" said adding that Haqqi imagery is unique.
Awards and Prizes
• In 1967 Haqqi was awarded the Recognition Award • In 1968 he won first price for his novel "The Postman" • He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Al Minya University, Egypt. • Order of Merit, Egypt • King Feisal International Prize Saudi ,Arabia • Knight's order in literature, France • Cairo International Cinema Festival Shield (16th session)
