Lotus Prize for Literature
1 appearances
-
Edition 6 (1974) Winner
Yusuf Sibai
ユースフ・シバイ
Yusuf Sibai
Pen Names:
Youssef El Sebai（Alternative spelling used in publications and byline）
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1917-06-17 （Cairo, Kingdom of Egypt）
- Died
- 1978-02-18 （Nicosia, Cyprus） age 60
- Nationality
- Egyptian
- Languages
- Egyptian Arabic, Arabic
- Residence History
- Cairo (birthplace and primary base of activity) → Nicosia (visited; site of assassination)
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Politician, Soldier, Editor
- Active Years
- 1937-1978
- Affiliations
- Al-Ahram newspaper, Lotus magazine (editor), Egyptian Journalists Syndicate, Ministry of Culture (Minister)
- Memberships
- Egyptian Journalists Syndicate, Arab Writers' Union (associated)
- Influenced
- Egyptian cinema (many novels adapted into popular films), Popular readership (notably younger readers)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egyptian Military Academy | — | Military studies | — | — | Egypt |
Egyptian Military Academy
Military studies
Year of Graduation:
1937
Country:
Egypt
After graduation he taught at the academy, later serving as a professor of military history.
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | State Award in the Arts | — | — | Government of Egypt | 受賞 |
State Award in the Arts
1973
Organization:
Government of Egypt
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
I'm Going Away
1950 NovelA romance-leaning novel about love and parting; adapted into film.
LoveSeparationIndividual emotion
Adaptations
- [Film] I'm Going Away (film)
The Land of Hypocrisy
1949 NovelA work addressing social and moral hypocrisy; well known and adapted to film.
Social criticismMoralityHypocrisy
Adaptations
- [Film] The Land of Hypocrisy (film)
Life Is A Moment
1973 NovelA later novel reflecting on the transience of life with romantic elements.
Transience of lifeReflectionRomanticism
Bibliography
- The Deputy of Azrael
- Spectra
- Twelve Women
- Deep Hidden Secrets
- O Ye Nation Who Laughed
- The Land of Hypocrisy
- Twelve Men
- In The Parade of Passion
- From The Unknown World
- I'm Going Away
- These Souls
- Dried Tears
- Life Is A Moment
Adaptations
- Return My Heart (film, 1957)
- Among The Ruins (film, 1959)
- Virtue for Sale (film, 1950)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Romanticist styleAccessible, popular narrative voiceStory-driven prose
- Recurring Motifs
- Love and passionSocial and moral dilemmasHeroic/idealized figures
Legacy
Yusuf Sibai was a prominent figure in popular Egyptian literature; many of his works were adapted into films and influenced mass culture. His 1978 assassination had international political repercussions. Critical reception is mixed, but he remains an important mid-20th-century cultural figure in Egypt.
Academic Societies
- Arab Writers' Union (associated)
In Popular Culture
- Numerous novels adapted into films, influencing Egyptian cinema
- TV series 'Fares Ar-Romancia' (The Romantic Knight) was produced about his life
Quotes
-
He is not a writer who isolates himself in an ivory tower, but a man who goes to markets and walks through alleys and streets.
Source: Comment by critic Muhammad Mandur
Trivia
- Served as Egypt's Minister of Culture from 1973 to 1978.
- Assassinated in Nicosia, Cyprus in 1978 (Hilton Hotel).
- Many of his works were adapted into films and influenced Egyptian popular culture.