Thursday March 28th, 2024
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Sawiris' Foad Negm Poetry Prize

Apparently, Naguib Sawiris has an annual literature competition, and has now added a poetry prize, dedicated to the late Ahmed Foad Negm.

Staff Writer

Admittedly, CairoScene was unaware that one of Egypt's most notorious businessmen, Naguib Sawiris, had an annual Sawiris Literature Award. This came as a surprise, but the real news is that Sawiris has decided to add a new poetry category to his award ceremony.The latest prize addition will be named after the late great inspiring Egyptian poet Ahmed Foad Negm, who passed away very recently. The winner of the award will be granted LE100,000.

The announcement came during a memorial service that was held by the Culture Minister at the Opera house in honour of Negm. Attending the service were many well known figures in the culture and literary scene such as writer Ibrahim Dawood, director Magdy Ahmed Ali, producer Mohamed al-Adli, the head of the Opera House, Enas Abdel Dayem, among other intellectuals and poets.

Artists weren't the only ones in attendance as a few politicians like Hamdeen Sabahy and Khaled Ali took the time to attend the honouring of this great poet.Ahmed Fouad Negm is among Egypt's most renowned poets and if there was ever an artist that deserves to be remembered in the form of an annual award it is him. To learn more about him, check out the tribute we wrote for his passing.

As for Naguib Sawiris, CairoScene wishes to say good on you for promoting and rewarding the arts. You are definitely an intelligent businessman, but what is rare is to find a businessman that actually cares.