Youssef Zeidan quits cultural activity, cites Bibliotheca spat

Prominent Egyptian novelist Youssef Zeidan announced his retirement from cultural activity in Egypt and the Arab world, in objection to the continued employment of Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) Director Ismail Serageldin despite his ongoing trial.

In a statement on Facebook Monday morning, Zeidan said it is no secret that there is a dispute between him and Serageldin over the BA and that he resigned from his position as director of the Manuscript Center and Museum two years ago as a result.

Serageldin has been on trial for three years on charges of squandering public money through employing overpaid advisors and embezzling donations. He however continues to serve as the BA’s head, since its opening in 2002.

“As of tonight I will suspend any cultural action or interaction in Egypt and the Arab world, and I will stop writing my weekly column in Al-Ahram and Al-Watan (and any other newspaper),” Zeidan wrote, adding that he will also retreat from any educational efforts, cultural salons and seminars in Egypt.

He also vowed to not participate in any public events, cultural or non-cultural, in Egypt or abroad.

In his statement, Zeidan cited Culture Minister Gaber Asfour, who described Serageldin as a “liar” two years ago, but later appointed him to the Supreme Council for Culture. Zeidan also decried the Prime Minister’s recent decision to appoint Serageldin as the Cabinet’s culture advisor.

“I will not retract my decision as long as Ismail Serageldin remains in his position as director of the BA or he is acquitted by a court, and as long as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is in turn president of the BA, doesn’t interfere in this matter, which I see as evidence that any cultural effort in this country is futile,” Zeidan wrote.

Zeidan has worked as a consultant in the field of Arabic heritage preservation and conservation in several international institutions, including UNESCO, ESCWA and the Arab League. He has also written fiction, most notably the controversial Azazeel, which won the International Prize for Arabic Fiction.