Sherine el-Banhawy, founder of Rowayat, says she saw the opportunity to create a space where Egyptian writers can express themselves in English.
“There are many Arabic literary journals in Egypt, but there were none in English.Rowayatwill give a voice to Egyptian writers who express themselves creatively in English. It’s a way for writers of this generation to express themselves,”Banhawy told The Cairo Post.
For Banhawy, literature is a part of her life. Aside from reviewing books for Egyptian websiteScoop Empire, Banhawyshowcases her work on her blog, “A Cairene Girl’s Footprints Through Life.”
“Reading and writing fiction has always been my hobby. It’s what I like to in my free time. I am always intrigued by new writers and new novels,” she said.
“I always spend time in bookstores when we travel, and after perusing the books, I spend time in the magazine section looking at all the different magazines, and especially the literary journals,” ElBanhawy added.
Aside from interviews with writers, Rowayatis to feature only works of fiction, and since Arabic fiction already has several literary journals, they will not be included. Only one piece of translatedArabic fiction will be published per issue.
“I hope to being awareness that there are, and have always been writers in Egypt who are creative in other languages than Arabic. The journal is a vessel for us to show our hybridity,” she said.
The journal, which will be issued biannually, will also featurenon-Egyptians who write about Egypt in other foreign languages, such as Greek, French, German, and Spanish.
“Future Egyptian writers can look back, read, understand, and maybe get a glimpse of what it was like to write in Egypt today. Maybe also what it means to be Egyptian today. What it’s like to be creative today in Egypt.”
Rowayat are also running a student fiction competition for students of all levels and ages. There are student volunteers in many schools and universities across Egypt. The winner will have their work published in the first issue.
“If we had an association it would be called the Egyptian English Fiction Writers Association, and this would be its journal.”
Rowayat’s first issue will be published in Jan. 2014, featuring prominent writers such as Nabil Shawkat, AhdafSoueif, and Mahmoud Sakr. It is also open to receive submissions from any writers.
“In the future, we hope to increase awareness of who we are and reach out to the Egyptian communities abroad,” Banhawy said.
