thesilkroadtoday
Paris — In a moment that celebrates the vitality of intercultural dialogue and literary exchange, the French edition of A Street in Cairo by Egyptian writer Ashraf Aboul-Yazid has been officially presented within the framework of the Paris African Book Fair.
The announcement was warmly shared by French poetess Alexandra Cretté, who highlighted the significance of this publication during a gathering at the renowned Café Zimmer in Paris, alongside her colleague Arwa Ben Dhia of the Apulivre association (who wrote the introduction of the book; translated by Huda Achraf). The book, translated into French under the title Une Rue au Caire, has been selected as part of the Balisaille 2025 program, in a step that reflects the openness of the French literary scene to voices from the Arab world and Africa.
This publication marks a distinguished milestone in the international journey of the work, which has already been translated into multiple languages (English, German, Russian, Spanish, Sindhi, Urdu, Azerbijani, Turkish, Persian and Serbian). The French edition not only introduces new readers to the poetic landscape of Cairo but also reinforces the bridges between African and Arab literary spaces.
Participation in the Paris African Book Fair of the book’s publisher; Senegaal NJAAY, further underscores the importance of such collaborations, as the fair continues to serve as a platform for promoting African and diasporic literatures, fostering dialogue among writers, publishers, and readers from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Critics and literary observers have praised this initiative as a meaningful contribution to the spirit of Francophonie and poetic fraternity. The collaboration reflects a broader movement toward inclusive publishing networks that connect continents through literature, translation, and shared creative expression.
As Une Rue au Caire reaches French audiences, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to transcend borders and to unite voices across languages and cultures.
