Darna Museum, founded by renowned artist Abdel Razek Achkache, honored prominent figures in creativity and translation from India, Morocco, Bahrain, and Egypt during the First Afro-Asian Literary Forum.
Forum Shield Awarded to Calicut University
Achkache stated that the honorees represent distinguished figures in their cultural and intellectual fields. At the forefront was Professor Dr. Anwar Moghith, former President of Egypt’s National Center for Translation, recognized for his significant contributions to the field of translation and his outstanding role in enriching Arab culture.
Also honored was the acclaimed playwright and critic Ms. Safaa El-Baili, whose rich and deserved experience in playwriting and literary criticism has made a significant impact on the literary scene. Writer and thinker Mr. Omar Hazeen was also recognized, recently elected as Vice President of the Cairo Atelier, in appreciation of his outstanding literary and intellectual contributions.
Three other prominent Arab figures were honored: from Morocco, poet and artist Bouchaib Khalladoun and theater researcher and translator Ahmed Belkheiri; and from Bahrain, visual artist Karima Yassin Taha. This recognition reflects Darna Museum’s celebration of creators who have left a lasting impact on Egyptian and Arab culture.
The two Moroccan honorees actively participated in the forum’s sessions. Publisher and poet Magdy Aboul Khair recited one of Bouchaib Khalladoun’s poems dedicated to his mother, while Ahmed Belkheiri shared his insights in the first session on translating theatrical terminology.
Artist Achkache presented a special honorary shield from the museum to Calicut University, home to several Indian scholars attending the forum. Additionally, he awarded ceremonial medallions featuring the forum’s logo—designed by poet Ashraf Aboul-Yazid—to both Egyptian and Arab honorees. On behalf of the forum’s organizers, Achkache presented five certificates of appreciation: three to assistant professors and research supervisors from the Department of Arabic, Farook College, Calicut University—Dr. Abbas K.P., Dr. Abdul Jaleel M., and Dr. Muhammad Abid U.P.; one to Dr. Sabina K., translator of The Memory of Silence into Malayalam; and one to the founder of Darna Museum himself, artist Abdel Razek Achkache, in recognition of the museum’s role in hosting the forum
