PHOTO: President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt
By Samuel G. Dweh, Freelance Development Journalist, President—Liberia Association of Writers (LAW) Contacts —+231 (0)886618906/776583266/samuelosophy@yahoo.com/samuelosophy1@gmail.com
The Arab Republic of Egypt is calling for Liberian writers’ works in the following genres: Novel, Short Story, Poetry, Play, Folk Tale, and Myth. The last, Myth, refers to an imaginary story about gods or goddesses.
The Arab Nation made it request through its Diplomatic Mission (Embassy) in Monrovia, which was relayed through Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two-page communication, which has “December 24, 2020”, states: “The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Monrovia presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Liberia, and has the honor to inform that in the framework of preparation for celebrating the Day of Africa 2021, the Egyptian National Translation Center has launched an initiative entitled “Africa Narrates”, aiming at translating a group of African Literature works in the field of: Novels/ Short Story/Poem/Plays/Folk Tales/Myths.”
The communication continues: “It is worth mentioning that Liberian works can participate in the initiative, and the deadline of receiving the participating works is 31th of January 2021, taking into consideration the following:
- A list of proposed literary works should be provided to the Egyptian National Translation Center (maximum of three works), and copy of any nominated book, provided that is written in the original language from which it will be translated.
- The Arabic translation rights in favor of the National Center for Translation are obtained from the African publishing house or the Author of the work (through the country’s embassy in Cairo or direct communication between the Center and the Publishing House/Author), provided that the rights are exclusive for a minimum of seven years for the first edition with a maximum of 1500 copies, and the Center bears the costs of transportation, printing, and distribution of the works.
- There is possibility of an agreement between the two parties (the Center and the African Publishing House) to organize an event in Cairo in which the book will be promoted after its publication, and the writer will be invited to visit Cairo, and participate in a seminar on the book, and the National Center for Translation will bear the hosting, internal transfers and costs of the event held for promoting the book in Cairo.”
On its expected role for the Liberian Government for the promotion of its writers-citizens (Liberians), the Arab Republic of Egypt, through its Diplomatic Mission in Liberia, states: “In light of the above, it would be highly appreciated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Liberia would contact the relevant Liberian cultural authorities to encourage participating in the afore-mentioned initiative, aiming at strengthening the relations among African brothers.”
In conclusion, via the two-page communication the Egyptian Embassy in Liberia, speaking for the Home Government, states: “The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Monrovia avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the ”Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, the assurance of its highest consideration.”
The carbon copy of the communication was sent to Liberia’s Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism (MICAT)
Works by Liberian writers wishing to participate in the program should be submitted at the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Liberia, 20th Street, Sinkor, Paynes Avenue, Monrovia. The Embassy is opposite the entry point of the John F. Kenedy Memorial Medical Center.
There was no “attachment” to the copy of the communication to this writer through Mr. Darius Gweh, Director of Culture, of the Office of the Assistant Minister of Culture (MICAT), Hon. Margaret Cooper-Frank, January 6, 2021.