Egyptian Embassy, Wajha Center host enthralling symposium on Dr. Rehab Ibrahim’s short stories

• Ms. Maryam Al-Muhareb, founder and director of the Wajah Cultural Center, welcomed the first joint cooperation between the center and the Egyptian embassy and appreciated the role of Egyptian creators in the cultural fields of art and literature.

• Dr. Ibrahim Salam, the General Coordinator for Cultural and Artistic Affairs, stated that joint cultural events serve as a gateway to spreading Arab cultural awareness among peoples.

Under the patronage of His Excellency Osama Shaltout, the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the State of Kuwait, and in cooperation with the Wajha Cultural Center, a symposium on the short story “In a Dream I Climb a Mountain” by writer Dr. Rehab Ibrahim was held, with Dr. Rehab Ibrahim participating in the symposium alongside Jihan Al-Demerdash and Dr. Abdel Tawab Mahmoud.

During the event, Muhammad Abdel Nabi, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Cultural Office of the Egyptian Embassy in Kuwait, conveyed greetings from H. E. Ambassador Osama Shaltout to the attendees.

He also expressed gratitude, on behalf of the Egyptian ambassador, to the Wajha Cultural Center for its cooperation and for hosting the cultural evening.

Abdel Nabi noted that this cooperation marked the first collaboration between the Egyptian Embassy and the center, expressing aspirations for continued cooperation in the future. The Egyptian embassy praised Dr. Rehab Ibrahim’s collection of short stories.

Ms. Maryam Al-Muhareb, founder and director of the Wajah Cultural Center, welcomed the first joint cooperation between the center and the Egyptian embassy and appreciated the role of Egyptian creators in the cultural fields of art and literature.

Dr. Rehab Ibrahim expressed her happiness at being present at the Wajah Cultural Center in cooperation with the Egyptian embassy.

She noted that her latest publication from Dar Al Ain is the short story collection “In a Dream I Climbed a Mountain,” which is divided into two parts. The first part is titled “The Sun Was Ignoring Me and Rising,” while the second part is titled “In a Dream I Climbed a Mountain.” She mentioned that the collection delves into different life paths and includes human glimpses.

She also mentioned that writing is an individual act, unlike theater or music, where the writer works alone. However, writing doesn’t stem from isolation, even if it’s done in solitude; rather, it comes from a vision and attempts to gain a deeper understanding of oneself and the world. These activities allow us to explore together the intersections of these visions, providing more space for understanding and communication.

Dr. Al-Demerdash presented a study titled “Self-Image in the Short Story Collection ‘In a Dream I Climbed a Mountain’,” exploring the concept of self-image and its connection to self-awareness and rational understanding of oneself and relationships with the surrounding reality.

The study highlighted manifestations of the writer’s self in the collection, from the title to the stories. It delved into the depths of the soul and memories across various environments like home, university, work, and collective housing.

The study also observed several social phenomena and important issues such as gender relationships, intellectual trends in universities, femininity, and society’s perception of women. This reflects the writer’s experience, intellectual maturity, and a deep philosophical view of life.

Dr. Abdel Tawab praised the collection of short stories, describing it as wonderful. He began his discussion by referencing Dr. Rehab Ibrahim’s cultural and intellectual scope, noting the cultural richness reflected in her literary works. He explained the genius of the writer’s linguistic structure, emphasizing its importance as a key element in distinguishing any creator.

He also highlighted the significance of awareness in cognitive, social, moral, and psychological fields, and their impact on the advancement of literary work and the development of the writer’s persona. Additionally, he discussed the influence of Dr. Rehab Al-Gharbiyya’s readings on her literary works, as well as the social, cultural, psychological, medical, and social dimensions reflected in the collection of short stories.

Dr. Ibrahim Salam, the General Coordinator for Cultural and Artistic Affairs, stated that joint cultural events serve as a gateway to spreading Arab cultural awareness among peoples.