On Tuesday, January 19th Google honored the life of award-winning Egyptian author Ihsan Abdel Kouddous with a commemorative Google Doodle. Abdel Kouddous was a prominent figure in Egyptian literature and history, and his work will be remembered for years to come. Let’s take a closer look at his life and accomplishments.
Ihsan Abdel Kouddous was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1931. He attended Cairo University, where he studied law and graduated in 1956. After graduating, he worked as an editor of newspapers and magazines as well as a writer for various Arab literary journals. In 1975 he published his first novel, The People’s Road to Freedom, which became a bestseller in Egypt. He wrote several other novels, including Bicycles of the Revolution (1976), The Last Days of the Pharaoh (1978), The Source of Light (1980), and The Seashells of Alexandria (1982). He also wrote several plays and short stories that were widely acclaimed in both Europe and North America.
Not only was Abdel Kouddous an acclaimed author, but he was also an influential political figure within Egypt. He served on the Supreme Council for Culture from 1979 until 1981, helping oversee cultural policy and laws related to freedom of expression within the country. In addition to his work as an author and politician, he was also an active member of the Arab Writers Union from 1967 until 1989 when he resigned due to political differences with its leadership at the time.
Abdel Kouddous received numerous awards for his writing throughout his career including the Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature in 1990 and the State Merit Award for Literature in 1997. He passed away on February 2nd 2016 after a long illness at age 84.
Ihsan Abdel Kouddous had an incredible impact on both Egyptian literature and politics throughout his lifetime. His books are still widely read today, even after his passing 4 years ago, making him one of Egypt’s most beloved authors ever. Google’s homage to him is certainly fitting considering all that he achieved throughout his long career – something we can all appreciate!
