Off-Screen
"From Egypt" attempts to draw a cultural map of Egypt and the Arab world by profiling the artistic, literary, and political issues that affect the region via on-the-ground coverage of current events, publications, and the fight for freedom of expression.

Read column in English

Hamdy El-Gazzar is an Egyptian writer and one of the 39 young Arab writers included in the Beirut 39 Project. His first novel, Sihr Aswad (Dar Merit, 2005) won the prestigious Sawaris Award, and was subsequently translated by Humphrey Davies (Black Magic, AUC Press, 2007). His second novel, Ladhdhat Sirriyya (Secret Pleasures) was published by Dar al-Dar in 2008. He is currently working on a third novel.
  • Hamdy El-Gazzar
    Farewell (Arabic Text)
    by  / July 28, 2014

    Thank you for two amazing years, Hamdy el-Gazzar, who is signing off from Sampsonia Way. Without fail, his column provided insight into politics in Egypt, pressing social issues, and contemporary Egyptian literature.

    Read more...

  • Omar Hazeq
    Freedom for Omar Hazeq (Arabic Text)
    by  / May 5, 2014

    Hamdy el-Gazzar describes the situation swirling around Omar Hazeq who was an employee at the Library of Alexandria. Omar was dismissed from his position and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for breaking demonstration laws and taking part in a protest during the trial of Khalid Said’s murderers.

    Read more...

Fearless, Ink.