The Egyptian writer Atef Bishai is currently scripting a series that explores the life history of the late writer May Ziadeh, who owned the largest cultural saloon in the Arab world, according to the London based Arabic daily al Sharq al Awsat.
The series tracks the life history of the late writer (1886-1941) since birth and her immigration to Egypt as she was born to a Lebanese father. This is in addition to her career beginning and writings including “Girl Opportunities”, “Smiles and Tears” and “Desert Researcher” and others.
The series also tackles the changes that took place during that period whether they were social, political or cultural and how that period was flourishing with symbols of renaissance and enlightenment such as Taha Hussein, al Aqqad, Mustafa Sadeq al Rifae’i, Jubran Khalil Jubran, Ahmed Lutfi al Sayyed, Salameh Mousa and Anthony al Jamil. This is in addition to other prominent intellectuals and the 20th Century writers from Egypt and the Arab world who used to attend Ziyada’s cultural conferences and forums. The series also highlights the reactions, which the cultural saloon of the late writer led to, and the society’s outlook change towards woman, her creativity and ability on liberation.
The writer sought the help of 25 volumes on Ziadeh and her life history in addition to archival contents, her memoirs and writings particularly those she wrote while she was detained at the mental hospital until writer Amin al Rihani adopted her case in the press and managed to have her released out of the lunatic asylum.
The Egyptian actress, Dalal Abdel Aziz will perform the role as May Ziadeh while search is underway for the rest of the cast who will play the roles as writers. The series will be produced by the Media Production City’s Production Department -- Albawaba.com
