Introduction
In the light of this concept, a museum is now envisaged as a centre of comprehensive and extensive cultural dissemination that aims at cultivating man's feelings and stimulating creativity in all fields. A museum can, therefore, be a melting pot, providing a tasteful and pleasant cultural mix, that reflects the unity and integrity of arts. Poet - Laureate Ahmed Shawki's Museum, originally named by the poet " Karmat Ibn Hani'e ( Ibn Hani'e's vineyard).
Karmat Ibn Hani'e was not merely the Poet - Laureate's house but also the hub of men of letters, poets, playwrights, musicians, singers as well as a meeting place for statesmen, pressmen and other dignitaries.
With the inauguration of this museum, the Karma is re-created anew in order to resume its older role, but with new and fresh potential. The ultimate purpose of this cultural enterprise is to achieve the sublime goal of elevating arts and stimulating man's creativity and noble feelings.
Karmat Ibn Hani'e: Past and Present
Karmat Ibn Hani'e was the name given by Ahmed Shawki to the house he bought in 1914. The house was located in a quiet suburb of Cairo; El Matariya. In an air of romantic serenity and calm, the house lay in the middle of a spacious and gorgeous garden, strewn with ever-green trees, the oldest of which is a willow with intertwined branches. The real reason for the selection by Shawki of this location was its proximity to the Qubba Palace, the royal seat of Khedive Abbas of Egypt. Both the Khedive and the poet were very close friends and Shawki really enjoyed passing most of his leisure time in the company of the Khedive.
Shawki named his house after Ibn Hani Al Abbasi, commonly known as Abu Nuwwas, a famous Abbasite poet ( 756-814 AD). Shawki was highly infatuated with this great poet, whose real talent and rich achievements had not been duly evaluated and rather unjustly criticised. He was commonly, but not fairly, portrayed as a wanton and frivolous legendary figure. By naming his house after Ibn Hani, Shawki had in mind to commemorate, redress and do justice to this great early poet.
Although the house was already too big, particularly for Shawki's family, consisting of the poet, his wife, one daughter and two sons, an annex was added. In this annex, Shawki stored antique furniture and other objects, acquired by the poet from public auction sales, being one of his favourite hobbies. The house comprised numerous rooms: three dining rooms, five sitting rooms with different colours such as the red, green or white room etc...
The house was further expanded, when he acquired an adjacent house to accommodate his daughter " Amina ", married at hardly the age of fifteen.This house was appended to the Karma .
The house also contained a spacious service building ( Selamlik). Part of the area was assigned as a garage for two horse- driven carriages; a victoria ( Hantour) and a phaeton. There was also a horse stable, where two horses were kept. Although Shawki had a liking for automobiles, and was one of the first who acquired cars in Egypt, yet, out of fear of speed, he did not like using them.
In the house garden, there was a large number of domestic animals such as deer, turtles, peacocks and parrots. There was also a basin, where a crocodile was kept. The reptile was brought, at the request of Shawki's son, by an officer friend of the poet working in Sudan.
In view of Shawki's close friendship with the Khedive , the latter often referred needy persons asking for help to Shawki. He welcomed them and spent much of his time and money meeting their needs.
The house was also honoured with the visit of the Khedive and his Austrian wife on the occasion of the wedding of Ahmed Shawki's daughter.
With the outbreak of World War I, Britain proclaimed Egypt a British protectorate. Khedive Abbas, who was in a visit to Turkey was dethroned and banned from entry into Egypt. He was then replaced by Sultan Hussein Kamel as Khedive of Egypt.
As a result of this reshuffle, Shawki was exiled abroad. He chose to take Spain as a place of exile. Throughout the years of the war, he lived with his family in Barcelona, suffering from the pains of estrangement and expatriation from home. In the poems composed during this And in period, he gave immortal expression of his patriotic feeling and nostalgia for his home country. His poetry, mainly the Andalusian nostalgic poems, expressing the bitterness of exile and passionate love of and yearning for his home country still survive as rare and immortal masterpieces of poetry.
Early in 1920, Shawki came back home from exile and was warmly and passionately welcomed by masses of the people in Alexandria and then in Cairo. He was strongly impressed by that welcome.
Shawki's New Karma
After his return home from exile, he no longer felt like living in El Matariya, although his house had remained intact, even unaffected throughout the period of exile. Shawki believed that his house had remained safe and intact on account of a signboard hanging on the entrance bearing the phrase " There is no god but Allah and Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah. "
For this reason, when he left his old house in El Matariya, he ensured that the signboard was relocated to the entrance of his new house in Giza.
In selecting Giza as a location for his new Karma, Shawki had good reasons. In his survey of other suburbs of Cairo, he found out that Zamalek was too low-lying. Heliopolis was quiet, healthy and well-served by means of transport but too far. Qasr El Doobara was too But and congested. As to Giza, there were many important considerations to justify selection. First, Giza overlooks the River Nile, which Shawki adored and loved to live nearby. During his residence in EL Matariya, Shawki aquired a dahabiya (a long light-draft houseboat) on the Nile so as to be able to enjoy the view of the river.Shawki often cited a line of poetry by a Fatimid poet, recommending residence nearby the Nile: Albeit living in Egypt but not by the side.
Of the flowing Nile, say not you in Egypt reside
Ahmed Chawki street No.6
Guizeh, Cairo, Egypt
Another reason for selecting such site was its relative proximity to the Pyramids; another favourite place of Shawki's choice. Every Friday, Shawki used to make outings to the Pyramids in the company of his family and friends including artists and literary writers. However, when Shawki moved to his house in Giza gave up the habit of frequenting the Pyramids. He needed not travel that far to his favourite place, when he could easily enjoy the view of the Pyramids, with the naked eye, right from his house.
Throughout the ensuing years, Shawki led a rich life teeming with literary achievements, glory and high renown. His eminent standing was further enhanced as he drew closer and closer to the innermost feelings of the masses, by truly expressing the agonies and aspirations of the Egyptian people and advocating and supporting their common causes.
Karmat Ibn Hani': A National Musem
In recognition of the outstanding achievements of Poet-Laureate Ahmed Shawki and his far-reaching impact on Arabic literature, the Republican Decree No. 540/1972 was issued, converting "Karmat Ibn Hani' ", together with all the surrounding grounds into a national museum. This conversion was consummated in June 17, 1977.
Since then, Karmat Ibn Hani' has been, as ever before, during the poet's lifetime, the hub and meeting place of literary writers, poets, artists and musicians. Every month, two evening poetry recitals are regularly conducted in the museum Many artistic events, were provided and televised on air. In addition, several cultural events were held in the museum, including symposia, plastic arts shows, book and philatelic exhibitions and musical and vocal concerts .
Karmat Ibn Hani, once the-home of Poet-Laureate Ahmed Shawki has become, after a major face-lifting operation, an outstanding cultural centre that now plays a central role in enriching the cultural and intellectual scene and promoting letters and arts.
Components of the Museum
Ahmed Shawki Museum is located on the Nile Corniche in Giza. The snow-white palace is
surrounded by a green garden. Bronze statues of torch-bearing cherubim representing messengers of thought and culture bearing torches of enlightenment, are placed here and there in the garden. Once in, you are faced with a large statue of the poet, created by late Egyptian sculptor Gamal El Seguini. This statue was placed in this location in Karmat Ibn Hani' 14 years ago in a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the poet's death.
This statue is a replica of a bronze statue of the poet, the Italian Government ordered in 1962 to be erected in the Bourgese Park, Rome, Italy side by side with statues of a number of world top geniuses. The statue was made in recognition of the eminent standing of Poet-Laureate Ahmed Shawki and his high reputation not only in Egypt and Arab World but also all over the world. It was unveiled in an official grand ceremony, attended by the then Egyptian and Italian Ministers of Culture, the Mayor of Rome, sculptor Seguini and a host of Arab and foreign artists, poets and writers.
Ground Floor: Mohamed Abdel Wahhab Suite The ground floor comprises Ahmed Shawki's library with 332 books covering various areas of arts and letters. Some volumes contain draft manuscripts of poems hand-written by the poet on plain paper and book covers. This floor also contains the suite of the then emerging singer and composer Mohammed Abdel Wahhab. Abdel Wahhab's talent was truly appreciated by the poet. He believed that wealth was the proper environment for good art. For these reasons, he acted as the artistic and social patron of Mohammed Abdel Wahhab and actually hosted him in his house. This suite was the birthplace of several great songs created by both the poet and composer. Often, rehearsals of those songs were made in the suite.
This floor also comprises a high-quality audio library, that contains recordings of all songs written by Shawki and vocalised by Abdel Wahhab, in addition to those by the great singer "Star of the Orient" Umm Kalthoum. In this floor, there lie reading and listening rooms, a reception lounge as well as the palace entrance, with sofas, carpets and mirrors with gold-plated frames, all characterised with grandeur and wealth.
Insignias and Manuscripts
The upper floor comprises the Poet-Laureate's bedroom which still remains intact. The wall paper which has been in place for more than eighty years now, still maintains its original colours. The seats still lie in the corners. The Poet's bed with its high brass poles, a dressing table, photographs of the Shawkis are all in display. The place is so suggestive and representative that a visitor can easily get the feel of the old house, One can even visualise the poet's actual life at home.
One time you see him relaxing on the sofa in a room corner, writing poetry, another, in a mood of deep meditation looking at the ever flowing Nile from his window.
The same floor contains the room of Mrs. Khadija Hanem Shaheen, the poet's wife. Centrally located, against the staircase there lies the poet's study, with its invaluable old-style furniture; an elegant desk arm-chair with a semi-circular base, and a harp-shaped ornamental unit on the back. The corners of the desk are ornamented with brass effigies of cherubim. The desk itself is raised on animal-shaped brass feet. All the furniture items are made of mahogany. Against the wall, a glazed wooden bookcase solemnly stands.
Next to the study, there is a room where insignias and badges of honour awarded to the poet are displayed. Included also are some gifts and documents presented to the poet on the occasion of his coronation as poet-Laureate. His elegant gala uniform is still kept in a glazed showcase, reminiscent of the honours associated with the occasions and events where the uniform was used.
Next, there is a room containing more than 713 manuscripts and drafts of the poet's prose and poetry writings.
The museum contains also a collection of oil paintings, antique objects and photographs of the poet, his family, relatives, some friends and important dignitaries.
The Centre for Criticism and Creativity A distinctive feature of the new Karmat Ibn Hani' is the Centre for Criticism and Creativity. Through this centre, the museum can ideally perform its role as a source of cultural dissemination, in continuation of the role that was performed during the poet's lifetime. Under the completed renovation scheme, a centre for criticism and creativity was set up in the basement. It comprises a conference room, a lecture room, a waiting area and a large library easily accessible to readers. Visitors can also attend seminars and symposia involving critical analyses of works of art, letters and poetry. The centre, which is actually a meeting place for writers, intellectuals and artists in Egypt and the Arab world, works for the advancement of arts and letters as well as the integration of arts.
Ahmed Shawki Musuem Information
* 6 Ahmed Shawki Street off Nile Corniche, Giza, Egypt
Telephone : 02-5729479),
~~~~~~
Decree of the President of The Arab Republic of Egypt No 549 / 1972
Having perused the Constitution, and Laws Nos 577 / 1954 regarding expropriation, in the public interest, of real property, the amendments thereof, Law No 252 / 1966, amending certain provisions relating to expropriation of property in the public interest and property acquisition and the presentation by the Deputy-Premier and Minister of Culture and Information,
Hereby decrees as follows:
Provision I: The project for setting up Ahmed Shawki Museum, with the total area of land and real property located on No.6, Ahmed Street, Giza Covernorate (Karmet Ibn Hanie) whose description, location and boundaries are shown in the memorandum and drawing herewith attached share be considered as public-service facilities.
Provision II: This Decree and its memorandum shall be published in the official Gazette.
Issued at the Presidency on May 3, 1972 Anwar El Sadat.
No comments:
Post a Comment