“The Future of Culture in Egypt”

Egyptian culture, says the Dean of Arab Literature, Dr. Taha Hussein, exists and is distinct by virture of its exclusive and unique characteristics and traits. One very distinguishing characteristic of such culture is that it is based on our national unity. It is closely linked to our modern as well as our ancient Egyptian psyche, let alone our very Egyptian existence in the past, present and future.

If one looks at any facet of science, literature or art, studied in Egypt or mastered by Egyptian scientists, men of letters or artists, one will immediately realize that it is tinged with a strong Egyptian print, scarcely erasable by time. Moreover,
one will instantly figure out Egyptian moderation.

Elements of Egyptian Culture
According to Dr. Taha Hussein, the Egyptian culture can be broken down into the following articulate components :
- Ancient Egyptian artistic heritage,
- Arab-Islamic heritage, and
- the best of the fruits of European life gained by Egypt.
These extremely conflicting and differing elements converge in Egypt. They interact and intermarry, eliminating from each other such impurities that may be incongenial to the Egyptian soul. The end product is normally a pure homogeneous mix handed down from ancestors to posterity.

Therefore, culture can be absolutely national or humane in identity, but rather both national and humane. Accordingly, there is in Egypt an Egyptian humane culture, expressive of both the peaceful character of ancient Egypt and that of the eternal Egypt. At the same time, it bears such human touch that can penetrate and enlightens man's heart and mind. Moreover such trait can allow people such pleasures of the mind that can never be found anywhere else. All we have to do is to spare no effort to beef-up and re-invigorate our culture rather than neglect it, letting it die away. The prosperity and boom of our culture is tantamount to our own and even others' prosperity and boom and vice versa.

We should live on earth as producers rather than consumers only. We should give and take. We give more than we take of science and culture. That was the case with us in the past. Posterity should not be short of that achieved by ancestors. Conversely, posterity should add up to ancestors. We should also bear in mind that earlier Arabs had done much for the sake of science and human culture.

Challenges
Undoubtedly, Egypt has been and still could be always a great cultural power. In spite of all suffering and unfavourable conditions, Egypt is still one of the main culture-exporters worldwide. In today's economic jargon., it enjoys a relative cultural advantage and high cultural potential.

Over its long and glorious history, Egypt has confronted many serious challenges, but has come out victoroious or unscathed. All through, Egypt's culture and civilization have been the power to stand out and unleash all latent patential for turning into a dominant power.

In the broad sense of the word, culture encompasses all sciences, knowledge, skills, experiences and heritage, all related to values. Here, values include religious and moral beliefs and traditions. Thus, we are called upon to redouble our efforts, so as to avoid a situation where a different or inappropriate line of thought or culture can be imposed on us. We have to best utilize our cultural heritage and our relative advantages. We have to mobilize the capabilities of Egyptian writers, films, songs and media.
Can any one deny the influence of great intellectuals and writers like Muhammad Abdo, Ahmad Shawqy, Sayed Darweesh, Abbas al-Aqqad, Taha Hussein, Tawfiq al-Hakim and Naguib Mahfouz.

Now cultural conflict is multi-faceted, in terms of reality, time and challenges imposed from outside. We are required, then, to give more attention to individual cultural build-up and composition, being the building block for sound human development.
Having survived disasters and stood out against challenges, through self-confidence and firm belif in victory, Egypt can easily surmount all barriers towards self-assertion and restoration of our ancient, unforgettable glory.