In the heart of Egypt, near Giza pyramids, an authentic place named “Ramatan” is located. The word may not sound familiar, however, it is an Arabic name for a place where Arab travelers used to rest at when changing residency. This place used to be home for the dean of Arabic literature, Taha Hussein. The famous writer used to live in this house with his French wife Suzanne Bresseau until his death in October 1973. Later, in 1992, it was decided by the Egyptian government to change this place to a public museum and a cultural hub. Ramatan contains valuable heritage for Arabic literature. It’s also considered a cultural platform that hosts events to share how Egypt structured its culture in the 20th century. Hussein was a brilliant writer and so was his wife. One of Bresseau’s works that is constantly overlooked is a book she wrote about her life and love story with her husband, Hussein. The book was originally written in French with the tittle “Avec Toi” (With you), and it was later translated to Arabic. Opposites attract? The book narrates one of the most elegant love stories…
Avec Toi: a Revived Gem from Ramatan, by Bresseau Taha Hussein
September 2, 2020
