Az-Zuhur (magazine) explained

az-Zuhūr
Editor:Anṭūn al-Ǧumayyil
Category:Art, literature
Frequency:Monthly
Firstdate:March 1910
Finaldate:December 1913
Country:Egypt
Based:Cairo
Language:Arabic

The monthly journal az-Zuhūr (Arabic: الزهور; DMG: az-Zuhūr; English: "Flowers") was published in Cairo[1] from 1910 until 1913. Altogether, 40 issues exist. The editor Anṭūn al-Ǧumayyil (1887-1948) did already participate in the publication of the Beirutian magazine Al Bashir and the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram.[2]

Literature and art were the main focus whereat the journal mainly tried to support young authors and to improve the relationship between Arab writers from different regions.[3] In addition az-Zuhūr wanted to keep the balance between European and contemporary Arabic literature like some other later popular journals.

Beside literary criticism, book reviews and news about the literary life in Egypt, the authors stand up for the establishment and enhancement of the Egyptian theatre. Az-Zuhūr was the first journal to publish in its series a play of Shakespeare, Julius Caesar. Until the cut-off in 1913 the journal organized numerous writing competitions which helped to achieve more popularity.[3] Eventually az-Zuhūr was able to add a significant contribution to the Egyptian literary life.

Notes and References

  1. cf. az-Zuhūr, 1910–1913.
  2. Dagmar Glaß (2004): Der al-Muqtaṭaf und seine Öffentlichkeit. Aufklärung, Räsonnement und Meinungsstreit in der frühen arabischen Zeitschriftenkommunikation, 2 Bde., Würzburg, p. 173.
  3. Elizabeth Kendall. (2006): Literature, Journalism and the Avant-Garde: Intersection in Egypt, New York, pp. 32-33.