A landmark event recently took place at the 57th Cairo International Book Fair, marking a new chapter in the cultural dialogue between Russia and the Arab world. The debut of the Arabic edition of "In the Mother's Shadow", a collection by Chechen poet Suleiman-Hadji Autayev, proved that the power of verse can bridge vast distances.
The presentation underscored the vital work of the Group of Strategic Vision (Group) "Russia – Islamic World" in fostering international ties. Marat Gatin, the Group’s Deputy Chairman and Assistant to the Head of Tatarstan, noted that such initiatives go beyond literal translation. "These projects aren't just about translating words; they are about translating the soul," Gatin said during the event. "They build the strongest possible bridges of understanding between our peoples. This is the kind of public diplomacy we are committed to."
Dr. Anwar Ibrahim, a renowned translator who hosted the evening, described the book as a unique window into Chechen traditions and family values. He explained that the title itself, In the Mother's Shadow, serves as a vital lens for the reader. "It connects the mother as a guardian of safety with the Motherland as the ultimate maternal figure," Ibrahim observed.
The translator, Dr. Mohamed El-Gibali, spoke about the delicate nature of his work. A student of Dr. Ibrahim, the Russian scholar emphasized that poetry is perhaps the most difficult medium to translate. "You can produce a beautiful text, but if it strays too far from the source, it loses its spirit," he remarked. His translation succeeded in bringing Autayev’s lyrics, steeped in both Caucasian and Russian literary roots, to a new Arabic-speaking audience.
The atmosphere was made even more personal by the presence of the poet’s son, Turpal Autayev, who serves as a diplomat at the Russian Embassy in Cairo. After sharing a message from his father and his own childhood memories, he noted that capturing poetry in another language requires a "special talent and a wealth of experience."
Walaa Abu Stait, whose publishing house Dar Umm al-Dunya released the Arabic version, called the book a milestone for her firm. She told the audience that the symbolic and imagistic nature of poetry makes it a publisher's greatest challenge, adding that the author clearly "carries his homeland in his heart."
The evening evolved from a book launch into a testament to how cultural exchange, supported by bodies like the Group of Strategic Vision "Russia – Islamic World", creates lasting respect. It showed that poetry remains a universal language for dialogue.
The Group of Strategic Vision "Russia – Islamic World" was founded in 2006 under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin. Its early years were guided by former Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and Tatarstan’s first President, Mintimer Shaimiev. Since 2014, the Group has been headed by the current head of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov. Today, it continues to bring together diplomats, scholars, and religious leaders to build stronger partnerships between Russia and the Muslim world.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"