Speakers

Mr Ahmed Mohamed Swelam

Biography

Mr. Ahmed was the Publishing Director at Dar al-Ma’arif  (1977-1995), Deputy Editor in Chief of October Magazine (1995-2002), a member of the Poetry Committee at the Supreme Council of Culture, a member of the Writers Union Board of Directors of the, a member of the Journalists Syndicate, Head of the Writers Association, Lecturer of Children's Literature at Helwan University ( 1996-2002), Lecturer of Book Publishing at Akhbar El-Yom Academy (2002-2006), Editor in Chief of the Series of Contemporary Poetic Creativity since 2002 until now. He was awarded the State Prize in poetry in 1989, and the State Prize for excellence in literature in 2006. He published 20 collections of poetry, including: The Biggest Thirst, Fragments, Faces And Mirrors, and the Unsaid by Sinbad. He also published 22 literary study including: Children Poet Mohammed Harrawy, Cultural Education for Arab Children, Our Culture at Crossroads, and Poets and Power. Moreover, he published four plays; fifty poetic, narrative, and theater works for children.

ahmedswelam42@gmail.com

 

 

Presentation Abstract

Folklore and Child-Rearing

Folklore means elements of a lively culture that is passed from one generation to another. It is the overall traditional cultural elements in any society, such as beliefs, knowledge, habits, traditions, physical culture, and traditional arts. Folkloric literature includes oral literature, verbal art, and expressive literature. This literature is characterized by purity, realism, collectivism, and engagement.

Egyptian heritage components include elements of folkloric culture since the ancient Egyptian wrote his tales and myths, and throughout the Greek, Roman and Islamic Eras in Egypt till present. This heritage includes many positive values ​​that can be presented to the child, can help in the development of his imagination, and can play a role in his awareness. Folkloric biographies carry values ​​of heroism and redemption. Hence, the hero of a biography, while defending his identity, facing and defeating his enemy, becomes a role model for the child, who strengthens the child’s tendency of country belonging and the honor of its defense.

Folk tales include other values ​​related to morality and right education for young people, learning about the heritage of ancestors, and upholding the Arab identity, as well as customs and traditions related to the society, which make the child proud of his culture and ancient history. Folk songs instill artistic and social values in the mind of a child, making him loyal to the environment where he belongs to.

In general, folklore can be dealt with by the idea of ​​choice; i.e., we can present all what carries positive values, and add to it the vision of our current time, fun and role models, especially in the tales of Thousand and One Nights, Panchatantra, religious stories, and biographies, which are important sources of culture to the Arab child, and help to develop his character.