Ashraf AboArafe
In a captivating cultural evening at the Russian House in Cairo, Alexey Vasilyev—Dean of Russian Orientalists and personal envoy of the Russian president to Africa for three decades—opened his heart before an audience of intellectuals, journalists, and admirers of Russian studies, declaring with warmth: “Egypt is my second homeland.”
The gathering was moderated by Sherif Gad, Director of Cultural Activities, who shed light on the distinguished guest’s human and academic dimensions. The evening began with Dr. Vadim Zaitchikov, Director of Russian Cultural Centers in Egypt, who underscored the significance of Vasilyev’s visit and his esteemed place in cultural and research circles. He noted that Vasilyev’s works have become essential references for scholars of Russian relations with Egypt and the Arab world.
Vasilyev shared vivid chapters of his life: from his student years at Cairo University in the 1960s, to his return as a Pravda correspondent, his service as the Russian president’s envoy in Africa, and later his work as a historian, penning one of his most celebrated books, Egypt and the Egyptians, a sweeping account of Egyptian civilization from antiquity to the modern era.
He spoke passionately of Egyptian-Russian relations, describing them as consistently strong, with only brief and insignificant setbacks. Today, he noted, cooperation has achieved historic milestones, including the construction of the Dabaa nuclear power plant, already well underway, underpinned by close ties between the two nations’ leaderships.
With affection, Vasilyev recalled his encounters with Egyptian cultural giants: journalist Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, whom he hailed as the “Dean of Egyptian Journalism,” writer Gamal El-Ghitani, intellectual Mohamed Sid Ahmed, revolutionary poet Ahmed Fouad Negm, and the iconic singer Sheikh Imam. Egypt, he said, had shaped his intellectual journey.
He emphasized that his choice to study Eastern civilizations was deliberate: “The West had been written about extensively. I wanted to turn eastward, and Egypt became my focus.”
On global affairs, Vasilyev warned that international stability is now under threat due to policies of countries seeking to fuel conflicts—namely the United States, Western powers, and Israel. Yet, he affirmed Russia’s commitment to the Middle East, citing Egypt’s Dabaa project and growing trade with Gulf nations as clear evidence.
Vasilyev revealed that his academic devotion to Egypt continues through his new book, Egypt: Eternal and Changing, which explores both the immortality and adaptability of Egyptian civilization.
Concluding the evening, the eminent orientalist praised Egypt’s present stability, crediting it to the nation’s wise leadership.
