Diritti dell'infanzia e letteratura nella recente esperienza egiziana

Abstract

This article is about the role of Children's Literature in Egypt. The first part examines the strict link between religion and society (din wa dawlah) in Islamic countries through an historical excursus which starts from the beginning of Islam and up to the so-called period of nahdah or rebirth, which takes place in Egypt in the last two centuries of the past millennium. The article continues with a briefing on the birth and development of this literary genre - children's literature - through the analysis of the literary works of its main authors. The emphasis is put on the role of children's literature which is not strictly connected to the religious dimension but inaugurates a new trend inspired by folk tales, myths and legends (khurafat). Nowadays children's literature contains also novels which talk about living conditions of children in the Egyptian society. In its final part the article stresses the importance of authors of children's books. In fact, thanks to their activity, children's literature has participated, and still participates, in deep rooting the awareness of children and human rights both in Egypt and in the Arab world.