After Tunisia: Ahdaf Soueif on Egypt

The Egyptian novelist considers the impact of the last month's extraordinary events


Change has already happened. What the long term will look like we can't tell. But the feeling in the country is altered. The feeling is, to steal Mr Obama's catch-phrase: "Yes, we can!" This is a revolution of the young, with the old playing a supporting role. They organised it via Facebook and in virtual meetings. And when they went down into the streets they saw how many they were and how varied. Jean Genet, describing the "Palestinian revolution", said that the atmosphere was like Paris in '68 but with good humour and courtesy. This is what it feels like here. These high spirits and this feeling of empowerment we've not had this for a very long time. This is change.

Ahdaf Soueif was born in Cairo. Her novel The MapofLove was shortlisted for the Man Booker prizein 1999.


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