UNESCO mourns pioneer of popular Egyptian literature Ahmed Morsi

CAIRO – 24 July 2022: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) mourned Egypt’s Ahmed Morsi, the pioneer of popular literature, who passed away on July 19, at the age of 78.

“The Living Heritage Entity of UNESCO wishes to pay tribute to Dr. Ahmed Morsi for his internationally recognized expertise in the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). His commitment to the safeguarding of cultural heritage has benefitted local communities and practitioners he engaged with in Egypt,” the organization said in a statement published on its official website.

“The Living Heritage Entity extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Ahmed Morsi and will remember and honor his commitment and enthusiasm for safeguarding living heritage,” the organization concluded.

Morsi played an important role in the International Living Heritage Network as a member of the evaluation body, and an expert representing Egypt in the regular meetings of the 2003 agreement. He was instrumental in Egypt's ratification of the convention and the establishment of the National Inventory List.

Moreover, Morsi supported UNESCO in implementing the project “Strengthening National Capacities for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Egypt for Sustainable Development” in Egypt from 2018 to 2021, as a member of the project’s advisory platform.

He published several books on oral heritage, including folk songs and women's songs and established the Higher Institute of Folklore, the first educational institution for intangible cultural heritage in the Arab world.