Abla Farag comes from Egypt and came to Slovakia within the framework of the National Scholarship Programme. She is currently based at the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University in Bratislava, where she researches contemporary women’s literature in a comparative context. As a graduate of Bohemian and Slavic studies, her project focuses on the parallels and contrasts between the works of Slovak and Egyptian female authors, with special attention to questions of female identity, philosophy, and cultural translation. In the interview, she spoke to us about her journey to Slovak literature, her research stay in Bratislava, as well as her experiences with learning Slovak, translating literature, and living between two cultural worlds.

Dear Abla, you come from Egypt and are currently at the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University in Bratislava as part of the National Scholarship Programme. You are a Bohemist – what brought you to Slovakia? And how long did it take you to learn Slovak?
I chose Slovakia and the National Scholarship Programme mainly because I wanted to make use of the rich resources of Slovak libraries, which help me access high-quality materials for my research work. In addition, I wanted to have the opportunity to personally communicate with several professors and writers in order to successfully complete my current project while also gaining valuable experience for future ones.

As for learning Slovak, I enrolled in a Slovak language course organized by the Faculty of Arts. Given my knowledge of Czech, I started learning Slovak at level B2. Communication with students and colleagues at the faculty, as well as with people everywhere I went, greatly helped me and made mastering the language easier.

How did you first hear about the National Scholarship Programme?
I learned about the National Scholarship Programme from a Slovak lecturer who came to Egypt as a visiting teacher. She recommended that I visit the official SAIA website and look into scholarship opportunities. Based on her advice, I began actively researching the programme and contacted professors from the Department of Classical and Semitic Philology at Comenius University’s Faculty of Arts, with whom I later cooperated in preparing my research stay.

The main topic of your research stay in Slovakia is the comparison of works by two women – Slovak author Etela Farkašová (novel It Happened) and Egyptian writer Mona El-Shimi (novel Small as a Grape). How did you come to Slovak literature, and why these two authors?
I came to Slovak literature during my studies in Bohemian and Slavic studies, where we also briefly explored literature of other Slavic nations. My interest in Slovak literature deepened through reading contemporary Slovak female authors, among whom Etela Farkašová particularly stood out – not only because of her philosophical background, but also because of the way she thematizes the inner world of women.

I chose It Happened because the author very sensitively reflects on questions of female identity, aging, and inner experience – themes that have long interested me in my research. I wanted to compare this perspective with contemporary feminist literature in Egypt, which is why I selected Mona El-Shimi’s Small as a Grape, a novel that also deals with a woman’s intimate experience but in a completely different cultural and social context.

From a feminist perspective, both novels deal with the position of women in a world that often does not allow them to fully develop their individuality. While Etela Farkašová approaches the issue from an introspective, philosophical perspective and through quiet resistance to societal expectations, Mona El-Shimi uses symbolism, metaphors, and gentle irony to critique a patriarchal environment. The differences arise mainly from their distinct cultural frameworks but also from their literary styles: the Slovak text is contemplative and introspective, while the Egyptian one is more expressive and metaphorical.

As a practical part of my research, I am working on a translation of It Happened into Arabic with the aim of making Etela Farkašová’s work accessible to Arab readers. At the same time, I have published three articles in an Arabic literary journal, introducing Farkašová’s work and philosophical thought as preparation for the future publication of her translated book.

You are currently translating Etela Farkašová’s novel into Arabic. Do you also consider the opposite direction – translating Egyptian literature into Slovak or Czech?
Yes, I am considering translating Mona El-Shimi’s novel Small as a Grape into Slovak or Czech. This step could significantly contribute to intercultural dialogue and to a better understanding of Arabic feminist literature in Central Europe. The novel offers an original perspective on the female experience in Egyptian society and is also of high literary value in terms of language and style.

Since I speak Czech and also work with Slovak, I plan to prepare a translation in the future that could be offered to academic institutions or publishing houses focused on contemporary world literature. At the same time, I realize that successful realization of this project will require cooperation with a Slovak publisher that would ensure the book’s release, as well as support from cultural or grant institutions to finance the translation and publication.

My goal is to build a bridge between the Arabic and Slovak/Czech cultural environments through high-quality literary translation, while at the same time presenting Slovak readers with a new voice of modern Egyptian literature.

Has your experience in Slovakia influenced your future career plans?
Yes, my experience in Slovakia has had a significant impact on my future career plans. My stay at the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University enabled me to deepen academic contacts, gain new research perspectives, and broaden my expertise in comparative literature and translation.

An important part of my stay was also teaching Arabic to Slovak students. This gave me a unique opportunity to improve my teaching skills in the field of Arabic as a foreign language, which I consider a valuable asset for my future professional career. I realized that I want to continue not only in research and translation but also in didactics, specifically in teaching Arabic in an international environment.

I would also like to continue cooperating with Slovak academic and cultural institutions on joint projects aimed at intercultural dialogue. This experience has confirmed to me that I want to develop my career in an international academic and cultural environment.

Is there interest in Slavic languages in Egypt?
Yes, among students at the Department of Slavic Languages at Al-Alsun Faculty in Egypt, there is great interest especially in Slovak. This interest is motivated not only by cultural and academic ties between Egypt and Slovakia, but also by practical reasons. Several students decide to study Slovak because they plan to work in tourism after graduation, where they frequently interact with Slovak tourists.

Knowledge of Slovak significantly helps them communicate with clients, increasing their chances of employment and career development in the tourism sector. As a lecturer at Al-Alsun, I try to motivate students by showing them the practical applications of Slovak, which increases their engagement and interest in the language.

Exchange programmes and academic support from Slovakia also play an important role in this interest, as they provide students with opportunities to study and develop their language skills directly in a Slovak environment.

What advice would you give to foreign researchers considering a stay in Slovakia?
I would like to offer a few pieces of advice for future foreign researchers planning a stay in Slovakia:

1. Learn the basics of Slovak – Even though many people speak English, knowledge of Slovak will greatly facilitate everyday communication, integration, and work in academia. I recommend taking a Slovak course before or right after arrival.

2. Be open and proactive in making contacts – The Slovak academic environment is friendly and supportive, so take advantage of opportunities to meet colleagues, attend seminars, and join cultural events.

3. Use the available resources and infrastructure – Slovak libraries and research centres are well equipped and provide a wealth of materials essential for your research.

4. Prepare your project thoroughly – Plan your research and its goals realistically, also considering possible language and cultural differences.

5. Be patient and flexible – Every new country brings challenges, but also opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Slovakia is an excellent place for research and personal development, so I recommend making the most of this experience.

What differences did you notice between Slovakia and your home country during your stay?
During my stay in Slovakia, I noticed several differences between Slovakia and Egypt, each with its positive aspects:

Slovak society is calm, family-oriented, and organized, which differs from the lively and dynamic atmosphere of Egypt. Public transport in Slovakia is reliable and well developed, while Egypt has a diverse transportation system suited to its size.

The academic environment in Slovakia emphasizes systematic research and cooperation, while Egypt offers rich opportunities and diverse experiences. The climate conditions are also different – Slovakia has a temperate climate with four seasons, while Egypt is warm and stable.

These differences helped broaden my horizons and contributed to my personal and professional growth.

What helped you integrate into life in Slovakia? Do you know people from your country here, and do you meet regularly?
My previous experience living in Prague helped me a lot in integrating into life in Slovakia, as I was already used to the Central European environment and culture. In addition, my colleagues at the faculty were very supportive and welcoming from the beginning, which significantly eased my adaptation.

Unfortunately, I have not met many Egyptians living in Slovakia, so I have not had the chance to communicate with them regularly. However, during my Slovak language studies I met several colleagues with whom I plan to stay in touch after returning to Egypt.

How did Slovaks receive you as a foreign researcher? Did you encounter more friendliness or also some challenges?
As a foreign researcher, I was received by Slovaks very warmly and openly. My colleagues at the university provided great support, willingly helping me with both academic and practical matters. This openness and willingness to cooperate greatly facilitated my research stay.

Of course, as in any new environment, I faced a few challenges, mainly linguistic and cultural differences. However, I perceived these obstacles as opportunities for learning and personal growth, and thanks to the support of local colleagues, I managed to overcome them successfully.

What surprised you the most in Slovakia? Did you experience culture shock?
Since I already had previous experience living in a European country – specifically Prague – I did not experience culture shock upon arriving in Slovakia. On the contrary, I was pleasantly surprised at how similar Slovakia and the Czech Republic are in many aspects, whether in culture, language, or way of life.

What impressed me the most was the hospitality and willingness of Slovaks to help foreign students and researchers, as well as the calm pace of life, which supports both work focus and personal growth.

How do you like Slovak cuisine? Do you have a favourite Slovak dish?
I really enjoy Slovak cuisine and appreciate its traditional flavours and simple yet nutritious dishes. Among my favourite Slovak dishes are bryndzové halušky, which I like for their unique combination of flavours. I also enjoy kapustnica, which is very tasty and especially suitable during the colder months.

As a Muslim, I am careful about my food choices, especially when it comes to meat, since I do not eat pork. Therefore, I always carefully select meals that align with my religious beliefs.

I enjoy learning about the customs and traditions of the society I live in, because I believe it helps me better understand the culture and people around me. Slovak gastronomy has pleasantly surprised me and enriched my culinary experiences.

Have you found any similarities between Slovakia and your home country?
Yes, during my stay I discovered several similarities between Slovakia and Egypt. Both countries have people who are very warm, hospitable, and willing to help others. Slovaks treat foreigners with great kindness and respect, which I greatly appreciate.

I believe Slovaks welcomed me with even greater openness and kindness because I speak their language, which made communication and mutual understanding much easier.

Similarly, in Egypt we also have great respect and esteem for foreign cultures and people, and we try to cooperate with them while being kind and generous.

Finally – what message would you give to foreign researchers considering Slovakia as a place for their research?
My advice to foreign researchers coming to Slovakia is to be open to new experiences and actively engage with the local community. I recommend starting to learn Slovak as soon as possible, as it greatly facilitates communication and integration.

It is also important to be patient and view cultural differences as opportunities for learning and personal growth. Take advantage of opportunities to explore local traditions, customs, and social events, which will help you better understand the society and build strong relationships.

Additionally, don’t hesitate to ask colleagues or locals for help – most people are willing and happy to assist.