Book Nook - Goodbye, Tahrir Square: Coming of Age as a Jew of the Nile (Part 1)

 Elio Zarmati, a fascinating individual with a unique perspective on the Middle East, is the author of Goodbye, Tahrir Square: Coming of Age as a Jew of the Nile, a poignant memoir that offers a timely exploration of identity, displacement, and the cyclical nature of history in the region. 

Elio's background is as rich and multifaceted as the region he writes about. Born in Egypt and raised in France and England, he brings a global perspective to his work. He has a distinguished career spanning journalism, filmmaking, and entrepreneurship. Notably, he built Gelula & Co. into the world's largest provider of subtitles and dubbing services for motion pictures, demonstrating his keen understanding of communication and cultural bridges. 

As the Middle East continues to grapple with political upheaval, conflict, and the refugee crisis, Elio's personal narrative provides a powerful lens into the past and present. Growing up in 1950s Cairo amidst revolution and decolonization, Elio witnessed firsthand the complexities of identity and the challenges faced by marginalized communities. His experiences resonate deeply with the current struggles in the region, from the ongoing conflict in Gaza to the plight of refugees. 

I had a chance to learn more in this interview. Watch for part 2, coming tomorrow!

How did the Suez Crisis affect your community and sense of identity?

The Suez conflict had a profound effect on my community and my sense of identity, and its aftermath changed the dynamic of the entire Middle East. Even though Egypt was losing the military war against Britain, France, and Israel, the cease-fire imposed by the United States enabled Egypt’s leader, Gamal Abdel Nasser, to claim victory over world powers, which made him the uncontested leader of the entire Arab world. Along with India’s independence, the Suez war was the last roar of the British Empire and the beginning of a new form of Arab nationalism.

My community, the Jewish community of Egypt, had dwelled in the land since Joseph of the multicolored coat was sold into slavery and rose to great power in Pharaoh’s court—and the Suez Crisis was the death knell of the millenary Jewish presence in Egypt. In the aftermath of the war, thousands of innocent Jews were accused of espionage for Israel and were expelled from their country of birth. Other Egyptian Jews were persecuted, jailed, tortured, and forced into self-exile to survive. The ethnic cleansing of the Jews of Egypt was called the Second Exodus by historians.

In my extended family, the war began a worldwide diaspora. They all emigrated to whichever country would grant them asylum. As a result, my parent’s numerous siblings and cousins ended up rebuilding their lives all over the world. A great many found shelter in France, Israel and the United States, but many others fled to Italy, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Others ended up in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, and other Latin America countries. It took half a century and the advent of the Internet for the members of the clan to rebuild our family connections.

On a personal level, exile added geographical separation to my emotional dislocation. As a child of divorce whose father was my custodian, I emigrated with him to France and then to England when he got a job in London. My mother, stepfather, and their children were granted asylum in the United States. I spent many summers recesses commuting between Paris and Los Angeles, navigating the cultural differences between two different worlds.

School was also a medley of cultures. In England, I studied at a bilingual French-English high school, then returned to France for journalism studies and earned a master's in French and English literature from the Sorbonne. I began my career in journalism and filmmaking, first in France, then in Los Angeles where I've lived for nearly fifty years.

Elio Zarmati Bio: 

Elio Zarmati is a writer, journalist, filmmaker, and entrepreneur whose life spans continents and disciplines. Born in Egypt and educated in France and England, Elio witnessed firsthand the political upheaval and cultural richness of mid-20th century Cairo. His career includes serving as a publisher, screenwriter, and television director, as well as building Gelula & Co. into a global leader in subtitling and dubbing services. Currently based in Los Angeles and Ojai, California. 

His memoir, Goodbye, Tahrir Square, reflects on his experiences as a European Jew in Egypt during times of war and revolution, exploring themes of identity, displacement, and resilience. We look forward to supporting you and your show in connecting with Elio in any way we can.