C.P. Cavafy is a renowned Greek poet, whose work has been translated into more than 70 languages. Born and bred in Alexandria, you can easily capture the impact it had on him, and how it inspired him to pen many of his best poems.

Considered the founder of Arab-American literature and Immigrant Literature, aka ”Adab al-Mahjar,” Rihani’s early English writings from poems and novels to essays and critiques were Arab and Middle Eastern in essence and American in style.

The Egyptian author and Nobel Laureate’s work personify Egyptian society in its sincerest form. Mahfouz was greatly influenced by his upbringing in his hometown, the ”al-Gammaleyya” Quarter, as well as other culturally rich places like Khan al-Khalili and el-Hussein, the 1919 Revolution, and al-Azhar.

Even the great American writer and lecturer was inspired by the Middle East. In 1867, an American newspaper funded a trip to Europe and the Middle East. His journey resulted in a collection of letters which were later compiled as his famous book The Innocents Abroad.

Post Napoleon’s expedition to Egypt during the 18th century, and the decipherment of hieroglyphs, many international writers in Europe and North America were exposed to the wonders of Ancient Egypt and were heavily inspired by them.  At that time, Edgar Allan Poe was one of the writers fascinated by the Egyptian history and culture. He has mentioned them in 12 of his works.