Ahmed Fouad Selim Guests on Mona El-Shazly’s Show
Veteran Egyptian actor Ahmed Fouad Selim will appear as a guest on Mona El-Shazly’s program Ma’akom Mona El-Shazly, airing tomorrow, Thursday, on ON TV. The episode will shed light on both the personal and artistic aspects of his life, along with memories and experiences that have shaped his journey.

Memories of the October War and the War of Attrition
During the interview, Selim recalls his participation in the glorious October War — the greatest military victory in Egypt’s history — as well as the years he spent in the Armed Forces from the War of Attrition until the day of victory. He explains how his military service profoundly influenced his personality and enriched his culture, having served six years in the army from 1968 to 1974 before joining the Acting Institute.

Selim emphasizes that this experience changed the course of his life, stating: “In the army, I learned discipline, time management, and the value of every moment. I also built my physical, mental, and cultural capabilities, and learned to understand the nature of those around me. Before the army, I was directionless; afterwards, I had a clear purpose.”

A Long Artistic Career and Voice-Over Excellence
The distinguished actor also discusses his long artistic career and the most notable works he has taken part in, highlighting his exceptional talent in voice-over work, which he has used in numerous advertising campaigns and public initiatives — a skill that has added a distinctive dimension to his artistic journey.

Talent and Culture: An Intricate Relationship
Selim notes that the relationship between talent and culture cannot be defined in absolute terms: “I cannot say for sure whether talent precedes culture or vice versa; it depends on the individual’s overall outlook.” He points out that his passion for poetry emerged through the influence of fellow poets during a certain period, inspiring him to try writing poetry. Although he admits he was not at the level of professional poets, the experience refined his artistic taste and made rhythm and rhyme an integral part of his sensibility.

Artistic and Cultural Memories from a Different Era
Reflecting on the golden era of music, Selim says: “We grew up listening to Umm Kulthum singing in classical Arabic, and also Mohamed Abdel Wahab. It was a completely different time from today, where songs have unfortunately shifted towards a more lighthearted, colloquial style.”

A Special Sports Segment
The episode will also feature a special segment with champion Ziad El-Sissy, the first Arab and African to rank world number one in sabre fencing, alongside his wife Nouran Gohar, the world’s top-ranked women’s squash player. The couple will discuss their sports careers and international achievements.