Symposium "The Silent Laughter": A Celebration of a Rare Artistic and Human Experience

The symposium held to launch the book The Silent Laughter witnessed a distinguished attendance of critics, journalists, and numerous cultural and artistic enthusiasts. The event was moderated by Heba Mohamed Ali and featured the book’s author, writer Mahmoud Al-Tamimi, alongside the artist Ahmed Nabil, who was the focal point of the evening — an emotional gathering filled with sincere feelings and nostalgia for the era of true art.

Heba Mohamed Ali: “Nabil is an Artist Who Believed in Silence and Made Simplicity His School”

Heba Mohamed Ali opened the event with moving words: “When we speak of artist Ahmed Nabil, we are not merely recalling an artistic career, but opening a door to a rare human personality. Nabil never needed noise or clamor to express himself; his silence was more eloquent than words, and his movements a vivid expression of profound experience. He believed that simplicity cannot be taught but must be lived, and he transformed silent performance into a language conveying a wide spectrum of emotions without uttering a single word.”

Ahmed Nabil: “I Decided to Retire When I Felt There Was No Place Left for My Art”

In a heartfelt intervention, Ahmed Nabil spoke about his decision to retire from art in 2012, explaining that he no longer felt a true place for his art amid the changing artistic landscape. He added, “Since childhood, I was drawn more to movement than speech. I was never comfortable with recitations or jokes. I found myself in physical performance, creating whole worlds without needing a voice.”

The “Three Theater Lights” Trio and the Beginning of the Journey

Nabil talked about his start with the troupe “Three Theater Lights,” which he joined before the guest artist Ahmed. He participated in notable productions such as Hawadit and Bragit, and also worked as an assistant director on the film We Are Not Angels. He explained that this phase was his gateway into the world of acting, but not his final destination — it was the door that led him to his deeper passion: the art of pantomime.

The Major Turning Point: From Moscow to the Art of Pantomime

After receiving a scholarship to study in Moscow in the mid-1970s, Nabil returned to Egypt carrying a renewed passion and became one of the leading faces of silent performance art in the Arab world. He delivered performances that influenced generations, and his expressive silent scenes became part of viewers’ collective memory.

Al-Tamimi: “I Wrote for the Child Who Loved Nabil in His Childhood”

Writer Mahmoud Al-Tamimi explained that The Silent Laughter does more than document Nabil’s pantomime career; it traces his journey from childhood to retirement. He said, “I was a child in the 1980s when I fell in love with Ahmed Nabil, seeing him as an artist unlike any other. Now, I write this book as a tribute to that feeling and a documentation of an artistic and human journey worth telling.”

A Special Relationship and Great Trust

Nabil revealed the story behind choosing Al-Tamimi to write his biography, noting they met by chance in Alexandria. After reading some of his articles, he gave him complete trust. “I handed him my entire personal archive, trusting him as if I were entrusting my son. I wanted someone who would tell my story honestly, not sugarcoat it.”

Childhood Passion and Meeting Chaplin

In a deeply emotional moment, Nabil spoke about his early artistic beginnings. He said he used to imitate visitors and teachers as a child and was passionate about Charlie Chaplin’s films, even dressing like him and performing scenes he created. He added, “I was introduced to pantomime in 1960 when the director of the Alexandria Library presented me to this art form and gifted me books about it. From there, my journey began. I trained for years, eventually earning a scholarship to study abroad, and won third place in an international competition with participants from 43 countries.”

| Facebook | Whatsapp | Linkedin