Remarkable journey of Amin Saleh
Bahraini cultural icon’s commitment to exploring new frontiers in Arab literature and cinema continues to captivate audiences
In the heart of Manama’s Al Fadhel neighbourhood, a legend was born in 1950. Amin Saleh’s journey from obscurity to becoming a trailblazing cultural figure in Bahrain is nothing short of remarkable. He began his literary career in 1973, when he published his first short story collection, Here is the Rose, Here We Dance after which he published his second collection, Butterflies. Saleh is also considered one of the first translators in Bahrain, as he translated many international literary and cinematic works into Arabic, such as Film as a Subversive Art by Amos Vogel, and Sculpting in Time by Tarkovsky. In addition, his stories were translated into some foreign languages.
Saleh wrote more than 20 scripts for television series, and seven scripts for dramatic cinematic films. He wrote the story and script of the first feature film in Bahrain, The Barrier, in 1990. He is a member of the Bahrain Writers Association, a member of the Awal Theater, and a member of the Bahrain Cinema Club.
He is well-known because he specialises in the translation of books on filmography, a field that was growing at the time in Arab cultural spheres. Back then, translation was mostly intended for politics and novels, with little attention given to cinema. He decided to take the first step and start translating cinematic works since no one had done it. Reading the kind of materials and cinematic works he had chosen to translate, it is evident that Saleh is interested in exploring remote spheres in Arab literature, one of which is cinema. He introduced the Arab world to lesser-known cinemas, figures, and aesthetics.
This impressive body of work has earned Saleh numerous accolades, including the Order of Efficiency First Class awarded to him by the King of Bahrain in 2007.
In the 18th session of the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Award for 2022-2023, Saleh emerged victorious in the categories of story, novel, and theatre.
Renowned for his multifaceted creativity as a novelist, playwright, screenwriter, and translator, Saleh is celebrated for his distinctive narrative style and eloquent language. His dedication to cinematic translation has yielded eight enriched volumes, adding depth to the Arab literary landscape.
Saleh’s remarkable journey from a nascent storyteller in Al Fadhel to a celebrated cultural icon in the Kingdom of Bahrain is a testament to his passion, dedication, and pioneering spirit.
With an impressive body of work that includes groundbreaking translations of cinematic masterpieces and award-winning scripts for television and film, Saleh has not only made a lasting impact on the local arts and culture scene but has also garnered international recognition for his unique creative vision.
Amin Saleh’s commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers in Arab literature and cinema continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the globe, solidifying his status as a true cultural treasure.