Berlant Morsi is a woman pioneer of interior design, who worked as an interior designer at the Egyptian television. In this interview, she talked about her education at the Muhammad Ali’s Royal School, then al-Saniya Secondary School, and finally the Department of Interior Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts. During high school, she traveled to the United States to represent Egypt at the Youth Conference, and delivered lectures on Egypt and Islam.
Berlant grew up in Abdeen district in Cairo, where she attended a kindergarten owned by a foreign woman. She spent a year there just playing, before attending Muhammad Ali’s Royal School, which was a public school chosen by her father. He knew all the outstanding schools because he worked as an inspector at the Ministry of Education. In primary school, Berlant took interest in the drawing classes, and recalled the encouragement she received from her art teacher at the time. She then transferred to al-Saniya Secondary School for Girls, where the principal was Ms. Karima al-Saeed -Egypt’s woman pioneer of education. Berlant recounted that Ms. Karima was keen on organizing various activities at the school, among which was the scouting activity, and the school trips. Although the parents did not welcome the idea of girls traveling to other cities, they allowed their daughters to participate in these trips because of their strong confidence in Ms. Karima, the school principal. Ms. Karima also appointed a ballet teacher, and a tennis coach at the school. Her sister, Dr. Azima al-Saeed, was the school doctor, who taught the girls nursing, and accompanied them to visit hospitals, and help patients.
Berlant never liked math or science, and used to escape those classes to participate in the school’s Geography Society. She was particularly interested in cartography. She also loved literature and reading in general, and was interested in acquiring knowledge in the fields of geography, history, and psychology. Berlant spoke about her math teacher, Souad Bahgat, who used to take Berlant home with her to tutor her in mathematics without pay, repeating the school lessons to Berlant to help her improve in mathematics. When Berlant passed her mathematics exam, Ms. Souad gave her a gold earring. In addition, among her classmates at al-Saniya, Berlant recalled Ms. Samia Sadiq and Ms. Ikhlas Sadiq.
Berlant recounted that one day the English language teacher asked the students to write a composition text under the title “The World We Want.” Berlant wrote about love, tolerance, peace, the importance of education, and the importance of helping the poor. Many months later, she discovered that the English writing assignment was in fact a national writing competition, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, and that she won the first place, and with it the chance to travel to the USA to represent Egypt at the Youth Conference. The Minister of Education, al-Ashmawy Pasha, invited her to the ministry’s headquarters to greet her and recognize her achievement. At the age of 17, Berlant traveled to the USA accompanied by a ministerial delegation, and a delegation from the embassy. In the USA, she stayed with an American family, and wrote about the American family system and education. An American girl of her age used to take her to school. Berlant attended conferences with representatives from all the countries around the world, and delivered a lecture on Islam in one of the major churches. Berlant recalled that she wanted to work during her three-month stay in the USA, but when she found a job at a flower shop, she quit soon after because it was difficult to deal with the thorns. She ended up working as a babysitter, before returning to Egypt.
Upon her return, Berlant was welcomed by the Ministry of Education, and was offered the opportunity to study at the American University in Cairo at the state’s expense, after obtaining her high-school diploma, in recognition of her efforts representing Egypt abroad. However, she chose to attend the Faculty of Fine Arts, which opened its doors for female students for the first time. Berlant recalled that her mother did not want her to pursue a college education, and wanted her to get married instead. However, Berlant insisted, and applied for the admission test without her family’s knowledge. When she passed the test, her father became convinced and approved of her wish to attend university. Studying at the Faculty of Fine Arts began with one preparatory year, followed by four years of specialized education at one of the departments. Berlant wanted to specialize in interior design, but the Faculty administration refused, because the field of work was not suitable for girls. With some of her colleagues, Berlant met with the artist Dr. Salah Abdel Karim, who agreed to open the way for them to enroll in the interior design department. Only four girls were in Berlant’s graduating class.
Berlant recalled that the Faculty had a rich and wide range of activities, including acting, singing, and poetry recitals. She had very good relations with her colleagues, and made beautiful memories with them. During her university studies, she got engaged to her colleague Mamdouh Fahmi, and decided to get married after earning her bachelor’s degree. Upon graduating, Berlant got married, and lived with her husband at his family estate, since his father died, and he had to take care of the estate’s affairs. During this period, Berlant took interest in painting and fashion design as a hobby at home. When Berlant found out that television broadcast was about to start in Egypt, she aspired to work at the television, but did not get the chance because of her husband’s responsibilities. However, it turned out that since she and her husband were the top students of their graduating class at the university, they both had to apply for the television qualifying tests, or pay a fine of ten thousand pounds. Berlant took the test and was accepted to work at the Egyptian television.
Berlant received a three-year training at Abdeen Palace by professionals, the first of whom was director Ahmed Salem. The first program she worked in was called “The White Piano,” and it took a lot of work and effort. Berlant recalled proudly the day when the TV broadcast started for the first time, after all this effort, and the prevailing sense of patriotism at that time. She used to go to work not knowing when she would return home, which made her feel guilty for being distant from her family for a long period of time. Among those Berlant worked with at that time were director Nour al-Demerdash, and the TV presenter Salwa Hegazi. Among the television programs she worked on was the “Great Night” celebration show, during which the Balloon Theatre was inaugurated. The TV show narrated the entire history of Egypt, and Berlant designed all the show’s costumes.
Berlant was involved in the construction of several studios, and her work also included conducting the inventory of furniture during the nationalization process. The Head of the Consumer Institution put Berlant in charge of the acquisition of Pontermoli store after its nationalization. She was also responsible for the technical supervision over the store, and for transferring its management to an Egyptian board of directors. After working at the Pontermoli store, Berlant returned to the television in 1967, and remained there until she retired. She recalled the support and encouragement she received from the Head of Television, Samia Sadiq, who had a strong faith in Berlant and her work.
Berlant concluded the interview by highlighting the strong bond she had with her family, saying that they were proud of her work, success, and fame. Berlant also recalled her mother’s support, encouragement, and joy for Berlant’s success at work and in life, and how she embraced Berlant’s children and took care of them when she was busy at work. Berlant spoke about her husband’s great understanding for her tough work conditions, and his happiness for her success, adding that they both shared a common mindset, and a sense of understanding as life partners.
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