May 2015 Events Global Arab and Arabic Literary Events Calendar
If you have events you’d like to add, please append below or email them in.
May 1
Translation in Transition (NYC, USA)
This two-day conference being held at Barnard College. It kicks off at 2:00 p.m. on Friday and runs through Saturday, May 2, including Jenine Abboushi, from Lebanese American University, with “The Chosen Language: West Asia’s New Non-native Productions.” Full schedule here.
May 4
On Libya-chronicling, Acclaimed Novelist Alessendro Spina (NYC, USA)
André Naffis-Sahely will discuss the work of Alessandro Spina (1927-2013), a Syrian Maronite born in Benghazi who wrote in Italian. More here.
Rabih Alameddine and Mishka Mojabber (Beirut, Lebanon)
A discussion of Alameddine’s An Unnecessary Woman. More here.
PEN World Voices Festival (NYC, USA)
PEN World Voices Festival kicks off and runs through May 10. Although there’s a focus on Africa — and apparently Francophone Africa — this does not, for the most part, include North Africa. Still, a number of interesting events including a handful that touch on Arabic. More here.
May 5
‘And Other Stories’ Book Group: Discussion of Salim Barakat’s The Caves of the Hydrahodahose (London, England)
Starts 7pm at Mazi Mas, Ovalhouse Theatre 52-54 Kennington Oval London SE11 5SW. More here.
From Enheduanna to Dunya Mikhail: Iraqi Poetry, Exile and Translation (Detroit, USA)
Dunya Mikhail, celebrated Iraqi poet, will read and discuss her poetry. More here.
The Opening of “Freedom, Theatre, and the Oppressed” (Amsterdam, Holland)
This kicks off a three-day series of events with screenings and performances by Jenin’s The Freedom Theatre. More here.
“Why Arabs Speak Better Turkish than Germans” (Cairo, Egypt)
Cairo’s Center for Translation Studies presents a talk by Hakan Özkan beginning at 6 p.m. in Oriental Hall.
May 6
International Prize for Arabic Fiction Winner Announced (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
One of the six shortlisted books will be chosen as the winner of the 2015 International Prize for Arabic Fiction.
May 7
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair Opens (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
The fair is set to run through May 13. More here.
May 8
Moroccan Poetry in Text, Translation, and Performance (NYC, USA)
This is the north-Saharan literary event of the PEN World Voices gathering. Don’t miss. More here.
Poetry and Performance (Beirut, Lebanon)
Twelve poets from around the world come to a two-day festival in Beirut. More here.
May 9
How to Read, Enjoy and Write Poetry (Dubai, UAE)
This kicks off May events at the Dubai International Writers’ Center with visiting writers Jo Wroe and Dianne Jacob. More here.
May 10
Closing Date for Project Proposals, International Theatre Festival of Tyre
This year will bring the second edition of the International Theatre Festival of Tyre, set to take place from June 6 to 9 in the city of Tyre, Lebanon.
Festival Director Kassem Istanbouli says that the call for projects is open until May 10. More here.
May 12
Settled Wanderers: Poetry and Protest from Western Sahara (London, England)
The launch party of the poetry collection at Rich Mix, including live poetry and live music. More here.
May 15
Book Launch: Return, A Palestinian Memoir (London, England)
The Mosaic Rooms and Verso present the launch of Return: A Palestinian Memoir, a new book by Ghada Karmi. More here.
May 18
Katara Arabic Novel Festival (Doha, Qatar)
The festival kicks off on the 18th and is set to run through the 21st. The winners of the “Katara Prize for Arabic Novel” will be announced May 20. More here.
May 21
Alaa al-Aswany: Meeting with an Egyptian Writer (Brussels, Belgium)
Starts at 8 p.m. at the Palais des Beaux-Arts. More here.
May 22
A Bilingual Evening with Ibrahim al-Koni (London, England)
Starts at 9 p.m. More here.
May 23-28
Palestine Festival of Literature (Cities Across Historic Palestine)
Opens in Ramallah May 23. More here.
May 27
Book Launch and Arabic Music Concert (Northampton, USA)
Starts at 5:30 p.m. at Booklink Booksellers, Thornes Marketplace, 150 Main Street, Northampton, MA. From Interlink:
Interlink Publishing and Booklink Booksellers are pleased to present the launch of Dreams of Maryam Tair: Blue Boots and Orange Blossoms, an exciting debut and an inspiring work of magic realism. The evening will be introduced by Interlink’s publisher Michel Moushabeck.
This will be followed by readings from the novel by author Mhani Alaoui, interwoven with instrumental pieces inspired by the book and its Moroccan setting. The music will be performed by Mohammed Mejaour (nay), Jamal Sinno (qanun), and Michel Moushabeck (percussion).
Readings from Book of Gaza (London, England)
Nayrouz Qarmout will read from Comma Press’ book of short stories The Book of Gaza, edited by IPAF-shortlisted author Atef Abu Saif. More here. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.