‘Immortal’ Algerian Novelist Assia Djebar Dies, 78
Algerian novelist Assia Djebar — frequently mentioned as a Nobel Prize contender and one of the “immortals” of the Académie Française — has died in a hospital in Paris.
Poetry
The Connection Between The Poetry of Ted Hughes and Abu Nuwas
“I seem to hear Hughes’s poem everywhere in my version of Abū Nuwās.”
Sudanese Writers Union Responds to Government Shutdown
Less than a week ago — after nearly ten years of continuous work — the Sudanese Writers Union was shut down.
‘The Tahrir of Poems’ and Choices Facing an Egyptian Poet
“It all came together, the god messenger, patron of smugglers and thieves (LuSuuS) and (ro’aat) shepherds, and it’s the dawn of the age of avatars, and I am ripe for taking on a persona.”
Syrian-French Riad Sattouf Wins Top Prize at the Festival d’Angoulême
The Festival d’Angoulême — the third-largest comics festival in the world — today announced its roster of prizes, including the prestigious “best album” prize.
A Poem from Shaimaa El-Sabbagh: ‘I’m the Girl Banned from Christian Religion Classes’
Egyptian poet Maged Zaher has translated another work by the slain poet Shaimaa El-Sabbagh. This one was recorded on video and has been watched more than a hundred thousand times in the last week.
Sudanese Novelist Hammour Ziada on Who’s Missing from ‘Arabic Booker’ Longlists
Hammour Ziada on the IPAF: “Eritrean literature misses out, also Somali and Mauritanian, and these are Arab countries with authors who write in Arabic. For example, there is the Eritrean Hajji Gaber. I’m awaiting such a diversity.”
Zajal: When Competitive Poetry Was a Better Sport Than Soccer
Dozens of Arab poets are getting ready to travel to Dubai for the next round of Prince of Poets interviews. Although Prince of Poets may have the biggest purse, televised competitive poetry isn’t a new thing.
‘A Letter in My Purse’: From Slain Poet Shaimaa El-Sabbagh
Shaimaa El-Sabbagh, the activist who was shot dead at a rally in Tahrir Square yesterday, was also a poet.