Interviews

Arabic Poetry and the Public Sphere Today: A Conversation between Abbas Beydoun and Rula Jurdi

Rula Jurdi

In a fascinating conversation Lebanese journalist, poet and novelist, Abbas Beydoun and Lebanese historian and poet, Rula Jurdi discuss the limits and reach of modern Arabic poetry, its appeal to different public spheres, the politics of publishing, and the relationship between publisher and poet. Both agree that oral and performative traditions and innovations can increase accessibility.

"Before we ask ourselves why are the readers of Arabic poetry declining we must remember that throughout history, if one were to examine the major Arabic literary accounts, poetry was a public activity, but it was never a sustained popular or mass-based activity. Poetry was for the elites"--Abbas Beydoun

Interviews

Dina Abd Elsalam on Passion, Art, and Inspiration

Nada Ramadan Elnahla

In this fascinating interview, Professor Nada Ramdan Elnahla talks with Dina Abd Elsalam, Egyptian filmmaker, novelist, and Alexandria University lecturer. Ms. Abd Elsalam speaks about her acclaimed and award-winning film, “Rest in Peace” and her novel, “A Text Abandoned by its Characters.”

Iman C. Bennani Speaks with Arab-American Poet Lahab Assef al-Jundi

Iman Bennani

I thought I would pursue a career in the scientific disciplines and I came to the States to study electrical engineering. However, as I grew older, I began to discover my love for poetry. By age 30, I had started writing what I thought of as “love scribbles.”

Left

Riyadh al-Turk: In and Out of Syrian Prison

MOHAMMAD ALI ATASSI

As a person, prisoner, and leader, Riyadh al-Turk has few parallels in politics. He is a professional politician in the noblest sense of the word. Politics for al-Turk is a means of attaining the greatest degree of justice, human nobility, and freedom. He has dedicated the bulk of his time and effort to politics, only to be repaid with a lengthy prison sentence.

Words Behind Bars

MOHAMMAD ALI ATASSI

It is hard to keep calm in the face of the events that Faraj Bairqadar describes in this interview. Born in 1951 in the city of Homs, he is only the second Syrian political prisoner to speak publicly about his experience, though it is an experience shared by numerous other prisoners.