A Kurdish Writer Tries to ‘Break the Silence’ Using Philosophy Instead of Politics
Bakhtiyar Ali rejects political solutions. Instead, his books pose questions about human responsibility in the face of conflict and corruption.
Exhibition Combines Research and Painting to Portray Modern Slavery’s Survivors
Syrian artist Sara Shamma uses strong color and powerful brushstrokes to portray human traffickers, women who have survived being trafficked, and the emotions swirling inside them.
New Book Showcases Contemporary Arab Artists as Survivors
An anthology explores “Arabicity,” the cultural links and concerns shared by artists from disparate countries throughout the Arab world.
Oral History, Which Records Once-Silenced Voices, Gains Ground in the Arab World
Oral historians gather the stories of participants in history who might not otherwise be heard, from those in the U.S. civil rights movement to dispossessed Palestinians.
An Iraqi-Born Artist Rejects Identities Imposed on Women
Hayv Kahraman brings a unique perspective to representations of, and assumptions about, women like herself in a post–9/11 world.
Corruption Sidetracks Projects Intended to Make Baghdad a ‘Capital of Arab Culture’
Projects meant to enrich Baghdad as a capital of Arab culture were left unfinished or never even started, a journalist’s investigation found.
Tunisian Singer Emel Mathlouthi Breaks Away From World Music Stereotypes
In a new album, the Tunisian singer who first gained fame in the early days of the revolution sings in English and touches on environmental themes, not just personal or political ones.
A Form of Yemeni Poetry Thrives in Defiance of War
At a Cairo conference this month, scholars began the process of listing a form of traditional Yemeni poetry on the Unesco register of Intangible Cultural Heritage to help make sure that it endures.
Former Syrian Prisoners Reenact Their Experiences on Stage
In a new play performed in London, actors who were incarcerated in Adra prison convey the terror, boredom, and claustrophobia of their lives, from arrest to release.
Contemporary Arab Writers Offer a Fresh Take on the Historical Novel
Arab authors who have become interested in writing historical fiction often take a distinct perspective on the lives of ordinary people, instead of focusing on wars or politics.
