Egyptian Translation Center’s New Guidelines Could Stifle Freedom of Thought
The National Center for Translation was created to make knowledge from across the world accessible to Egyptians. Many see its new guidelines as a move to restrict freedom of thought.
Explosion Took a Heavy Toll on Beirut’s Arts and Culture Scene
Much of the city’s creative life was centered in two historic neighborhoods that bore the brunt of the blast.
Beirut’s Damaged Libraries Try to Continue Fulfilling Their Civic Mission
Despite suffering extensive damage from the port explosion, libraries and independent bookstores are resuming their role as providers of community outreach and support.
Arabic Comics Reach a Wider Audience Through Digital Projects
Comics and graphic novels by Arabs gain greater exposure as digital publishers promote the work of talented young artists and authors.
Hazine, a Blog for Scholars of the Islamic World, Reinvents Itself
Launched as an archives review site, Hazine is transitioning into a multilingual platform for reviews, interviews, profiles, digital-humanities tools, and more.
For Kids: A Summer of Arabic Podcasts, Readings and Online Activities
Parents in search of activities for children cooped up at home this summer can find a growing number of books, readings and games in Arabic online.
Poet Zeina Hashem Beck: Not Choosing Between Arabic and English
The acclaimed Lebanese poet moves easily between modes and languages. She writes for the page but also performs, and she juxtaposes English and Arabic in ways that make both feel new.
Thrills and Fantasies: Lighter Reading for a Summer of Disruption
Here’s a recommended reading list of lighter works to take your mind off Covid-19. Many are inspired by the broad sweep of history across the Middle East and North Africa.
‘Healing the Distance’: Successful Online Literary Events
Arab writers and scholars whose events literary events had to move online learned some quick lessons in what makes virtual gatherings succeed.
A Quarantine Reading List: Escapist Nonfiction from the Arab World
Readers who need a break from news of Covid-19 and chronicles of disease may find welcome relief in these books from the Middle East and North Africa.