Faïza Guène’s Fight for French Respectability
Melissa Chemam considers the sixth novel by France’s former teen sensation Faïza Guène and whether she is now part of the literary canon.
Decolonizing Art for Art’s Sake
Culture critic and filmmaker Mara Ahmed deconstructs three versions of an opéra-ballet to get at the heart of western racism in mainstream dance performance.
To the Light—Remembering Lawrence Ferlinghetti: 1919-2021
Ammiel Alcalay remembers an American original, poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who was also the publisher and doyen of City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco.
The Hidden World of Istanbul’s Rums
Rana Haddad interviews Istanbullu novelist Nektaria Anastasiadou about the little-known Rum community of Istanbul featured in her new novel.
World Picks, February-March ‘21
Travel the world, meet people, see great places, without ever leaving the comfort of your screen…welcome to the pandemic!
Revolution Viewed from the Crow’s Nest of History
Columnist Melissa Chemam argues we ought to take the long view on the Arab uprisings and remember the many French revolutions by way of precedence.
Hanane Hajj Ali, Portrait of a Theatrical Trailblazer
Nada Ghosn talks to Beirut’s powerhouse Hanane Hajj Ali who receives an international theatre award from League of Professional Theatre Women out of New York.
Revolution in Art, a review of “Reflections” at the British Museum
Malu Halasa reviews a selection of the 170 Arab, Iranian and Turkish artists and artworks in the British Museum’s contemporary Middle East collection.
Egypt’s Night of the Battle of Horses and Camels
Iason Athanasiadis shares his remembrance and unpublished photos from the decisive battle of the 18 days that shook the world.
The Jasmine Revolution: Requiem for a Spring
Half Tunisian, half exile, Farah Abdessamad remembers the jasmine of her childhood and the dreams of Tunisia’s future.
The Revolution Sees its Shadow 10 Years Later
Mischa Geracoulis remembers Zahra’s Paradise along with the Arab awakenings, George Floyd, Covid-19 and Groundhog Day.
Ten Years of Hope and Blood
In which Egyptian-Syrian-French journalist and novelist Robert Solé considers the Arab awakenings across the region.