M.-Lynx-Qualey

Cultural Elite Fear the Worst in the ‘New Egypt’

Cultural Elite Fear the Worst in the ‘New Egypt’

M. LYNX-QUALEY: At the unveiling of Egypt’s most prestigious cultural awards there was a pervasive feeling of fear at what’s to come

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

So Then, Farewell Cairo: Let My Exile Begin

So Then, Farewell Cairo: Let My Exile Begin

M. LYNX-QUALEY: It’s time to bid a sad adieu to my adopted home town. I hope to be back, though, soon.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Syrian Revolution Diairies: My Most Difficult Read

Syrian Revolution Diairies: My Most Difficult Read

M. LYNX-QUALEY: It’s a harrowing experience that feels immediate and real because the events are still ongoing.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Beaten But Unbowed: Syrian Author Writes On

Beaten But Unbowed: Syrian Author Writes On

M. LYNX-QUALEY: His hand was broken by thugs last week but celebrated novelist Khaled Khalifa continues his work

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Tunisian Writers Launch Campaign Against Censors

Tunisian Writers Launch Campaign Against Censors

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Censorship is developing many tentacles in Tunisia today but writers are refusing to take attacks lying down

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Banned: A Day In The Life of a Kuwaiti Censor

Banned: A Day In The Life of a Kuwaiti Censor

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Kuwait always features highly in lists of press freedom in the Arab world but it keeps a tight rein on literature

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

‘Poetry of the Taliban’: Worth All The Fuss?

‘Poetry of the Taliban’: Worth All The Fuss?

M. LYNX-QUALEY: The editors surely anticipated – and welcomed – the storm that has erupted around publication of their collection

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Do Books Matter in Contemporary Cairo?

Do Books Matter in Contemporary Cairo?

M. LYNX-QUALEY: It may be Cairo’s oldest book market but heritage is no protector from increasing development

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Online or Behind Closed Doors: The Big Saudi Discussion

Online or Behind Closed Doors: The Big Saudi Discussion

M. LYNX-QUALEY: There’s liberation in discussing ideas online but also dangers. Where do young Saudis discuss the big issues?

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Hamlet: Is He The Arab World’s True Hero?

Hamlet: Is He The Arab World’s True Hero?

HUSSEIN OMAR, ARABLIT: Nasser had a ‘Caesar Complex’ but for Egyptians and many other Arabs there’s only one Shakespearean hero.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Vending Machines for Books: A Good Idea?

Vending Machines for Books: A Good Idea?

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Drinks, gold, now it’s books – Abu Dhabi seems to find endless uses for the vending machine

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

‘There’s No Room For Poets, Unless They’re Dead’

‘There’s No Room For Poets, Unless They’re Dead’

FARIS ADNON, ARABLIT: The narrative form has overwhelmed poetry in the Arab world, so I’ve given up on poetry.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Pure Theatre: The Drama Of The Press Conference

Pure Theatre: The Drama Of The Press Conference

MAURICE CHAMMAH, ARABLIT: It’s a performance which has protagonists and an audience. Too often though the drama is not reflected in the finished article

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

‘Cairo, My City, Our Revolution’: Leader in ’18 Day’ Genre

‘Cairo, My City, Our Revolution’: Leader in ’18 Day’ Genre

M. LYNX-QUALEY: There’s a new genre in Arabic literature and not surprisingly Ahdaf Soueif is showing the way.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Laughter and Anger: In the Court of Al Aswany

Laughter and Anger: In the Court of Al Aswany

M. LYNX-QUALEY: He is arguably Egypt’s leading public intellectual and every week he holds public salons whose numbers have swelled hugely over the past year.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

“Your Guns,Tanks and Missiles Are Killing My People”

“Your Guns,Tanks and Missiles Are Killing My People”

M. LYNX-QUALEY: An impassioned open letter from one of Syria’s leading authors calls on Russia, China and Iran to stop supporting ‘genocide’.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Goodbye Ibrahim Aslan: Daily Debris Was His Inspiration

Goodbye Ibrahim Aslan: Daily Debris Was His Inspiration

M. LYNX-QUALEY: He wrote about everyday lives filled with frustration and dead-ends but leavened by laughter. Farewell, Ibrahim, we’ll miss you

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Best Arabic Books of 2011: A Personal Choice

Best Arabic Books of 2011: A Personal Choice

M. LYNX-QUALEY: It’s been a momentous year in politics in the Arab World but how has literature measured up? Herewith 2011 ‘s highlights.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

A Force for Freedom, Mohamed Hashem

A Force for Freedom, Mohamed Hashem

M.LYNX-QUALEY: At a press conference today, award-winning author Mohamed Hashem was the target of accusations by the SCAF’s General Adel Emara.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Bahrain: 3 Cartoonists, Sum Bigger than Parts?

Bahrain: 3 Cartoonists, Sum Bigger than Parts?

M.LYNX-QUALEY: Neufeld wasn’t in Bahrain during the protests, but he cartoons about it nevertheless through the lens of two cartoonists who were.