Kutub is a literary circle that reads works by Middle Eastern authors published in both Arabic and English. We are based in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates and organized by The Third Line . On this blog you can find out more about Kutub, information on the books we read, and Middle Eastern authors we recommend. Please join in the discussion.
Kutub is on break through August, so throughout the coming months we invite you to check out our Suggested Summer Reading List
After the break, we will gather on Sept 8th at 8pm with post Iftar Deserts & Coffee to discuss I Saw Ramallah By Mourid Barghouti. (Note, not first Monday of the month given start of Ramadan). Coinciding with The Third Line’s group exhibition Roads Were Open / Roads Were Closed, which explores the varied affects and ways one records/remembers trauma and conflict, Mourid Barghouti’s I Saw Ramallah is a momentous yet bittersweet return to his homeland provides a fitting context for this candid and poignant memoir of Barghouti’s 30 years of exile, after the Oslo Accords allowed some Palestinians, including the author, to gain entry permits to the occupied territories. English copies available at the gallery - Arabic copies available in a few days.
Want more information? Email: kutub @ thethirdline . com
You can also find Kutub on Facebook - search under groups for Kutub.
Find out about Kaleem Books - www.kaleembooks.com - the new Arabic Literature Publishing house which has launched its first book: Tunisian Tale (Hikaya Tunisiyya) by Hassouna Al Mosbahi. Currently only printed in Arabic – copies available at the gallery.
About Kutub
Kutub formed in April 2006 out of a concern that there is a lack of support for Middle Eastern authors. The literature coming out of the region is fresh and diverse, but it is also beset with difficulties and a lack of sustained support. One key difficulty is a limited amount of translation of Arabic authors into English.
Kutub seeks to support Middle Eastern Literature and to challenge the local readership (both English and Arabic speakers) to consider a broad range of Middle Eastern writers as well as to hold critical cross-cultural conversations that help bring together diverse thought and stir challenging conversation. We read fiction that informs and challenges as well as entertains and have rather invigorating conversation as the readership is fairly diverse. We try to include classics as well as modern works by new authors.
Our readers range from the academic to the culturally interested – and everyone brings a sharp and open mind for conversation.
Texts are chosen on the following criteria:
• that they’re fiction, published in both English and Arabic
• that they’re by authors representative of the Middle Eastern region
• crucially, that they are interesting, entertaining, enlightening and thus conducive to lively banter that crosses cultural boundaries and builds bridges
great stuff. well done.
Bright idea. I think reading into literature and cross cultural conversation are some of the best ways to enhance understanding between people belonging to different cultures.