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 , an art gallery representing contemporary Middle Eastern artists with galleries in Dubai, UAE and Doha, Qatar.
We will be off for August. Happy Summer Reading – Check out our summer reading list!!
September and October will be led by readers in homes – information on the new locations to come. Following reader requests, we will revisit The Cairo Trilogy by Naguib Mahfouz to finish reading the second (Palace of Desire – September) and third (Sugar Street – November) books. We read part one (Palace Walk) in the spring.
For all future Kutub meetings, details shall be given so readers can individually order the book two months before they are discussed. See the listings for upcoming books for further details or call 971-4-341-1367 to find out more about how to order.
In book world news check out the Beirut39 to nominate a favorite author! And, the dates and initial line up for the 2010 EAIFL and Abu Dhabi Book Fair in March have been announced.
Want more information? Email: kutub @ thethirdline . com
You can also find Kutub on Facebook – search under groups for Kutub.
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.
Great site. Keep doing.