In my homeland, tidings of joy unfurled, Awake, O larks, with melodic trill. Flags of glory danced, radiant and bold, Ascending heights, adorned with pottery’s thrill. This September’s balance, a scale of grace, It arrived, heralding blessings untold. Eid graced my land, prosperity embraced, Cities adorned, bathed in luminous gold. Gone, the cloud of distress …
The Rural Life in Wisam Al-Absi’s Portrayal of Plowing Wisam Al-Absi’s painting depicting a man plowing a field with an ox is a captivating representation of the timeless and arduous act of manual labor. This evocative artwork transports viewers to a simpler time, invoking a sense of nostalgia and connection to the Earth. In this …
Rural Life in Wisam Al-Absi’s Portrayal of Plowing – Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
Introduction: Hanan Al-Qubaisi’s oil painting, which won the 2020 ICESCO Prize, offers a poignant portrayal of Yemen’s tragic descent into conflict and the loss of its storied historical identity. By positioning a regal yet grief-stricken woman amid the ruins of Sana’a’s iconic urban landscape, the artist powerfully conveys the profound human toll of Yemen’s political …
Introduction Raya Ahmed’s short story “A Husband for My Mother” offers a poignant exploration of the lingering effects of paternal absence on a child through the lens of the protagonist Shams’ innocent yet misguided quest. Employing realist techniques amidst surrealist undertones, Ahmed illuminates Shams’psychological turmoil resulting from her lack of a father figure. This paper …
Introduction Wajdi Al-Ahdal’s short story “Hitler Goes to Paradise” is a postmodern work that employs surrealism and metafiction to critique power structures and question perceptions of reality. Through absurdist symbolism and intertextuality, Al-Ahdal subverts expectations of paradise while examining political leadership, religion, and humanity’s fleeting control over destiny. This paper will analyze the story’s unconventional …
A bizarre occurrence arose – I felt no shame over my nakedness! Not even my personal doctor had ever seen me in such a state. Yet she gazed upon me without discomfort. We were in a room that outwardly resembled a phone booth in size but inwardly was spacious like the fortified headquarters of our …
A Coffee Cup on the Edge of Chaos The Yemeni writer Entesar Asseri‘s latest collection of short stories “A Coffee Cup on the Edge of Chaos” (2023) was recently published by Anawain Books in Cairo. The collection comes in 64 pages of medium size and contains sixteen short stories that vary in subject matter between …
A Coffee Cup on the Edge of Chaos – Entesar Asseri – 2023 Read More »
Introduction Eman Al-Maziji is a contemporary Yemeni writer and author of a collection of flash fiction entitled, “ Burnings 6×4“, she demonstrates nuanced storytelling within a minimalist form. Through symbolic motifs and psychological depth, Al-Maziji conveys profound insights into the human condition within a brief span. This analysis will examine prominent themes across six representative …
A Critical Review on Al-Maziji’s Burnings 6×4 – by Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
Brothers The state was struck in two parts, it shut its ancient door declaring danger, its sea was dyed red, the people of Cain appeared in it, incapable of covering the bodies of their brothers for the crowdedness of graves…In its outskirts the wolf tries to escape before being accused of the crime. ———————————- Nostalgia …
Burnings 6×4 – flash fiction – by Eman Al-Maziji – translated by Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
(Sana’a, Yemen) – The shortlist for the 2023 Hazawi Prize for Yemeni Literature has been revealed, announcing the ten writers who have been selected as finalists for this prestigious award. Now in its second yearly round, the Hazawi Prize recognizes exceptional contributions to fiction in Yemeni literature. Organized by the Hazawi Cultural Foundation, this annual …
The World Narrowed Around Me Like a coffin closing in, Hope was all that kept my spirit from dying. My friend, should I take my leave from you, What use then would rubies be after parting? Complaint has never been in my nature, God as my witness, silence I will not keep. Yet time crushed …
The World Narrowed Around Me – by Karim Al-Iraqi – translated by Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
O Lord… Your people have never clung to your rope alone But strayed and leaned on ropes other than yours And those ropes failed them * * * O Lord… Our kings… Our emirs… our leaders… Trampled on consciences, discernment and bonds And above them they spat!! Who was said to be our scholars… oh …
The Decisive Discourse – by Esa Al-Azab and translated by Hatem Al-Shamea Read More »
Alone behind despair… memories gnaw at me until I weaken And my artistic childhood… amazes me… from the heaviness of my afflictions and feebleness For here I am a child without childhood… and sorrow is my nurse and embracer And the vileness of villains frightens them… and I am without vice, without meanness They feared …
The Iraqi and global poetry communities are in mourning following the death of renowned Iraqi poet Karim Al-Iraqi. He passed away early this morning at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates at the age of 68. Karim Al-Iraqi was considered one of Iraq’s most influential contemporary poets, known for his lyric poems expressing …
Poetry World Mourns Passing of Prominent Iraqi Poet Karim Al-Iraqi Read More »
The Iraqi and global poetry communities are in mourning following the death of renowned Iraqi poet Karim Al-Iraqi. He passed away early this morning at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates at the age of 68. Karim Al-Iraqi was considered one of Iraq’s most influential contemporary poets, known for his lyric poems expressing …
Poetry World Mourns Passing of Prominent Iraqi Poet Karim Al-Iraqi Read More »
