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  • Welcome to ALT Magazine & Press: Hazawi Prize Announces 2023 Shortlist: (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 prize aims to promote Yemeni literature and support creative writers.
  • This year's shortlist features both emerging and renowned Yemeni authors. The ten works advancing to the final round of judging are:
  • - Abdullah Faisal shortlisted for his novel, Spirits and Secrets.
  • - Aisha Saleh shortlisted for her novel, Under the Ashes
  • - Farouk Merish shortlisted for his novel, A Dignified Stranger
  • - Ahmed Ashraf shortlisted for his novel, A Painful Belt
  • - Ghassan Khalid shortlisted for his novel, A Sky that Rains Fear
  • - Hosam Adel shortlisted for his novel, The Lord of the Black Dog
  • - Asmaa Abdulrazak shortlisted for her novel, Shrapnels
  • - Abdullah Abdu Muhammad shortlisted for his novel, The Road to Sana'a
  • - Najah Bahkeim shortlisted for her novel, The Final Decision
  • - Samir AbdulFattah shortlisted for her novel, What We Cannot See
  • The winner will be revealed at an award ceremony in Sana'a later where they will receive $1,500 USD. Second and third prizes of $1,000 USD each will also be awarded. All shortlisted works are celebrated for chronicling Yemen's rich culture and wartime experiences. This prestigious prize continues highlighting the nation's thriving literary community.

arabliterature

Like a stylish barber

Like a stylish barber A poem by Mohammed Hasan Al-Quzahi translated by Hatem Al-Shamea     You’ll never grasp this rain, It’s rustling, As it carves a path Through windowpanes, Stirring painted butterflies On the wall, And moves along a road Of melancholy, Scattering old wounds And searching for dreams Life has gifted me. You …

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The Year of Famine

The Year of Famine   Short story by Arafat Musleh Translated by Hatem Al-Shamea   It was a serene morning with a cloudless sky, but suddenly, the heavens darkened as if something had soured its mood. These unexpected clouds were an unwelcome guest to the villagers whose crops were still drying on the flat, rocky …

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Dr. Hatem Al-Shamea’s Transformation Theory: A Philosophical and Literary Framework

 Transformation Theory: A Philosophical and Literary Framework by Dr. Hatem Mohammed Al-Shamea   Dr. Hatem Al-Shamea’s Transformation Theory offers a comprehensive and nuanced framework for understanding character development within literary works. The theory postulates that characters undergo a series of stages, moving from an initial state of relative stability to a final state of transformation. …

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Smiling Through the Chains: A Portrait of Yemen’s Struggle for Freedom

Smiling Through the Chains: A Portrait of Yemen’s Struggle for Freedom by Hatem Mohammed Al-Shamea     The image depicts a Yemeni man chained, yet smiling—a poignant and haunting reflection of resilience under brutal repression. This portrayal encapsulates a profound message about endurance and defiance in the face of dehumanization. The chains that bind the …

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One Day

One Day by Abdullah Al-Baradouni.  It was written in celebrating “September 1962”, the great Yemeni revolution against Imamate.  translated by Hatem Al-Shamea   One Day We awoke to the dawn of a youthful day, In the morning of dreams, come, let’s sway. * * * Do you know, O Sun, what transpired that night? We …

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The Mother Tree: Nostalgia, Transformation, and Identity in the Yemeni Diaspora

The Mother Tree: Nostalgia, Transformation, and Identity in the Yemeni Diaspora By Dr. Hatem Mohammed Al-Shamea     Introduction   Hamid Oqabi’s novel centers around the life of a Yemeni immigrant in France. The narrative primarily revolves around the protagonist’s internal world, which is intricately tied to his memories of his homeland, particularly his associations …

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The Ordinary Death

  The Ordinary Death   A sketch by Abdelkarim Mohammed   Scene 1     Setting: A tent surrounded by a group of people in a dynamic and changing environment.Time: Evening. [A group enters the tent.]     Sheikh Wahdan: Welcome, please come in. Please, have a seat.   [The group sits down.] Sheikh Wahdan: …

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September’s Blessing

September’s Blessing by Gha’eb Hawas translated by Hatem Al-Shamea     Blessed are they who penned your dawn and set it free, And walked ahead so you, O September, could live in victory. Blessed are they, and your eternity is bound in their name, For none like them, or you, will history ever claim. O …

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Behind the Rays

Behind the Rays by Mohammed Hasan Al-Quzahi translated by Hatem Al-Shamea   Behind the Rays they run, on soil untouched, chasing the hunt of the field. They weave medals from the wrinkles of a familiar face, and a familiar voice. They master the art of movement, behind the rays, gathering echoes of rumors. In the …

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Review of Najeeb Abdulrazzaq Al-Turki’s Winter Sun

Review of Najeeb Abdulrazzaq Al-Turki’s Winter Sun Hatem Al-Shamea   Introduction “شمس الشتاء” (Winter Sun) by Najeeb Abdulrazzaq Al-Turki is a Yemeni novel that delves into the complexities of human emotions, societal norms, and existential themes. The narrative, filled with symbolic language and philosophical undertones, reflects on the nature of life, love, and loss through …

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The Anguish of a Poem

The Anguish of a Poem by Entesar Hasan translated by Hatem Al-Shamea   Gently, my love, for your coldness has undone me, I’ve come to pour out my torment and my sorrow. My womanhood was freed from the prison of its loneliness, As the scent of my perfume intoxicated my garments. You’ve wounded my heart, …

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Ahmed Ali Al-Hamdani: A Distinguished Scholar and Literary Figure

Ahmed Ali Al-Hamdani: A Distinguished Scholar and Literary Figure   Professor Ahmed Ali Al-Hamdani is one of the most prominent researchers, academics, critics, and writers in Yemen. He is a poet, author, and translator, who has accomplished a significant number of books and research in various fields. As a polymath, he has authored works across …

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Romanticizing Cigarette Smoking, Alcohol, Nudity, and Drug Consumption in Arabic Cinema

Romanticizing Cigarette Smoking, Alcohol, Nudity, and Drug Consumption in Arabic Cinema by Hatem Al-Shamea   Introduction The romanticization of cigarette smoking, alcohol, and drug consumption in cinema has profound implications for societal norms and values. This phenomenon is particularly notable in Egyptian films, which often depict these behaviors as symbols of sophistication, rebellion, or coping …

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The Mechanic: A Critical Analysis through Postcolonial and Magic Realism Lenses

The Mechanic: A Critical Analysis through Postcolonial and Magic Realism Lenses by Hatem Al-Shamea   Introduction   “The Mechanic” (“الميكانيكي”) by Sa’eed Al-Hamadi is a compelling short story that delves into the life of a dedicated mechanic who takes pride in his work despite facing various personal and professional challenges. This story is ripe for …

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Unveiling Yemeni Womanhood: A Feminist Critique of Patriarchal Structures in Nadia Al-Kawkabani’s My Sana’a

Unveiling Yemeni Womanhood: A Feminist Critique of Patriarchal Structures in Nadia Al-Kawkabani’s My Sana’a by Hatem Al-Shamea   Introduction The novel My Sana’a by Nadia Al-Kawkabani provides a rich tapestry for critical analysis through the lens of feminist literary theory. Al-Kawkabani, a prominent Yemeni novelist, explores the complexities of gender, identity, and societal expectations in …

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Tradition and Modernity in Yemeni Literature: A Critical Analysis of Hamid Oqabi’s The Yemeni Stallion

Tradition and Modernity in Yemeni Literature: A Critical Analysis of Hamid Oqabi’s The Yemeni Stallion by  Hatem Al-Shamea   Introduction The Yemeni Stallion, “الكبش اليماني الفحل” is a contemporary novel written by the Yemeni writer, Hamid Oqabi in 2024. It delves into the cultural and social fabric of a Yemeni village. Through its narrative, the …

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When Pain Slumbers

When Pain Slumbers   by Eman Al-Saeedi translated by Hatem Al-Shamea   (1) The chemistry of the universe, Bodies of pallor. There, Where the green face of humanity withers Like the veins of an aged wind. (2) In an existence of anxiety, Half of it blood, and half of it whiteness. For the fragility of …

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Rereading the Egyptian Film “Escape to the Top”

Rereading the Egyptian Film “Escape to the Top” By Hatem Al-Shamea   “Escape to the Top” (الهروب إلى القمة), was released in 1996, directed by Adel al-Aasar and written by Muhammad Safa’ Al-Amir and starring the renowned Egyptian actor Nour El Sharif, offers a bold and incisive critique of corruption and socio-economic despair in Egypt. …

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