Ehkili | Books & Literature from the Arab World

Епизоде

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  Nazik Al-Malaika: The Iraqi Woman Who Helped Revolutionize Arabic Poetry | Prof. Emily Drumsta 16.09.2026 49мин

  Can the rhythm of a poem mimic the frantic hooves of horses carrying away the dead? Assistant Professor Emily Drumsta to explores the rich history of Arabic literature, the evolution of the Arabic novel, and her deep-dive into literary translation. The conversation centers on the life, political shifting, and meticulous criticism of pioneering Iraqi poet Nazik al-Malaika. Drumsta discusses her book Revolt Against the Sun, sharing her unique approach to translating qualitative meter and capturing the haunting soundscapes of modern Arabic poetry.
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  What Will People Think? | Sara Hamdan on the Jimmy Fallon Book Club Shortlist 14.10.2025 54мин

  Author Sara Hamdan discusses her journey to becoming a published writer and the nuanced storytelling behind her book, "What Will People Think?" from its unexpected appearance on Jimmy Fallon's Book Club shortlist to navigating the complexities of Palestinian heritage in her work. Hamdan delves into the importance of collaboration in creative fields, the value of allowing one's work time "to breathe", and her perspective on choosing to write a basic Palestinian love story that's loaded with humor.
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  The Hollow Half: a Memoir of Bodies and Borders | Sarah Aziza 03.09.2025 1ч 1мин

  The author discussed her multigenerational Palestinian family memoir "The Hollow Half: A Memoir of Bodies and Borders," which spans from mandate Palestine to the present day. Sarah Aziza reflects on her relationship with her Palestinian identity, the complexities of being "half" something, and her lifelong journey with the Arabic language. The conversation also touches upon the impact of the ongoing events in Gaza on her work and the ethical choices she made as a writer navigating a prejudiced industry.
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  Ihsan Abdel Quddous's Enduring 20th-Century Legacy | Jonathan Smolin 24.07.2025 56мин

  Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Dartmouth College, Jonathan Smolin, discusses his book "The Politics of Melodrama: The Cultural and Political Lives of Ihsan Abdel Kouddous and Gamal Abdel Nasser," which examines the life and work of Ihsan Abdel Quddous who played an immense role in shaping 20th-century Arab culture as a prolific writer, journalist, and political commentator. Smolin details Quddous' life, including his upbringing, the complex relationship with his mother – who was none other than Rose al Yusuf – and his significant influence in Egyptian and Arab society. The conversation also covers Quddous' involvement in the 1952 coup in Egypt, his views on pan-Arabism, his support for women’s liberation, and his mixed legacy, including the controversies and scandals he navigated.
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  Author Selma Dabbagh | We Wrote In Symbols: Love and Lust By Arab Women Writers 02.05.2025 59мин

  In this episode of Ehkili, Palestinian writer Selma Dabbagh discusses the influence of her legal background on her storytelling and explores the complexities of her Palestinian identity, particularly in the context of political engagement and activism. The conversation also delves into Dabbagh's novel "Out of It" and her anthology "We Wrote In Symbols: Love and Lust By Arab Women Writers," highlighting the themes of erasure, representation, and self-inquiry through literature. Dabbagh shares her perspectives on the current political climate in the UK, the growing public support for Palestinian rights, and the challenges faced by academics and activists. The episode concludes with a discussion of Dabbagh's forthcoming novel set in 1938 Jerusalem, inspired by the Antonius family.
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  Short Stories from Arab Cities | Exploring Urban Narratives With the Co-Editors of "Mudun" Reem Khorshid & Faris Bseiso 04.04.2025 48мин

  In this episode of Ehkili, we speak with Reem Khorshid and Faris Bseiso about their literary project Mudun, published by Kaph Books and supported by the Barjeel Art Foundation. They trace the origins of this anthology of short stories about Arab cities, which began as a pandemic project and grew into a collection featuring narratives both in Arabic and English. Highlighting diverse and often underrepresented urban experiences, the co-editors delve into the themes, selection process, and unique visual elements of the book. They reflect on the significance (and often danger) of nostalgia, the representation of city life, and the balance of stories to capture the essence of various cities across the Arab world. Tune in to hear about the compelling stories, standout illustrations, and the insightful reasons behind their editorial decisions.
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  Palestinian Writing From the Diaspora | Sahar Mustafah Interviews Susan Muaddi Darraj 18.02.2025 50мин

  In this episode of Ehkili, Sahar Mustafah welcomes author and editor Susan Muaddi Darraj to discuss her recent anthology, "Ask the Night for a Dream: Palestinian Writing From the Diaspora." The conversation highlights the significance of amplifying Palestinian literary voices, the challenges of publishing during the ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza and the West Bank, and the vital role of Palestine Writes. Darraj shares insights on the anthology's diverse range of contributors, the importance of representing multi-faceted Palestinian experiences, and future projects for the press, including an anthology of writings by young people from Gaza.
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  Steve Lonergan and Jassim Al-Asadi | The Ghosts of Iraq's Marshes: A History of Conflict, Tragedy, and Restoration 01.02.2025 53мин

  In this episode of Ehkili, Mysa Kafil-Hussain speaks with Jassim Al-Assadi and Steve Lonergan, authors of "The Ghosts of Iraq's Marshes: A History of Conflict, Tragedy, and Restoration." They delve into the history, environmental challenges, and cultural significance of the marshlands, as well as the authors' collaboration on their book. They discuss the impact of draining the Iraqi marshes on local communities and the area's ecological importance, shedding light on a significant and often overlooked part of Iraq's history and environment.
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  The Story of One Palestinian Family Under Occupation | Sami Hermez & Sireen Sawalha 28.05.2024 52мин

  Sami Hermez and Sireen Sawalha, the author and the subject of "My Brother, My Land: A Story from Palestine" join us on Ehkili to discuss the real story behind the book and what went into writing it – a process that took 20 years. In this episode, the book – which mixes oral history, memoir and creative non-fiction – comes to life as we hear from Sireen about her family members and their stories depicted in the book. Sami tells us about the experience of honoring Sireen's real-life stories and words on paper and avoiding biases. Together they recount the challenges they've faced and delve into the key characters in the book.
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  Eyeliner: A Cultural History | Zahra Hankir 30.04.2024 55мин

  In the first episode of this new Ehkili season, we sit down with Zahra Hankir to discuss her book "Eyeliner: A Cultural History", the cultural significance of eyeliner, and the process of putting together an intersectional and cross-cultural study of its history. Zahra highlights eyeliner’s role as a cultural artifact, its use for protective, aesthetic and religious purposes, and how her book tries to decolonize the misunderstandings of the Arab world by centering its cultures and histories. We also touch on cultural preservation and erasure, particularly in the context of what is happening in Palestine.
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  Coming of Age in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn | Aisha Abdel Gawad 31.07.2023 53мин
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  Belonging, Divorce & Summer in Egypt | Malaka Gharib 29.05.2023 1ч 1мин
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  Finding the Caliph's House | Tahir Shah 03.05.2023 59мин
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  Kuwait & "An Unlasting Home" | Mai Al-Nakib 24.04.2023 1ч
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  A Century of Armenian Life & Family | Joumana Haddad 22.02.2023 59мин
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  Collective Failure to Improve the Arab World | Amal Ghandour 30.01.2023 59мин
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  Suad Amiry | Mother of Strangers 01.11.2022 1ч
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  Sahar Mustafah | Reversing Stereotypes Through Literature 12.10.2022 49мин
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  Instrumental Coasts and Waterways to British Control in the Middle East | Sabrina Mahfouz 21.09.2022 45мин
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  The Divas of Cairo's Roaring 20s | Raphael Cormack 22.08.2022 58мин