Paris, November 02 (QNA) - Striking a balance between ties to their mother tongue and engagement with multilingual cultural spaces, Arab writers in Europe navigate questions of identity and belonging while responding to a constantly evolving reality.
The equation extends far beyond the choice of writing language to translation, publishing, distribution and the ability of Arab books to reach bookstores and readers.
It also encompasses the instrumental role of cultural institutions and literary forums in building bridges between Arab writers and their European counterparts.
These issues have gained added significance amid transformations in the global cultural landscape, as modern publishing platforms unlock new opportunities while presenting formidable challenges.
Against this backdrop, cultural gatherings, including the Third International Forum for the Arab Book in Paris, have provided a platform for the interchange of knowledge and perspectives on the Arab book's standing in Europe.
Discussions have focused on the challenges writers face in promoting their work and reaching wider audiences, as well as ways to strengthen the presence of Arabic and its literature in Europe's cultural sphere.
Poets, writers, publishers and intellectuals have stressed that Arabic remains a bedrock of identity and a repository of cultural memory.
Openness to other cultures, they suggest, doesn't undermine belonging; by the same token, it can enrich creative expression and broaden its horizons.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), they agreed that getting past the obstacles confronting Arab books abroad requires combined efforts by writers, publishers and cultural institutions to improve publishing and distribution opportunities, raise the profile of literary works and foster enduring relationships with readers in multilingual environments.
Chairman of the International Forum for the Arabic Book, writer Ali Al Marabi, said an Arab writer's presence in Europe hinges on the ability to express their identity while engaging with the cultural environment in which they live.
Arabic, he stressed, remains essential to preserving cultural memory and a sense of belonging, even when writers use multiple languages in their daily lives and literary work.
Engaging European readers offers an opportunity to introduce them to Arab literature beyond prevailing stereotypes, he said, emphasizing that cultural dialogue should rest on mutual understanding.
Al Marabi explained that Arab culture must have the opportunity to present its literary and intellectual achievements and engage with other cultures without relinquishing its distinctiveness.
Strengthening the Arab book's presence in France and Europe, he added, requires initiatives that open up publishing, promotional and outreach channels while enabling readers to discover the distinction, diversity and richness of Arabic literature.
Boubaker Ayadi, a Tunisian writer and translator based in Paris, said language isn't merely a neutral vehicle for conveying ideas; it also shapes how people think and express themselves.
He clarified that the choice of writing language....
