Shahrazad - Stories for life

This week a series of translation workshops are taking place at various schools in Frankfurt. Over the course of six workshops in four days, about 100 students will be translating excerpts from books by authors Leïla Marouane (Algeria) and Abdellah Taïa (Morocco) into German with the help of a professional literary translator. The authors will then visit the schools to discuss the work that’s been produced, read from their books, and answer questions from students.

Organised by Litprom, Shahrazad’s partner in Frankfurt, the workshops have been running for two years to very positive feedback from students, teachers, translators and authors. More information about the project can be found on the Litprom website (in German).

Image is from last week's school reading with Haitian author Kettly Mars.

The Ibn Rushd Fund for Freedom of Thought has awarded former ICORN Guest Writer Sihem Bensedrine its 13th annual prize, which she will receive during a ceremony in Berlin on 25 November. The award recognizes individuals who ‘have rendered outstanding contributions to Freedom of Thought in the Arabic World.’ Bensedrine is a distinguished journalist in her native Tunisia, writing for and founding several publications that were banned by the government for being too outspoken against the regime. Her newspaper ‘Kalima’ (‘word’) was not allowed to go into print, but its online format attracted over 40,000 hits per week from Tunisian citizens who were able to avoid the censors. Bensedrine has observed that “the internet is the virtual space that is most likely to provide a secure place for resistance. The relatively free communication in the World Wide Web has proven to be a key to the democratization of society.” Although forced to leave Tunisia in 2009 due to increasing threats on her life after repeated attacks and an incidence of arrest and torture at the hands of government officials, Bensedrine returned to her homeland after President Ben Ali’s ouster and is now working towards securing justice and freedom of expression in a democratic Tunisia. On 20-21 January 2012, Bensedrine also will participate in the Arab Literature Conference in Frankfurt. This year’s discussions will explore the role that arts and literature may have played in the lead-up to the revolutions of the Arab Spring and how the arts can impact these still-evolving governments.

Last week, Easterine Kire Iralu's novel A Terrible Matriarchy was published in German under the title Tage des Zorns (Days of Rage). The publication is a result of the cooperation between Litprom, Shahrazad's partner in Frankfurt, and the publishing house Brandes und Apsel.

A Terrible Matriarchy/Tage des Zorns is a story about a little girl growing up in Nagaland, India. Lieno, who is five, is sent off to be raised by her grandmother. From the very beginning, she can sense that her grandmother does not like her, and that her brother Bulie is treated better than her. The old woman doesn't think girls need an education, love, or time to play. The story is a tale of a girl growing up in a strict, traditional society, in a conflict-ridden area, but who refuses to be defeated.

Following the launch of the book, Iralu travelled to several schools and universities to do readings, and to take part in translation workshops. She also participated in an evening event in Litprom's International Reading Fest.

The book can be purchased here.

This is the second Iralu book to be published in less than six months. Go here to read more about the collection of Naga Folktales that was launched in December 2009.