Arab culture

Stefan Weidner on pre-Islamic poetry

"Poetry in its true fullness"

Stefan Weidner has gathered pre-Islamic poems and translated them into German. His new book "The Arabic Divan" revisits these centuries-old works and explores how their verses serve as a vibrant predecessor to today's social media.
Bushra Khalfan's "Dilshad"

Three generations of Omani history

Bushra Khalfan's award-winning "Dilshad" traces the story of one family through 20th-century Oman, shedding light on the untold stories of marginalised women and their fight for agency.
Samia Mehrez's "The Many Lives of Ibrahim Nagui"

Reframing a divided legacy

Ibrahim Nagui was a pioneer of Egyptian romantic poetry. In this new part-biography, part-memoir, his granddaughter Samia Mehrez offers an intimate view of his work and influence.
Lebanon celebrates art amid crisis

Lebanon has suffered economic turmoil for years and its arts and culture sector hasn't been spared. The "We Design Beirut" expo aims to revive the scene and throw a lifeline to artisans
French-Moroccan band Bab L'Bluz

Morocco's electrifying abundance

Swaken is the title of the second album from French-Moroccan quartet Bab L'Bluz. The band based around singer Yousra Mansour delves even further into the facets of the music found between the Atlantic coast and the Sahara
Middle East conflict

Life in Palestine before the Nakba

"Against Erasure" documents the diversity of life in Palestine before the foundation of the state of Israel in 1948, building a solid foundation for sorely needed, well-grounded discourse on the Middle East
Jordan's natural heritage

Jordan's mission to save its ancient olive trees

Many of Jordan's olive trees are an integral part of the country's identity and culture. Having survived thousands of years, they are now under threat from a series of very modern phenomena
Fikra culture magazine

Showcasing Palestinian perspectives

Fikra culture magazine publishes literature and art by Palestinians from all over the world. The editors hope it will serve as a platform for the dispersed community to debate and dream – and defend itself against censorship from all sides
Cinema showcase in Morocco

Arab women filmmakers challenge Western preconceptions

Female filmmakers from across the Middle East are increasingly being recognised and celebrated. But the challenges they face are not always what you might expect
Sofia Alaoui's film "Animalia"

Aliens land in Morocco

Moroccan terrain has long proved a popular backdrop for American film productions. In "Animalia", director Sofia Alaoui highlights Morocco's scenery from a local and personal perspective, focusing in particular on the Atlas Mountains
Bahla: 'City of djinns'

Magical myths haunt ancient Omani oasis

Deep in Oman's parched interior, the ancient oasis town of Bahla abounds with myths of camel-eating, fire-mouthed hyenas and men turning into donkeys – a reputation for magic and mystery that persists to this day
Palestine's cultural heritage

The first digital Palestinian embroidery database

Award-winning entrepreneur Zain Masri has so far digitised about 1,000 traditional Palestinian cross-stitch patterns, now available for download from her platform, Tirazain