Al-Andalus exists in history, geography and the Western cultural imaginary. Professor Eric Calderwood talks to us about Al-Andalus, examining it as both a place and an idea which is productive in memory, culture and politics. He explains how this cultural imaginary has transcended its geographic bounds and has created fruitful debates around the identity not ... Show More
Aug 24
1001 Nights, the Arab Novel & the Age of Decay That Never Was | Prof. Muhsin al-Musawi
Arabic culture and literature hold a vastly rich classical history that continues to captivate scholars and readers worldwide. Renowned literary critic and Columbia University professor, Dr. Muhsin Al-Musawi, explores the depths of this heritage, from the global allure of the Ara ... Show More
54m 3s
Apr 2024
Eric Calderwood, "On Earth Or in Poems: The Many Lives of Al-Andalus" (Harvard UP, 2023)
During the Middle Ages, the Iberian Peninsula was home not to Spain and Portugal but rather to al-Andalus. Ruled by a succession of Islamic dynasties, al-Andalus came to be a shorthand for a legendary place where people from the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe; Jews, Christ ... Show More
40m 20s
Nov 2021
FWD: "Koolaids: The Art of War" by Rabih Alameddine
In this afikra FWD, Ahmed Ashour talks about "Koolaids: The Art of War" by Rabih Alameddine. Ahmed talks about the characters, plot, and post-modern literature.
Note: Ahmed is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hopes of spurring interest in the subjec ... Show More
17m 16s
Nov 2021
FWD: "Emotion, Performance, and Temporality in Arab Music: Reflections on Tarab"
In this afikra FWD, Dema Mourad talks about "Emotion, Performance, and Temporality in Arab Music: Reflections on Tarab." Dema discusses repetition, protension, and retention in Muwashahat and Tarab.
Note: Dema is not an expert on this subject but is sharing information in the hop ... Show More
15m 52s
Nov 2021
FWD: “Gazbia Sirry- When Modern Arab Form Meets Politics” [Community Presentation]
In this afikra FWD, Laila Karaman talked about "Gazbia Sirry- When Modern Arab Form Meets Politics" by Fatenn Mostafa-Kanafani. Laila discusses the themes in Sirry's artwork which are polygamy, gender preference/roles, gender equality, occupation/civil rights, and new political e ... Show More
11m 25s