Latin American and Arab Literature: Transcontinental Exchanges

The article explores the cultural exchange between Latin America and the Arab world in the 20th and 21st centuries, tracing the circulation of literature and the legacies of transcontinental ties. It analyzes works by Latin American and Arab authors and highlights the role of a new cadre of men of letters in shaping Arab Latin American encounters.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 29 November 2022
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Since the 19th century, Arab migration from the Ottoman Empire to Latin America and Latin American travel to the Arab world have created transcontinental routes, and in the late 20th century, the translation of Latin American classics into Arabic flourished in the Arab world. Drawing on Latin American and Arabic novels, travelogues, memoirs, short stories, and chronicles from Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, Egypt, Lebanon, and Iraq, Tahia Abdel Nasser shows how cultural exchange between Latin America and the Arab world cemented historical and diplomatic ties. She also explores how a new cadre of men of letters, poets, writers, and intellectuals shaped Arab Latin American encounters in the late 20th century.

Latin American and Arabic literatures have a rich and complex relationship that has been shaped by historical, cultural, and literary ties. This relationship has been explored through various works of literature, including novels, travelogues, memoirs, short stories, and chronicles. In this essay, we will examine the circulation of literature, routes of comparison, and the legacies of transcontinental ties between Latin America and the Arab world in the 20th and 21st centuries.

One of the key aspects of the relationship between Latin American and Arabic literatures is the circulation of literature across continents. Since the 19th century, Arab migration from the Ottoman Empire to Latin America and Latin American travel to the Arab world have created transcontinental routes, allowing for the exchange of ideas, cultures, and languages. This exchange has been particularly significant in the late 20th century, when the translation of Latin American classics into Arabic flourished in the Arab world.

One of the most notable examples of this cultural exchange is the work of Gabriel García Márquez, a Colombian author who is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. Márquez's novel "One Hundred Years of Solitude" is a masterpiece that has been translated into numerous languages, including Arabic. The novel tells the story of a family in a remote village in Colombia and explores the themes of magic realism, colonialism, and the struggle for identity.

Another notable author who has contributed to the relationship between Latin American and Arabic literatures is Hctor Abad Faciolince, a Cuban author who has written extensively on the history and culture of Cuba. Faciolince's novel "The City and the Dogs" is a powerful exploration of the political and social struggles of Cuba during the 20th century. The novel is also notable for its use of magical realism, a literary style that is often associated with Latin American literature.

In addition to these authors, there are many other Latin American and Arabic writers who have explored the themes of cultural exchange, identity, and colonialism in their works. Rodrigo Rey Rosa, a Mexican author, has written about the experiences of Mexican immigrants in the United States, while Alberto Ruy Sánchez, a Guatemalan author, has written about the struggles of indigenous communities in Guatemala. Naguib Mahfouz, an Egyptian author, has written about the experiences of Egyptian immigrants in the United States, while Elias Khoury, a Lebanese author, has written about the Lebanese Civil War. Sonallah Ibrahim, a Palestinian author, has written about the experiences of Palestinians in the Middle East, while Mohamed Makhzangi, a Moroccan author, has written about the history and culture of Morocco.

One of the most significant legacies of the relationship between Latin American and Arabic literatures is the way in which it has shaped the identities of both regions. The exchange of ideas and cultures has created a sense of shared history and identity, which has helped to promote understanding and cooperation between Latin America and the Arab world. This relationship has also been a source of inspiration for many writers and artists, who have used the themes of cultural exchange and identity to explore the complexities of their own societies and cultures.

In conclusion, the relationship between Latin American and Arabic literatures is a rich and complex one that has been shaped by historical, cultural, and literary ties. The circulation of literature across continents has been a key aspect of this relationship, with the translation of Latin American classics into Arabic flourishing in the late 20th century. This exchange has created a sense of shared history and identity, which has helped to promote understanding and cooperation between Latin America and the Arab world. The legacies of this relationship are still felt today, and it is likely that it will continue to shape the future of both regions.

Weight: 482g
Dimension: 161 x 242 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399507127