Gamal al-Ghitani: innovation in Arabic storytelling - integrating classical historical writings and narrative techniques into modern forms

On 2 May 2006 the second event in the series The Novel Eye: Historical Novels and Muslim Settings continued with leading Arab novelist and editor of Cairo’s Akhbar el-adab, Gamal al-Ghitani.

Held jointly with the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, the lecture was given in Arabic with a simultaneous English translation. The session included a short reading by al-Ghitani from his acclaimed novel, Zayni Barakat (Penguin Books, 1998), followed by a discussion of his writing and philosophy – especially the notions of time and space. The event concluded with a stimulating discussion. In the audience were leading novelists and literary critics, members of the Arab press and journalists from the BBC World and other leading networks.

Gamal al-Ghitani is a pioneer of innovation in Arabic storytelling. His singular style integrates classical historical writings and narrative techniques into modern forms. He is the author of several novels, including Zayni Barakat, which has captivated the imagination of a generation of readers and put the question of history at the forefront of intellectual inquiry. Set in Mameluke Egypt, Zayni Barakat was first published in serial form by the independent weekly Rose El-Youssef between 1970-71. In 1990 it became the first Arabic novel to be published in English translation by Penguin.