"Dialogue of Cultures through Literature" at the Mohammed bin Rashid Library

The Mohammed bin Rashid Library organized a special reading evening under the title "Dialogue of Cultures through Literature", which brought together a diverse group of creators and writers in a fruitful discussion about the role of language in shaping literature and enhancing cultural understanding, and the role of writing in a foreign language in bridging cultural gaps and helping writers transcend geographical and linguistic borders.

The session addressed the impact of writing in a foreign language on the writer's creative process, identity, and ability to reach a wider audience. During the event, the speakers shared personal stories about their experiences, the reasons for choosing to write in a language other than their mother tongue, in addition to the impact of this on their literary productions.

On the sidelines of the session, the library reviewed, through a presentation, the pioneering experience of Hungarian writer Agota Kristof, in writing in a language other than her mother tongue, as she wrote her famous works such as "The Notebook" in French despite her Hungarian origins.

The mini-presentation touched on the deep personal and cultural journey that writers go through when they choose to express their experiences in a language other than their mother tongue.

The session was attended by writers Fahad Al Falasi, Natalia Arias, Nidhi Jain, Maher Al Husseini, Jocelyn Amin, Murad Madhat, Sherine Kneider, and Rana Abi Heila. Their discussions addressed many important questions, including how to preserve cultural identity when writing in a foreign language, the challenges of translating specific cultural texts, and the role of translation in expanding a writer’s audience.

The session concluded with an invitation to attend a book signing event with the authors, where copies of their books were signed, in addition to personal dedications to readers. The event was a unique and enriching experience for all attendees, as it provided new insights into the intersection of language, culture, and creativity.