Algerian novelist Al Aaraj lectures at Bibliotheca Alexandrina

The decision of Bibliotheca Alexandrina to invite Algerian novelist Wassini Al-Aaraj to lecture was a practical initiative to reconcile Egyptian-Algerian cultural relations

The decision of Bibliotheca Alexandrina toinvite renowned Algerian novelist Wassini Al-Aaraj's lecture last Tuesday evening was viewed as an important step and a practical initiative to reconcile Egyptian-Algerian cultural relations. Al-Aaraj is the first Arab novelist to participate in the events, which previously had more of a local identity. The invitation came only a few days after the Bibliotheca turned down an offer to participate in the Algerian book salon, which began this week.
A group of Egyptian intellectuals started a drive on Facebook to donate 4,000 books to Algerian bookstores. The campaign was positively received by individuals, who wanted to contain the disaster triggered by the notorious football game between Egypt and Algeria last year, which forced Egypt out of the World Cup.
The lecture was well-attended and Al-Aaraj first mentioned the football crisis saying, "That incident is shameful and a major disappointment. I hope intellectuals will not allow it to exacerbate".
Wassini Al-Aaraj, born in August 1954 in the border village of Sidi Bugenan, Telmesan is an academic and novelist and at present is chair of the central university of Algeria and the Sorbonne in Paris. He is considered one of the most important novelists in the Arab region and was awarded the Sheikh Zayed award in 2008.
Al-Aaraj's work, written in Arabic and French, does not adhere to a single fixed form, but constantly seeks its own new and lively modes of expression through subverting the language and stirring up its certitude. From this perspective, language is not a staple but a constant and continuous search. Most prominent among his works is "The Guardian of Shadows" which was chosen as one of five best literary works in France in 1997. Others include "Dreams of Placid Miriam", "The Eastern Manuscript" and "The Water's Memory".
During his lecture, the author of "Lady of Status" described the experience of his generation of Algerian writers who grew up in a Francophone atmosphere which scorned the Arabic language, despite the era of national independence.
Al-Aaraj paid special tribute to his grandmother, Fatma an illiterate woman who encouraged him to learn Arabic and enriched his memory with legendary stories about her Moorish ancestors. "It is thanks to those stories that I sought to explore historical stories and enjoyed reading the holy Quran," he said.
"My grandmother was completely convinced of her Moorish origins. She even told me how my grandfather fled Spain because they wanted to burn down his library. He told them to burn him rather than his books," he recounted.
Al-Aaraj explained that this story stimulated his interest in books and motivated him to learn Arabic in Quranic schools which taught Arabic and Quranic sciences. He described how he used part of the Sheikh Zayed award money he received to rebuild the Quranic school where he was taught in gratitude for the role it played in changing his life, saying it was ‘miraculous'. Al-Aaraj affirmed that Quranic texts "stimulate the senses and the imagination and proves that the language that dictates the teachings of religion can also create great literary works."
"My passion for Arabic language led me to read 'A Thousand and One Nights' in its old Boulaq version,” he continued. “Whenever my grandmother saw me read this account she would pray and wish me success believing I was reading the Holy Quran. If I met the person today who published this copy of ‘A Thousand and One Nights' I would kiss his hand for unwittingly leading me towards my path."
Al-Aaraj dedicated most of the lecture to his novel "The Book of the Prince – Iron Paths", one of 16 literary works published by Dar Al-Adab in Beirut in 2005, describing it as his most popular work since it tackles humane aspects in the life of Prince Abdel Qader, the Algerian freedom-fighter.
"I wrote this novel as a form of reply to the book "Clash of Civilisations" by Samuel Huntington. I spent years reading biographies of the Prince, depending on different sources and manuscripts. I was especially moved by the relationship between him and the French priest Monsieur Debouchi. I consider this a rare example of an effective, compassionate dialogue. Debouchi dedicated his life to proving the Prince's innocence and eventually succeeded in securing his release from prison in Amboise in France." Al-Aaraj explained. "In the relationship between the priest and the prince, I found aspects in the personality of the prince that balances his legendary aura".
Al-Aaraj told the audience that the image of the prince satisfied readers but upset official authorities, who were unhappy to see the prince descend from his legendary pedestal and appear more compassionate.
“When this was communicated to me I told them that I am writing about my prince; you hold on to yours," he said.
At the end of the lecture Al-Aaraj, whose novel "Andalusian Home" was chosen among a long list for the 4th round of the Arab Poker award in 2010, participated in the distribution of the Narration Lab short stories competition awards for 2010, whose committee of judges was chaired by writer Ibrahim Abdel-Megid.
The evening included several intellectuals from the Narration Lab who presented their research on the literature of Al-Aaraj. Critic Shawki Badr Youssif noted how Al Aaraj wrote with obsession about his homeland Algeria, including its history, concerns and problems.
Dr Ahmed Mahmoud El Masry commented that the experimental, innovative strength of Al Aaraj was clearest in his masterpiece "The thousand and seventh night" in two parts, "Sand of the Maya" and "Eastern Manuscript", where he entered into a dialogue with “A Thousand and One Nights".