Qantara.de - Dialog mit der islamischen Welt

With great attention to detail and understated humour, Christoph Peters′ new short story collection revolves around Western Europe′s well-known longing for wisdom and spiritual experiences from the East. By Volker KaminskiMore

Rafiki Jazz′ latest album, ″Har Dam Sahara″, is one of those rare releases which manages to combine the music of multiple cultures to produce a sound that is both unique and harmonious. Review by Richard MarcusMore

In ″Syria. Geschichte einer zerstörten Welt″, Michael Sommer masterfully succeeds in throwing a spotlight on the past, every distinct detail illuminating a complex context. Questioning stereotypes, such as the alleged separation of Orient and Occident, he has produced a highly readable work for our time. Marius Meller read the bookMore

She fought for renewal and lost her illusions. In a very personal text, Egyptian writer Mansoura Ez-Eldin explains how literature accompanied her through a time of radical change More

Described as the "conscience of India" in Time's 2014 list of 100 most influential people, author Arundhati Roy has a voice that counts. Speaking in Berlin, she introduced her long-awaited second work of fiction. By Sabine PeschelMore

For years, people in Turkey have been passing around an unconventional love story set in 1920s Berlin. Ulrich von Schwerin asks what it says about Turkish society when a novel by a long-ostracised author, written over 70 years ago, now has cult statusMore

Though bookstore cafes in Europe, or even in most Arab countries, are by no means a revolutionary idea by now, one little establishment named Book Cafe has captured the imagination of both the Arab and international media. By Sahar MoqaddemMore

Every year the Goethe-Institut confers the official decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany to honour figures who have performed outstanding service for international cultural dialogue. This year′s Goethe Medals have been awarded to Lebanese author Emily Nasrallah, Indian publisher Urvashi Butalia and Russian civil rights activist Irina ShcherbakovaMore

Tunisia′s appeal as a holiday destination hit rock bottom a couple of years ago when it became the target of several Islamist attacks. Having rescued a number of Star Wars film sets in south-western Tunisia from sinking into the desert sands, a local tourism agency is now hoping to attract the film series′ considerable fan base. By Silke WunschMore