Qantara.de - Dialog mit der islamischen Welt

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

During President Rouhani′s first term in office, musicians began to gain greater freedom in Iran. Now, they′re hoping for further alleviations for their work after Rouhani′s re-election. To date, however, musical performances have been subject to much uncertainty and even traditional religious music is a thorn in the side of hardliners. By Nahid FallahiMore

Bayan Yani is a satirical magazine led by women in a country which is becoming increasingly hostile to them. For more than six years, cartoonists and writers in Turkey have combined their talents to make readers not only think, but also laugh in a feminist way. By Clement GirardotMore

The art and theatre collective ″Ruhrorter″ in Mulheim, under the direction of Adem Kostereli, has already been working with refugees for five years. Their current project, ″Ich hielt in meinen Armen das Unmogliche″ (I held the impossible in my arms), explores themes of memory, loss and the limits of what words can express. By Sonja GallerMore

Celebrated Turkish novelist Aslı Erdoğan was imprisoned for four months in Turkey last year. Despite the awful experience and the pressure being exerted on her, she refuses to be cowed. Writing, she says, is a responsibility. Interview conducted by Ceyda NurtschMore