Topic: Algerian War

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Algerian author and journalist Kamel Daoud (photo: picture-alliance/Gattoni/Leemage)

Kamel Daoud’s novel "Zabor"

Algeria and a patriarch's dying throes

"Zabor", the new novel by Algerian star author Kamel Daoud, tells the story of the outsider Ismael, who discovers poetry as a means of survival. Stefan Weidner sees parallels in the novel with the situation in Algeria following the ousting of BouteflikaMore

The Algerian writer Kamel Daoud: Who is the Arab man?Book review: Kamel Daoud's "The Meursault Investigation": To kill an ArabAlgeria in transition: Time's up, Bouteflika!
Still from "Bloody Beans" by Narimane Mari (source: YouTube)

Algerian cinema

Young, rebellious and full of beans

Algeria's young filmmakers are turning their attention to making films that engage with the country's violent past. Christopher Resch met up with three of themMore

Merzak Allouache′s ″Tahqiq fel djenna″: Seventy two grapes Qantara dossier: "Arab cinema"Algerian cartoonists at the cutting edge: Licensed to draw
Author Joseph Andras (photo: Rezvan S.)

Book review: Joseph Andras′ ″De nos freres blesses ″

A shameful chapter

Joseph Andras′ debut novel ″De nos freres blesses″ (Of Our Wounded Brothers) touches upon a sore spot in French history, recalling the time when Algeria was a French colony and French anti-colonialists fought alongside Algerians. Claudia Kramatschek read the bookMore

Book review: Kamel Daoud's "The Meursault Investigation": To kill an ArabSixty years since the beginning of the Algerian war: National fronts?France and the 50th anniversary of Algeria's independence: A pact against memoryInterview with Benjamin Stora: The bitter legacy of past Franco-Algerian relations
Kamel Daoud (photo: Getty Images/B. Langlois)

Book review: Kamel Daoud's "The Meursault Investigation"

To kill an Arab

In his impressive novel "The Meursault Investigation", Algerian author Kamel Daoud reopens the case of one of the most famous murders in literary history. His book lends a voice to the Arab murder victim in Albert Camus' "The Stranger" and is also an angry reckoning with contemporary Algeria. By Stefan BuchenMore

Sixty years since the beginning of the Algerian war: National fronts?Landmine victims in Algeria: Open woundsObituary: the Algerian writer Malek Alloula: A prophet unaccepted in his own countryFrance and the 50th anniversary of Algeria's independence: A pact against memoryInterview with Benjamin Stora: The bitter legacy of past Franco-Algerian relations
The Lebanese author Etel Adnan (photo: Pierre René-Worms/RFI)

Book review: Etel Adnan's "Conversations with My Soul"

Illuminating the obscure

In 1980, the Lebanese artist and writer Etel Adnan published the book-length poem "The Arab Apocalypse", which to this day is still regarded as one of the most important works on the civil war in Lebanon. A selection of some of Adnan's works has been translated into German and published under the title "Gespräche mit meiner Seele" (Conversations with My Soul). A review by Claudia KramatschekMore

Interview with Etel Adnan: ''I react to what is happening in the world''Elias Khoury's novel "Yalo": The word and the warObituary Lebanese poet Ounsi el-Hage: One of the founders of Arab surrealism From Syrian writers to Lebanese publishers: Unequal neighbours
"The Pipelighter" by Jean-Leon Gerome (source: Wikipedia)

The headscarf in the colonial period

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Remove your veils!

As far back as over 100 years ago, people were already arguing that the headscarf was a symbol of male oppression and therefore incompatible with Western civilisation and its system of values. In the French colonies, authorities actually followed through on these ideas, forcing women to take off their veils. Historical insights from Susanne KaiserMore

Malek Alloula: A peep inside the haremObituary: the Algerian writer Malek Alloula – a prophet unaccepted in his own countryEdward Said's "Orientalism": The Orient beyond clichéInterview with Fereshta Ludin: "The decision for or against the headscarf is wholly a matter for the woman herself"The headscarf ruling from Germany's Consitutional Court: Heated debate on all sides
The Algerian writer Malek Alloula (photo: Krzysztof Zielinski)

Obituary: the Algerian writer Malek Alloula

A prophet unaccepted in his own country

The renowned Algerian essayist, literary scholar and poet Malek Alloula died in February at the age of 78. His ex-wife, the writer Assia Djebar, had died in exile in Paris only a few weeks previously. By Suleman TaufiqMore

Malek Alloula: A peep inside the haremObituary: the Algerian author Assia Djebar: Trailblazer for her country, her gender and her continentLiterature and collective trauma in Algeria: Moving beyond the examination of history
A harkis unit, Muslims recruited by the French for the battle against Algerian rebels, marches through an Algiers street in 1957 (photo: AFP)

Sixty years since the beginning of the Algerian war

National fronts?

The Algerian War began 60 years ago. Some eight years later, a new Arab nation came about – and a million Algerians of French origin fled to France. The recent successes of the extreme-right Front National have made these "pieds-noirs" a political factor again, as the fronts of the Algerian War retain contemporary relevance. By Jakob KraisMore

Literature and Collective Trauma in Algeria: Moving Beyond the Examination of HistoryInterview with Benjamin Stora: The Bitter Legacy of Past Franco-Algerian RelationsLiterature and Collective Trauma in Algeria: Moving Beyond the Examination of History
Nadia Ait Zai (photo: Martina Sabra)

Interview with the Algerian Women's Rights Activist Nadia Ait Zai

''We need to completely change the system of government''

The recent parliamentary election in Algerian has made little difference to the balance of political power. One thing, however, is new: there are now suddenly five times as many female members of parliament. Martina Sabra asked the Algerian lawyer and women's rights activist Nadia Ait Zai about what was behind this change, and about prospects for the futureMore

Interview with the Algerian Journalist Adlène Meddi: The Illusion of Democratic ElectionsAlgeria and the Arab Spring: Opting for the Status Quo Rather than ExperimentationBoualem Sansal: What the Tragedy in Algeria Has Taught Us

In brief

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Most Recent Photo Essay

According to the Koran, the Prophet Muhammad received the Book's holy words in the month of Ramadan. During this month, Muslims are supposed to practice abstinence. Daily prayer is compulsory – even for travellers. Islamic prayer rooms have been set up in many international airports, like the one here in Amman. In Germany, you can find these rooms in the airports at Frankfurt, Munich and Dusseldorf

Ramadan: Enlightenment and commerce

Muslims all over the world are currently observing Ramadan. The month of fasting is supposed to be all about reflection, meditation and abstention - but Ramadan is becoming increasingly commercialised.