Oriental Cultural Forum

Iraqi Jewish writings throughout the 20th century."

ORIENTAL CULTURAL FORUM hosting

Iraqi Jewish writings throughout the 20th century."

How to express Iraqiness ?

Based on the literature produced by Iraqi Jews throughout the 20^th century both inside and outside Iraq Aline Schlaepfer will examine the division in discussion from a literary point of view, and focusing on such figures as Anwar Shaul, Meir Basri, and Samir Naqqash, she will discuss themes relating to the history of the Iraqi Jewish community, such as nationality, language, religion, and exile. In order to render the lively aspect of their literature, she will read extracts both in Arabic and English, stressing on the different levels of Arabic used by the authors, i.e. classical Arabic and the Jewish Iraqi dialect.

Aline Schlaepfer is a PhD candidate at the University of Geneva. In 2005, she completed her MA degree in Middle Eastern Studies (focusing both on Arabic Language and Literature as well as Old Testament Studies). During her studies, she spent a year in Egypt improving her skills in colloquial Arabic.

Aline Schlaepfer teaches Arabic Language and Islamic Civilisation as an assistant teacher in the Department of Arabic Language and Literature (University of Geneva). Her doctoral dissertation is about the history of the Jewish community in Baghdad in the 20^th century and the issue of national identities amongst the Iraqi Jewish intellectuals.

6th of May at 7.00, event will start 7.30

This event is part of an exciting programme of events from the Oriental Cultural Forum, which are held on the first Wednesday of every month.

Address:

Poetry Café (Poetry Society), 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BX

Underground: Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line), Holborn (Piccadilly & Central Line)