This panel is the first step toward a volume in Bloomsbury’s "Literature as World Literature" series, edited by Tristan Leperlier (CNRS) and Mohamed-Salah Omri (Oxford). It will explore “Maghreb literature” (excluding Egypt) from transnational and plurilingual perspectives, encompassing all literary languages used in the region—oral or written—including Arabic, Tamazight (and their dialects), French, diaspora languages and even Latin.
The first set of questions explores the notion of “Maghreb literature.” Does this geographic and partly political space correspond to any “significant geography” for writers? Are there networks—through studies, journals, festivals—that transcend borders, whether within the region or via third countries? However, we should avoid overestimating the literary importance of this region compared to the national level or that of linguistic areas.
Secondly we examine the positioning of Maghreb literatures within their linguistic areas. Many writers publish abroad, particularly in Paris (for French) and Beirut (for Arabic), gaining international recognition but sometimes facing accusations at home of being disconnected and catering to a foreign readership. This raises questions about national literatures and their canons. Is a unified Tamazight literature emerging, beyond the national divides? How are first- or second-generation diasporic writers, using languages like Italian, Catalan, or English, integrated into the national literatures in the Maghreb?
The third focus is on the translation of the diverse Maghreb literatures—within the region’s languages and internationally. How are they received in those new contexts of publication? What are the actors, institutions, literary policies driving these circulations? Examples may include Cold War Communist networks, Pakistani publishers, or feminist Dutch translators.
Case studies are welcome, but contributions offering socio-historical or comparative perspectives are preferred, especially those exploring the interplay between actors and books circulations, literary recognition and politics.
Please send 300 words abstract and bio to tristan.leperlier@cnrs.fr and mohamed-salah.omri@ames.ox.ac.uk.