Aïcha Lemsine facts for kids

Aïcha Lemsine is the writing name of Aïcha Laidi, who was born in 1942. She is an Algerian writer who writes in French.

Aïcha Lemsine was born near Tébessa, a city in Algeria. She is a strong supporter of women's rights. She has worked with important groups like the Women's World Organization for Rights, Literature, and Development. She also served on the PEN club's International Women's Committee. She had to leave Algeria because some groups saw her as a threat.

Aïcha Lemsine's Life and Work

Aïcha Lemsine writes novels and essays. She has also written for newspapers in Algeria and other countries. She is a speaker who travels around the world. She often talks about the history of Islam, political Islam, and the rights of Muslim women. She was invited to many meetings and events worldwide.

Early Novels and Recognition

Lemsine's first two novels tell stories about the time of the Algerian War of Independence. Her books have been translated into many languages. These include Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, and English. In 1995, she received a Hellman-Hammett Grant. This award from Human Rights Watch helped support her important work.

Her Family Life

Aïcha Lemsine is married to Ahmed Laidi. He was a diplomat, which means he worked for his country in other nations. He served as Algeria's ambassador in several countries.

What Her Pen Name Means

The name Lemsine is special. It comes from the first letters of her married name and her birth name. It combines "L" from Laidi and "S" from Lemsine, using Arabic letters.

Exploring Algerian Society in La Chrysalide

In her novel La Chrysalide, Aïcha Lemsine describes how Algerian society and women have changed. She shows this through the lives of different generations of an Algerian family. This book was published in French. It was the first novel by an Algerian woman to highlight a big problem.

Women's Rights and Challenges

The book showed a difference between what the Algerian Constitution said and the real lives of women. The Constitution promised "equal socialism" and guaranteed "fundamental freedoms and human rights." It also said that "any discrimination based on prejudices of sex, race or profession is prohibited." However, the book showed that women in Algeria did not always have these equal rights.

Why the Book Was Banned

Because of its message, La Chrysalide was banned in Algeria. The ministry of "habous and Islamic affairs" sent police to remove the book from a book fair. Even today, her books are not widely available in Algeria. However, they are sold and read in many other countries around the world.

Selected Books by Aïcha Lemsine

• La chrysalide: Chroniques algeriennes, a novel (1976), also known as "The Chrysalis" in English
• Ciel de porphyre, a novel (1978), also known as "Beneath a Sky of Porphyry" in English
• Ordalie des voix, an essay (1983)
• Au Cœur du Hezbollah, an essay (2008), which means "In the heart of Hezbollah"

See also

In Spanish: Aïcha Lemsine para niños