Ahlam Mosteghanemi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ahlam Mosteghanemi
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Mosteghanemi at the Beirut Book Fair in 2012
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| Born | April 13, 1953 Tunis, French Tunisia |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Language | Arabic |
| Nationality | Algerian |
| Alma mater | University of Algiers (BA) Sorbonne University (PhD) |
| Notable works |
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Ahlam Mosteghanemi (born April 13, 1953) is a famous writer from Algeria. She is celebrated as the first Algerian woman to publish her novels and poetry in the Arabic language. She has written several popular books and is considered one of the most important writers in the Arab world. In 2007 and 2008, Arabian Business magazine named her one of the most influential Arabs.
Contents
Life Story
A Childhood Shaped by History
Mosteghanemi was born in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. Her family was originally from Constantine, a city in Algeria. Her father was an Algerian nationalist, which means he fought for Algeria's freedom from French rule. He was put in prison after protests in 1945, where two of his brothers were killed.
After he was released, the family moved to Tunis, where Ahlam was born. Her father continued to work for Algerian independence. When Algeria finally became a free country in 1962, her father was given important jobs in the new government led by Ahmed Ben Bella. However, in 1965, a military takeover, called a coup d'état, removed the president from power. This event deeply affected her father, who became ill and had to go to a hospital.
Becoming a Writer
With her father unable to work, Mosteghanemi, who was the oldest child, had to help support her family. When she was just 17, she began working as a radio host. Her daily poetry show, called Hammassat (which means "Whispers"), became very popular in Algeria.
Mosteghanemi was part of the first generation of Algerians who were allowed to study and write in Arabic. For over 100 years, France had forbidden the use of Arabic in schools. In 1973, she published her first book of poetry, becoming the first Algerian woman to do so.
She earned a degree in Literature from the University of Algiers. However, because she spoke out for women's rights, the university would not let her continue her studies there. She was also removed from the Union of Algerian Writers for not agreeing with the government's political views. So, she moved to France and earned a PhD from the famous Sorbonne University.
Famous Books and Career
Mosteghanemi lived in Paris for fifteen years. During this time, she switched from writing poetry to writing novels. She once said, "When we lose a love, one writes a poem, when we lose our homeland, one writes a novel." This shows how much she missed Algeria.
In 1993, she moved to Lebanon and published her first novel, Zakirat el Jassad (Memory of the Flesh). The book was a huge success. It told a love story mixed with the story of a generation of Arabs who felt let down by political changes. The famous poet Nizar Qabbani said the novel amazed him.
Memory of the Flesh won the prestigious Naguib Mahfouz Medal for Literature in 1998. The judges said, "Ahlam is a light that shines in darkness." The book has sold over 130,000 copies.
She wrote two more books that continued the story: Fawda el Hawas (The Chaos of Senses) in 1997 and Aber Sareer (Bed Hopper) in 2003.
In 2010, she published Nessyan.com (The Art of Forgetting), a book offering advice to women on how to move on from difficult relationships. Her 2012 novel, El Aswad Yalikou Biki (Black Suits You So Well), tells the story of a young Algerian teacher whose father, a singer, was killed by terrorists who were against art and happiness.
Personal Life
In 1976, Mosteghanemi married a Lebanese journalist named Georges El Rassi. They have three sons and live in Beirut, Lebanon.
Published Works
Novels
- Zakirat el Jassad (Memory in the Flesh) - 1993. Critics see this as a major work in modern Arabic writing.
- Fawda el Hawas (Chaos of the Senses) - 1997.
- Aber Sareer (Bed Hopper) - 2003.
- El Aswad Yalikou Biki (Black Suits You so Well) - 2012.
Other Books
- Ala Marfa al Ayam (In the Harbour of Days) - 1973.
- Al Kitaba fi Lahdat Ouray (Writing in a Moment of ...) - 1976.
- Algérie, femmes et écriture (Algeria, Women and Writings) - 1985.
- Akadib Samaka (Lies of a Fish) - 1993.
- Nessyane.com (The Art of Forgetting) - 2009.
- Shahiyyan ka firâq (Delicious as Parting Dreams) - 2018.
Awards and Honors
- Named a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2016.
- Has served as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations.
See also
In Spanish: Ahlem Mosteghanemi para niños
- The Passenger Of a Bed
- Forgetting.com
- Black Suits You so Well
