Emily Nasrallah facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emily Nasrallah
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| Born | Emily Daoud Abi Rached 6 July 1931 Kaukaba, Lebanon |
| Died | 13 March 2018 (aged 86) Beirut, Lebanon |
| Occupation | Novelist, journalist, short-story writer |
| Nationality | Lebanese |
| Period | 1962–2018 |
| Notable awards | Goethe Medal 2017 |
| Spouse | Philip Nasrallah |
| Children | Ramzi, Maha, Khalil, and Mona |
Emily Daoud Nasrallah (Arabic: إيميلي داود نصر الله) (born Abi Rached; 6 July 1931 – 13 March 2018) was a famous Lebanese writer and a strong supporter of women's rights.
She studied at the Beirut College for Women (now the Lebanese American University), getting an associate degree in Arts in 1956. She then earned a Bachelor's degree in education and literature from the American University of Beirut in 1958. Emily Nasrallah became well-known for her writing when her first novel, Birds of September, was published in 1962. This book quickly brought her praise and three important Arabic literary awards.
She wrote many books, including novels, stories for children, and collections of short stories. Her writings often explored themes like family, village life, war, moving to new countries, and women's rights. She always supported women's rights throughout her life.
Contents
About Emily Nasrallah
Her Early Life
Emily Daoud Abi Rached was born on July 6, 1931, in a small village called Kaukaba in southern Lebanon. She grew up in Kfeir, a village near Mount Hermon. Her parents were Loutfa and Daoud Abi Rached. Emily was the oldest of six children. She spent her childhood helping her parents work in the village fields. These experiences later appeared in her books. She saw many people leave her village to find better opportunities, as there were not many good schools or jobs there.
Kfeir's public school only accepted students who were six years old. But Emily, who was just four, loved learning so much that she would listen in on classes. The school was right next to her family's home. She would then recite the poems and stories she heard to her father and his friends.
Her uncle, Ayub Abou Nasr, who was a writer, took a special interest in her education. He had returned from living abroad because of an illness. He quickly saw her talent and encouraged her to learn. For example, he asked her to write stories describing Mount Hermon to help her imagination and writing skills grow.
School Days
After finishing elementary school in her village, which only went up to the third grade, Emily wanted to continue her education. Her family did not have enough money for private school. So, she wrote a letter to her other uncle, who was a businessman living in America. She explained her wish to study more and her family's money problems. Her uncle agreed to help and paid for her schooling.
When she was sixteen, Emily left her hometown to study at the Choueifat National College. This was a boarding school in the suburbs of Beirut.
She studied at Choueifat for four years. During this time, her love for literature grew even stronger. She spent many hours in the school library because there was no library in her hometown. She loved reading books by famous writers like Mikha'il Na'ima and Kahlil Gibran. These writers greatly influenced her own writing. She even admitted to enjoying reading interesting bits of journals and magazines that were used to wrap candies!
Emily Nasrallah gave credit to Nassim Nasser, her Arabic language teacher. He helped her improve her writing skills with his "red correction pen harsh criticism." He was the first person to publish her writings in a local Beirut magazine called Telegraph in 1949 and 1950. He also encouraged her to join writing and public speaking contests.
College and Early Career
After graduating from Choueifat, Emily's parents wanted her to return to Kfeir and teach in the village school. They did not want her to live alone in the city. But Emily decided to go back to Beirut. There, she tutored the children of Edvique Shayboub. Edvique was the editor of Sawt al Mar'a (Woman's Voice) magazine. She offered Emily a chance to publish articles in her magazine and encouraged her to stay in Beirut.
In 1955, Amal Makdessy Kortas, the director of the Ahliah school, offered Emily a job and a place to live at the school. Emily taught for two hours each day at this school. Hanan al-Shaykh, who later became a famous writer, was one of her students. Emily still struggled to pay for her college education. Her friend and colleague at the Ahlia school, Jalila Srour, helped her financially.
Emily also continued tutoring, writing articles for Sawt al Mar'a magazine, and even lent her voice to the national radio station. She did all this to pay back Jalila and to pay for her college education. She studied at the Beirut College for Women and the American University of Beirut. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in education and literature in 1958.
Writing and Journalism Career
In 1955, Emily Nasrallah met Jacqueline Nahas, a journalist. This meeting led to Emily's 15-year career at as-Sayyad (the hunter) magazine, where she wrote for the society news section. She also wrote articles for the Al Anwar newspaper. From 1973 to 1975, she worked as a cultural and public relations consultant at the Beirut University College. Later, from 1981 to 1987, she joined Fayruz magazine as a feature editor.
Her Family Life
Emily married Philip Nasrallah, a chemist from Zahleh, in 1957 while she was still in college. They had four children: Ramzi, Maha, Khalil, and Mona. Emily never left Beirut, even during the worst times of the Lebanese Civil War. She became known as one of the "Beirut Decentrists," meaning she stayed in the city despite the conflict.
Her Books
Novels
- Tuyur Aylul (The Birds of September), 1962. This was her first novel and won three Arabic literary prizes.
- Shajarat al-Difla (The Oleander Tree), 1968.
- al-Rahina (The Hostage), 1974.
- Tilka l-dhikrayat (Those Memories), 1980.
- al-Iqlaʿ ʿaks al-zaman (Flight Against Time), 1981.
- al-Jamr al-ghafi (The Sleeping Ember), 1995.
- Ma Hadatha Fi Jouzour Tamaya (What Happened in the Tamaya Islands).
Short Stories
- Jazirat al-Wahm (The Island of Illusion), 1973.
- al-Yanbouʿ (The Spring), 1978.
- al-Mar'a fi 17 qissa (Women in 17 Stories), 1984.
- al-Tahuna al-da'iʿa (The Lost Mill), 1984.
- Khubzuna al-yami (Our Daily Bread), 1988.
- Mahattat al-rahil (Stations on a Journey), 1996.
- Rawat lia al-ayyam (Days Recounted), 1997.
- Al-Layali al-Ghajariyya (Gypsy Nights), 1998.
- Awraq Minsiah (Forgotten Papers).
- Aswad wa Abyiad (Black and White).
- Riyah janoubiyyah (Southern Winds).
Children's Books
- Shadi as-Saghir (Little Shadi), 1977.
- al-Bahira (The Resplendent Flower).
- Yawmiyat Hirr (A Cat's Diary), 1988.
- ʿala Bissat al Thalj (On a Snow Carpet).
- Al Ghazala (The Gazelle).
- Anda al Khawta (Anda the Fool).
- Ayna tathhab Anda? (Where Does Anda Go?).
- Al Walad (The Child), 2020.
Non-Fiction Books
- Nisaa' Ra'idat – Volumes 1, 2, and 3: Biographies of Pioneer Women From the East.
- Nisaa' Ra'idat – Volumes 4, 5, and 6: Biographies of Pioneer Women From the West.
- Fil Bal (Recollections of Start-up of Journalistic Career).
- Al Makan (The Place): Her autobiography about her early childhood, 2018.
Awards and Honors
Emily Nasrallah's book A Cat's Diary was recognized on the 1998 IBBY honor list. This book tells about the difficulties of war in Beirut from the point of view of a Siamese cat named Zicco and his friend, a girl named Mona.
On August 28, 2017, the Goethe-Institut gave Emily Nasrallah the Goethe Medal. This is an important award from Germany given to non-Germans who have made great contributions.
On February 6, 2018, the President of Lebanon, Michel Aoun, honored her with the Cedar Medal of Honor, Commander Rank. Emily Nasrallah said this was one of the happiest days of her life. Because of her health, she could not go to the Presidential Palace for the award. So, President Aoun sent the Minister of Justice, Salim Jreissaty, to her home. The award ceremony took place there.
See also
In Spanish: Emily Nasrallah para niños
