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Yalla Culture - Episode 08 - Magical Realism

Duration: 0:07:10.403628

Welcome to episode eight of Yalla Fekra! Today, we will be talking about magical realism in literature. Magical realism and realism never meet. So, what brought these two together? Let's start from the beginning. Common knowledge suggests that magical realism emerged in literature or is specifically present in literature, but this is incorrect. It is closely linked to Latin America rather than the Arab world. In fact, in the 1920s in Germany, there was an exhibition on the New Objectivity. The term magical realism was coined by Latin American authors, such as Isabel Allende from Chile, Salman Rushdie from India, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez from Colombia. Marquez, in particular, gained fame for his novel "One Hundred Years of Solitude." He even won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. Other notable authors in this style include Haruki Murakami from Japan and Naguib Mahfouz from Egypt. So, what can bring together realism and fantasy in a narrative? A novel that combines elements of both can seem quite ordinary with a touch of imagination or fantasy. It can feel like watching a movie or living an ordinary life suddenly filled with magical occurrences. The debate between critics about magical realism continues. The boundaries of magical realism are not clear, making it difficult to define and categorize. In conclusion, the term magical realism originated in Germany and was later adopted in literature. However, as different authors began using it, the definition became blurry. Magical realism combines realism with elements of fantasy, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. It's a clash where it's hard to distinguish what is real and what is magical. Ultimately, magical realism remains a unique and captivating genre.

Language: Arabic
Topics: LiteratureMagical Realism in Literature

Yalla Culture - Episode 24 - Banned Books

Duration: 0:09:36.246122

Welcome to episode 24 of Yalla Thaqafa. In this episode, I will be discussing the reasons behind banning books. The first reason is the celebration of Banned Books Week, which has been observed in the last week of September every year since 1982 in America. This event raises awareness about books that have been banned and the reasons behind it. The second reason is the winter in Kuwait, where authorities have been adding more books to the banned list, which now includes over 4000 books. Banning books has been a practice since the early days of writing, and it is still prevalent in many countries. The responsibility for banning books lies with both the government and the public. Reasons for banning books can be religious, ethical, or contain controversial topics. Some famous banned books include religious scriptures, such as the Bible and the Quran, as well as works of fiction like "The Da Vinci Code" and "Lolita". In Egypt, books like "The Da Vinci Code" and "Children of Gebelawi" by Naguib Mahfouz have faced controversies and were banned for a long time. In recent years, some of these books have been allowed back in the market. Other controversial books include "The Satanic Verses" by Salman Rushdie, which sparked outrage in the Muslim world. Ethical reasons for banning books include topics that are deemed morally questionable or contain explicit content. Books like "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov and "Lady Chatterley's Lover" by D.H. Lawrence have been banned due to their controversial themes. Overall, banning books remains a contentious issue that reflects societal values and norms.

Language: Arabic
Topics: Censorship of LiteratureThe Evolution of Banned Books: From Religious Texts to Contemporary Novels