Start searching for podcasts to advance your language learning skills


Podcasts



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 12 - Presentation of the novel The Pessimist

Duration: 0:05:30.814693

Welcome to episode 12 of Yalla Thaqafa! Today, my family is searching for happiness. The novel we will discuss for the first time is "The Day of the End of the World," which is one of the top 100 Arabic novels. The novel is unique and not easily found in bookstores, making it an exciting read. The protagonist, Sa'id, comes from a family of skeptics who have been unsure of their optimism for generations. Sa'id's character is complex, embodying contradictory qualities that make him difficult to understand. The novel delves into the conflict between Palestine and Israel, exploring themes of identity and struggle. The modern Arabic novel often presents a realistic portrayal of the Arab world's complexities, drawing readers in with its depth and emotion. I encourage you to read this novel, despite its linguistic challenges, as it offers a unique perspective on the Arab experience. Looking forward to seeing you in the next episode, thank you.

Language: Arabic
Topics: LiteraturePalestinian LiteratureComplex Characters and Sociopolitical Commentary

Yalla Culture - Episode 23 - Utopia

Duration: 0:05:49

Welcome to episode 23 of Yalla Thaqafa, where the topic of discussion is Utopia. The episode is sponsored by English in English, a website that offers English language services. Yalla Thaqafa provides conversation services tailored to the individual's level and needs, assisting with exam preparation and improving writing skills. The term "Utopia" refers to an ideal society, with the concept originating from the Greek word "eutopia." Notable figures like Plato and Ibn al-Farabi have written about their visions of an ideal society, with Thomas More being credited for popularizing the term "Utopia" in 1516. More was a prominent political figure during King Henry VIII's reign, but his opposition to the King's split from the Roman Catholic Church led to his imprisonment and eventual execution. Despite his efforts to recant his beliefs, More was executed, and his work continued to influence Utopian thought. Utopia has been depicted as a perfect society, contrasting with the dystopian visions portrayed in works like George Orwell's famous novel, "Nineteen Eighty-Four." Utopia and its antithesis, dystopia, offer contrasting perspectives on ideal societies, showing the possibilities of human imagination and societal organization.

Language: Arabic
Topics: Utopian LiteratureDystopian Fiction and Societal Critique

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

Yalla Culture - Episode 27 - Arabji’s Memoirs

Duration: 0:09:23

Welcome to episode 27 of Yalla Thaqafa. In this episode, I am doing something special for the month of June this year. It is great news that now you can write in Arabic on Kindle. This means that all those who have Kindle can now access around 1000 free books in Arabic. These books are in the public domain, so you will find classics like Ibn Khaldun's introduction and works by Abbas Al-Aqqad, among others. The happy news is that you don't need a Kindle device to read these books. All you need is an Amazon account and the Kindle app on your phone, computer, or tablet. Just search for "Kindle Arabic Edition" and you will find these books available for free, without any copyright issues. The main focus of this episode is on the memoirs of the Egyptian artist Suleiman Naguib. He was a prominent figure in Egyptian theater and cinema, known for his comedic roles in films starring Najib Al-Rihani and Laila Murad. He also worked as a diplomat and had a close personal friendship with Mustafa Kamel, a leading figure in Egyptian politics at the time. The memoirs of Suleiman Naguib offer insight into the social and cultural landscape of Egypt at that time, reflecting on the past and nostalgia for bygone days. The main character in the memoirs, Mr. Hanafi, narrates tales of Egyptian society across various social classes. Through these memoirs, we gain a deeper understanding of the moral and ethical values prevalent in Egyptian society at that time. The narrative explores themes of addiction, societal change, and personal struggles, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals in Egyptian society. Overall, these memoirs paint a vivid picture of Egyptian society in the past, highlighting both positive aspects and challenges faced by individuals. The nostalgia for the past depicted in the memoirs serves as a reminder that while times may have changed, certain societal issues remain constant.

Language: Arabic
Topics: Digital Accessibility of Arabic LiteratureLiterary Insights from the Memoirs of Suleiman Naguib