Stories about Literature from July, 2007
Jamaica: Corruption
A poem by Ricardo Paulwell at The Inmate Diaries compares corruption to “an open grave”.
Argentina: Farewell to Roberto Fontanarrosa
Mariano Amaratino of Denken Über [ES] says goodbye to Roberto “El Negro” Fontanarrosa, an Argentine cartoonist and writer.
Israel: Harry Potter does not observe the Sabbath?
The synchronized worldwide launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, fell at 2:01 a.m. local time in Israel, during the Jewish Sabbath, when Israeli law requires most businesses to close. Read Gilad Lotan's translation of Hebrew blogs to see whether the Sabbath was observed.
Bahrain: Does A PlayStation 2 Gun Count As A Weapon?
Bahrain's bloggers have moved on this week to comment on a protest held outside the Iranian Embassy in protest against an editorial by Iranian editor Hossein Shariatmadari, which started that Bahrain should become a part of Iran. Others talk about Embassy interviews for Visas, the release of a Guantanamo detainee, why Bahrain is vying to build the highest skyscraper and preparing for the new release of Harry Potter.
Russia: “Absurdistan” Review
Music and Life – Everywhere! reviews Gary Shteingart's novel “Absurdistan.”
Russia: Eulogy for Dmitry Prigov
Langour Management writes about the recently deceased Russian conceptualist poet and artist Dmitry Prigov.
Jamaica: Thank God You Are Healed
The Inmate Diaries features a poem written for a rape victim.
Cameroon: Poetry Anthology
Fojrega writes about a new anthology featuring the works of fifteen Cameroonese poets.
Jamaica: A Caribbean Harry Potter?
As the world anticipates the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows this weekend, Geoffrey Philp wonders whether there could ever be a similar series from the Caribbean: “While it is possible to write a children’s book using the nature religions of Great Britain, it is unthinkable to write...
Arabeyes: A Protest for Every Citizen, Al Qaeda and Iranian Provocation
Locked doors at a university campus, daily demonstrations on busy main roads, an article attacking Bahrain in an Iranian newspaper, Al Qaeda's attacks in North Africa and the death of cultural magazines - on and off-line - are some of the topics being discussed by bloggers writing in Arabic in Bahrain, Algeria and Jordan.
Jamaica: The Large Black Woman
“How is the large black woman represented in both literary and popular venues? How is she perceived? How do her race, size and gender intersect in her representation?” Geoffrey Philp features Jamaican author Andrea Elizabeth Shaw in her own words.
Guyana: Modern-Day Fairytale?
“Once upon a now time, it got a gyal who believe in love and romance…” Guyana-Gyal is torn between her “well-beloved myths” and reality.
Peru: The Opening of the Lima Book Fair
Juan Arellano of Globalizado [ES] writes about the 12th annual Lima Book Fair that runs from July 19 – 29.
Africa: The 2007 AfricanLoft Cyber Essay Contest
Participate in the 2007 AfricanLoft Cyber Essay Contest: “To celebrate and mark the official launch of AfricanLoft as a platform for Africans and Afrophiles worldwide. AfricanLoft is proud to present: The 2007 AfricanLoft Cyber Essay Contest.”
The Baltics: “Russian Literature With a Baltic Accent”
A Step At A Time links to a Tartu-based site featuring Russian-language writing from the Baltic region.
Jamaica: The Human Cage
“A caged bird cannot pick blossom from the tree nor catch worms from the soil.” The Inmate Diaries features the poetry of Byron Mesquita, a prisoner at a correctional facility in Jamaica.
Bahamas: Literary Ethnicity?
“When I gave my reading…someone remarked that my poetry was not ‘street’. Well, I wondered, why should it be?” Nicolette Bethel examines the role ethnicity plays in literature.
Saudi Arabia: Three Books
Saudi Jeans introduces us to three books on Saudi Arabia here.
Jordan: Honour Crimes Book
Jordanian Natasha Tynes stumbles on news about a new book on honour killings, being written by a former colleague.
Jamaica: Crystal Rain
“Amnesia as a metaphor for cultural and historic rootlessness has been widely used in Caribbean writing and it informs the writing of Derek Walcott and Kamau Brathwaite.” Geoffrey Philp reviews Caribbean author Tobias S. Buckell's new book.
Guatemala: In a Culture of Sports, Here are Seven Cultural Blogs
Nearly three percent of Guatemala's annual budget is devoted to sports. The sports section in local newspapers is much larger than the culture section. However, cultural blogs are present in the country letting readers know about great projects, events and activities. Here are seven of these blogs.
