Expanding the Horizons of Literature
Moroccan translator and writer Ibrahim Al-Khatib asserts that translators play a crucial role in creating global literature. He believes that they expand the reach of literary works by rewriting and disseminating them among readers in languages they may not understand. Over the decades, Al-Khatib has significantly broadened the appreciation of literature in the Arabic language by reinterpreting the works of celebrated authors, such as Borges, Guiteau, and Paul Bowles. His efforts have also included the critical perspectives of influential literary figures, including Russian Formalists, French Surrealists, and Roland Barthes. With a wealth of literary criticism and insights into the latest publications, particularly those emerging from Morocco, Al-Khatib has established himself as an authoritative voice in the realm of literary discourse.
A Tribute to Juan Goytisolo
In his latest work, published as he enters the eighth decade of his life, Al-Khatib offers readers a profound exploration of Juan Goytisolo's contributions to literature. The book delves into Goytisolo's connections to Moroccan, Palestinian, and French landscapes, as well as his relationships with various literary expressions, both rooted and contemporary. It also reflects on the author's experiences and stances before his passing in Marrakech, where he was laid to rest in Larache. Goytisolo, known as a prominent figure of Spanish literature and a defender of Marrakech’s Jemaa el-Fnaa as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is honored in this book titled "The Last of the Moors," published by Al-Mutawassit.
According to the introductory notes of the book, Goytisolo lived in Morocco since the early 1970s, where he produced an extensive body of work spanning novels, short stories, literary critiques, political essays, and international reportage, while also directing a series of documentary films. Throughout his career, he remained committed to humanitarian causes, striving to expose the hypocrisy of the West regarding these issues. His disdain for oppression in all its forms was matched by his respect for the values of diversity and otherness, while he placed significant importance on the Islamic world and its culture.
This new publication portrays Goytisolo’s relationship with Morocco, the author Ibrahim Al-Khatib’s connection to him, and the legacy of the late author. It also highlights the collaboration between translators from both Morocco and the East in producing a work that traverses two worlds—Europe and Morocco—and two cultures—Christian and Islamic—along with two languages—Spanish and Arabic. Mahmoud Abdel Ghani, a poet, translator, and critic known for his works such as "The Tangier Dictionary" and "The Essential Terms in Literary Translation," regards Al-Khatib’s latest work as a testament to Goytisolo, a writer who filled the world with the beauty of his narratives and the intensity of his commitments. Goytisolo's relationship with Morocco served as a cultural, aesthetic, and spiritual impetus, evident in his writings. In 1978, he defended Morocco's rights in the Sahara, as detailed in his book "The Sahara Problem," and chose Tangier as the setting for his novel "Don Julian." Moreover, the narrator in his story "Cemetery" draws inspiration from the traditional storytellers who fill the Jemaa el-Fnaa square in Marrakech.
One of the most striking elements highlighted by Abdel Ghani in Al-Khatib’s essays is Goytisolo's critique of the negative stance of "official or popular Spanish opinion" toward the Global South, particularly the Arab countries and Morocco. The Catalan writer underscores the necessity for a robust intellectual effort to extricate Spain from its excessive European focus, advocating for a deeper understanding of language, thought, literature, and arts on the other side of the Mediterranean. This call to action addresses the persistent ignorance within Spanish public opinion regarding Morocco, the neighboring southern country, and its cultural values, lifestyles, and socio-political challenges.
As reported by hespress.com.
