Kitab Magazine features Italian Arabist Aldo Nicosia

Translation as cultural dialogue

For Nicosia, translation is more than a technical exercise. He argues it can challenge entrenched cultural hierarchies, particularly those shaped by Western, European, and North American dominance, by giving voice to marginalized perspectives and fostering a more equitable cultural dialogue. His work often addresses how relationships between the global South and North can be re-examined and how structures of cultural dominance can be unpacked.

March issue highlights

The March issue—number 89—of the Sharjah Book Authority’s monthly publication also explores topics related to writing, publishing, and reading. It includes interviews with Ecuadorian poet Almendra Tello, Singaporean publisher Lydia Cherian, and Italian researcher and translator Maria Elena Paniconi, known for her work on Arabic literature.

Editorial reflections on culture and dialogue

In his editorial, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chief Executive of the Sharjah Book Authority and Editor-in-Chief of Kitab, emphasizes the enduring value of culture as a foundation for progress. Writing under the title “The Camões Cultural Honour: Recognition and Appreciation,” he highlights the long-term cultural vision championed by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah.

Al Ameri notes that no nation has flourished without culture at its core, and no partnership has prospered without the written word. He reflects on the ruler’s recent recognition in Portugal, where he was awarded the Grand Collar of the Camões Cultural Honour, one of the country’s highest distinctions, named after its national poet, Luís de Camões.

Essays and literary perspectives

The issue features essays and studies on writers from Madagascar, the Netherlands, Poland, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Oman, and Bahrain, offering a wide range of literary perspectives.

Raqeem column: Art in times of conflict

In his regular column Raqeem, Managing Editor Ali Al Ameri writes on the role of visual art in times of war. His piece, “Taming Pain,” explores how art captures the human cost of conflict—preserving memory, revealing brutality, and giving form to experiences that words alone often struggle to convey.