Saudi literary critic Moajab Al-Zahrani leaves indelible mark on the Arab cultural landscape

In an interview with Al Majalla, Al-Zahrani discusses his prestigious appointment as director of the Arab World Institute in Paris and why he chose to quit while at the zenith of his career

Supplied

Dr. Moajab Al-Zahrani

Saudi literary critic Moajab Al-Zahrani leaves indelible mark on the Arab cultural landscape

Abeer Ali

last update on 21 Jul 2023

Dr. Moajab Al-Zahrani is a Saudi literary figure whose intellect and creativity have made an indelible mark on the Saudi and Arab cultural landscape.

A veteran literary critic and academic, Al-Zahrani eventually capitulate to his persistent desire to write. When penning his autobiography, “A Biography of Time”, he says that his greatest wish was to “fulfil his strong desire to write.”

“I realised that the chance to return to Paris for the last adventure of my life and career was a golden opportunity,” he said.

“So, I began to review my old, incomplete drafts, certain that my intimate writing will not let me down.”

“When I was done, I came up with a title inspired by the story of writing itself as a topic I had delved into at the very beginning of the text. I added an explanatory title because that self I wrote about was simply not alone.”

A proponent of freestyle writing

Al-Zahrani chose “Dancing” as a title for his only novel, about which he says: “This novel is Parisian par excellence. I started to write it while serving as a visiting professor at the Sorbonne Paris 3. I compiled several charming stories since my childhood and adolescence, but they were only brought to light in the City of Light.”

He adds: “I think of the writing style of that novel as free, like an open dialogue or an improvised dance, unburdened by the conventional structure of the novel.”

I think of the writing style of that my novel "Dancing" as free, like an open dialogue or an improvised dance, unburdened by the conventional structure of the novel.

Dr. Moajab Al-Zahrani, Saudi novelist

Before and after authoring his novel, Al-Zahrani was reaching several historical periods. He wrote about "The Image of Women in the Writings of Averroes", but also about modern issues like "A Critical Examination of the Concept of Globalism".

In that respect, he said: "The choice of topics usually varies according to the critic's current preoccupations in their specialisation and the themes of major seminars that they attend. However, all critical approaches have an overarching factor, which is the critical discourse and intellectual insight that govern them."

He added: "At various periods, I was involved in poetry, modern literary narratives, and discourse analysis on women. I would dare to say that I was a pioneer in consecrating and advocating the modernist perspective of the world and dialogue-based critical thought in the Arab region."

"Likewise, I would also claim that this perspective and thought are present in most of my critical works, either explicitly or implicitly".

Several of Al-Zahrani's critical studies have tackled narratives and poetry, covering several literary productions.

Such studies include, for instance: "New York as Depicted in Three Local Poems by Ali al-Dumayni, Ahmad Yahya Bahkali, and Mohammed al-Dumayni"; "Silence, Death, and Whiteness: A Critical Examination of the Novel Writing Game in Tayeb Saleh's 'Season of Migration to the North'"; and "The Local Tale from the Perspective of Dialogic Discourse: A Critical Seminar on the Story and Novel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

I was involved in poetry, modern literary narratives, and discourse analysis on women. I was a pioneer in advocating a modernist perspective of the world and dialogue-based critical thought in the Arab region.

Dr. Moajab Al-Zahrani, Saudi novelist

We asked Al-Zahrani whether his critique of particular literary works focuses on the experiences of their authors or their literary status.

He answered: "Both aspects are equally important to me, as the creative texts that arouse my attention enough to conduct research on them are usually correlated to authors of a certain level and status."

"It might be a bit different with some other young authors whose creative energy I trust, regardless of their person. In those cases, I write critical articles directed to the public reader, who would also understand and appreciate the introductory-pedagogic dimension in my approach".

Al-Zahrani presented his critical study "The Impact of Western Novel Theories on Arab Novel Criticism" at the Literary Criticism Conference held by the Faculty of Arts at the University of Bahrain, along with "Semiotics: Introduction and Origins", among many others.

In that context, Al-Zahrani said: "All major references for modern intellectual and cognitive writings rely on Western thought, which has admittedly presented in-depth scientific, intellectual, and aesthetic studies. But each side must bet on its own wealth and proceed as its own true self."

"Each side must invest in its own creative, deep soul, which is often mislabelled as 'differences' among Arab, Indian, or African researchers. Logically, such differences stem directly from each side's own cultural heritage".

A cultural bet

After leaving his post as director of the Arab World Institute in Paris, Al-Zahrani released a book titled "An Office on the Seine," in which he discussed some of the challenges he faced during his tenure and how he chose to quit while at the zenith of his career.

He said: "Golden opportunities are rare in life, and as I emphasised in the introduction to my book that such opportunities become either major bets or squandered chances."

Golden opportunities are rare in life, and as I emphasised in the introduction to my book that such opportunities become either major bets or squandered chances.

Dr. Moajab Al-Zahrani, Saudi novelist

"The prestigious job offer I received from the Arab World Institute was unexpected, and I turned it into a specific cultural bet shortly before arriving in the French capital, as my aim was to consign a qualitative legacy that leaves a lasting impact after my departure."

He added: "This legacy was precisely what I attempted to achieve once I arrived in Paris. I established the Cultural Institute Chair, and I cooperated with others in planning a long series of ambitious high-quality cultural programs, perhaps the most important of which is the One Hundred and One Books collection in cooperation with the King Faisal Prize.

"Another milestone was a research project by the historians/intellectuals Hichem Djait from Tunisia and Abdallah Laroui from Morocco, who composed their research in cooperation with the universities where they have been lecturing for a long time.

"Additionally, I had my own accomplishments, including the writing of two books in French and three in Arabic, as well as the translation of Jack Lang's book 'The Arabic Language – Treasure of France' into Arabic."

Al-Zahrani pointed out: "Thus, I left my position at the Arab World Institute with a clear conscience. I hope that I will have left an unprecedented methodology at the Institute for those who will succeed me there, based on my personal motto: You either make your own bets, or you are part of other people's bets and leave no impact'.

The prestigious job offer I received from the Arab World Institute was unexpected, and I turned it into a specific cultural bet shortly before arriving in the French capital, as my aim was to consign a qualitative legacy that leaves a lasting impact after my departure.

Dr. Moajab Al-Zahrani, Saudi novelist

Possible renaissance

Aside from his extensive experience in various cultural, research, and critical fields, Al-Zahrani writes in many scientific and cultural magazines, such as "The New Discourse", "Caravans" and "Oriental Studies". He also writes several columns that shed light on various significant issues.

We asked him about the increasing triviality of the current Arab and Western cultures, and how an intellectual, cultural, and societal renaissance can be instigated to counter that triviality.

He replied: "The stakes are high and the prospects are attractive, but they are only a challenge to the self. Such difficulties intensify the pleasure of the endeavour and achievement, in my opinion."

"Making judgements about the current condition always involves high risks. Indeed, there is talk of shallowness and triviality governing the current fast-paced consumption culture, based on what I call 'erasable information', which lacks depth."

"However, there have also been many creative innovations amid this culture of triviality and nonsense. Ultimately, the situation is still unclear."

Al-Zahrani concluded the conversation by saying: "I am in a transitional phase right now, and my only preoccupation is my home and its creatures and beings which I sorely missed – especially my trees."

"I have several unfinished projects that accumulated over time. I will be reviewing and fine-tuning them to release them one after the other. There are two works that I am particularly eager to work on: 'The Travels of Al-Shanfara' and 'The Signs of the Time'".

+ / -