Doha- The collapse of Lebanon’s currency was a pivotal event in the life of Lebanese novelist Mohamed Tarazi, who won the 2024 Katara Prize for Arabic Fiction for his novel “Silencer Microphone.”
Tarazi, who was born in Beirut in 1983, says that his successful novel accepted the true reality that came from society as a result of the severe economic suffering that the Lebanese are suffering in the period extended from 2018 to 2022, which is the same period that saw a financial crisis. and the fall of the local currency (the lira) against the dollar exchange rate.
Muhammad, who holds a degree in law and another in economics from the University of Lebanon, chose the cemetery as a field for his experiments, and as an essential narrative point for his novel “Silencer Microphone,” to be a symbolic expression of the that is a bad situation. His country has arrived. He also discussed, between the pages of his novel, illegal immigration and the sea, which he said was another graveyard for immigrants who were looking for a chance for a better, more stable and richer life.
In his interview with Al Jazeera Net, the young Lebanese writer did not hide his helplessness in the face of scenes of killing and destruction that show disastrous features of Lebanon’s future. However, he did not abandon the word of truth. must be spoken against a criminal resident, a word in which Tarzi saw to escape from the question and bridge.
Tarazi: The novel relied on realism derived from what Lebanese people experience (social networking sites)
-
Did you expect Katara to win?
First of all, I am very proud and happy with this long time prestigious award.
-
Tell us about your winning novel.. What is the secret of this novel winning the award over others?
“Silencer Microphone” is a realistic social novel caused by Lebanon, and what happened in Lebanon in the period from 2018 to 2022, a period that saw an economic crisis and the collapse of the local currency (the lira), not to mention sectarian fanaticism and political corruption which existed at the moment, as well as emerging unrest.
All these dark tragedies and their consequences inspired me to choose the “cemetery” as a basic narrative place for the novel, to be a symbolic expression of the bad state that Tîr nan Cedar has reached, as well as in- illegal migration and the sea. , which is considered another graveyard for immigrants who are looking for a chance for a better, more stable, and richer life.
All these dark tragedies and their consequences inspired me to choose the “cemetery” as a basic narrative place for the novel, to be a symbolic expression of the bad state that Tîr nan Cedar has reached, as well as in- illegal migration and the sea. , which is considered another graveyard for immigrants who are looking for a chance for a better, more stable, and richer life.
The reason for the elevation of the novel over others, in my opinion, is my aim to present a text that tries to include literary and critical standards, as well as keeping up with the methods latest developed by the Arab and international novel Through this, I tried to draw my novel to the attention of readers and critics at the same time, and I believe that I succeeded me with that.
-
How do you read the stage and who are your heroes?
I read this level, which is between the pieces “Silencer Microphone”, in a hard, woven textual language that is perfectly worked through the main character of the novel, the young man Sultan, who works in a cemetery and belongs to her poor family. A love relationship develops between him and Widad, who belongs to a rich family, and then he tries to… Illegal immigration at any cost to improve his condition.
Most of the characters in this novel are marginal characters, so the cemetery plays an essential role in the novel. the sensitivity of the person himself and the sensitivity of these people in this period.
Most of the characters in this novel are marginal characters, so the cemetery plays an essential role in the novel. the sensitivity of the person himself, and the sensitivity of these people in this period.
With everything that is happening, and with the strong effort to silence our voices, Katara honors a novel from Lebanon, but instead of a novel about the voice, and about my city, which the invaders intend to take over again. Katara gives me a new voice, and a voice, as the novel says, is the most valuable thing a person can have. pic.twitter.com/psiyjck3IG
– Mohammad Tarazi (@MTarazi1983) October 18, 2024
-
How do you see the importance of the Katara Prize for Arabic Fiction in supporting Arab literary and intellectual products?
The Katara Prize is of great importance at the level of the State of Qatar and the Arab world in general, as it develops the literary and cultural scene in our region It attracts and introduces Arab writers and writers to new audiences of great literary value due to the existence of jury committees with veteran members known for their intellectual and literary merit.
There are no limits to the support that the Katara Prize for Arabic Literature and Novel has given to French production, this gives the novel a global overview and a new audience in multiple languages in every corner of the world. .
-
Recently, literary productions have increased, but at the same time controls have decreased Do you support the freedom of creativity at all without experience in narrative writing? Or do you want to set precise controls and criteria for selecting works suitable for publication?
Yes, of course, in recent times, literary productions have increased due to the ease of publication, but I cannot ask for strict controls to be placed on the publication of the love of writing, even if it is a a beginner, he must continue to strive and demonstrate his knowledge, and aim for his success in all literary ways.
Any writer begins with a text that is not good or does not have distinguished literary qualities, but then improves through the comments of critics, friends and readers.
Any writer can start with a text that is not good or does not have prestigious literary specifications, but then it will improve through the comments of critics, friends, and readers. Therefore, I do not consider myself one of those which supports the idea of controlling writers and writers In the end, there will be continuity for the real talents who have creative and unique literary projects.
-
In your opinion.. Has the Arabic reader’s taste changed?
The taste of the Arab reader, of course, varies like any other. Today, when we read famous texts by famous writers at a certain level, we ask a question: Could this text have the same reputation would be achieved if it were published at this stage. ? Usually the answer is no, because taste changes and develops constantly.
After a series of historical fiction novels, this is the first novel I wrote in the social novel I wrote novels in the “historical imagination”, the subject of most of them was the African continent, which was part of a large project to speak. about the history of the Arabs in East Africa.
-
When you pick up a pen and write, what do you want to create in the reader?
After a series of historical fiction novels, this is the first novel I wrote in the social novel I wrote novels in the “historical imagination”, the subject of most of them was the African continent, which was part of a large project to speak. about the history of the Arabs in East Africa, and for the reader to experience the deep Arab presence in this world.
I was working on “Historical Imagination” and I always wrote about history to deliver a message related to the present, and all this shows that there is no single reason for writing, and in this novel “Silencer Microphone,” I had a deep sense of helplessness about what was happening in my country, and I found myself motivated to write about what happens to my family and my people.
The writer, the artist, and the poet have a role in raising this injustice and oppression, by saying what needs to be said. It is our responsibility to support the voice of reality, not our own.
-
As a result of the ongoing war against Lebanon and Palestine, in your opinion, what is the role of the Arab writer?
We are helpless in the face of genocide and this military machine that violates the sanctity of people and kills civilians and children while the world stands by and watches.
The writer, the artist, and the poet have a role in raising this injustice and oppression, by saying what needs to be said. It is our duty to support the voice of reality, not our own.
Injustice may not be removed with words, but words are still a bridge to global public opinion so that we can create a literary and cultural stand on a global scale.
-
What comes after the Katara Prize?
What comes after the Katara Prize is what came before: continuing to write and continuing with my literary project, because the main goal is, of course, to reach readers and express the ideas, principles and ideas that I believe in in an artistic form.
