Saudi
Poet Makes History
Ghada Aboud, Arab
News
JEDDAH,
8 January 2005 � It looked like a
scene from the Western literary world
when book lovers made a beeline to get
the copies of a newly published book
signed by its author.
The
groundbreaking event took place at
Jarir Bookstore on Sary Street here on
Thursday night when Saudi writer and
poet Nimah Ismail Nawwab presented
herself to sign her book of poetry
entitled �The Unfurling�. |
Saudis, Arabs
and expats of different nationalities were among
the large number of book lovers who converged on
the scene. There were ladies and men as well as
students and academics.
Nimah readily
and smilingly obliged all of them not only with
her signature, but with a message too. �This
is a proud moment for me,� she remarked, as
she welcomed each one of the autograph hunters.
�I feel proud
to be the owner of a book by Saudi Arabia�s
well-known writer and poet with her own
signature on it. I�ll cherish it all my
life,� said an Effat College student who
identified herself as Abeer Zahid.
Lama Younes, 21,
a senior student also at Effat College, was
extremely happy as she proudly showed off the
copy with the author�s signature and message.
�This event serves as an encouragement for all
ambitious women,� she said.
�I believe
Nimah is a role model and I am happy that
we�ve a voice that can speak on behalf of all
women. This will also motivate all of us to
pursue our dream project,� said Lama, a
photographer who is preparing for her own
exhibition of photographs.
The book-signing
event attracted many foreigners, especially
Westerners and other English-speaking expats.
�Having the
book written in English is an advantage, because
it allows more people around the world to get an
idea about Arab and Saudi women,� Ingrid Galal,
a freelance writer, said.
Hazar Bogary,
20, who studies graphic design in the United
States, was visibly delighted to be there at the
event.
�I really like
it. It think it�s a unique event, especially
since a woman has done it,� she said.
�I�ve got the book signed by the author and
am now eager to read her poems,� he said.
Nidaa Abu Ali, a
novelist who released three books before turning
21, said she had heard about the book signing
ceremony by a Saudi writer and was excited to be
present. �Being honored with a ceremony like
this is a big encouragement for any writer. Most
of us will now be more enthusiastic to write and
get recognition and acknowledgement publicly
like this.�
Fatina Shakir,
the first editor in chief of Sayidaty magazine,
said: �This ceremony is not only a big success
for Nimah, but also for Jarir. I expected many
people to attend this all-important literary
event and I am not disappointed.
�I wish Nimah
had taken time during the hectic moments of the
event to read some of her poems. That would have
given her fans a closer grasp of the book.�
Fatina said she
was fascinated by the media coverage of this
event.
�Media should
play a positive role to encourage women, as such
events will surely motivate young women in
whatever fields of activity they are
involved.�
�I also like
the way the whole event was organized and
conducted,� she said. �I�m happy that for
once people gathered to discuss the work of a
writer rather than just meeting to eat and
gossip.
�This is an
important acknowledgement because there are some
men who still get surprised when they see a
woman not cooking!�
Thomas Webber, a
long-time resident of the Kingdom, approached
Arab News to express his joy and delight over
the event.
�I just came
from Damascus after spending four days and saw
how they held four exhibitions on four
consecutive days there. People in the Kingdom
are so creative and talented that there should
be more such events and more often.�
�Nimah excels
in her writing. She has depth in her artistic
ability. I applaud her,� said Webber who
bought five copies of Nimah�s book and had
them all signed by her.
As the event
started unfolding, visitors started lining up
before Nimah to get their books signed.
The crowd kept
getting bigger and bigger around the writer. In
spite of the glamor attached to the event, Nimah
maintained her cool, kept signing her books and
continued to interact with new visitors.
There were many
photographers clicking away. �The Unfurling�
includes a collection of poetry about freedom,
women, family, culture, faith, tradition and
change. Nimah has multiple talents. She is not
only a poet, but also a photographer.
Her various
interests and talents have made her book an
essential literary work for all book lovers.
Originally
published in Arab News, January 10, 2005.
Reprinted with permission.
Related
Reporting:
Midnight
Inspirations
An Interview with Nimah Ismail Nawwab
Author of The Unfurling
http://www.saudi-american-forum.org/Newsletters2004/SAF_Item_Of_Interest_Unfurling1.htm
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