Patrick Süskind's 'The Pigeon' Now Available in Arabic

Patrick Süskind's 'The Pigeon' Now Available in Arabic
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Patrick Süskind's 'The Pigeon' Now Available in Arabic

Patrick Süskind's 'The Pigeon' Now Available in Arabic

Iraq's Dar Al Mada publishing house has released an Arabic translation of Patrick Süskind’s “The Pigeon.” The novel is translated by Kamiran Hoj, and the book’s introduction is written by Ali Badr.

“The protagonist in Süskind’s novel reflects an existential feeling of impotence: the inability to live, inability to love, and even inability to reject. But did he manage to find comfort in his secure island in this insecure world? Whatever we think of this protagonist, he always hated those events that disturb his inner stability, and the order of his life. However, the levels of uncertainty and fear are not the same; they don’t come from home, or from the small things, but from this irrational world,” writes Badr in the introduction.

This novel symbolizes chosen and forced isolation. A novel that exposes our impotent life, and explains how we, human beings, simply collapse under the pressure of the silly, and not necessarily, huge matters.

It’s a very realistic novel despite its imaginary end that eliminates the sad and cruel edge of this work. “Also, me, I increasingly spend most of my days in small rooms and face a growing challenge to leave them. However, I wish I can find a small room one day, a very small one that surrounds me tightly so I can take it with me when I leave,” said Süskind about his novel.

Süskind, writer of the world-known novel “Perfume,” is a mysterious personality, as “no one knows where he lives, what rituals he practices, his goals, his stances in critical causes, his thoughts about his peers, relationships, or his family,” reads Badr’s introduction.

The only available photograph of him features a skinny bald man with handsome features and dark eyes. He only appeared in four interviews and refused to partake in TV programs or festivals. He also rejected awards including the best literary work award (France, 1987), the Toucan Prize (1987), and the FAZ-Literaturpreis (1987). He never attended the premieres of the movies he wrote and never signed a book.



Saudi Arabia Inaugurates Pavilion at Beijing International Book Fair 2025

The pavilion presents a diverse literary and cultural program. SPA
The pavilion presents a diverse literary and cultural program. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Inaugurates Pavilion at Beijing International Book Fair 2025

The pavilion presents a diverse literary and cultural program. SPA
The pavilion presents a diverse literary and cultural program. SPA

Saudi Arabia has inaugurated its pavilion at the 2025 Beijing International Book Fair, held at the China National Convention and Exhibition Center from June 18 to 22.

The pavilion is led by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, with the participation of several cultural and national entities.

The event is part of the 2025 Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year, reflecting the strength of bilateral relations built on decades of enduring friendship and continuous cooperation and embodying both nations’ aspirations to enhance cultural and intellectual exchange between their peoples, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The Saudi pavilion features prominent cultural entities led by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, along with the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, King Abdulaziz Public Library, King Fahd National Library, the Prince Muhammad Bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China, the Translation Association, the Publishing Association, and the Nashir publishing and distribution company. These participants present a collaborative platform that highlights the richness of Saudi culture and boosts its global presence.

During the exhibition, the pavilion presents a diverse literary and cultural program that reflects the growing momentum of the Saudi cultural scene, showcasing the country’s evolving creative and intellectual landscape. It also enhances the Kingdom’s presence on the global publishing map and offers visitors insight into Saudi Arabia’s experience in content development and talent empowerment.

The pavilion embodies the spirit of cultural dialogue and openness, making the exhibition a key international platform to showcase Saudi efforts and initiatives in the book industry and its tools while deepening literary and cultural relations with intellectual figures and global publishing houses.