Central Library expands Arabic-language novel offerings

The Central Library has expanded its international novel offerings. In addition to the Arabic-language books, which are already part of the Central Library's extensive foreign-language holdings, there are now also new novels, of which German translations are available. The new offer was made possible through the commitment of the Bremen doctor Dr. Ghassan Naib and his financing of Arabic-language books.

To mark the start of the new literature offering, there was a reading with Christina Jocker, Dr. Ghassan Naib and Farhan Hebbo , who presented the novel “Behind Paradise” by the Egyptian author Mansura Eseddin in a bilingual format. During her welcome, the head of the central library, Tina Echterdiek Dr. Ghassan Naib for the generous donation of books and invited all guests present to look at a selection of the new books on the book stage in the novel area. Tina Echterdiek: “This reading also takes place as part of the “International Mother Language Day”. takes place, which is about “promoting linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism”. In addition to German, one’s own language should also be kept alive – as a foundation for the new language, for identification, understanding and enrichment.”

From now on, both the Arabic-language original novels and their German translation can be borrowed from the Stadtbibliothek Bremen . An offer that opens up many avenues of integration: For example, learning mentors and tandems can read the same novel together - each in their own language. Thanks to the translations, German readers gain insights into the Arabic cultural and literary landscape; Arab readers can use these novels to initiate dialogues and talk about literature from their homeland. The fact that these novels are available in both languages ​​can also support language acquisition – both for those learning German and for those learning Arabic.  

January 14, 2017